One corner of Zeke’s mouth went up, and he stared straight into his adversary’s eyes as he spoke just one word, “Asshole.”

The man swung, but Zeke ducked. I put away my phone and settled in to watch. The hotshots and the assholes were cheering for their friends, but mostly a lot of attempted swings, bear hugs, and shoving was happening. Zeke pushed Heath away from him, then got in a couple of good punches, but every time he swung, he left himself wide open for an attack. Heath was slow and clumsy, but he hit harder than Zeke, but even after a few knocks to the side of the head and jaw from Heath, Zeke remained focus. They weren’t stopping anytime soon, and I didn’t want Zeke to take another punch over me.

I rolled my eyes, threw down my cigarette, mashed it with my boot, then walked over to where the boys were brawling. They’d slowed down, but neither were going to quit.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I said, holding up my hands.

Zeke stopped. Heath didn’t, landing another blow to Zeke’s jaw. Zeke spun a half turn and stumbled toward his friends.

I grabbed Heath’s wrist, and he looked down at my hand, surprised at my strength.

“I said whoa.” I stomped on his toes, kicked him in the nuts, upper-cut him as he leaned down in reaction and then turned, elbowing him in the ear. He was down, in the fetal position, writhing while holding his nuts. “Don’t get up.”

“You bitch!” he wailed. He leaned forward, attempting to stand. I held him down with my boot on his chest. He grunted.

“Just rest, sweetheart.”

One of Heath’s friends grabbed for me, but I moved to the side before he could make contact. Another came at me, but Reese tripped him, and he landed on his face. I could see Zeke from the corner of my eye punch another of Heath’s friends, and I was glad. It was a fun challenge holding down Heath and beating the hell out of his cronies at the same time, but a challenge nonetheless.

The rest of the hotshots joined in, and within seconds, Heath’s friends were stumbling away. Heath stood and took a swing at me. I purposefully didn’t move, instantly feeling the sting of his knuckles against my jaw.

“You son of a bitch!” Zeke said, rushing him.

Before Zeke could reach him, I reared back and followed through, allowing all of my anger, grief, and adrenaline to flow through my arm. Unfortunately for Heath, I’d harbored years of it.

Heath fell straight back, his head making an audible thud when he hit the ground. The hotshots covered their mouths and jumped or stomped, yelling Oh! in unison.

Heath was carried away, and the hotshots circled around me while also holding Zeke back from chasing after them.

“I’ll kill you!” he yelled.