Jamie McGuire - Beautiful Disaster

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER

Jamie McGuire

Copyright 2011 by Jamie McGuire

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without prior written permission of the author except where permitted by law.

Published by

Jamie McGuire, LLC

607 West McKinley Avenue

Blackwell, OK 74631

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Ebook Edition

CHAPTER ONE

red flag

Everything in the room screamed that I didnt belong. The stairs were crumbling, the rowdy patrons were shoulder to shoulder, and the air was a medley of sweat, blood and mold. Voices blurred as they yelled numbers and names back and forth, and arms flailed about, exchanging money and gestures to communicate over the noise. I squeezed through the crowd, following close behind my best friend.

Keep your cash in your wallet, Abby! America called to me. Her broad smile gleamed even in the dim light.

Stay close! Itll get worse once it starts! Shepley yelled over the noise. America grabbed his hand, and then mine as Shepley led us through the sea of people.

The sharp bleating of a bull horn cut through the smoky air. The noise startled me, and I jumped in reaction, looking for the source of the blast. A man stood on a wooden chair, holding a wad of cash in one hand, the horn in the other. He held the plastic to his lips.

Welcome to the blood bath! If you are looking for Economics one-oh-oneyou are in the wrong fucking place, my friend! If you seek The Circle, this is Mecca! My name is Adam, I make the rules and I call the fight. Betting ends once the opponents are on the floor. No touching the fighters, no assistance, no bet switching, and no encroachment of the ring. If you break these rules, you will get the piss beat out of you and you will be thrown out on your ass without your money! That includes you, ladies! So dont use your hoes to scam the system, boys!

Shepley shook his head. Jesus, Adam! he yelled to the emcee over the noise, clearly disapproving of his friends choice of words.

My heart pounded in my chest. With a pink cashmere cardigan and pearl earrings, I felt like a school marm on the beaches of Normandy. I promised America that I could handle whatever we happened upon, but at ground zero I felt the urge to grip her toothpick of an arm with both hands. She wouldnt put me in any danger, but being in a basement with fifty or so drunken college boys intent on bloodshed and capital, I wasnt exactly confident of our chances to leave unscathed.

After America met Shepley at freshman orientation, she frequently accompanied him to the secret fights held in different basements of Eastern University. Each event was held in a different spot, and kept secret until just an hour before the fight.

Because I ran in somewhat tamer circles, I was surprised to learn of an underground world at Eastern; but Shepley knew about it before he had ever enrolled. Travis, Shepleys roommate and cousin, entered his first fight seven months before. As a freshman, he was rumored to be the most lethal competitor Adam had seen in the three years since creating The Circle. Beginning his sophomore year, Travis was unbeatable. Together, Travis and Shepley easily paid their rent and bills with the winnings.

Adam brought the bull horn to his mouth once again, and the yelling and movement escalated to a feverish pace.

Tonight we have a new challenger! Easterns star varsity wrestler, Marek Young!

Cheering ensued, and the crowd parted like the red sea when Merek entered the room. A circular space cleared, and the mob whistled, booed and taunted the contender. He bounced up and down, and rocked his neck back and forth; his face severe and focused. The crowd quieted to a dull roar, and then my hands shot to my ears when music blared through the large speakers on the other side of the room.

Our next fighter doesnt need an introduction, but because he scares the shit outta me, Ill give him one, anyway! Shake in your boots, boys, and drop your panties, ladies! I give you: Travis Mad Dog Maddox!

The volume exploded when Travis appeared in a doorway across the room. He made his entrance, shirtless, relaxed and unaffected. He strolled into the center of the circle as if he were showing up to another day at work. The lean muscles stretched under his tattooed skin as he popped his fists against Mareks knuckles. Travis leaned in and whispered something in Mareks ear, and the wrestler struggled to keep his stern expression. Marek stood toe to toe with Travis, and they looked directly into each others eyes. Mareks expression was murderous; Travis looked mildly amused.

The men took a few steps back, and Adam sounded the horn. Marek took a defensive stance, and Travis attacked. I stood on my tip toes when I lost my line of sight, leaning from side to side to get a better view. I inched up, sliding through the screaming crowd. Elbows jabbed into my sides, and shoulders rammed into me, bouncing me back and forth like a pin ball. The tops of Mareks and Travis heads became visible, so I continued to push my way forward.

When I finally reached the front, Marek grabbed Travis with his thick arms and attempted to throw him to the ground. When Marek leaned down with the motion, Travis rammed his knee into Mareks face. Before Marek could shake off the blow, Travis lit into him; his fists making contact with Mareks bloodied face over and over.

Five fingers sank into my arm and I jerked back.What the hell are you doing, Abby? Shepley said.I cant see from back there! I called to him.

I turned just in time to see Marek land a solid punch. Travis turned, and for a moment I thought he had dodged another blow, but he made a complete circle, crashing his elbow straight into the center of Mareks nose. Blood sprayed my face, and splattered down the front of my cardigan. Marek fell to the concrete floor with a thud, and for a brief moment the room was completely silent.

Adam threw a scarlet square of fabric on Mareks limp body, and the mob detonated. Cash changed hands once again, and the expressions divided into the smug and the frustrated.

I was pushed around with the movement of those coming and going. America called my name from somewhere in the back, but I was mesmerized by the trail of red from my chest to my waist.

A pair of heavy black boots stepped in front of me, diverting my attention to the floor. My eyes traveled upward; jeans spattered with blood, a set of finely-chiseled abs, a bare, tattooed chest drenched in sweat, and finally a pair of warm, brown eyes. I was shoved from behind, and Travis caught me by the arm before I fell forward.

Hey! Back up off her! Travis frowned, shoving anyone who came near me. His stern expression melted into a smile at the sight my shirt, and then he dabbed my face with a towel. Sorry about that, Pigeon.

Adam patted the back of Travis head. Cmon, Mad Dog! You have some dough waitin on ya!

His eyes didnt stray from mine. Its a damn shame about the sweater. It looks good on you. In the next moment he was engulfed by fans, disappearing the way he came.

What were thinking you idiot? America yelled, yanking my arm.I came here to see a fight, didnt I? I smiled.You arent even supposed to be here, Abby, Shepley scolded.Neither is America, I said.She doesnt try to jump in the circle! he frowned. Lets go.

America smiled at me and wiped my face. You are such a pain in the ass, Abby. God, I love you! She hooked her arm around my neck, and we made our way up the stairs and out into the night.