I Take It Back Read online

  I Take It Back

  Fight For You

  Liza James

  Published by Liza James, 2019.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  I TAKE IT BACK

  First edition. September 28, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 Liza James.

  Written by Liza James.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 1

  “That’s it, I’m cutting myself off!” I shouted over the blasting music at the Theta Chi frat house. I slammed my fourth shot glass down on the cold granite counter and closed my eyes as the hot liquid slid down the back of my throat. My best friend Savannah couldn’t stop the laughter that fell out of her mouth as she threw back her sixth shot. She could always hold her liquor better than I could.

  I couldn’t help but notice how her long, raven-black hair tumbled around her shoulders as she laughed. She usually always had it pulled up and away from her face, but tonight she was determined to do things differently and left it down. Her blue eyes were always such a stark contrast to her hair. I found myself wishing I could come half as close to her beauty. However, I had to admit that I did like my caramel eyes. They were warm, but didn’t give away too much of what I was feeling on the inside. After all, there were things about me I didn’t want anyone to know, things I would prefer stayed hidden, and caramel eyes didn’t stand out or attract too much attention.

  My long, thick auburn hair was pulled up into a huge messy bun stacked on top of my head and, while it may not have been the cutest look, I was thankful for the fact that the breeze from the open windows and doors brushed across my neck. The heat of this house with the crowd was almost overwhelming paired with drinking.

  “Emma, don’t even think about quitting now. Tonight is going to be one for the books!” She was already pouring us two more shots, and I swear the room was starting to spin.

  I was buzzed, not wasted, but I knew that was going to hit soon if I kept going at this rate. Nevertheless, her infectious smile and excited attitude had me eagerly reaching for those next shots.

  As I looked around the room, I realized how incredibly packed this house was. The Theta Chi fraternity was definitely known for their parties, and oftentimes the cops came to shut it down. It was also home to some of the star athletes here at Grandview University which sparked rumors that they usually ended up getting a little more slack than some of the other fraternities. It’s the house every guy wants to be a part of, to be a brother of. But it was hard to get into and the hazing was insane, at least that’s what we were told by a kid who had supposedly not made it through the process.

  Clouds of smoke wafted through the hallways and over the makeshift dance floor; everyone was either smoking joints or cigarettes, whatever was on hand. The music was so loud the floor thumped beneath my feet and countless heated couples groped each other, making out or practically having sex around the house.

  My stomach felt sick as the nerves washed over me. I wouldn’t say I was a prude by any means, I mean I’ve had sex before, but I also wouldn’t say it blew me away when I did. It happened years ago, back when I was a sophomore in high school. So, you can imagine just how awkward it was. I didn’t experience those sparks, or the tingles, or even some outstanding orgasm at the end. I left feeling a little less satisfied than I had before I got there. I had been crushing on this boy for two years, wishing he wanted me as much as I had him. When the time finally came and I got what I thought I wanted, I realized that sex wasn’t nearly as exciting as I had read about or watched in movies. Honestly, it was a freakin’ let down. So, being surrounded by people grabbing at each other constantly while shoving their tongues down each others’ throats confused me, and left me feeling uncomfortable. I wish I had experienced that kind of passion.

  “Hey, stop staring perv.” Savannah giggled and nudged me in the ribs, tearing me away from the trance I had fallen into. I didn’t even realize I was staring at one couple in particular.

  They were sprawled across the couch in the living room. The woman was on her back, wearing incredibly short jean shorts which were torn up all across the front, leaving nothing to the imagination. I didn’t even know why she was wearing the shorts in the first place, they covered nothing. The straps of her black lace bra were sliding down her arm as the guy on top of her continued kissing her neck, his hands roaming across her body and pulling her leg up around his thigh. I couldn’t help but notice his muscles. I mean, how could I not? Her hands were sliding underneath his shirt, lifting it up and exposing his back. I could see each muscle straining under his tattooed skin as he continued to rock above her. His hair was longer on top and shorter on the sides, giving way to dark strands falling across his forehead. Oddly, a fleeting thought crossed my mind that I wanted to reach out and brush his hair away from his face.

  As if reading my thoughts, he turned around to look at me. “Like what you see?” He laughed as he turned back to the busty blonde girl vying for his attention. She giggled like a little school girl and brought her lips back to his in a fervent passion.

  “Awkward. Let’s go.” Savannah grabbed my arm and pulled me away before I could embarrass myself any further.

  That was weird ... I can’t believe I didn’t realize I was staring at them. My cheeks flushed and it took everything inside me not to run out of that damn house right then and there. “Wait! I need another shot.” I tugged Savannah’s arm gently back as we passed the counter again, pouring us another.

  “Hell yes! That’s my girl!” Savannah shouted, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the giant grin spreading across her face.

  She was always ready to party and was the one who pulled me out of our dorm to make sure I was being at least mildly social, and was definitely the one who made me feel like I could actually have fun every once in a while. Our high school days were different, but that’s behind us. This was college. It’s going to be a completely different story. I kept reminding myself of that as she pulled me across the house to the dance floor. It was jam-packed with frat guys, sorority girls, and anyone else who got invited to this insane party.

  Chapter 2

  We had been dancing for what felt like hours as I watched guy after guy come up behind Savan
nah and mercilessly grope her hips. This was why I hated these things so fucking much. Not to mention the stale air or the smashing of bodies grinding on each other, but the guy who has been trying to ride my ass for twenty 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 five 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 toward 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, fight’s taking place out toward N 15th St. 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 leaned 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. He’s that good.” 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 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 didn’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 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 couldn’t 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.”

  The two of them were obviously friends, making me feel like an idiot for asking 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 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 as the sound of it draped over my skin and wrapped around me.

  Dude, chill the hell out.

  I quickly looked at Savannah who was starstruck 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 rested 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 backdoor.

  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 he 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 and 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 Savannah reminded me of. I groaned and 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,” she said, as if reading my mind. “Remember our chat about getting out and having more fun this year, Emma? Well, this is just the beginning.”

  Chapter 3

  I struggled to climb into the backseat of Logan’s black, lifted 1989 Jeep Cherokee. I swear these backdoors were made for midgets and that no average-sized person could actually fit in it comfortably. Once inside, the three of us were quickly making our way to the fight.

  “Alright, speed racer, I think we can go the speed limit and still make it to the fight.” I was already clutching the ‘Oh Shit’ handle above my head, but we were flying down these streets in order to get there on time.

  “I’m telling you, these things go fast. People spread the news and it’s like wildfire. We’ll get there and it�
�s going to be slammed with people. These fights are no joke, Em.” His eyes were focused on the road while Savannah was giving him step by step directions through her maps app.

  I had heard about these mysterious fights before, but if I were completely honest, I was in a totally different headspace last year as a freshman. I was in a relationship with a guy I started dating in high school. But the distance, even though it was only a few hours, didn’t work for him and, by the end of the year, I had caught him cheating on me when I went back home for a visit. That’s what I get for trying to surprise him. Needless to say, I wasted that entire first year by ditching parties and college events. I focused my sights on studying, getting good grades and building a future for myself. I don’t regret doing well in college, absolutely not, but I do plan on making the rest of my college experience worth it.

  I kept reminding myself of what Sav said earlier. We are going to have more fun this year. We’re going to do more things, explore more places, have sex with more people. I swear it!

  We had made a pact in ninth grade that we would go to the same college and have each other’s backs no matter what. We lucked out by submitting our roommate request early enough, snagging a dorm for the both of us together. Our pact had held strong, and there was no one else in the world I trusted more than her. I just needed to let go, get rid of this anxiety that was constantly holding me back and throw caution to the wind.

  Oh boy.

  But seriously, I was going to take another shot the second we got to this middle-of-the-woods field. Any liquid courage I could get to help ease the stress that was building in my stomach was worth it.

  Just as Logan predicted, I could see countless cars lined up as we broke through a wooded area and moved into a clearing where there were already almost fifty people forming a tight circle. We parked the Jeep in the back, in a spot that would be easy to leave from if anything happened. Quickly jumping out of the car, the three of us hurried up to the edge of circle.