I Take It Back

Chapter 2

We had been dancing for what felt like hours and as I watched guy after guy come up behind Savannah and mercilessly grope her hips, I was reminded about why I hated these things so fucking much. Not to mention the stale air, the smashing of bodies grinding on each other, but the guy who has been trying to ride my ass for 20 minutes just spilled his warm beer all down the front of my favorite blue skinny jeans and black, thick knitted sweater from Target.

Just fucking great. 

Savannah snapped to my side immediately, leaving her drunk as hell dance partner behind, and pulled me off the dance floor. 

"Damn it. I'm sorry, dude. That guy was a drunk idiot." Her face showed nothing but sympathy for me as she used her shirt to try and dab up any beer she could. I pushed her hand away, but realized that might look a little harsh so I tried to give her a bit of a smile. 

"Not a big deal... I can just wash it." My buzz was fading quickly and I either needed to down 5 more shots, or head back to the dorms. I had my psych class early in the morning, so that would probably be the best idea but I was quickly interrupted by loud hoots as everyone started heading towards the front of the frat house. There was a guy standing in the front of the room, climbing on top of a coffee table and knocking over any beer cups he happened to come across, not caring about the mess he was leaving behind. 

Asshole. Oh great, it was the guy from the couch earlier, the one going ham all over the half-naked blonde chick. 

"Alright everyone! Just got word, fights taking place out toward N 15thSt. and Hayward. If you want to be there, show up, don't run your mouths, and place your bets with Ryan." He shouted while pointing to a tall, muscular guy with long blonde hair pulled back into a small, tight bun at the base of his neck. He was already gathering money from several people as they all lined up and started heading out the door. I took a cramped step forward to hear better, but Savannah grabbed my arm and pulled me next to her. 

"You guys know the rules, no one talks about this. Keep it on the DL, and we won't come after you." The room was going crazy. The energy was electric and I could practically feel it pulsing through my blood. People were already patting the guy on the back, shaking his hands as he walked through the room, pulling the busty blonde behind him. 

"Who the hell is that?" I asked, completely dumbfounded and confused as to what was going on.
Just then, I heard Savannah gasp and shriek as she threw her arms around her on and off again boyfriend, Logan. They had a pretty open relationship, and truly enjoyed each other's company...or just fucking each other. But he was already pulling us both to the back of the room, against the wall where it was a bit quieter. 

"Ladies, ladies! You guys going to the fight, right?" His voice was excited, dripping with adventure and I could already tell Savannah was more than on board. She had her arm linked through Logan's and was leaning up against the wall staring at me, waiting for a response.
"Who was that? What is this fight about?" I asked, leaning in closer so I could hear exactly what he had to say. My hands gripped my sweater and pulled it closer against me until I realized it was still soaked with warm beer. 

Great.

"You don't know who that is? Dude are you living under a rock? That's Cade, Cade Davenport. Only the best fighter in New York right now. As far as illegal, underground fights go. But I'd put my money on him if he tried to go pro too. He's thatgood." His voice was filled with wonder, honest to God wonder at how amazing this Cade guy was. 

I had heard of him before, I just didn't realize it was him. He had recently transferred here from another college, but I wasn't sure where from. He was a junior and had every single girl at Grandview wanting to smash him. Well, every girl except me. I don't care for that bad boy, player vibe he had going on and the fact that he did some sort of illegal fighting instantly gave me anxiety. 

As if I hadn't noticed it before, it all started making sense when I thought back to the last few weeks since we started our second year here. Any time I had seen him, he'd been with a different girl. I'm not kidding when I say these chicks were literally pawing at him while he's walked through the crowd tonight, pulling at his shirt, leaning in and whispering things in his ears, anything to get his attention. The blondie behind him seemed instantly jealous, but honestly it looked like he could care less. His face was focused, gently pushing people aside as he stepped closer to us, our little group standing against the wall. 

Oh shit, he was actually walking over to us.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and averted my eyes down to the floor. There was a sudden tightening deep in my stomach and heat rising to my cheeks. 

He's just a guy, Em. Just a normal, frat boy... that happens to be a player...and incredibly attractive. And he caught you staring at him making out with some rando.

But it wasn't long before I could physically feel his gaze pouring down on me as he came to a stop. Savannah gripped my hand tight, behind us so no one could notice. I glanced up at Logan, who had a devilish smirk on his face. He instantly reached his hand out and patted Cade on the shoulder. 

"Hey man, good luck tonight." He said. The two of them were obviously friends, making me feel like an idiot for asking about who he was earlier. I didn't want him thinking I was like all those other girls who were throwing themselves at him. I truly didn't give a shit about how popular he was and who cares if he's attractive? There were plenty of other very handsome guys all around campus. 

Yep, plentyyy of others. 

"Thanks, you're coming right? You too, Sav?" He said in a rough, low voice. My insides started fluttering at the sound of it draped over my skin and wrapped around me.   

Dude, chill the hell out.

I quickly looked at Savannah who was star struck by his huge, muscular body standing in front of her. I nudged her discreetly, trying to urge her to answer him. 

"Uh-huh." She murmured. I rolled my eyes, this was ridiculous. But the next thing I knew Cade's gaze was resting on me. Without saying a word, he turned on his heel and moved on to the next crowd, shaking their hands and grabbing his things before he headed out the back door.

What the actual fuck.

"Uh. Huh? What was that, Sav?" I looked at her pointedly.

Her cheeks were pink, and she was already giggling to herself. Logan threw his arm around her and began laughing as well.

"I'm sorry, I swear I didn't know Logan and him were friends! I didn't even know he knew who I was! Also, so weird that he was staring at you like that, right?" She covered her mouth and stifled another laugh. 

"Cade and I have known each other for years actually. Our families go way back. Of course, he knows who you are Sav, you think I've never mentioned your hot, tight ass? But beats me on that look he was giving you, Emma." He smacked her on the behind and pulled her off the wall, into his arms. 

"Oh wait, wasn't he the one who caught you watching him and that girl make out?" My cheeks flushed and I was instantly thrown back to that horrifying moment that Savannah reminded me of. 

I groaned and I prayed to God that we weren't going to that fight. I was ready to go home and jump into bed, forgetting all about tonight. 

"Oh, we're definitely going to that fight," As if she read my mind. "Remember our chat about getting out and having more fun this year, Emma? Well this is just the beginning."