Read Collateral Damage (From the Damage) for Free Online Page B

he added with a raised eyebrow, “are you?”
    “You think Wood’s going to believe that?” Ryder ditched the sponge and grabbed a scrub brush. “He won’t.”
    “Well, if you can’t beat ‘em…” Shane held the joint out.
    Ryder shook his head. “Not my thing.”
    “Yeah, right. Don’t tell me you never tried the stuff. You used to sell it.”
    “That was a long time ago.”
    “Not even a year,” Shane corrected, blowing a large cloud of smoke out. He stopped talking long enough to cough and hack for a minute. “And you act so high-and-mighty. Some of us still remember who you used to be, bro.”
    Ryder kept scrubbing, but like the stains of his past, the paint refused to wash away.
    “So, can I ask you something?” Shane said, leaning his head back against the wall as he continued to smoke.
    When Ryder didn’t answer, Shane took it as a cue to go ahead.
    “What’s up with you and Seth? From what I hear, you’ve really got it out for the guy.”
    “Because, he’s dangerous and nobody will admit it,” Ryder said. “How do you even know him, anyway?”
    Shane shrugged. “The guy’s got a coke habit. Rings my cell at least twice a week.”
    “Well, that explains his temper.”
    “I’m just asking because, if you wanted to fight him, I know a way.”
    “ You know a way ?” Ryder repeated, laughing. “I don’t need an excuse to fight him. Violence doesn’t solve anything.”
    “Sure, Gandhi,” Shane chuckled, then kept laughing like this was hilarious. “You might be all peace-and-unity, but word on the street is he wants to kick your ass.”
    “He can try.”
    “Put up or shut up, tough guy.” Shane took one last hit off the joint and put it out with his fingertips. “Every Saturday night, people meet out on the west side of the lake. Near those abandoned factories. It’s a fighting game.”
    Giving up on the graffiti, Ryder dropped the scrub brush into the basket and turned to Shane. “A fighting game?”
    “No cops, no weapons. That’s the only rule. And let me tell you man, it’s primal. There’s nothing like it.” Shane’s eyes were puffy and squinted from the buzz, and he talked excitedly. “I  mean, the crowd. The blood. People beating each other senseless. It’s awesome .”
    “Yeah, sounds like a blast,” Ryder said sarcastically.
    “You gotta be there to understand,” he explained. “20 bucks gets you in the audience. 50 gets you in the ring. And Seth wants you in the ring. Winner takes all the money.”
    “Forget it,” he said, turning back to examine the graffiti. “He wants to fight me he can do it the old-fashioned way.”
    Shane shrugged. “Just passing the message along.”
    “Tell him I’m not interested.”
    “It’s your own fault he hates you, really,” Shane said. “Moving in on his girl and all.”
    Ryder turned, gawking at his former friend. “Are you serious? That’s what he’s been saying?”
    He nodded.
    “First of all, he and Meagan were never dating,” he exclaimed. “And second, we’re just friends. And third, if you want a girl to like you, you don’t try to kill her!” He stopped, shaking his head. “I don’t even know why I’m bothering telling you this.”
    Shane looked up. “Did he really try to kill her?”
    “Why don’t you ask him? But I doubt he’ll tell you the truth.” Ryder headed for the side entrance. “I’m gonna go find some paint. Try not to get us expelled while I’m gone.”
    ***
    Kay
    ***
    By the time Kay arrived home after visiting Alex and working her shift at Jill’s Grill, the sun was setting. Already, her house looked so dark. The small lamp in the living room gave a dim light, and the other windows were black.
    Kay let herself in the front door and walked into the living room. The house was so quiet, and no smells of food—just booze and sweat. Looking over, she saw her dad doing front-clap pushups between the coffee table and the TV.
    His dog tags dangled from his neck, and the only