One on One
Tims' POV
The tension was high as we all sat around the Curtis house that
Friday waiting for the clock to chime 9:30 so we could make our way
to the vacant lot. None of us really wanted her to go, but one thing
you learn on the East Side is sometimes you have to do things you
don't like. Watching Love clench and unclench her hands I knew she
was ready for a rumble if things went south. She and the girls had
formed their own little crew now, Gwen, Brig, and Ang. It was nice to
see a group of greasy chics together that weren't trash, and would
hurt any one who said anything otherwise.
Darry was in his favorite chair with Brig on his lap whispering to
her softly as she nodded. Pony was holding Ang close to his side, and
Gwen was actually looking pretty cozy with Soda. You would've thought
we were headed to a funeral the way we all sat somber and silent.
Usually before a rumble, things were way more upbeat. Of course there
wasn't a damn thing exciting about seeing a girl fight a guy, especially one as deranged as Max.
"We should head out," Soda said, his ever-present smile not on for once.
"Yeah, better to get it over with," Brig said popping her knuckles as
she put on her game face.
This was the girl I had known, and I could tell by the look on
Darry's face the coldness in her eyes unnerved him. It was going to
be him or her tonight so she had to be repaired to be ruthless.
Besides I got the feeling she owed him a beating after the four years
of hell he'd put her through. The walk to the lot was silent as my
boys joined the ranks easily blending in with the shadows.
Brig
The walk from the Curtis house to the lot was the longest trip I had ever taken in my life. The silence was unnerving and my thoughts were scattered. I knew Max's fighting style, but the thought of him
hitting me again made me nauseous. Squaring my shoulders as we came
to the lot where everyone I used to lead was lined up, I gasped at
the sight of my brothers.
" Colin let us know what was going on, we got yer back," Dillion said
patting my shoulder as I nodded my thanks, and walked to the middle
of the concrete jungle where Max waited.
"I been waiting a long time for this day Brig my girl," he whispered
making me growl in the back of my throat.
" I don't think it'll be quite so easy now," I said thinking of how I
used to bite my tongue and take what he dished out.
This was my chance for revenge. The chance to pound his face in to
the ground in front of everyone so he could feel the shame he had
bestowed on me for years. Sneering I clenched my fists and gritted my
teeth, hating the game of cat and mouse we were playing as we waited
for someone to start.
"Fuck it." I thought taking pleasure when the first punch I threw
hit him under the chin, sending him stumbling back.
The red stream that oozed down his chin made me grin. Suddenly I had
become bloodthirsty. Deciding not to wait for retaliation I threw
myself head first in to his stomach proud of what I had accomplished
until his fist struck my face dazing me until I quickly rolled on to
my stomach to avoid be kicked. Up once more I moved around quickly,
using the sidestepping I'd learned from my Father to wear him down.
Wincing when his fist connected with my face again I tucked my head
down, raising my fists to better defend myself.
Love's POV
Wincing I clutched the back of Tim's coat feeling the hit she'd just
taken as if it was my own. She was so slight, and Max towered over
her at almost 6ft. It was like watching David and Goliath. She rose
quickly to her feet using her speed to dodge most of the blows he
threw. We all gasped when vicious uppercut sent her sprawling on to
her back, but a second later when she popped back up I couldn't help
but cheer.
"She's a damn fighting Irish," Tim said shaking his head as he took
in her stance.
" She can whoop him," Her brother said making us all turn to look at him.
"She was good back when she started, but she's better now, and
there's a reason why she lead and not him," He said spitting on the
ground as Max stuck her once more.
Brig Pov
When my speed had worn him down enough I went for the kill. A fist to his stomach bent Max over, and a knee to his face took him down.
Jumping on his prone body I proceeded to beat him to a bloody pulp
until I felt hands grabbing my wrists. Spitting on the disorientated
boy I resorted to kicking his limp body.
"That's for every time you raised your hand to me you cowardly
bastard!" I ranted wondering why I had taken it for so long when he
was clearly no match.
"Brig," My brother said paling at my words.
" What do you mean raised his hand to ya?" Troy asked as the rest of
the boys I was now in charge of moved in close.
"For the four years we were together Max beat the living shit out of
me," I said looking them in the eyes.
"Why the hell didn't you say anything!"
"Because I was ashamed, because I didn't know how it would effect the
gang, because I was terrified he'd kill me." I said shrugging as they
all turned to a still unconscious Max a few feet away.
" Well he sure as fuck won't be bothering ya again," Troy said making
me smile as his brogue became thicker with his agitation.
" I want you to lead Troy," I said leaning on Darry for support as I
began to ache.
" Me?"
"Yea, you and Colin, you know how to run things proper, no more of
this hood shit, we were better than that," I said thinking of the car
stealing, and dope slinging they'd been involved with lately.
"We take care of our families, provide for each other when its
needed, and defend ourselves, nothing more, nothing less." I said
finally giving in to the pain bearing down on my body.
"Brig?" Darry whispered making me smile.
"Take me home," I said keeping my mouth shut for once when he picked
me up like I weighed less than nothing and proceeded to take me to
his house.