Breaking the Bad Boys heart...

In what mind did Ashley think I'd like it here?

 Chapter 16-In what mind did Ashley think I'd like it here?

Ashley didn’t seem fazed by the question; he acted like he’d been asked it before. Does he take all his dates here? Does he ever go on dates?

“Yeah, I know it’s not a usual date but please give it a go” Ashley begged, even giving me puppy eyes, dang, he was making it hard to say no!

“If I see one bloody nose, I’m leaving okay?” I warned sternly, Ashley nodded in agreement at the same time a guy came with blood all over his face, you could hardly see his face.

“Okay, that doesn’t count. We’re not inside yet!” Ashley protested, holding his hand out to me, I gripped it tightly as we went inside. It was hot and stuffy with girls in the rings hardly wearing any clothes. Men punching and dodging their opponents, bloods everywhere…stay calm Lauren…stay calm. I wanted to gag; it was getting hotter in the place by minute. People came up to them greeting Ashley, he must be well known here, how relevant. This is not a place for girls, in what mind did Ashley think I’d like it here.

“Want a drink?” Ashley asked, I nodded, assuming we’ll be here for a while.

“Hey sweet” A middle-aged man came up to me grinning, I looked around Ashley had gone to get the drinks, I was alone.

“Uh, hello?” Why couldn’t I blend in? Why did everyone have to notice me?

“Have you ever considered being a ring-girl?” He asked, pointing to the girls in hardly any clothes. Before I could answer, Ashley reappeared, with my drink in his hand. I quickly grabbed it downing it, relieve washed through me.

“Joe, why’ve you upset my girl” Ashley stuck his hand out, the old man shaking it. How ironic, Ashley knew creeps.

“I was just asking her if she fancied being a ring girl” Joe said innocently, winking at me. I wanted to gag at the gesture but composed myself.

“That’s not her type of thing” Ashley replied, why didn’t I say that?

“Is she yours?” He made me sound like property; I wasn’t anyone’s, why couldn’t I be my own person?

“Yeah” Ashley smiled at me, reassuring me.

“I thought ring girls were your type of thing?” Joe smirked in my direction; I turned trying to get out of his glance. I seriously didn’t like him.

“What can I say? I’m a changed man” Ashley shrugged, my heart leaped a little.

“Or, you’re whipped” I heard a voice from behind me, I turned to see a boy around 20, staring smiling at me.

“I’m not whipped” Ashley growled at him, the guy stood back surrendering; he had to be the most normal I’d seen here.

“I have to say, she’s the classist I’ve seen with you…I approve” He smacked Ashley’s back lightly, Ashley shook his head laughing.

“Sorry, who are you?” I spoke up, shocking everyone.

“I’m Ashley’s brother, Kieran” He held out his hand, I shook it, smiling slightly. Thinking about it now, I could see the resemblance; they had the same dark skin and brilliant brown eyes.

“He hasn’t said anything about you” But then, Ashley rarely talked about any of his family. Was that unusual?

“I’m offended, embarrassed of me?” Kieran laughed, his smile wasn’t dis-similar to Ashley’s, but Ashley’s was a lot more infectious. Ashley didn’t reply just glared at him.

“Come on Lauren” He pulled me by the waist, walking away, he continued to hold me protectively, I could faintly hear the wolf-whistles behind but Ashley seemed to have not noticed.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your brother?” I was curious; I mean who just forgets to say they have a brother? It’s pretty hard for me seeing as I’m a twin.

“He owns this place, I didn’t think you’d really approve” Ashley said honestly, to be fair I didn’t blame him, because I don’t approve. Why would you want to own a fight club?

“But he’s your brother, you could have said you had a brother” I stated, sure he didn’t have to say his job, but he could say he had a sibling, was it too much to ask?

“I don’t know why I didn’t say, I just guess I’m not proud of him” Ashley shrugged, downing his drink. I may not be proud of some of the things Jas does but I wouldn’t deny her. I decided to steer the subject, he obviously didn’t like the conversation.

“Do you come here often?” I was curious, everyone seemed to know him.

“Yeah, once a week normally” Ashley looked around, the place was too stuffy and it stunk. I needed fresh air.

“Oh, do you bring girls often” I remembered Kieran’s comment ring in my ears. Had he brought my sister here?

“I used to, though most girls worked here” He dated ring-girls, of course he did. Why would girls work here, it was so de-grading.

“I-” Ashley was interrupted by the speaker, announcing the next fight.

“NEXT UP; ASHLEY JACKSON VS TREVOR BALENT- RING 3” I heard Kierans voice over loud-speaker…I stared at Ashley mentally begging him to stay. I didn’t want to see him fight; he must have missed the signals because he shrugged to me, before hopping into the ring. The ring-girl was shamefully flirting with him; he spoke back politely but didn’t get too involved. That’s when I heard the bell ring…the fight began.

“See how a real man fights” Joe said from behind me, I jumped a little before turning around; I smiled weakly although I couldn’t stand the guy.

I saw Ashley square up to his partner, sending a punch right into his jaw. People began cheering but I stood there frozen. Ashley caught my eye, seeing my disappointment. Ashley wasn’t who I thought he was, Ashley was a monster. I saw his opponent struggle to his feet. All I saw was red, literally blood everywhere. I could feel myself becoming warmer.

“I’m just going to step out-side” I said to Joe, he nodded not really listening. I rushed outside, throwing up. I couldn’t help it. The image of the poor guys nose…you could barely see it…there was too much blood. How could he do such a thing? I had to get away from here.

“Wait Lauren” Ashley sounded out of breath, but I didn’t stop I only sped up. Why would he take me here?

“It was a test” Ashley grinned, his hair a little ruffled.

“So what you mean is I’m your test guinea-pig?” I asked, raising my eyebrow…un-amused. I came to a halt, frozen in my spot. Ashley stood next to me…too close for comfort.

“If you like” He shrugged, raking a hand through his hair.

“Did I pass?” I said bitterly. My eyes not leaving his.

“Yeah you did…Lauren I brought you here to see how independent you are, I’ve only ever seen you get pushed around by the cheerleaders…I wanted to see the real you, I knew the idea of a fight club would disgust you but you came in anyway. Its only when I got up to fight, you couldn’t take it anymore, it wasn’t the real you…I prefer the real you. Because Lauren your beautiful” Ashley closed the gap between us, pressing his lips lightly onto mine, sending my heart into overdrive.

  Did I seriously go from the girl that no-one noticed to the girl who everyone kissed?