Open mind for a different View

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Amelia wasn’t sure what to expect as she sat with her family and Anthony’s on one of the front row benches. The small arena was hot and the crowd was rowdy. She didn’t care much about any of that; she was there to support Anthony and nothing more.

Lena complained about the smell of sweat and the loudness every chance she could to their mother. Mrs. Marcetti was fidgeting with her hands with her nervousness in clear view. It was obvious to anyone who looked at her that she hated her son’s profession. Eric was pretty silent and seemed to pay attention to the other matches in front of their face.

Everyone’s butt had been planted on the bench for an hour watching three fights before it was Anthony’s turn.

Mel was anxious but she hid it better than Mrs. Marcetti who was muttering prayers now and gasped every time the other guy landed a blow to Anthony’s body.

Eric leaned forward and cheered his brother on. “Slaughter the bastard!” his mother didn’t care that he was cursing in front of her right now, instead she echoed his words.

It would’ve been amusing to watch their antics if her heart wasn’t lodged in her throat from fear for the man she was coming to love.

“Guys are so weird.” Lena complained now.

“You didn’t have to come.” Mel reminded her as her eyed stayed glue to Anthony in the ring. Her heart all but stopped when the guy Anthony was fighting punched him hard enough in the face to draw blood.

“He’s not gonna be looking to pretty tomorrow.” Lena commented.

“Shut up.” Mel hissed at her sister before getting up to get a better look into the ring.

Anthony wiped his taped hand across his bloody cheek before jumping on his opponent.

Anything went in the ring, there were kicks, punches, different types of fighting styles all allowed. Sort of attempting to kill the other guy the referee allowed it all in the spirit of sport.

Mel couldn’t believe Anthony enjoyed this. Sure he was bruised and bleeding but he didn’t back down. There was a light behind his eyes laced with passion for the fight and the need to win.

He had once told her it was an easy way to make some money and be able to focus on his art. Nothing he was doing looked easy. Maybe he was crazy, she pondered, and simply enjoyed the pain.

The fight lasted a little over ten minutes. At the end of it Anthony was named the winner. The other guy couldn’t get up and therefore lost the whole round.

Mrs. Marcetti was shaking her head. “That’s what winning looks like. My baby is a mess and he’s happy about it. I swear I must’ve dropped him on his head as a child.” Mel smiled over the fact she wasn’t the only one who thought this whole thing was crazy.

“Are you kidding?” Eric addressed his mother. “That was amazing! I have to start coming to the others. Did you see how he knocked that other guy out? I thought Tony was gonna be slaughtered, did you see how big that other guy was?” there was no mistaking his excitement over the thrill of the fight.

“Great. I have two crazy sons.” Mrs. Marcetti mumbled as they all left the audience to join up with Anthony in the back. He was in the locker room by himself as the others were out watching the new fight. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.” She winced as she took in his appearance.

“It wasn’t that bad.” Anthony smiled and looked over at Amelia. “What did you think?”

“I think you’re crazy and your mom really might’ve dropped you as a child.” Mel said as she leaned back against one of the closed lockers. It was better to joke and seem indifferent in front of everyone else. She didn’t want them to see how worried she had been for him.

Mel’s mom congratulated him on the fight and for giving her something new to do on a Saturday night. She and Lena left after Eric offered to give Mel a ride back home later.

Since both Eric and Mel’s mother were trying to set them up they didn’t have a problem with the idea and quickly left.

“Thanks.” She told him as Anthony changed into clean clothes.

“It’s not a problem, my brother can’t drive looking like that. I’ll drop you off at his place and when you’re ready to go home call me.” Eric said.

“Why are you doing this?”

Eric placed his hands inside his pockets and focused on the floor. “It’s the least I can do after being a royal piece of shit to you at school.”

Mel didn’t want to cave and forgive him for the way he had hurt her yesterday but he was doing a damn good job at trying to make it up to her. “Thanks.” She said again, it was the only word that came to mind.

After Anthony returned form the bathroom, looking looks like the loser of the fight rather than the winner, they all left the arena and headed to Eric’s car.

Mel kept her arm around Anthony’s waist. Now that the fight was over and the adrenaline was wearing off he looked ready to collapse.

At his studio, Eric helped her get him inside and into his bed before leaving.

“You have to be more careful.” It scared Mel to see him hurt and covered in blood. She touched the wet towel to his cheek to clean up some of the dry blood and sweat. She wanted to do something, anything, to help him feel better. At least look better.

“I was careful. Sometimes you can’t prevent getting hit. It is a fight.”

“Don’t be sarcastic with me Marcetti.”

“Ok, I’m sorry. I am alright you know.” He took the cloth out of her hands and dropped it to the floor to join the rest of the first aid kit supplies she had bandaged him with.  Making the first move, he leaned forward and kissed her parted mouth. His hand snaked up her leg and gripped her hip.

She tried to stay mad at him for being so carefree about the whole ordeal but it wasn’t easy and now as he kissed her she caved. She leaned between his legs as he lay back against the headboard. Mel ran her hand over his hard chest. She could feel his skin was feverish still from the fight. The muscles across his chest contracted under her palm. A frantic need to be closer to him crashed her system and she ended up straddling his lap.

“Amelia---”

“No.” she knew what he was going to say and she was tired of hearing the reasons they had to stop and wait. His hands gripped her shoulders and nudged her back. “You kissed me first.” She accused, her face hard with anger.

“I’m weak and don’t know how not to kiss you.” With delicate fingers he brushed her hair away from her face to peer easily into her eyes.

She opened her mouth only to close it just as quickly. She’d have to save her anger for later. Seeing the gash on his face, the black eye, and the bruises across his chest, she didn’t have the heart to pick a fight. “You should be getting some rest.”

“Don’t go yet.” He held her hand to his chest.

 She moved to lay by his side. “I won’t.” she curled up against him, careful not to hurt him, and closed her eyes. It was nice to just be there with him and she hoped he felt the same way.

It was so nice that they both ended up falling asleep and she never made it home that night.