“I know.”
“What do you mean, you know?”
“When I first started, I searched you online and saw one of your fights, but I couldn’t watch the whole thing.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
She briefly averted her eyes. “I didn’t know you then, and after we got closer, I didn’t want to offend you by telling you that watching two men pummel each other isn’t my idea of a good time.”
I chuckled, not at what she said but at the adorable way her nose scrunched when she said it. “I get it. It’s a violent sport. It’s not for everybody.”
“But I’ll be fine tonight.”
“You sure?”
She nodded.
“Good. Because the last thing I need to worry about is you while I’m in there.”
“I’ll be fine. Just focus on kicking his ass.” Her smile coaxed one from me, and I thanked the universe for bringing her into my life, especially during a tumultuous time when I needed her love and support the most.
“It’s almost time,” Trevor said, poking his head into the room. “Sophie, Lance will bring you to your seat. Abby is out there waiting for you.” Before I could ask, he added, “I invited her. I hope that’s okay.” He looked from me to Sophie and back again.
“Of course,” I answered, thankful Sophie would have her sister with her in case she wasn’t fine watching the fight. “Where are they sitting?”
“In the second row.”
I locked eyes with her. “Stay in your seat. Stay near Lance.”
“I will.” She turned to leave, but then swiveled back around, planting a kiss on me fit only for the privacy of the bedroom. “Good luck,” she said, licking her lips afterward.
I stared after her until she disappeared, caught off guard but in the best way possible. “Let’s get this over with so I can take her back home.”
Trevor smacked me on the back. “I’m happy to see you’re in better spirits, Jax.” He handed me my headphones. “Quite a change from yesterday.”
I didn’t respond, mentally switching to my prefight routine, which was to listen to Linkin Park’s “Hit the Floor”as he wrapped my hands. There was something about the beat and lyrics that centered me.
As soon as the song ended, Elton appeared in the doorway. “Two minutes,” he shouted, tapping the doorframe before disappearing.
“You ready?” Trevor asked.
“Yeah.”
“It’s easier said than done, but you have to view him as just another opponent. Nothing more. No history. No hatred. Focus on your moves. Breathe. You got this.”
“I got this,” I repeated, standing and stretching my neck and shoulders.
As my entrance song started, we strolled into the brightly lit hallway, the sound of our footsteps echoing against the cold, tiled floor. Trevor had asked me what I wanted to play as I came out and I’d left the decision up to him. In sync with the anticipation building inside me, the powerful beats of “Beast” by Rob Bailey filled the air, its intensity seeping into my every pore. It was the perfect song to hype me up for what I had to do, which was to beat my younger brother.
As I made my way down the walkway, the deafening roar of the crowd engulfed the room, rumbling through the walls. The screams of the women and the booming hollers of the men created an electric atmosphere buzzing with excitement. I adjusted my stance, feeling the weight of the moment, andlightly bounced on my feet, surrendering to the pulsating energy enveloping me.
Through the sea of faces, I caught sight of Sophie. She was near the aisle in the second row, exactly where Trevor said she would be. I gestured toward Lance, silently communicating for him to watch over her. He acknowledged with a nod.
“I love you,” she mouthed.
I hoped my wink would suffice because while I wanted to pull her into my arms and ravage her, I could do no such thing. I had to stay focused.
Trevor applied a thin layer of Vaseline on my brows and face to help prevent cuts and minimize swelling. Then the referee patted me down. Even though I was only wearing blue commission-approved shorts, he had to check me for any foreign objects as well as oil or grease which some fighters use to easily escape submissions. I was an honest fighter, so he didn’t find anything on me.
