Flip Trick

  I snicker. “Sore,” I admit, but my wit gets the better of me, and I smirk. “But I mean, I can take care of it myself...”

  His eyes darken, his smirk now completely gone.

  He comes back and grabs me around my thighs, squeezing so hard I feel like the fat from my legs is about to pop out. Yanking me down the bed, he hovers over me, eyes to eyes. Nose tip to nose tip.

  His jaw clenches.

  Then he growls.

  I gulp.

  His hips circle into me, his cock pressing against my slit...

  “What am I going to do with you, Rosé…”

  I challenge him. “You can do what you promised you would do…”

  He does his head tilt thing and bites his lip. “And what’s that?”

  I look between his lips to his eyes. Lock, loaded… “Hurt me.”

  And fire.

  He flips me onto my stomach, slaps my ass cheek so hard I swear China could feel the sting that erupts over me and dives into my pussy from behind. His hand comes to my throat.

  “You want me to hurt you, baby?” he asks, thrusting into me.

  “Yes…” I whisper, even though every time his dick pounds inside me it slams against my cervix. I erupt. An orgasm washes over me in brutal storm-like waves. I scream out a line of swear words, my body trembling under his assault.

  Cum drips down my inner thighs with every pulse.

  He slaps my ass again and I cry out in pain. His other hand comes to my hip and he presses against it, slamming me against his dick. I feel it building again. That familiar brutality of pleasure. That’s what it is with Maddox. It’s not all just pleasure, it’s pleasure, pain and games. It’s survival of the fittest. I’m not very fit.

  Just as I hit my peak, he bites down on the back of my neck and we both come undone together.

  I fall onto the bed and twist myself inside his now sticky sheets. The last thing I remember is him pulling me into his chest and me rambling about him not having sex pre-fight.

  AMETHYST

  “Holy mother of God!” Leila’s mug slips between her fingers and smashes against the glass tiled floor.

  “Leila!” I scold her, kneeling down to pick up all the broken pieces. “You’re going to wake the monsters.”

  “Ame!” she whisper-yells. “Have you seen yourself?”

  “What?” I brush her off, picking up the shards and then standing to walk them to the bin.

  “You look like he beat the shit out of you.”

  My hand freezes over the bin and then I run to the bathroom.

  “Oh shit.” There are purple grip marks around my neck. I cradle my pink hair up and turn to look at my back. “Shit,” I whisper, seeing the bite marks on my left shoulder. Pulling at my pajama shorts, I look in between my thighs to see even more bruising there and one massive circle on my hip that is clearly visible because my tank top shows a slice of my my lower tummy.

  “I mean we heard you both, but daammmnnn,” Leila whispers. “He done fucked you up.”

  “Shush!” I whisper-yell back at her.

  She shrugs and hands me the mug. “They need to wake up anyway. Our flight is at twelve.”

  MADDOX

  Ame is pacing up and down the floor as Coach wraps up my hands. “You okay, baby?” I ask, even though I know she’s not. She’s been uneasy the whole way here.

  Her pacing stops, and she pins me with a scowl. Anyone would think she was the one who was jumping in the ring. Then she looks to Coach and takes the gauze from him. My knee jiggles from the adrenaline. Coach glares between her and I, then back to me. He’s been with me for a long time. He found me at an underground fighting ring in high school. He was there to shut it down but ended up seeing my talent, he likes to call it. My head bobs in approval and he takes a step back, giving us some space. She kneels in front of me and continues with the wrapping.

  “Am I ok?” she asks, but I think she’s more asking herself because her eyes don’t meet mine. “Well, no, I’m not really. Just please don’t die. Or get hit, please don’t let him hit you.” Her hand rests on my knee. My legs are spread out with the chair flipped backward. My elbows rest on the edge of the back. She goes back to the task at hand. “Promise me, Maddox.”

  I lick my lips. Promise her that he won’t hit me? Joseph “The Man” Banderas has a record much like mine, undefeated. But I knew then and there with those fucking blue eyes peering up at me that I was going to promise this girl that exact thing.

  “Alright, baby.”

  She leans up and kisses me. I lose it for a second, my thoughts fuzzing in and out.

  “Mad, you’re up,” Coach gestures to the door where Wolf and Talon are waiting for me. I stand from the chair and stretch my arms out in circles. Cranking my neck, Amethyst’s shoulders straighten, and her demeanour turns defiant. Her hands come to my cheeks. She leans up on her toes until her nose tip touches mine. “You’ve got this.”

  “Do I?” I play with her, a smirk on my lips. I knew I had this, but I also know Amethyst. She needs to feel needed. Not in a superficial way, or a temporary way. In a way that a thunderstorm needs the loud clapping of chaos to reach its peak.

  “Yes,” she says, pressing her lips to mine again. “You do. Or I’ll kill you.”

  I smirk and kiss her roughly again.

  “Alright, lovers.” Talon bangs on the door like a Viking. “Lettttt'ss ggggoo!!” I bounce around on my toes, my brothers in front of me and the coach in front of them. Amethyst is behind me, and out of instinct, I reach for her until her hand tangles with mine. She squeezes and then we’re walking out.

  AMETHYST

  KO’d. The words flash on the oversized TVs that are hanging above the caged octagon.

  What?

  “Holy fucking shit. People paid big money for this fight and Maddox just ended it in less than ten seconds.”

  I gulp.

  I find Maddox, but he’s already staring at me with a cocky grin on his face. He winks and blows me a kiss.

  “Girl, you need to marry this guy like, stat,” Leila yells into my ear excitedly. There’s loud cheering erupting everywhere and signs that have Maddox’s name displayed on them. Panties and bras are flying toward the ring too, girls screaming at Maddox. Seriously, how fucking desperate. One sign catches my eye.

  Maddox, you can destroy me any day!

  She talks a big game, but she should see my bruises. Bet she wouldn’t be swinging that sign around then.

  I fight the urge to push Leila away at the mention of marriage. I don’t want to hear the M word. I’ve never been a part of a wedding, or even attended one, let alone think about being a bride. My palms sweat, so I rub them against my jeans.

  Maddox jumps over the ring like a damn lion and comes down to the crowd, ignoring the cheering and grabs onto my hand, dragging me back to the den. The echoing of voices invades our personal space, but I feel it. Whether it’s from the surge that Maddox is sending off or the vibe in the air from all the adrenaline, I feel a smidge of why he does this. The same reason I skate. Because the rush of doing something that sets your soul on fire is foreplay, and the end orgasm is only reached by succeeding. And he did. In less than ten seconds.

  He leans into me as we walk down the quiet hallway, the loud voices long lost. “So, is my talent gonna die or soar?”

  I chuckle, shaking my head and leaning into his sweaty body. “Definitely soar, but next time give me a longer fight.”

  Later that night, we all hit town. I complained the whole time that my feet were sore and that I wasn’t feeling well so I went back to the hotel early. I thought Maddox would stay with his team and celebrate his victory, he didn’t. He came back to the hotel, pulled me in close and rode my body until my legs were numb. I fell asleep that night with a tightening in my chest that I didn’t want to explore.

  AMETHYST

  It’s Tuesday night when we decide to celebrate—since I’m feeling better. I felt guilty for being such a party pooper after the fight, so ton
ight was all my idea. Leila spends most of the night wrapped around Wolf, and Talon has some random skank on his lap. I really want to ask what his and Liza’s deal is. Truthfully. They have the most bizarre relationship. I believe they called it “open.” Through the night, we drink a lot, dance even more—until our bodies were dripping in sweat, and then I met Maddox’s agent. He came crashing through the doors, holding his phone. He had to be around late thirties. Dark and brooding. Pretty good-loo— “I got you a deal, kid! A fucking huge one. It’s going to set you up for life.” The excitement in his voice is evident.

  I down all of my drink. Whiskey, neat. Because why fuck around with something as lame as wine tonight.

  Maddox seems pleased as he pulls his agent in for one of those awkward man hugs. They whisper something into each other’s ears, and then Maddox grabs my hand and pulls me under his arm. He had long since lost his shirt—seriously? How is he allowed in a club with no shirt on? It’s tucked into the back of his jeans. He has clean white sneakers on his feet. Adidas originals—the high tops. Totally not my type. I feel like a broken record. I don’t usually date guys who have the same dress sense as me. It’s weird. Only when we’re together, everything is natural. Being with him is like breathing. Short breaths where my heart constantly feels as though it’s contracting in my chest, but breathing, nonetheless. He downs his drink and points to me.

  The agent’s eyes come to mine. “And who do we have here…” His hand comes out, and I look at it briefly before shaking it.

  My dad always told me that you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake. For instance, if it’s firm, it means he’s uptight and probably there for business and is keeping something from you. If it’s relaxed, he’s comfortable, a little more trustworthy.

  “Amethyst,” I yell over the music, adding a smile too.

  He smiles back, and it’s warm. I relax. His handshake is somewhere between the two.

  “I’m Trevor Michaelson. This delinquent’s agent.” His eyes fall to my mouth and then come back to my eyes. He is good-looking for an old dude, but no one could stand beside Maddox. It isn’t just Maddox and his obvious good looks. It is how he carries himself. His shoulders are always back in confidence, his walk filled with so much swagger it has you second guessing where he was raised. It’s his obvious neglect to any and everyone who isn’t someone to him. It only adds to his appeal. My stomach clenches and my heart twists. Shit. Was I in love with him?

  I excuse myself from them both and dip out for the bar. Once I reach it, a twenty-something old guy grins at me. He flips bottles around his fingers so expertly it makes my head tilt. The neon flashing laser lights lit up the club to a certain extent, but the bar was lined with fancy string lights, so I have a clear image of him.

  “Whiskey neat, please!” I holler, then look to the dance floor. Shit. Do I love him? I swallow.

  “You here with Destroyer?” he asks. He’s pouring my drink, but attention his stays on me. He’s skinny with weird floppy blond hair. He has a perfect straight nose and small perfect lips. His jaw is somewhat clean. He has slightly smudged kohl under his eye and I look to his wrist where leather bangles are strapped around. He’s a punk guy. I guess you could say that he’s attractive in his own way.

  I take the glass he’s sliding to me. “I am.”

  “With, with him?” he asks with a quirked eyebrow.

  I lick my lips. “Yes.” He’s gay, that’s it.

  He grins. “What’s ya name? I swear I’m not hitting on you. I don’t have a death wish.”

  I laugh at that. “I’m Amethyst.”

  “Wow.” His eyes widen in shock. “That’s a fucking rad name.”

  My cheeks heat. “Thanks.” I appreciate the brief distraction from the fact that I’m probably in love with Maddox.

  He slips me another. “On the house.” Then he winks at me and goes to serve another customer.

  That’s when I see what he’s wearing. Fucking suspenders. I snort into my drink. It’s refreshing to meet someone not so perfect when you’ve been around perfection for so long. Even my best friend is perfection. I decide right here that I’ll be making this club my casual. I sink the other drink just as Leila drags me onto the dance floor. I laugh, moving my long pink hair out of my face. Leila starts grinding into me to the beat. Some mash-up of Drake’s song “Nice for What.” Leila and I always had a good time when we went out, and it was always mainly because we could dance.

  A week after Vegas, I swear I could still feel my head pounding.

  “Rosé, better wise up before dinner tonight!” Talon whips my ass with a dishcloth.

  “Ouch!” I scold him, rubbing my sore ass cheek. I don’t know if it is from his little slip or from Maddox’s daily assault on my body. Everything hurts lately. My muscles ache and my skin throbs. I’m pretty athletic, (not that I work out or anything), but skating has always kept me pretty fit and toned.

  Talon laughs, as though he’s reading my mind.

  “Shut up.”

  I’m still rubbing my ass cheek when Leila walks in. Her hair in a mess all over her head. We haven’t spent that many nights at our dorm lately.

  I busy myself with making coffee. It’s a Saturday and I plan to tell Maddox everything tonight. For the first time ever, Amethyst Tatum is about to tell someone else that she loves them. I’m terrified.

  “You look like shit,” she says through a yawn. Talon slips out the front door for his run.

  “Thanks. So do you.”

  Leila takes a seat. “Lies,” she mutters, resting her forehead on her arms. “Seriously. Why can’t we skip college and go straight to jobs? My brain hurts.”

  I hand her a mug of watered down coffee beans and sip my delicious brew. I have creamer because I love myself.

  “Because we don’t know what we’re doing.” I blow into my cup.

  Maddox ambles in, rubbing his eyes. He smiles when he sees me, his teeth flashing white. His muscles flex as he picks up my mug and takes a sip of my coffee.

  “Morning, baby.” He kisses me on the head and busies himself with breakfast.

  Usually I make it, but I’m done for this morning. And anyway, watching Maddox walk around in those deadly grey sweatpants is way too much fun. Dick print anyone? My mouth waters.

  I’m such a sucker for him.

  Just him. I love him, and it’s going to ruin me. I more than love him, I’m bordering obsessed with him. Does he feel the same way?

  My eyes go to Leila, who is pointedly glaring at me over her coffee cup. I raise my eyebrows in question. She raises her back as in “what’re you thinking?”

  I shrug. “Nothing important.”

  Her eyes narrow like she doesn’t believe me.

  I shrug again. I don’t give a fuck.

  My attention goes back to Maddox. How did I manage to get him? The bad boy on campus. The guy every girl was thirsty for, and I got him. I didn’t believe in fate or anything like that. I couldn’t help but feel that when we were together, it was more than what we could see that was working with us. It was like a higher power had created us and put us in each other’s path. Why me, though? Maddox, the possessive overprotector. The guy who’d stand over anything that belonged to him with his teeth bared. I was his, and now I just needed to tell him.

  MADDOX

  I love her. I’m not even fucking ashamed to admit it, I flat out fucking love this chick, and I know she feels what I feel. Amethyst is a lot of things, but her main attribute is the way she can read people. When she gave enough of a fuck to do it, that is. She’s a renegade. A girl who was raised in a good home but chose to rebel against society. She is loyal, fierce, sassy and feisty, but she also knows when to be soft. I loved her fire, but I caressed her soft side because she only showed it to me. I’ve spent the last couple of months studying her. Watching how she moves around certain people, that’s how I know that she only bares her gentle side to me. That side makes me feral. Her softness brings out every single bit of bad inside of me
roaring to the surface. Caging her like an obsessed animal protecting its prey. Amethyst is mine. She’s mine, and I’m ‘bout to make it official tonight. I don’t give a fuck about our ages, or the fact that we might be going down different paths. Her with her acting and me with my fighting, I want her, and I’d move cities together just to make that happen, but I also know her and know us. As fucked as it may sound, I trust the connection we have. This doesn’t lie, this is real. What I feel for her is real.

  The little Tiffany box burns in my pocket the closer we drive to our parents’ house. Amethyst is slightly headbanging to a Nirvana song and Leila and Wolf are in the backseats, being weird as per usual. She cranks the window down and I watch out of the corner of my eye how her hair dances around with the wind, sending the smell of dried lavender to linger in the air. My cock stiffens.

  I pull us into the large circular driveway and we all make our way inside. I’ll admit, I’m still not one hundred percent ok with Jessica, but Amethyst makes me want to be ok with her, for her.

  We’re halfway through dinner when there’s a knock on the door. Jessica excuses herself and disappears to answer it.

  I wrap my arm around Amethyst and pull her face into me until my lips are brushing against her earlobe. “I want to ask you something after dinner.”

  I inch back enough to catch her eyes dart up to mine. Wide and vulnerable. Her lips pinch together. “Ok.”

  Why does she have to be so goddamn beautiful.

  Mine.

  Jessica clears her throat from the entry. “Maddox?”

  My eyes go up to Jessica, and then straight to the girl standing beside her. Long ash blonde hair, deep blue eyes. Fucking girl next door doe eyes. A face that looks familiar, so fam—I fly out of my chair.

  “Cassidy?”