Life as a Gallagher

Chapter 11

Daddyz Girl

I almost couldn't speak. I was gaping as I looked at both of them still in the bed. I felt my face get hot, something that happened when I was overly mad. I snapped. "Are you fucking kidding me?!"

Rebecca got up quickly, using the blanket to cover her chest. "Joey, I-"

I scoffed, clenched my fists tightly. "Oh, don't fucking bother! We've all seen you naked!" I ignored what was supposed to be an embarrassed flush on her face. I didn't care. After everything with Monica, she had to do this too?!

The guy coughed a bit. I looked at him. He was objectively good looking. He had dark blond hair, like Lip's with brown eyes and tan skin. "Shit, Becca, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend." He didn't look mad, just awkward.

I snarled. "Fuck this! Rebecca, you can whore around with whoever you want, you bitch. I can't believe-just fuck off!"

"Joey!"

I ignored the protest in her voice. I just felt myself getting angrier and angrier. I ignored the other part of me that wanted to be hurt. First, my mother caused all that drama and now this? I thought I finally had a good thing going and Rebecca does this?! I had to get out of here. That wasn't going to help. I was a Gallagher, I wasn't going to start acting like a baby. I shouted, feeling my body shake. "I'm done! Have fun, assholes."

I heard the sheets move as I stormed out of there. "Joey, wait!"

I shouted back, going down the stairs. "Wise words from my brother, Go Fuck Yourself!"

I was almost at the door, my hand clutching the handle of the door. A small hand grabbed my shoulder, trying to pull me back. With all the adrenaline running through my veins, I quickly turned myself around, my arm pulled back, my fingers curled into a fist. I froze, my fist in the air as she flinched back. I could see everything about her in that moment. The tears on her face, the fear. The shirt and underwear that was quickly thrown on. I frowned. "I wasn't-"

"What the fuck is going on?!"

I glanced up and saw Cory, his eyes narrowed and his face red. I felt angry again. "Fuck off. Mind your business." I lowered my arm, disgusted at the thought of actually hitting her. I've seen that shit enough as a kid. Me being pissed off and betrayed isn't an excuse. It couldn't be. I ignored the part of me that wanted to swing at her.

"Don't tell me to fuck off! You were just about to hit my sister!"

Rebecca turned to him. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Cory, wait, it's not what it looks like!"

Considering what she just did, her defending me just pissed me off. "It is what it looks like! Maybe if she wasn't a cheating whore I wouldn't be pissed off!"

Rebecca snapped. "Don't fucking call me that! Were you going to hit me?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, stupid, of course not. But, I will call you that since it's true."

I glanced at Cory, waiting to see if he would attack me. He stood still, his face angry and arms crossed over his chest.

"You know what, Fuck off, Gallagher. I made one mistake."

I scowled. "Your only mistake with me. We're done. I'm not going to be with a whore who cheats on me."

"Stop calling me that!"

As angry as I was, I smirked at her. I leaned down a little, saying slowly. "Why not? You're a dirty little whore. C'mon, you can tell me. What number am I? What number is he?"

She shoved me. "You are a asshole!" I clenched my jaw. She's going to bitch about me hitting her, but she put her hands on me. I noticed Cory looking at me. Did he think I was going to swing at her? A big part of me still wanted to.

I shrugged, saying smugly. "I'm not the cheating whore." I laughed sharply at the look on her face. She was groveling before, but now she was pissed off. And I was glad. At least I was not the only one who was pissed off.

Cory called. "Okay, that's enough. Gallagher, get out."

I snorted. "Gladly." I looked at Rebecca. "Try not to fall on a dick."

I opened the door and slammed it shut. I took a deep breath, letting it out through clenched teeth. I walked fast, it was almost a run. I lean against a telephone pole, taking another deep breath. I growled under my breath, slamming my fist hard into the pole. I cursed, shaking out my hand and regretting the action I just did. "Fucking shit! Ow!" I could see the redness and broken skin across my knuckles. "I can't believe I didn't realize this shit." I rubbed my forehead. "I need a smoke." I reached into my pocket, grabbing my pack and sticking one in my mouth, the rest of it hanging out of my mouth. I struck a light, blowing out smoke and heading home.

By the time I got to the door, it was finishing my third smoke. I threw that out and went up the steps to the porch, going through both doors. I looked around, but nobody was in the kitchen, which was surprising. It was always a full house. I reached into the fridge and grabbed a beer. I opened it using the edge of the counter. I cursed as part of it chipped off. "Dammit!" I looked around. "At least no one is around." Fiona didn't like us breaking the shit in the house. She said enough shit in the house was destroyed and we didn't need to break any more stuff. I wasn't in the mood to hear any shit. I was still fuming over Rebecca. That bitch.

I shook my head. I took a sip of beer and went up the stairs, my feet stomping on each step. I had a fight in two days. Marcus acted like this was a big one so I wanted to get ready for it. I had to brush any thought of Rebecca out of my head, she would make me lose my concentration. I had to ignore the part of me that was hurt, that wanted to continue to see her, go on dates, have sex...just be happy to have someone not so attached to my family and its mess. I shook my head, this was the distracting shit I did not need.

I went to bed.

I woke up, wincing from the pain in my knuckles and being confused at why they hurt. Well, until I remembered what happened last night. I grimaced and went into the bathroom, cleaning up my hands the best I could. Luckily it was just cuts between the knuckles, nothing my family would look at. Lip and Ian didn't know that I broke up with Rebecca or why. I went into the kitchen and saw Fiona up and making coffee. "Hey, Fi. Got any left."

She nodded. "Yeah, sure. Grab a cup." I looked away from her eyes. She could usually tell when something was bothering me and I was still hurting. I took some coffee and saw her. "You workin' today?"

Fiona sighed. "I almost wish I was."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's weird for you."

Fiona shrugged, leaning against the counter. "Yeah, well, Debs asked me to meet with the moms for some PTA thing."

I almost choked on my coffee. "And you actually fucking agreed?"

Fiona sighed. "Yeah, well, she sighed up Monica when she was here and Debs pleaded with me, so...here I am."

I saluted her. "Well, shit. Good luck."

She snorted, dropping her cup in the sink. "Thanks, kid. I'll need it. Any luck on jobs."

Yeah, illegal fighting.

I shook my head. "No, not yet. Nothing except for odd jobs which I put in the Fund already."

Steve came out of the room. "Oh, hey, Joey."

I nodded at him. "What's up, Steve?"

He looked toward the front door. "Nothing, just heading out." Fiona and Steve walked out the front door and I leaned against the sink, drinking my coffee again. She came back and Debbie followed her into her bedroom. I went up stairs and gave a pounding knock. "Sup, assholes."

Lip was on his computer and Ian was throwing a ball in the air. I sat on the Lip's bed and laid back. He said. "Shithead. Anything happen last night or what?"

I frowned, staring at the ceiling and not say anything.

"Joey?" I could hear the frown in Ian's voice. "What's wrong?" I closed my eyes for a second.

Lip said. "She was cheating, right?"

I blew out a breath. "Yeah. You were right, happy?"

Ian stopped throwing the ball. "That's bullshit, really? You sure?"

I scoffed. "Well, I walked in on her post-fuck."

Lip shook his head, his hair in that majorly curly mess. "What a bitch. You break it off?"

I sighed deeper. "Yeah and almost broke her fucking jaw while I was at it. I haven't been that pissed off in a while."

Lip said. "We could fuck up her house."

I smiled a bit. Lip could be an asshole, but sometimes he knew the right shit to say. "I'll come back to you on it."

Ian said, holding the ball in his hand. "That sucks, but you can do better."

I smiled wider. "Thanks." Ian did his best to make us feel better if he could. "See this, it was a guy she was fucking too."

Lip laughed. "Really? I guess you were out-dicked." I threw a pillow at his head. "Fuck off, Dickweed!"

He laughed again, tossing it back. There was a quick knock on the door and we quit talking about it. My tongue was burning with what I wanted to mention, but kept it to myself. It was bothering me.

Fiona walked in, saying. "Stop downloading porn."

I snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, because I watch porn with my brothers."

Lip said dryly. "Oops. Caught us."

Fiona was looking through their cabinets. "I need a sweater."

Lip said. "Help yourself."

Fiona looked at me. "You got anything, Joey?"

I shrugged. "Unless you want oversized plaid or your old shit."

Fiona went back to looking. "What are you guys doing?"

I shrugged. "Laying down."

Lip said. "Looking for homeboy's dad."

Ian said quickly. "He's looking for homeboy's dad."

Lip whistled. "Jesus. There are a lot of Gallaghers. Hey, Fiona, do you know any of Frank's brothers' names?"

Fiona looked up. "Shit, I have no idea. I think one of them is Wendel or something."

I burst out laughing. "Dude, if you dad's name is Wendel, I'm gonna laugh at you."

Ian kicked my leg, causing me to curse him out. "You already are, genius."

Lip said. "I could call them one by one."

Fiona stopped what she was doing. "What do you even care?"

Ian looked over. "He just wishes it was him that wasn't Frank's kid."

I put my crossed hands behind my head. "Unfortuantely the useless bastard is our old man."

"If we find Ian's real dad, maybe we can get some extra cash or report his name to the state and collect extra child support."

Ian made a face of disgust. "Then, I would have to hang out with the dude."

Lip said. "It could be cool."

Fiona scoffed in disbelief. "Frank's brother?"

I chimed in. "Who did PCP with Monica? Yeah, not expecting much."

Lip said dryly. "He could be better than Frank. He could have a job, be sober, likes kids."

Ian stared at the ceiling. "Doubt it."

Fiona got something and Debbie followed her out, stomping dramatically. I snorted. "I am not lookin' forward to her teen years."

Lip and Ian laughed in agreement. He knew how crazy shit got when we hit puberty. Lip was getting in more trouble, Ian kept to himself and apparently went to fucking Kash and I got myself in more mischief, not wanting to be babied by Fiona anymore. Fiona said. "Take the bus to see Grammy. She know who his brothers are."

I raised an eyebrow. Grammy was always interesting. "Hey, lemme come with. Gotta get my mind off this shit."

Ian shrugged. "I don't care."

Lip got up. "Alright, let's go."

We were waiting outside as Lip went to go grab Karen. I was leaning on the railing and staring into space, thinking about the whole mess with Rebecca. I was making me feel angry again. I felt a hand shake my shoulder. "Hey."

I jumped at Ian's voice. "What is it?"

"You, uh, still thinking about..."

I bit my tongue from saying something sarcastic. I just nodded. "Yep...and no, I don't want to talk about it."

Whatever Ian was going to say was cut short as he shut his mouth. "...Okay."

Lip came storming out of Karen's house, slamming the door shut, jogging down the stairs. Ian blinked in shock. "Lip, everything good?"

Lip breathed deeply, clenching his fists. "Yeah, let's go."

I eyed him. "I guess Karen ain't coming?"

"What was your first clue, dipshit."

I felt my jaw tick in anger, still left over from before. Ian quickly shook his head in warning. I shrugged him off, shoving my hands in my jacket pockets so I didn't try to hit him. Lip could be annoying as shit. "Fine. Let's go."

We were walking down the street, Ian between the both of us. Lip asked. "Aren't you a little bit curious to find out who he is?"

I pulled out two smokes and handed one to Lip. That was a Gallagher Apology. Lip nodded in thanks. I lit mine and took a pull.

Ian shook his head. "Nope."

Lip waved a hand. "He could be any one of these guys."

Ian pointed. "Like that one over there."

I snickered as he pointed to a man dressed as a woman, knocked out on the ground. "Sure, I bet that's it. You want to wake 'im up?"

Ian shoved my shoulder and I laughed again. Ian sighed. "Look he's gonna be a douchebag no matter who he is."

I shrugged. "That's fair."

Lip sent me a look. "Really?"

I scoffed. "What? He's related to Frank, of course he's gonna be a dick."

Ian explained. "See!"

Lip said back. "He can't be worse than Frank."

I took another drag, "Ian, that's true."

Ian looked at both of us as we crossed the street. He deadpanned. "He's a Gallagher."

Lip shrugged. "Maybe he'll take you to a game, kick in some scratch for college...or give you a kidney. Hell, a birthday card once a year. That's a win, right?"

Ian sat on the curb and we sat on either side of him, waiting to see whatever else he would argue about. Ian asked. "Do we know any cool Dads?" I knew what he meant by "cool". Bad enough, but I think he meant "good".

I scratched the back of my head. "Uh...there's...shit, got nothin'".

Lip said after a minute. "Scotty Houston's father...But, he's on that sex offender's list for jacking off in Sherman Park."

I looked at them both. "You want to head to Grammy?"

Both of them nodded. "Let's go."

We waited in the call area of the prison she was in. I saw her walking over with the officer. She was in a standard orange jumpsuit and was behind the glass. "Hey, guys."

Lip said. "There she is." We walked over to the glass she was behind. They sat down and I hovered behind their chairs. Lip said. "Hey Grammy."

She looked confused. "Who the hell are you?"

Lip forced himself to soften his voice, it almost made me laugh. "Grams, it's me, Joey and Ian, Frank's kids."

Ian cut in. "Your grandkids."

I waved a hand, smiling a bit. "Hey, Grammy."

She them smiled, laughing a little. "Oh my Goodness. Would you look at you three. I have never seen apple and spice looking so nice."

Ian grinned. "Thanks, Grammy."

I leaned closer. "So, how's it been in here? Let me know what I got to prepare for." I grinned at her to let her know I was mostly messing around. You never know in our family.

Lip snorted, looking amused. I knew what he was thinking. Fiona would kill me.

Grammy smiled back. "Well, the food's not so great, but the pussy's pretty good. Never thought I'd be the type-you look like you'd enjoy it." She gave me a pointed look.

I felt my face flush red, my ears getting hot, jerking back a little. "Uh..I..." She laughed to herself and Ian and Lip snickered under their breaths at my reaction. I smacked the back of their heads. I heard them grunt at the attack. Assholes.

Do I have a neon sign on my forehead showing I'm a lesbian?

Grammy went on. "This place isn't so bad. I can get Blow when I want."

Lip said. "Sounds all right."

Grammy shrugged. "Yeah. The only thing that sucks is they got me cleaning toilets. I wanted to be on the kitchen crew, but they won't let me. One meth lab explousion, and this is what I get."

Lip said. "Well, yeah. It's probably the two college students that died in the fire, Grams."

She looked us over. "So, what do you want?" She was sharp, I'll give her that.

Lip said. "Uh, we're trying to find Dad's brothers. There's, uh, three, right?"

Grammy said suspiciously. "Who wants to know?"

I pointed at my brothers. "Just us three, Grammy." After he silence, I nudged Ian roughly.

He glared back at me, but sighed. "One might be my dad."

Grammy asked. "How so?"

Lip told her. "Monica boned a brother."

Grammy was in disbelief. "What?!"

Lip said awkwardly. "Monica, she fucked a brother."

Grammy made a face. "I never liked that woman." After a moment, she said. "So, I give you the names, what are you gonna do for me?" Should have figured out family wouldn't do things because we're family.

Lip asked. "What do you want?"

Grammy said. "Cigarettes. Carton a week."

Lip smirked. "You can get Blow in here, but not cigarettes."

I snorted. "Well, I definitely not getting locked up." I was actually itching for one. I couldn't give up my smoking.

Grammy laughed a bit. Lip nodded. "Yeah, you got it."

Grammy said. "Clayton, Jerry and my baby, Wyatt. They're in the book. But, don't bother with Wyatt. He lost his testicles in the Navy."

A female officer patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go."

Lip nodded. "Okay." Grammy got up.

I waved. "Nice seeing you, Grams."

She sent me a smile. "You too, kid." She then turned back to us. "And you tell Jerry if he doesn't pay me back that 5 grand he stole...I'm going to send my ex-husband Ronnie over to gouge his eyes out with a grape fruit spoon."

I laughed as she was taken out. "Let's head back, it's getting late." I had my match tomorrow.

Lip asked as we caught the L Train and skipped paying like usual. "You coming with us to look for Ian's Dad tomorrow?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm still looking for a new job."

Ian made a face. "You're still out of luck?"

I nodded, ignoring the part where I wasn't looking for a new job since fighting paid very well.

Lip eyed me. "You have to control your temper." We were sitting in the train, Lip between the both of us.

Me and Ian both laughed at the same time. Lip wrinkled his nose. "What?"

I ignored him and turned to Ian. "Dude, can you believe this guy is tell me to watch my temper?"

Lip rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay."

Ian snickered. "I mean, has he seen how bad his' is?"

I nodded mockingly. "Yeah, maybe he has no-ow! Shit!" I heard Ian exclaim the same thing. I rubbed the back of my head. I saw Ian doing the same thing.

Lip raised his eyebrows. "Shut up, smartasses."

I shrugged. "Yeah, so I'll look for a job some more tomorrow."

Ian said. "Good luck."

I felt a little bad about lying, but knew what their reactions would be. Especially Lip and Fiona's. "Yeah, thanks."

We made it back to see Fiona getting dinner ready. I waved. "Hey, Fi."

Fiona set a pan back on the table. "Hey, kid."

Lip and Ian came in with me. Debbie and Carl were already sitting down, Liam in his highchair that I'm pretty sure used to be Carl's. I started eating and she asked. "Where were you three all day?"

Lip said, focusing on something he had in front of him. "We went to see Grammy like you suggested."

Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah, heh? How is she?"

Ian scooted his chair back. "Still mean as a snake."

Fiona snorted, looking amused.

I finished my plate of pasta and meat sauce, a easy meal to make for a lot of people cheaply. "Gave me an eye view of what I have to look forward to-ow! Fiona!"

I turned to look at her, only to get her stern glare. "Don't even think about it, Joe. I'll kill you before that happens."

I raised my hands in surrender, grinning. "Aw, c'mon, just lookin' for the fut-okay, okay, fine." I quickly assured here as her glare turned sharply and I knew she would've smacked me again. It's not like I wanted to go, but I knew with the trouble I get into, living on the Southside and my temper, it was highly possible, not matter how hard Fiona tried to keep us out of trouble.

Fiona turned to scold Carl, who was eating frosting and getting it all over his face. "Carl, hey! We're decorating, not eating."

I looked over at the cupcakes we had on the table. "Still doin' the PTA thing?"

Fiona shrugged. "Yeah for now, it wasn't the worst."

I stared. "The Moms were nice?"

Fiona scoffed. "Please, I told them I fenced stolen goods and did crack."

I burst into laughter, just imagining how that went. "I'm sure they took that well."

Fiona smirked, frosting some of the cupcakes. "Yeah, sure. No, but there was this one Mom there, she was cool."

I gave her a thumbs up. "Nice."

The door opened and Steve's voice called. "Hey, Yo!"

Fiona got up quickly, looking relieved. "Thank God!"

Steve came in looking confused. "What's up?"

She walked over and I heard her say. "Did you get my messages? About Tony? I've been trying you for hours."

His tone was awkward. "Oh...work was crazy." Fiona said something low enough where I couldn't hear, but Steve said. "Oh, he's not going to do anything to me."

"I think he suspects something."

"No, he's just jealous. I'm careful, promise."

I frowned, glancing at both of them. Steve was too soft for it or I thought he was, but that sounds like he's in some type of shady shit and that's the last thing Fiona needs. Steve walked over to the table. "Well, what to we got going on over here?"

Lip said, smirking. "Well, if you're, uh, Carl, making scrotum cupcakes." I laughed and Steve did too.

I still needed to talk to him. Fiona might not say it, but she needs help, especially when she doesn't want to suspect something.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge and cracked open the top on the counter. I took a pull and watched Debbie, Fiona and Steve in the living room messing with the PTA stuff. Fiona asked me if I wanted to help, but I reminded her on how good I was at Arts and Crafts, she quickly laughed and changed her mind. Someone knocked on the door and I said. "I got it. You guys continue with you art shit."

Debbie huffed at me. "It's fun."

I called, going past the first door and opening the second. "For you." Opening this door can make it be anyone. I opened to see a hot blond about my sister's age. I grinned. "Hey, there."

She looked me over for a second and smiled too. It was a weird smile. "Hi, I'm Jasmine, is Fiona there?"

I cursed in my head. Part of me was thinking about it if she was into girls just to keep my mind off Rebecca, but being Fiona friend kind of killed it for me. Fiona would find out and I was still in the closet for half of my family. I called. "Hey, Fi. Jasmine is here." She had some stuff with her.

Fiona got up. "Let her in, Joe."

I smirked. "That's me, Joey. Here, let me help." I grabbed the bag she had.

She smiled brightly at me. "Thanks."

I felt my ear heat up. She was pretty hot. I shrugged. "No problem."

Fiona said. "Oh, hey, Debs, clean this stuff up."

Jasmine said quickly. "Oh no, don't worry. My ironing board is still up from last week."

Fiona waved at me. "This is my sister, Josephine, but we just call her Joey." Jasmine sent me another smile and Fiona turned to Steve. "Uh, you met my boyfriend, Steve?"

Jasmine smirked. "I did. He's cute."

Steve smiled. "For that, you get a cup of coffee."

Jasmine turned to Fiona. "Sorry for coming unannounced."

"I was just at my sister's house and she let me raid her closet Guess what doesn't fit her anymore." She lifted her bag and pointed at the one I was holding.

Fiona stared. "All of that?"

"She's pregnant again. I thought we could try this stuff on and see what fits us."

Fiona said. "We're gonna be upstairs."

Steve called. "That's okay, you're boyfriend got to be at work soon."

Fiona looked at him. "Be careful today?"

"I will. Nice to meet you Jasmine."

Jasmine said. "Me too. Will I see you at the party tonight?"

Steve grinned. "Wouldn't miss it."

I handed Fiona the other bag. "Here you go. Have fun."

I waited until she went up the stairs. "Yo, Steve. I'm gonna be outside, I want to talk to you for a sec."

Debbie smiled for some reason, but Steve looked awkward. "Uh, really?"

I nodded sharply. "Yeah, just for a minute." I went outside and sat on the bench, lighting up a cigarette from my pocket. I saw a car out front who was beeping its horn. I ignored it, it was the best thing to do in the Southside, mind your own business.

A minute later, Steve came out and looked like he was rushing. I said, taking a drag. "Yo, Steve. Hold on."

His face looked panicked. "I, uh, Joey, I have to go."

I frowned. "This will only take a minute."

"Joey, please-"

I glared. "I'm not giving you an option, buddy." He stopped, realizing I would stop him. He looked nervously at the car that was honking. I nodded at it. "That for you?"

"Yeah, Joey. So, I really need to-" He sounded frustrated.

"It can wait. This will only take a minute." I took another drag before stomping on the cigarette butt. "Look, I'm gonna say this once. I don't know what shady shit your getting involved in-" I raised a hand when he looked like was going to talk. "Hold on, I'm not finished. Look I really don't care what shit your in, but you better not hurt my sister or get her in whatever shitty situation you are in. Trust me, grown man or not, I will kick your ass. You got me?"

I breathed deeply, not used to going on a long rant like that. Steve looked shocked, not used to seeing me serious or aggressive. "Uh, yeah, I got it. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, you know that."

I nodded in approval. "Good, let's hope so for your sake. Go on now."

He looked frazzled, but went down the stairs, almost tripping over the last step. I snorted a laugh.

What a pussy.

After letting Fiona know that I was going out, I left and went to meet Marcus. I was dressed in basketball shorts and a t-shirt. I wrapped some tape around my hands. I gave the special knock on the door. I waited a bit, but the door opened to a big muscular guy. I've seen him once or twice. "Gallagher."

I nodded at him, coming inside as he closed the door behind me. "Tommy, hey. Marcus here?"

"Yeah, by the betting tables." I nodded again in thanks. The place was loud, it always was. It looked the same as before. The concrete ground, the tape making a box in the middle of the floor and a lot of people standing around. I saw Marcus and waved my hand with a excited grin. This is just what I needed to get my mind off things. I walked over and he said. "You ready, Gallagher?"

"Yeah, I'm ready, who are I going against?"

He nodded at a smaller man who was only an inch or two taller than me. Rather than being bulky, he was more lean. He had short hair and was dressed similarly to me. Marcus nodded. "Yeah, he's hasn't lost many fights, but neither have you. I have about 300 in this fight. You win this and you get 200. You in?"

I rolled my shoulders. "Yeah, I'm in."

He nodded at me and I nodded back. Unlike the other guy, he didn't have that look on his face, the condescending sneer. The man who was watching over the fight waved his hand and I put my hands up, my opponent copying me. He came swinging and I ducked, aiming for his side. He moved to the side, punching me in the jaw. My head snapped to the side on impact and I stumbled backward, biting my tongue and wrinkling my nose at the copper taste.

I slid my feet to the side, my jaw throbbing in time with my heartbeat and tripped him by hitting behind his knee in a weak point. His knee bucked and I kneed him in the chest. He grimaced and his fist caught me quickly in the ribs. I let out a choked yelp/gasp of pain. I ignored all the shouting from all sides of the room and focused. He was harder than the last guy to fight. He managed to tackle me so we were rolling on the ground, dodging punches and giving our own. I winced as I smacked my head on the concrete, feeling darkness on the edge of my vision. I kicked him off by the chest and used my other foot to kick him in the face. It gave me a bloody grin as he nose broke away under my sneaker.

He cursed, clutched his nose with his hands, the blood slipping through his fingers. "You motherfucker!"

I laughed again, stumbling to my feet, only to be punched in the ribs again in the same spot. I choked and felt something give or I thought I did. It sounded like it was creaking. I held that area, only to be punched in the face, breaking my own nose. I choked back blood. I got to my feet, spitting on the ground. "Bastard." He smirked back at me, eyes excited. I was slower, but we continued to throw blows back at each other until I was hit in the same place in my ribs the first time. I definitely heard something crack that time. My head smacked against the ground. I groaned, curling around my ribs. My head was pounding from inside my skull. I shut my eyes tightly, feeling the world spin around me.

I felt someone shaking my shoulder. "Fuck! Fuck, get up." I recognized the voice belonging to Marcus. "Get up, dammit, Joey!" I felt his arms dip under my arms and lift me up. I scrabbled my feet on the ground to get my footing, but almost fell over. Marcus grabbed me around my shoulder and plastered me to his side.

I said slowly, feeling like my brain was slowly going. "Did...win?"

I felt his body shake with a laugh and when I looked at him, he looked worried. "No, no. But, it's fine. I gotta get you to a hospital."

I stiffened as we walked around and left the loud noise. I barely realized we were already outside. The noise got a lot less. He leaned me against the brick wall and I slid down to fall on my ass, leaning my head against the wall. "I'm too broke for that shit."

I felt a hand gripped my chin and lifted my right eyebrow. "You think I don't know that? But, have you seen yourself?!"

I coughed out a laugh, groaned and gripping my chest. "Ow, yeah because I got a mirror, Jackass."

I closed my eyes and heard him breathe deeply. "Joey! Don't fall asleep!"

My eyes snapped open and I noticed it was very dark out. "W-what? I-I'm awake! Fuck..."

Marcus groaned. "Fine, I'll take you back to your place and your sister can decide."

As fuzzy as my mind is, I knew he wasn't talking about Debbie. "Ah shit, Fi's gonna kill me."

Marcus snorted. "No, she'll kill me, but let's go."

I was hunched over with my arm thrown over his shoulder as he dropped me on the couch. I yelped. "Ow!"

"Shit, sorry, Joe."

I leaned my head back on the couch. "It's fine." I felt the back of my head, feeling something wet. "Oh fuck."

"Wha-I knew you should've went to the hospital."

"I'm not going to the hospital!"

"You could be badly hurt!"

"It costs too much!"

"Is that worth your life?!"

"I'm not dying, idiot!"

"Don't call me an idiot, moron!"

"Go Fuck Yourself!"

"Fucking hell!"

"What the hell is going-Joey, what the hell?!"

I saw it was Fiona, Lip and Ian looked exhausted as they walked behind her. Carl, Debbie and V were with them. The adredeline allowed for me to be in a screaming match with Marcus, but once we stopped, the throbbing in my head continued.

I grinned sheepishly. "Hey, Fi. How's it going?"

Lip's voice blurted, his eyes wide with shock as he looked me over. "What the fuck happened to you?!"

I struggled to sit up, gasping at the pressure on my ribs. "Would you believe it if I told you I got jumped."

Marcus slapped a hand over his face. "For fuck's sake, Gallagher."

Lip said. "Dude, stop fucking around." Fiona sent me "her" look.

I rolled my eyes, realizing that I was not going to be able to hide this anymore. V came over to me. "That can wait. Let me see you, kid."

My siblings came in the house, crowding around the couch. "I'm fine, V."

She sent me her own look. "You know me. We can do this the easy way or the painful way."

Marcus backed off toward the wall, leaving room for my family to come in. Carl and Debbie went further into the kitchen. V wrapped my ribs after telling me to take my shirt off. I didn't even bother protesting. Ian sucked in a breath when he saw my ribs and the big black bruise on my ribcage. V checked my eyes, but told me I had no concussion. I still felt like shit, but I was mostly cleaned up.

Fiona stood over me, hands on her hips. "Now, what the hell happened, Joey and tell me the truth."

I grimaced. "C'mon, Fi." I noticed Marcus had snuck out at some point.

Fiona snapped. "We just got Lip and Ian out of Jail for stealing a car, I'm not dealing with anyone more surprises from you kids."

Me, Lip and Ian said at the same time. "We're not kids."

Fiona sent me a warning look. "Josephine. Now."

I threw up my hands, wincing in pain and putting my hands back down. I looked over at Lip, Ian and V, who were looking at me, waiting for my answer. Fiona had that stern glare on her face, concern and worry in her expression.

"Fine, I've been doing underground fights to get money for the house." It was silent as everyone seemed to be in shock. Ian's eyes were wide, Carl was grinning in excitement and interest, Debbie looked confused, Lip was staring at me with disbelief and Fiona's looked almost blank.

I huffed slightly. "Huh, you guys took that well.

"YOU DID WHAT?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"

There it is; that's Fiona.