Free Blood of Cupids by Sophia Kenzie Page A

our boxing
venue holds, so we’ve also invited some regulars to fill the seats closer to
the ring. Each club will guard an entrance, and we’ll have a few guys stationed
outside. And, of course, we have some fucking serious firearms for everyone.”
    They roared with laughter and applause. I’d gotten their
attention. I went over a few possible outcomes, accepting suggestions, comments,
and questions, but everyone seemed ready and excited for the next day’s
promises. Pops took the floor back from me.
    “Okay, that’s enough business; let’s get to the good stuff.
Girls!”
    The usual broads came parading into the clubhouse, wearing
brightly colored pin-up girl costumes and carrying pitchers of beer. Everyone
cheered and chose their conquest. Pops put his arm around me.
    “Do you see what you did?” He pointed to the crowd.
    “Yeah.”
    “One day, you’re going to make the best president this club
has ever seen.”
    “Pops, stop.”
    “I’m serious. You’re smarter than we give you credit for.”
    “Ha. I think I can find the compliment in there.”
    I reached for a beer, needing a distraction from my Pops’
pride. I didn’t want to think about being the president.
    “Oh no, match day tomorrow. No beer and no sex.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “And you’ll be better because I made you go to sleep. Now
get out of here.”
    It was a good excuse to escape the festivities. Plus, I’d
had all of these girls before, and none of them held a candle to Grace. Two
more days, and she’d be back in my arms. Two more days, and she’d be mine once
more.
     
    * * *
     
    I woke up the next morning still dreaming about her perfect
skin. I hadn’t yet lost that image I swore to keep tucked away in my memory,
but I just couldn’t wait one more day. I would go and see her tonight before
the match. Hell, she asked me if I were free on Friday, so I’d make myself
free.
    All day I imagined what I’d do to her when I saw her. I
imagined what she’d say. Would she be excited to see me? Would she jump up and
straddle her legs around my hips? I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands
off of her. The thought of her soothed me to sleep every night since I last
touched her.
    I checked in with Pops to make sure everyone was set for the
match, and made my way out of Southwest Philly, leaving my colors at home. It
still wasn’t the right moment to tell her.
    I pulled up to her street and parked my bike around the
corner. I rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. Every inch of me begged to
sneak in and wait naked in her bed, but I knew the outcome would turn into a
screaming match, so I bit my urge and leaned against the wall.
    Luckily I didn’t have to wait long. Within ten minutes, I
saw her deep red hair turn the corner. She was wearing a brown skirt, tall
boots and a buttoned up white shirt. She clung her books to her chest, and
walked with a faint smile on her face. She pushed her wind-blown hair from her
cheek. Then she saw me. Surprise lit up her face and a wide smile spread across
her lips, but after three more steps, her lips dropped. Concern flushed her
face, and she paled. Her steps quickened as she looked around, and back over
her shoulder. I met her halfway down the block.
    “Grace, is everything okay?”
    “Ryan, you have to get out of here.”

Grace
     
     
    I was surprised that I was able to go the whole week without
seeing Ryan. Well, I was surprised and really upset about it. I know I refused
to give him my number, and told him that school was really busy, but a part of
me still expected him to find a way to see me during the week. I really wanted
to see him. I couldn’t stop thinking about our two nights together. There was
something about him that I just couldn’t let go. And I wanted to let go; I just
couldn’t.
    It was Friday. It was the day that something was going to
happen at Ryan’s boxing match, and I could not warn him. What if I never saw
him again? Had I made the wrong decision? What if that was