Dray Read Free

“Go back down and watch the boards.”
    Taylor sighed angrily, and they headed back down to the water.
    “What’s this about, Rett?” Clutch asked.
    “This sonavabitch was in bed with my girlfriend.” Bigfoot’s thick fingers curled into a fist.
    I stepped closer, but Barrett put up his hand to stop me. “He’s right. I was in bed with her.” He looked unsure for a second. “She was the red head, right?”
    Bigfoot’s face scrunched up, and his knuckles whitened as he tightened his fist.
    “Damn it, Rett,” Clutch muttered.
    Barrett stepped out into the yard. “Look, I’m sorry. She didn’t tell me she had a boyfriend.” He stretched his arms out. “Take your best shot and then be on your way. Just don’t hit the face.” Barrett looked over at his brother. “I deserve it. Besides, how bad could it—”
    Bigfoot didn’t hesitate over the offer. His giant, rock fist flew into Barrett’s gut. Barrett groaned and doubled over before dropping to his knees. Clutch and I stepped toward the guy, but Barrett waved his hand weakly for us to stay back.
    “You took your shot,” Nix said tersely. “Now get out of here.”
    The guy paused but then glanced around at the three of us and seemingly decided he should leave. He stomped off.
    Scotlyn and Taylor shot into the yard and ran to Barrett. They each took an arm and helped him to his feet. “Rett, you poor baby,” Scotlyn said. “Let’s get you inside.”
    Nix smiled at Clutch. “Your brother has an ulterior motive for everything. He took one to the gut, and, now, those two are going to fawn over him all morning. Never mind that he totally deserved it.”
    “That poor baby has been sleeping around with other guys’ girlfriends,” Clutch said to them as they helped Barrett into the house, ignoring the comment.
    I put my hand on Clutch’s shoulder. “I’m telling you, that boy is a fucking legend.”
    “Yeah, that legend is going to fuck himself right into an early grave.” Clutch looked down at me. “Seriously, Dray, he won’t listen to me because apparently I sound just like Dad when I’m lecturing him. For some completely baffling, bizarre reason, he looks up to you.”
    “And fuck you too, Clutch.” I turned to go inside.
    “All right, all right, wait, Dray.”
    I stopped and looked back at him. “What do you want from me?”
    Clutch glanced through the glass door at his brother. “Rett listens to you. Just tell him not to push his luck so much.”
    Nix gave me the same look as Clutch. “Fine, I’ll tell him to dial it down. But just remember, I’m not his goddamned nanny. Barrett does what he wants.”

Chapter 2
    Dray
    The California sun in late August was nearly hot enough to turn the sand on the beach into glass, but I pushed myself back toward the beach house at full pace. It had only been a five mile run, but it felt as if I’d been dragging a wagon load of bricks through hot tar. I’d only been on vacation for five days, but the effects of too much drink and food and too little exercise had taken their toll. I was due to fight in two weeks, and I’d decided I’d better go running or face the humiliation of climbing into the octagon with a beer belly.
    Barrett had considered going with me for all of two seconds and then he’d plopped himself into a beach chair for some bikini watching. Taylor and Scotlyn had pampered him for most of the morning until Clutch had enthusiastically informed them that he had been with three girls at once. Barrett’s usual sparkle had temporarily worn off, and they’d let him fix his own sandwich for lunch. But for Barrett, it would only take one of his Hollywood smiles and they’d be back to coddling him.
    It was hard not to be pissed about how easily he and Nix could win over a girl’s heart. Even though Nix had had to fight for Scotlyn, there had never been any doubt that she would be with him. Just as I’d been certain that Cassie and I would be together. I’d played the aloof asshole