Burning Attraction (24 page)

             
He shrugs at me. "Didn't know you would be either. Sunshine looks good on you though."

             
"I could say the same about you," I smile smugly, "but I won't."

             
"Ouch," he laughs. "You're always so mean to me."

             
I wrinkle my nose. "Nah, not as much as I used to be." I turn back around to finish watching the game of volley ball.

             
"Can I join you?"

             
"I'd like that."

             
We watch two rounds of the game, then grab a few sodas and walk along the shore line, just chatting about things. It's getting chilly out as the sun starts to set. Pierce must notice my shiver as he asks if I need a jacket. We walk back to where his truck is parked and we both hop in. He hands me a USD sweatshirt, which is five sizes too big but smells like Pierce and gives me comfort. The two of us end up talking in here instead of getting back out, he even turns on the radio. Between conversations we both sing out different parts of songs we like, and I catch myself laughing more than I have in a long time.

             
My stomach rumbles so loud, you can hear it over the music. "Let's go get some dinner," Pierce suggests.

             
"That'd be a good idea. I actually have an appetite, I should fill my belly up." I rub on my belly, but you can't see it through the sweatshirt.

             
Pierce laughs at me. "I don't know, you're looking awfully pudgy right now. Maybe we should go for a run instead."

             
I scowl at him. "Screw you. Get me some food asshole."

             
We end up at a restaurant right on the shore line and order enough food to feed five people. The saddest part is that every single piece of food laid out before us is gobbled up, and I've even drank three sodas. I swear I just gained all my weight back from eating this meal. I can't move after I shovel in the last bite of lobster tail, so we just sit and talk a little bit more. Mostly about Pierce's plans after he graduates in two months, which is taking over his father’s business. He also mentions how he will be done with fighting once graduation hits too.

             
I use the restroom while waiting for the waiter to bring the check out. When I come back, Pierce is on the phone with someone, and the call ends when I sit down, so I didn't hear any of it. It's not my business, so I don't ask what it's about but Pierce smiles at me, excited about something. "Tonight's the last fight Mouse is throwing this year. You should come. Please?"

             
I press my lips together, thinking on it for a moment. "That depends, who are you fighting?"

             
He looks sheepish before answering, so I know who before the name even leaves his mouth. "Avery."

             
I snort out a laugh, "you're funny. No that’s okay, I can make it back to the beach, I'm sure Aubrey wants to go, and she can ride with Mason. I'll take her car back home."

             
"Come on, you can cheer on Avery, I don't care. It's my last fight ever, you got to come. I'll bat my eyelashes if that works?" And he does.

             
It causes me to laugh, he is such a playful man, sometimes I forget that he is three years older than me. Pierce has been such a great friend to me lately too, so I don't want to say no to him. I sigh, "I guess so. But I'm not cheering you on. Or Avery. I officially hate fighting now. But I want to see your last fight."

             
"Nice." He throws down a handful of money on the table and we leave the restaurant together. I honestly don't hate fighting, I love it, I'm addicted to it. I'm just upset that fighting is what has stolen Avery from me. It's what is putting a pause on the future I really want.

             
Once we make it underground, Pierce says he will see me after the fight as he goes to find Mouse. I see Aubrey and Mason, and make my way over to them. "I was trying to find you!" Aubrey says when she spots me.

             
"Sorry, I went out to dinner, I was starving and cold."

             
She eyes my sweatshirt and her eyebrows raise as she realizes who I went to dinner with. "I see." Nothing more is said between the three of us, but I can tell from Mason's gaze he isn't impressed. I'm sick of people judging me like this. Avery is the one who left me, all for selfish reasons too. We could have made this work, we could be perfectly happy right now. We could have figured something out while he was touring the cities. I could have met up with him for some of the fights and I'd be right here when he got back. But he gave up, and I'm the one who hurts the most, and when I'm finally being happy after two weeks, I'm instantly judged.

             
I feel a nudge on my shoulder and I look over to see Carson. "Fancy seeing you here," he says, copying my words from when I saw him at the gym.

             
"Yeah, I could say the same," I laugh out.

             
"Nice sweatshirt," he states eyeing me up and down. I don't say anything but I do blush profusely.

             
Mouse gets on his soapbox a few minutes later and starts his speech. "And, I'm sorry to announce this is the last fight of the year. Possibly the last fight you'll see down here from either contenders. Our first opponent is graduating in just two months, but we've been enjoying him the last four years down here! I guarantee this a good fight tonight, ladies and gents, let’s hear it for Piiiierrrrrcccceee "Skull Crusher" Daaaniiiieellssonnnn!" The crowd erupts, including me this time. When Pierce comes out and sees me clapping his smile widens. I can see the adrenline rushing through him, he wants to win this fight, bad. And not for anyone but me.

             
"And now, our most recent champion, the man who we will be seeing on cable soon. The man who took us by storm this year, gents, you know you want to be him, ladies, you know you want to do him. Let's hear it for the one and only Avverrrrry "Kill Switch" Maannniinnggggg!" The crowd applauds louder than I've ever heard it and I join in on hollering out for Avery. He spots me when he enters the makeshift circle and is shocked by my presence. He flashes his boyish grin at me and it causes my heart to pump faster. It causes me to believe there is still a chance.

             
Both Avery and Pierce stand toe to toe, waiting for the horn to blow, and when it does I scream out as Pierce blasts Avery harder than I've ever witnessed. The two of them look out to kill one another, and I feel myself panic the second blood is drawn, having no idea where it's coming from. I cringe, I cheer, I close my eyes, I call out words of encouragement. It's a close fight and I'm not sure who is going to win. Just as I'm thinking that Avery is getting the best of Pierce, he plows into Avery's jaw so hard, I can hear the crunching of something breaking. Blood splatters out towards the crowd, thankfully missing me this time. Avery falls and Pierce punches him three more times before Mouse throws down the towel.

             
The crowd goes wild and I just stare, stunned, unsure if I should cheer for Pierce or feel bad for Avery. "Look at this ladies and gents, Pierce ending the year claiming back his title of champion! Everyone, give this man an appropriate round of applause!" Mouse yells out, holding Pierce's arm in the air. I clap and smile at Pierce, but don't make it too obvious how happy I am for him.

             
As the crowd starts tightening around Pierce, congratulating him on his victory, Carson looks at me with a disapproving look. "How did I not see it?"

             
"See what?" I ask him, confused.

             
"That you're in love with Pierce too."

             
My eyes widen. "I'm not in love with him! He is a good friend, that’s all."

             
He snorts out a dry laugh, "funny, that’s what you said about Avery too."

             
I whip my head back around where Avery and Pierce are both patting each other on the back, talking to the crowd of people, and it hits me. Holy shit. When did I fall for him? How? Have I all along? Shit.

             
I look back at Carson, trying to keep my expression incomprehensible. "I don't."

             
"Yeah, whatever you say Cassie." He gives me a small hug. "I'm leaving, see you later." I say bye but nothing more as I watch him walk away.

             
I look back towards Avery and Pierce as they're heading to the back room with Mouse. Mason and Aubrey had gone up and talked with Avery, so they're no longer near me and I'm not sure what to do right now. I hate these situations. I'm not good at them. I look around and see Carson as he is walking out of the room and run after him. "Wait... Carson!"

             
He turns his head back to me. "Yeah?"

             
"Can I get a ride home please?" He nods and I follow after him.

             
As Carson pulls up outside my apartment, I unbuckle but don't get out. I feel like there is an unfinished conversation with Carson so I look over at him. "I'm really sorry we didn't work out. I hope you know that it wasn't anything to do with you. I'm just screwed up in the head."

             
He laughs at me, which catches me off guard, as he places some of my hair behind my ear. "You're not screwed up in the head, you're young and confused. I get it. I do love you Cassie, always will, but I don't expect it to work out. I let you go for a reason, and it's obvious that it was the right thing to do. I'm here for you any time you need though, please know that. I can't imagine a life that doesn't have you in it, even if it's once in a blue moon."

             
I smile at him, grateful that he is so understanding. If Avery had never walked back into my life, there is no doubt in my mind this man would be the one I'd marry in the future. But since Avery is back in my life, and my life is a jumbled mess, I don't see that happening. Maybe next year though, when school starts back up. Avery will be off fighting in numerous cities where there are hundreds of women begging to have sex with him. Pierce will have been graduated and off working for his father, trying to take over his business, which will take a lot of his time up. And the one that'll be around is Carson.

             
I'm not going to expect him to ever take me back, but if when I start school back up and he is the one that wants me, the one waiting for me, I can almost guarantee he is the one I'll end up with. He'd turn into my happily ever after. He would be the reason I went through all this mess.

             
"Sounds perfect," I mumble to Carson, leaning in and slightly brushing my lips across his. "Thanks for the ride."

Chapter 19: Graduation Party

             
Things continue on how they had been, and before I know it, it's the weekend before summer vacation. In one week Avery will be leaving on his first tour through the states, fighting his way to the top. Pierce will be graduating and starting a life that revolves around money and business. Carson is leaving for Byron to be with his family. Aubrey is spending five weeks with Mason at his family’s vacation home in Texas. Then there is me, and I'll be here alone. Not exactly alone, I do have friends and my parents. I've been thinking of what I want to do though, and I've decided to spend most of my summer in Hawaii. I can get away from everyone for a chance, and fully clear my mind.

             
Although, each day that passes my mind does clear up more. Avery and I talk while at school or if we're at the same party, and I've congratulated him on his leaving finally. I thought it was only proper for me to do, since we are still friends and I do still care about his happiness. He promises to call while he is gone, to check up on me and inform me on how he is doing, so I do have something to look forward to.

             
Nothing has happened between the two of us, in fact, nothing has happened with anyone since I kissed Carson that day. And let’s just say, I've gone through an excessive amount of batteries. This time, instead of using kick boxing as my release of stress, I've been running and I feel a lot better than I did. I'm a reasonable weight, ever since I went out to the beach party I've been eating better. I've also been laughing and smiling a lot more, getting out of the house, talking with friends more and more. I truthfully think I have Pierce to thank for it, but I'd never admit it out loud.