Standing there watching her dominate that floor, all I could think about was the flip side. The soft voice when she was tired. The slow morning kisses. Her body easing into mine whenever I touched her. She gave the world the fire, but I was the one she unraveled for. That’s what got me. Nobody else had that version of her. Just me.
No matter how reckless she looked out there, she was coming home with me. And I was the only one who got the softer version of her that nobody else would ever see.
The announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, calling out jammer positions and point scores, but I barely heard it. My eyes stayed on her as she broke through the pack, legs pumping, energy fierce. The crowd roared, and I felt my mouth curve before I could stop it.
She was fucking magnificent.
A whistle blew, and the skaters circled back. Halo pulled off her helmet, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with satisfaction. She said something to a teammate that made the woman laugh and shove her shoulder.
I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, fully content right where I stood.
The bout ran like organized madness. I didn’t fully understand, but I could respect it. Every time Halo got knocked down, she got back up quicker. Every time she had a sliver of an opening, she took it. She played the way she lived: all in, no fear, taking up every inch of space she deserved.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. Omni could wait. The team could wait. Right now, I was exactly where I needed to be.
Halfway through, the music stopped, and the announcer’s tone shifted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we want to take a moment to recognize one of our own. Halo, come on out here!”
I straightened, focus zeroed in on her as she looked. Her coach just grinned and waved her forward.
“Halo recently received a grant, and tonight she’s chosen to donate the full amount to local women’s shelters across the city. Also, every dollar we made today is being donated as well. We love our community. And I love that.”
The crowd erupted, and something in me stretched wide before I could stop it. I loved that we also shared a love for giving back.
Halo took the mic. “The needs don’t stop after the fires are out. Families still need support. Kids still need safe places to go. This felt right. Thank y’all for donating with me. I’m gonna try to do this every year.”
I shook my head slowly, smiling.
She was perfect.
Yeah. That was my woman.
The second half was faster, louder, and more intense. Halo’s team pulled ahead and held the lead. When the final whistle blew, the warehouse exploded around us. I watched her celebrate with her team—hugging, laughing—aggression melting into pure joy.
I waited until the crowd thinned before slipping outside.
The night air was cool as hell compared to that hot-ass warehouse. I leaned against the building, hands in my pockets, listening to the muffled noise inside. My phone buzzed again.
Omni:You better be at that damn derby bout.
Me:Where else would I be?
Omni:I just had to make sure.
Me:How many times do I gotta tell you to let me worry about my woman?
I huffed a laugh and pocketed my phone.
The door banged open, skaters spilling out in a wave of loud voices and clattering gear. I stayed put until I saw her.
Halo walked out with her gear bag slung over one shoulder, scanning the lot. Joggers, tank top, hair pulled back, face still warm from the bout. Tired. Gorgeous.
She pulled out her phone, frowning at the screen.
I pushed off the wall and stepped behind her, close enough that my voice carried low.
“You had an attitude with me earlier,” I said, amused. “That told me you needed to see me.”
