“Dude, look were both here for the money, we don’t need to talk trash to each other, it’s not necessary,” I said amused, he was really getting into it.

“I’m going to tear you a new ass**le,” he growled.

I rolled my eyes, “Honestly? Can we stop with the small talk? Damn, you talk like a bitch,” I said laughing.

“I’m going to hurt you so bad your grand kids are going to feel it!” he hissed, angrily.

I burst out laughing, “Oh $hit, stop making me laugh, this is a serious fight!” I said shaking my head. This guy was too funny, did he get these lines straight from a ‘talking trash’ book or something?

I was still laughing when Jensen blew the whistle to start the fight. Kurt immediately went to punch me in the face, so I jumped to the side moving out of the way. He rounded on me and came at me again, as he brought his foot up to kick me, I dropped down onto one knee and punched him hard in the groin.

Damn, $hit that must have hurt! It even made me wince at the thought of it. He groaned and staggered back a couple of steps.

I held my hands up apologetically, “Shit man, ouch! That hurt, right? I’m really sorry,” I said, hissing through my teeth, feeling guilty. I could see Ray laughing his ass off with Jensen in the corner.

“Mother f**ker!” Kurt growled as he came at me again, he was seriously pissed now. Oh nice one, Jamie, you played the hitting in the balls card too early, good job!

He was actually a pretty good fighter and managed to land a few punches that would definitely hurt when the adrenalin wore off in a little while, but he wasn’t too good on defense. The next time he left his face unprotected, I elbowed him in the nose, I kicked him hard in the top of his thigh, making his leg give out and as he fell to his knees, I smashed my foot into his face, knocking him out cold.

Holy crap, I just won! I looked up to Ray who was grinning at me proudly, I breathed a sigh of relief because I now had $225 to pay my rent with. Jensen came over and grabbed my arm holding it in the air. “Let’s hear it for, Jamie!” he shouted enthusiastically. Some people clapped or cheered, but most of them were looking angrily at Kurt’s unconscious body on the floor. They had obviously bet against me. “Good job,” Jensen said, slapping me on the back.

“Thanks,” I muttered. Ouch, shit my jaw hurt. I went over to Ray and sat down on the chair next to him, my stomach was hurting a little, but not too bad.

“Kid, that was too funny, I couldn’t stop laughing when you apologised to him for hitting him in the balls,” he said, laughing his ass off again, making me laugh too.

Jensen came over a couple of minutes later, “Right then Jamie, you’re fighting the winner of the next round.” He nodded his head towards the two huge looking guys walked into the middle.

“Oh great, well I hope the smallest one wins,” I joked. Jensen handed me my $125 winnings. “So, what are my odds for the next fight?” I asked curiously.

He grinned, “After that little spectacle with Kurt, I’d say the odds are definitely in your favour now, so 2 – 1,” he said shrugging.

“Put that on me then,” I said, as I handed him back the money.

He grinned and nodded, “I better go start the next fight. Good luck,” he said, nodding at me. I didn’t need good luck, even if I lost the next fight I had already earned $100 for getting to the next round which would pay my rent, if I won then I’d have $200 for getting to the final plus $375 from betting on myself too.

Ray winced as we watched the two guys fighting, they were both pretty badass and well built. “Kid, how much money do you actually need? Why don’t you call it a night on what you’ve got?” he suggested, looking at me pleadingly.

“Ray, I need as much as I can get.” I didn’t want to have to do anything like this again. This wasn’t exactly my idea of going straight, I mean hell it was ten times better than working for Brett though.

The more I earned tonight the more pressure it took away and the less chance there was of me being caught in this situation again.

My cell phone beeped and I pulled it open to see a text from Ellie:

‘Thanx 4 marking me stud, u just got me in trouble! x’

Marking her? Oh I guess her parents saw the love bite I did on her neck. I laughed, I didn’t feel guilty though I loved that mark on her skin. My next fight was due to start any minute so I text her back quickly:

‘Oops sorry, I’ll make it up 2 u I promise x’

“Who’s that?” Ray asked, as I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“A friend,” I said smiling.

“Yeah? The redhead from the club?” he asked, with wide eyes.

“Yep,” I stated, popping the p, smirking at his jealous face.

………………………

By the end of the three fights I was exhausted. My whole body hurt and was sore and tender, but I’d won. I sat down in the chair cautiously trying not to move too fast, I had definitely broken a couple of ribs.

Jensen came over almost immediately. “That was awesome! Want a regular slot here, Jamie? We could use someone like you to draw in the crowds, people are going to be talking about you now,”

he said grinning. “Thanks for bringing him to be, Ray.” He gripped Ray’s shoulder, looking at him gratefully.

I shook my head, ignoring the pain shooting through my shoulder, “No thanks, Jensen. Tonight was a one off.”