The Fight for Forever Read online

  By the time we roll up to the Fosse Center, the carnival is in full swing, from the looks of things. There’s a small park across the street packed with big inflatable bounce houses, and a stream of kids and adults heading into the building.

  “I am so ready,” Bump says, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s do this.”

  We climb out of the car, and I pause next to the driver’s door while Hal rolls down his window.

  “I’ll park and come in. I can help watch over Bump.”

  I scan the street and note at least a half dozen officers in NYPD uniforms helping control traffic and keeping an eye on the park.

  “This place is crawling with cops right now. Moses is too smart to try to make a move in a place where he’d be this exposed,” I say, then rethink it. “But, yeah. Find a place to park, and I’ll text you our location. I’m not taking any chances with either of them.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Maybe go inside first. It’d be harder for him to go unnoticed in there.”

  I give him a nod. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. Thanks, man. For everything.”

  “It’s my pleasure. Be right back.”

  I push off the car and head for Scarlett, who is standing in between two inflatable towers near the door, getting our tickets.

  “I could’ve gotten those,” I tell her.

  She swivels her head with a smile. “Not necessary.”

  “She got me so many tickets, Gabe! I’m going to play all the games!”

  If the woman at the ticket counter thinks it’s weird to hear a grown man sound like a child, she doesn’t even blink.

  We head inside and follow the big red footprints stuck to the gray floor, toward a gymnasium filled with carnival games. The first thing Bump does is grab Scarlett by the hand and drags her along after him while he checks out every one of them and the prizes they offer.

  I follow behind them, noticing kids in wheelchairs, and a few who look like they’ve had it rough, just like Bump. But every single one of them has a smile on their face right now.

  Well, shit. Maybe Scarlett is right about wanting to see if Bump would like coming here. Maybe he’d be able to help keep those smiles on their faces. Maybe it would keep a bigger one on his.

  Bump does have a gift for it, and sharing it would probably make him happy as hell.

  Before I can think any more about it, Bump spots a basketball game in the corner. Four hoops are mounted on a plywood board, and there’s only one person playing.

  “We can all play! Come on, guys.”

  Bump’s enthusiasm is contagious. We all step up to the game and hand over the correct number of tickets.

  “Is this a good time to tell you that I was never good at basketball in gym?” Scarlett asks with a giggle. “Because I was terrible.”

  “You don’t need to be good at basketball,” Bump says, bouncing from foot to foot as we watch the other player finish his game while the attendant sets up ours. “You only need to be good at shooting baskets. No dribbling. No other players. Just you and the ball. Focus, Scarlett. You got this. I believe in you.”

  Scarlett’s chin trembles, and a sheen comes over her eyes. “Thank you, Bump. I really appreciate that.” I can hear the tears in her voice from Bump’s ardent faith and encouragement.

  “I’m still going to win, though,” he says, shooting her a quick glance. “It’s just how it has to be.”

  I look from one of my favorite people on earth to the other. This is what it’s all about. No matter what happens during the fight or after it with the club, as long as I have these two, everything else will be just fine.

  Twenty-Six

  Scarlett

  “I’m trying really hard not to be stunned that you beat Bump,” I say with a pink stuffed bunny clutched to my side.

  Gabriel glances at my prize. “It’s not a salt-and-pepper-shaker set, but it’ll do. For now.”

  I grin at his mention of my salt-and-pepper-shaker addiction. I love that he remembers the little things.

  Bump has Hal at his side, and the two men walk ahead of us. Bump declared he has to take another walk around the gym before he decides what to play next. He uses his hands as he talks to Hal, and warmth fills my chest. I’m so happy we came. I’ve missed Bump, and I know if I have, Gabriel must be feeling the separation acutely.

  When we walk past a water-target shooting game, Gabriel pauses. “Do you see what I see?”

  I jerk my head around toward the game and look. “What?”

  He points to the upper right-hand corner. “There. It’s black and red and white.”

  I search through the mass of stuffed animals until I spot it. “A ladybug!”

  Gabriel’s lips form the half grin that I love so much. “You know I have to win that for you, right? Hal can stay with Bump for a few.”

  With a glance in their direction, I see Bump stop in front of a temporary tattoo station with a line of six people ahead of him.

  “I think Bump’s about to get tattooed, so you might have enough time to win that ladybug for me before he’s done.”

  “Want to make a bet about how long it’ll take me to win?” he asks with a dazzling blue wink. “Because I’ll totally wager sexual favors any day of the week with you, ladybug.”

  “I already know you’re going to win it.”

  “How?”

  I lean in and press a kiss to his lips. “Because you’re unstoppable when you set your mind to something. Bump might believe in me, but I believe in you even more.”

  Gabriel’s face goes soft. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. It means a hell of a lot.”

  “Whatever happens with this fight, we’re going to be fine. I’ve already decided. Okay?” Who knows why I’m bringing it up now, but I need to hear him say it too. Win, lose, or draw, what he and I have is solid. We’re going to flourish, no matter what.

  “Yeah, I agree with you there. We’re going to be just fine. But, first, I’m going to win my ladybug a ladybug.”

  “Okay,” I say with a smile I can feel all the way into my chest.

  Meryl finds us shortly after we’ve rejoined Bump and Hal. She nods at the two stuffed animals in my arms. “It looks like you’re having a good time.”

  “We’re having a great time. Thank you so much for the invite.”

  Bump stares at his feet instead of talking to Meryl, and for a moment, I’m worried he won’t want to speak to her.

  “Hi, Bump. Remember me? I’m Meryl from the arcade. I’m glad you could join us today. There are some kids I’d love for you to meet, if you’re interested.”

  Bump’s head pops up. “I like kids, even though they make fun of me sometimes for looking old but sounding like them.”

  My heart breaks right then and there for whatever teasing Bump has endured.

  “These kids are very special, and they know what it’s like not to be like everyone else. It’s like a club, and I think they’ll be really happy if you hang out with them.”

  Bump’s eyes widen. “Really? That could be cool. I’m good at basketball. And Skee-Ball. And I really like—”

  I freeze, afraid the next words out of his mouth will have something to do with Kitty the stripper. Thankfully, Gabriel wades into the conversation.

  “He really likes making new friends. It’s good to see you again, ma’am.” And there’s Gabriel’s Southern charm again, making the temperature in the room rise. “Thanks for inviting us. Bump’s having a great time. This place is impressive as hell, but I can see why you need more room. Lots of good work going on here.”

  From the pleased look on her face, Gabriel just slipped right onto Meryl’s good side with that comment. I applaud silently in my head.

  “Thank you, Gabriel. It’s my passion. I know I’ve been a bit insistent on Bump coming, but you’ll see why in a moment. Come with me.”

  All four of us follow her across the gym to a corner where a ring-toss game is set up. There are two boys in wheelchairs, and they l
ook like they’re both around eighteen.

  “Omar. Ashton. Do you think you’ve got room for one more player?”

  One of them turns around and looks at us and Meryl. “Why you wanna know, Mrs. Fosse? You bringing in another stray?”

  “I’m not a stray,” Bump says, and the boy who spoke looks him up and down from the wheelchair.

  “No, but you old. You ain’t no kid.”

  I open my mouth to intervene and explain, before Bump gets offended, but Meryl dives right in.

  “This is Bump. You three have something in common, Omar.”

  Omar looks to the other kid beside him and then zeroes in on the strip of hair missing from the side of Bump’s head. “He take a bullet to the head too? Fuck him up like us?”

  Bump’s head bobbles. “That happened to you too? Dude . . . I’m so sorry. It was the worst thing ever, but I’m okay now. You look like you’re mostly okay too.”

  Omar looks down at the chair. “I’m learning to walk again. Ashton ain’t so lucky, but it don’t matter. When I walk again, I’ll take him everywhere with me. We’re brothers from another mother.”

  Bump squats down to their level. “I bet you still kick my ass at ring toss. I’m shitty at this game.”

  Ashton finally pipes up. “Then come on. Let’s put some money on it.”

  “Boys . . .” Meryl’s tone comes with a warning note. “No gambling. Remember?”

  Omar and Ashton trade shit-eating grins before looking back at her and saying in singsong unison, “Yes, Mrs. Fosse.”

  Meryl smiles at the three of them. “I’ll let you boys get acquainted.” She turns to me and Gabriel as Bump hands over more tickets to the person in charge in exchange for his rings.

  In a low voice, she whispers in my ear. “Thank you for coming. It really means a lot to me. Omar and Ashton both have been through so much, and it’s hard for them to relate to people who don’t understand what they’ve experienced. When I saw Bump, I just had a feeling I couldn’t shake. If he’s not interested in coming back, I won’t push. But if he is, we’d welcome him with open arms.”

  That’s something for Bump and Gabe to discuss, but I’m not too worried. “We’ll let you know, but I think he’s already decided he loves it here.” I turn to see the three boys flinging rings and cheering when the others miss and they don’t.

  Meryl nods. “I hope so. Make sure you check out the park across the street too and get some food. It’s all terrible for you, but it’s delicious.”

  “We will. Thanks, Meryl.”

  As she walks away, Gabriel leans in. “What did she say?”

  “She sees Bump, and she values him.”

  Gabriel turns to look at her back. “She seems like good people.”

  “I think she is.”

  Then Gabriel goes still.

  “What?”

  When he scans the crowd again, Hal and I whip around to do the same.

  “Who did you see?” I ask. “Moses?”

  I catch sight of a light-skinned black man walking through the crowd, but his eyes are all wrong to be Moses, and Gabriel relaxes.

  “No. Not Moses. Not today, and hopefully never fucking again.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Legend

  After Bump finishes playing ring toss with Ashton and Omar, I’m ready to get the hell out of the packed gym. I’m on edge in the crowd, but having Scarlett and Bump within reach and Hal keeping watch along with me helps a hell of a lot.

  Karas and the mob are taking care of Moses, I remind myself, but the uneasiness won’t quit creeping up the back of my neck as we head to the park across the street. It’s busy, with over a dozen food trailers offering all your typical carnival fare, but not as crowded as it was inside.

  Hal walks with us, not far from Bump, who is carrying a massive inflatable guitar he won during the last game of ring toss, and I force myself to relax and enjoy the day instead of looking for trouble. One thing I’ve learned the hard way—every time I look for trouble, I find more than enough.

  We walk toward a trailer with a karaoke setup, and a kid who can’t be more than thirteen is belting out AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” like he’d written it himself.

  As soon as Bump hears the song, he stops, and a look of pure excitement takes over his features. “It’s my song!” he yells, then breaks away from our group with his inflatable guitar.

  The man running the karaoke freezes for a few seconds, and the kid misses a few words of the vocals. Bump climbs up onstage, but before they can stop the music, he starts rocking with the inflatable guitar like he was born to play. A smile stretches across the kid’s face as he throws up the devil horns, and he belts out the lyrics even louder.

  Hal and Scarlett watch with bemused expressions, but I can’t stop laughing. It’s pure Bump.

  I wrap an arm around Scarlett and sing the words of the chorus in her ear. Her head swivels at my vocal performance—which isn’t half bad, if I do say so myself—and she joins in. By the end of the song, a crowd has gathered in front of the trailer, and even Scarlett has her hands up in the air and is jumping with the beat.

  As soon as the music dies, the crowd bursts into cheers and applause.

  “Encore!” Scarlett yells, and the kid whispers something to Bump.

  Bump nods and yanks a handful of tickets from his pocket and shoves them at the kid.

  “What are they doing?” Hal asks, scratching his head and then scanning the area, never fully letting his guard down.

  “Oh, Bump isn’t done yet. The kid will play air guitar until the strings fall off, if you know what I mean.”

  Hal chuckles as the strains of “TNT” come through the speakers next. Scarlett claps and screams to cheer Bump on, and he eats it up.

  Bump holds that inflatable guitar like he was meant for the stage. All those years of playing Guitar Hero definitely paid off.

  When they hit the chorus, the crowd goes wild, and everyone sings along. Scarlett is bouncing on the balls of her feet, trying to see over a tall man who keeps bobbing in and out of her vision, so I pull her into my side.

  “Trust me?”

  It’s a simple question, only two words, and her answer is just as simple.

  Her gray eyes, bright with excitement, meet mine. “Of course.”

  Fucking hell. Hearing her say that without hesitation and knowing that I’ve earned her complete trust sends a charge through me.

  “Up you go,” I tell her, squatting down and pointing to my shoulders.

  “You want me to get up there?”

  I wave her closer. “Best view you’ll get. You don’t want to miss Bump in his element, do you?”

  “If you think it’s a good idea . . .”

  “Come on, ladybug. I’ll hold your toys and your purse.”

  She hands off her handbag and ladybug to me, and Hal takes her bunny. After a moment of adorable-as-hell trepidation, she goes for it, climbing onto my shoulders until her crotch is situated against the back of my neck and her knees dangle forward over my chest.

  “Up we go,” I say over the music and the people singing along to the lyrics. When I stand, she becomes the tallest person in the crowd.

  After another verse, she gets more comfortable and releases her grip on my shoulders. I glance up, and all I can see are her arms in the air, proudly rocking the devil horns as she yells, “Go, Bump! You rock!”

  Right in that moment, I fall in love with her all over again.

  My sophisticated socialite knows all the words to AC/DC’s “TNT,” and she’s not afraid to climb on my shoulders and cheer on the man who will always be a boy because of a bullet.

  Before I met Scarlett, if anyone had asked me to describe my perfect woman, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to say. If I’d have been pushed, I probably would have gone with a generic description, because I never thought I’d find one who was perfect for me. Not even in my wildest dreams would I ever have been able to describe Scarlett Priest.

  On p
aper, we’re all wrong. It just goes to show that how things look from the outside doesn’t mean a damn thing. Life is messy, like Scarlett’s favorite hashtag says. We don’t always know what we need until it’s right in front of our faces.

  I almost fucked it up, but if I know Scarlett like I think I do, she wasn’t going to let me. She’s too smart for that. Thank God I caught on too, because Scarlett Priest is the best goddamned thing ever to happen to me, and I will never take her for granted.

  I squeeze her thighs on my shoulders to make sure she’s safe up there, and then together, the entire crowd belts out the last chorus. The cheers and applause are nearly deafening, and the cops have all gravitated toward the crowd.

  Bump and the kid take their bows before jumping off the stage.

  At least Bump didn’t try to crowd surf, I think as he rushes up to us.

  “Wasn’t that so badass? Could you feel the energy? I was in the zone, man!”

  I don’t know if it’s possible to get high off an air-guitar performance, but Bump looks like he’s blissed out to the max.

  I squat down to the ground, and Scarlett scrambles off my back and throws herself at Bump for a hug.

  “You were amazing! Your stage presence is legendary!”

  Bump smiles so wide, his face may split in half. “It’s because I’m an honorary Legend.”

  When he releases Scarlett, I take my turn, giving him a back-slapping hug. “Killed it, bud. Damn fine job.”

  He fist-bumps Hal before looking at me with a hopeful expression. “I’m so hungry after that set. Can I get a corn dog and fries? You know I gotta feed my inner rock god.”

  It takes everything I have to keep a straight face. “Yeah, bud. Let’s go get you some food.”

  “I could be talked into french fries,” Scarlett says with a grin. “Because I can smell them from here, and my stomach is sending out clear ‘get in my belly’ signals.”

  “Yes!” Bump plays another air riff before charging through the crowd. People slap him on the back and give him high fives, and he handles it like a damn rock star.