Eliza Jane - In Too Deep

Colt stands alone in the corner, his face is serious and his jaw set firm. His opponent paces on the other side of the barn. Jose is bigger, both in height and weight, but some still think Colt is unbeatable. Bets are being placed all around me, and I find myself more interested than I should be, on the edge of my seat waiting for the fight to start. I remember the way Colt efficiently handled Lars, choking him into unconsciousness and fight off a shiver that runs down my spine.

Bria struts in front of us with the Round 4 sign, wagging her hips and capturing the attention of every male in the place. She’s eating this up.

Pete thanks her and she finally ends her little show. People start chanting Colt’s name and he steps forward. Colt. Colt. Colt. I don’t join them, but I repeat it in my head.

Jose is grinning, standing solidly in the center of the ring. His size is intimidating and I’m suddenly worried for Colt. But I know he’s strong and fast. Still, I hold my breath in anticipation

Jose wastes no time, charging straight for Colt. He grabs Colt around the waist and hauls him back several steps. Colt twists his leg around Jose’s, forcing them to the ground. They roll together, tangled limbs, straw clinging to their sweaty skin as they struggle to free themselves.

Back on their feet, Jose lands a quick punch to Colt’s jaw. Colt steps back, wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, a slight grin on his lips. It’s like the punch didn’t hurt, it only pissed him off.

Colt fakes left, then pops Jose in the nose. He’s got crazy quick reflexes. He hits Jose again with a right hook that sends him staggering back several steps.

His next punch sends Jose to his knees, but Colt doesn’t let up. He clocks him again, sending a spray of red blood flying from his mouth. Jose falls flat to the ground and stays there.

The place erupts in cheers. Jose rolls over but doesn’t get up. Colt helps Jose to his feet as the crowd begins chanting his name again. Pete tries to lift Colt’s fist over his head, declaring him the winner, but Colt shrugs out of his grasp, and heads for the door. He seems pissed despite his victory.

Now that the fights are over, people scatter. Logan seems quite taken with one of the karate guy’s younger brothers, and MJ says there’s a girl who wants to get a piercing like the one she had. “You’ll be cool, right?”

I can make my way back to the school alone. It’s a massive stone building lit up on a hill, no way I couldn’t find it. The opening in the fence might be more difficult to locate, but I wasn’t going to worry about that just yet.

“Yeah, go.” I smile. “Have fun.”

“Ciao,” she calls, and happily saunters off to a dark corner to swap body-piercing stories.

I step out in the night air, it’s warm and lit brightly by a nearly full moon. I’m in no hurry to head back yet. My head is still swimming with mixed emotions.

I cross the grassy field, weaving around behind the barn to another smaller barn. I stop suddenly, realizing I’m not alone.

He’s sitting on the ground, leaned up against the side of the building, his head hung between his knees.

His head jerks up. It’s Colt.

“Oh sorry, I didn’t know anyone was out here.” I feel like I’ve interrupted something private, but I’m not sure what.

“The schools that way.” He tips his chin in the direction of the school, not bothering to make eye contact.

“Thanks for the tip,” I say sarcastically, turning to leave.

“Taylor? Hey, wait up.” He stands and comes closer.

I spin to face him, wondering what derogatory comment he’s got in store for me now.

He holds up his hands in surrender. “I was dick earlier. I’m sorry.”

I raise my eyebrows. How much did I have to drink? I must be imagining Colt’s apology.

He takes a step closer. “Forgive me?”

I nod, involuntarily.

We watch each other for few seconds in silence. The night air rustles the loose strands of hair against my neck. In the moonlight, I can see his lip is busted. “You’re bleeding.”

“No shit. I was just in a fight.” He wipes away a smear of red, which looks darker in the moonlight.

“I know, I saw it.”

“You watched?”

I nod. Of course I watched. I don’t point out that the entire school was there.

He takes a healthy swig of the amber-colored liquor, wincing as he wipes his mouth. “Fuck. That burns.”

“Sorry if I don’t have a lot of sympathy for you right now. You chose to get in that ring tonight.”

“Yeah,” he scoffs. “And what do you think they’d say if I didn’t?”

I study him for a second. I’d never considered that. He’s the martial arts instructor. Of course he had to fight at these stupid events – whether he wanted to or not. “Let me see.” I close the distance between us, and reach up, tilting his chin to get a better look. “That looks painful.”

“Nothing a little alcohol won’t fix. I’ve had much worse, trust me.” His tongue finds the cut and he winces just a bit.

I remember the soft way he took care of me when I was hurt. “Oh, quit with the tough guy act.” I take his hand. It’s big and rough with calluses and I can’t help but notice the contrast with mine. “Come with me. You need peroxide.”

He drops my hand and disappointment surges through me. “Hang on.” He goes back to where he was sitting and picks up his discarded T-shirt. He throws the shirt on over his head, disheveling his hair so it’s sticking up in all directions.

I stifle a laugh.

“What?”

I shake my head, wiping the smile from my face. How is it possible for his hair to be so messy, yet look so good?

“Want some?” He offers me the bottle.

I take it, and take a deep swig, long past thinking of him as a teacher. 

We take our time walking back to the school, drinking and stumbling and making small talk. She’s funny when she’s been drinking, and just as sassy as ever. This girl is keeping me on my toes. I can’t tell what she thinks of me. Her eyes say one thing, but her mouth says another.

When Taylor falters, stumbling in the grass, I allow myself to reach out and touch her, as I’ve been desperate to do since our kiss. I hold her upright, her back pressing against my chest. “You okay?” I breathe against her hair.

              “Sorry,” she says, catching her breath. “My legs aren’t working so well right now.”

“It’s cool.” I release her, and turn her toward me. I fight the urge to pull her closer. “We can hang out here for a little while if you want.” She nods and we sit down in the grass, tilting our heads back to look up at the stars. There are a million of them tonight and the nearly full moon gives us enough light to see by.

When Taylor lies back in the tall grass, she’s partially obscured from my view, which I don’t like, but I lie back next to her. “Would you think less of me if I tell you something right now?” I say, teasing.

              “I couldn’t possibly think any less of you then I already do, so go for it.”

I laugh softly even though her assessment of me stings a little. “My lip hurts like a bitch.”

She laughs out loud. “Lemme see.” She lifts up on her elbow and leans over me.

Her face is serious as she looks down at me. She watches my eyes intently, but I focus on her mouth. She brings her hand to my face like she wants to reach out and touch my split lip, but stops herself and drops her hand. I don’t know why she’s so scared to feel anything with me. I can tell by the way she’s looking at me that she’s interested, but I can also tell she’ll never let herself act on it. But I guess if I’m admitting the truth, she scares the shit out of me. I find myself hesitating where I’m normally sure and questioning what to when I’m around her.