Chapter 370 Giving up doesn't count
"I ain't interested," James shot back, not even trying to hide his disdain. He didn't want Emberlyn to win, and Walter wasn't even worth the effort. It'd be like smacking around a toddler. He wouldn't take beating a toddler as some glory.
But Walter thought James was just scared.
"What? You chicken? Not man enough to face me?" he sneered.
James couldn't care less about Walter's lame taunts. He turned to Emberlyn, "If that's all, I'm outta here."
Walter, seeing James brush him off, got even more pissed and blocked his path. "You ain't going nowhere. We're settling this now."
"And if I say no?" James shot back, not missing a beat.
Walter tried to come up with something tough but found himself suck at trash talk. He knew he couldn't push too hard; James had saved Derek's life, after all. If James really said no, Walter was stuck.
Red-faced and flustered, Walter finally blurted out, "I really like Emberlyn, James. Can you just let her go? I'll owe you big time."
James was beyond annoyed, thinking, 'Walter's got the looks, but man, is he dumb. Love ain't something you can just hand over. This is only gonna make Emberlyn hate him more.'
Sure enough, Emberlyn lost it. "Walter, are you out of your mind? Do you think I'm some prize to be handed over?"
Walter panicked, scrambling to explain, "Emberlyn, you got it all wrong. That's not what I meant."
"Oh really? Then what did you mean? So if James says he'll leave me, I have to be with you?" Emberlyn shot back, fuming.
Walter was a mess, trying to explain but tripping over his words, looking like a jabbering idiot.
James rolled his eyes, wondering how Walter managed to live like a fool until today.
Then Emberlyn switched it up, "If you can beat James, maybe I'll think about it."
Walter was stunned for a sec, then lit up like a Christmas tree. "For real? Emberlyn, did you really say that? I knew you had feelings for me. This is awesome!"
James and Emberlyn exchanged a look, both thinking in their minds, 'Is this guy for real?'
By now, a crowd had gathered, eager to see the drama unfold.
Emberlyn nodded, "Why are you so hyped? You gotta beat James first, then maybe I'll give you a shot."
Walter, full of himself, grinned. "Yeah, I got it."
He didn't take James seriously at all, thinking Emberlyn was just throwing him a bone. He was convinced he could take James down easy.
Emberlyn was grinning like a Cheshire cat, her smile all sly and mischievous, knowing James would wipe the floor with this clown Walter. Just picturing it had her all giddy. She cleared her throat to keep her cool and said, "Don't get too full of yourself. If you lose to James, you gotta stop bugging me and have your folks call off the engagement."
Walter's face scrunched up, clearly torn. Emberlyn's terms were steep. Losing to James meant giving up on her for good.
"What, you scared?" Emberlyn taunted, her face full of mockery. "I thought you were a real man. Maybe I'm wrong. Come on, James, let's bounce."
"Wait," Walter barked, his eyes darting between James and Emberlyn. Finally, he clenched his jaw and said, "Fine. If I lose, I'll never bother you again and I'll cancel the engagement."
Emberlyn's eyes sparkled. Walter added, "But if I win, Emberlyn, you gotta go out with me and ditch James for good."
"No problem," Emberlyn shot back without missing a beat. She knew James couldn't lose. Growing up with him, she knew just how scary strong he was.
She turned to James and whispered, "James, my future's riding on you. Don't mess this up."
James stayed cool as a cucumber. He didn't say anything, just asked Walter, "So, what do you wanna compete in?"
Walter eyed James's skinny frame and felt even more confident. "Let's fight. We get in the ring, and whoever hits the mat first loses. Unless you're too chicken to even try," Walter sneered.
"Fine, I give up. You win," James said right away.
Walter's jaw dropped. "What?"
James grinned, "I said I give up. Emberlyn's all yours."
Walter was floored. So was Emberlyn, and she stomped her foot. "No way! Giving up doesn't count."
She shot daggers at James, pinching his side.
James swatted her hand away.
Walter, grinning ear to ear, rushed over to Emberlyn, "See, he gave up. You can't back out now."
Emberlyn snapped, "I already said, giving up doesn't count. James giving up means he doesn't take you seriously. Is that really a win? You haven't even fought. Even if he gives up, I won't acknowledge it."
Walter frowned, then turned to James, "Come on, let's have a real fight. Loser leaves Emberlyn. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
James sighed, realizing Walter wouldn't back down unless they fought.
This whole thing was getting on James's nerves. He'd already tried to back out, but Walter just wouldn't let it go.
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