𝐌𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲 | 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐁𝐘

Chapter 8 | Eight

'Chapter 8 | Eight | Promise '

•••••

"Evangeline you better be jokin?" Reg says harshly, gripping my wrist just as bad.

"Get him out Reg, he don't want to." I shout trying to break free, my heart thumping out of my chest.

"He's a boy for fuck sake, he's supposed to be able to box."

Our shouting grabs the attention of nearly everyone as I struggle in his grasp, Pop is now climbing under the rope demanding that Reg let me go.

"Reg, let her go." Danny now joins in.

"Evangeline." Uncle Charlie attempts to calm me as Reg lets me go but it's no use I'm furious.

"Get him out." I shout as my father blocks my way into the ring.

"It's one fight." Pop glares, looking livid.

"Pop he don't want to." I cry.

"Vinnie?" The ref calls over however my father signals for the man to just ignore.

"You've embarrassed us enough, get out Evangeline." Reg commands.

"No fuckin' way am I leaving without Teddy." I spit as my blood boils, the heat of the room sending me into a state of feeling overwhelmed.

"Good then you can watch the rest of his fight." Reg snarls.

"Fuck you." I say looking at the pair before barging past my father and swinging my legs over the top of the ropes.

Teddy is stood in a corner of the ring, glasses off, gloves on.

"Oh Ted I'm so sorry." I cry as I run a thumb over his cut lip.

"It's okay." He whimpers, wrapping his arms around me.

The four mean behind us break out into argument, Uncle Charlie and Danny defending me while Pop and Reg say they are disgusted by me.

"Would ya say the same to Ma?" I shout.

"Ma's not here though is she?" Pop roars.

"Who do ya think got Evie a way in?" A voice, filled with pure anger and distaste erupts from the door.

"Chels."

"Don't 'Chels' me." She fumes.

"What the fuck is going here?" Another voice now joins the scene.

"Evangeline, luv, what ya doing in the ring?" Mr Shelby smirks, hair all wet from sweat and only in a pair of shorts, his tattoos on his chest reflecting the light.

"She won't let Ted fight." Reg sneers.

"With good bloody reason." I defend clutching onto to Ted.

Reg now climbs in ring, cornering me and Teddy as I defensively keep him behind me.

"He's not ya fuckin' son, Eve." He spits. "I know you may wish he was but he ain't, ya don't have any children, not even a man that's interested in ya for fuck sake, so step aside and let Ma deal with it."

Without thinking I punch him, completely distraught at his words. I send him tumbling backwards slightly before his eyes turn devilish.

Grabbing me by the throat causes Pop, Danny, Charlie and Ma to all try and get into the ring but someone beats them to it first.

"Let go." The Blinder demands, grabbing Reg by his throat however almost lifting him off the floor.

Reg reluctantly loosens his grip however Mr Shelby doesn't.

"Get the fuck out." Mr Shelby warns, bringing his face close to Reggie's.

He lets go, Reg gasping for air as he clutches his now red neck.

Tears are on my cheeks and even more are waiting to spill, my eyes glossy.

We all watch silently as Reg exits the gym.

Mr Shelby's back is still turned to me.

"Vinnie. Take ya Missus and boys home." He says, his tone never like I've heard it before.

Ma slowly approaches the ring and Teddy almost jumps into her arms, she strokes his hair as Pop stares at me. I don't dare look at him or anyone, instead I keep my gaze on the floor.

"Evangeline come with me." He doesn't turn to look at me, not even when he detaches the ropes to allow me out of the ring in a lady like manner rather than climbing under or through.

He takes me outside and lights up a cigarette. I stand with my back against the brick wall, watching him as he breathes out the thick smoke, a hard expression on his face.

"Mr Shelby I'm sorry, I know ya don't like women in the gym but I couldn't just let it happen, I couldn't. You saw the way he got upset at the mention of boxing." I sob.

"It's alright luv." His tone remains cold along with his eyes.

I cry even more at the fact he is upset with me and this clearly triggers something within him as he stubs out his cigarette and cups my checks like he has done almost every time we have met.

"It's alright, I'm not worried about women in the gym. It's everyone else that seems to give a shit." He says, a lot softer, his rough thumb gently stroking my cheek.

"Promise?" I slightly laugh through a cry and he smiles too.

"Promise." He winks. "How come you never told me you had a nickname eh?" He enquires softer. "I'd rather call you, Angie or Angel."

I softly smile at him, happily staying in his touch as he rambled about what nickname to give me.

"But listen, I'm the only one allowed to call you it, you hear?" He squeezes my cheeks slightly, his hands cold.

"Yes." I laugh, staring into his lovely blue eyes.

"Promise?" He mimics me.

"Promise."