Free Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire Page B

Jefferson Liberal Arts building. He pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head and then grabbed my hand, smiling as we snuck to the back of the building. He stopped at an open window near the ground.
    My eyes widened with realization. “You’re joking.”
    Travis smiled. “This is the VIP entrance. You should see how everyone else gets in.”
    I shook my head as he worked his legs through, and then disappeared. I leaned down and called into oblivion, “Travis!”
    â€œDown here, Pidge. Just come in feet first, I’ll catch you.”
    â€œYou’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m jumping into the dark!”
    â€œI’ll catch you! I promise! Now get your ass in here!”
    I sighed, touching my forehead with my hand. “This is insane!”
    I sat down, and then scooted forward until half of my body was dangling in the dark. I turned onto my stomach and pointed my toes, feeling for the floor. I waited for my feet to touch Travis’s hand, but I lost my grip, squealing when I fell backward. A pair of hands grabbed me, and I heard Travis’s voice in the darkness.
    â€œYou fall like a girl,” he chuckled.
    He lowered my feet to the ground and then pulled me deeper into the blackness. After a dozen steps, I could hear the familiar yelling of numbers and names, and then the room was illuminated. A lanternsat in the corner, lighting the room just enough that I could make out Travis’s face.
    â€œWhat are we doing?”
    â€œWaiting. Adam has to run through his spiel before I go in.”
    I fidgeted. “Should I wait here, or should I go in? Where do I go when the fight starts? Where’s Shep and Mare?”
    â€œThey went in the other way. Just follow me out, I’m not sending you into that shark pit without me. Stay by Adam; he’ll keep you from getting crushed. I can’t look out for you and throw punches at the same time.”
    â€œCrushed?”
    â€œThere’s going to be more people here tonight. Brady Hoffman is from State. They have their own Circle there. It will be our crowd and their crowd, so the room’s gonna get crazy.”
    â€œAre you nervous?” I asked.
    He smiled, looking down at me. “No. You look a little nervous, though.”
    â€œMaybe,” I admitted.
    â€œIf it’ll make you feel better, I won’t let him touch me. I won’t even let him get one in for his fans.”
    â€œHow are you going to manage that?”
    He shrugged. “I usually let them get one in—to make it look fair.”
    â€œYou …? You let people hit you?”
    â€œHow much fun would it be if I just massacred someone and they never got a punch in? It’s not good for business, no one would bet against me.”
    â€œWhat a load of crap,” I said, crossing my arms.
    Travis raised an eyebrow. “You think I’m yankin’ your chain?”
    â€œI find it hard to believe that you only get hit when you let them hit you.”
    â€œWould you like to make a wager on that, Abby Abernathy?” he smiled, his eyes animated.
    I smiled. “I’ll take that bet. I think he’ll get one in on you.”
    â€œAnd if he doesn’t? What do I win?” he asked. I shrugged as the yelling on the other side of the wall grew to a roar. Adam greeted the crowd, and then went over the rules.
    Travis’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. “If you win, I’ll go without sex for a month.” I raised an eyebrow and he smiled again. “But if I win, you have to stay with me for a month.”
    â€œWhat? I’m staying with you, anyway! What kind of bet is that?” I shrieked over the noise.
    â€œThey fixed the boilers at Morgan today,” Travis said with a smile and a wink.
    A smirk softened my expression as Adam called Travis’s name. “Anything is worth watching you try abstinence for a change.”
    Travis kissed my cheek, and then walked