“Fuck!” Hollis grunted as he buried himself deep inside. While he tried to catch his breath, he let go of my sides, wrapped his arms around my chest and midsection and leaned forward, pressing his chest against my back. “Damn, Patrick.” His warm breath blew by my ear as he exhaled. “That was fucking amazing.”
“Fuck yeah, it was.”
“Are you okay?” he asked and kissed my ear.
“I’m more than okay. I’m the best I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve never felt so cared for… or safe.”
“For so long, all I’ve ever wanted to do was love you and keep you safe.”
I loved him.
I’d always loved him.
Tonight, we both were victorious, winning something incredible. I hoped my victory wouldn’t be short lived.
Time would tell if there was room for us and love.
Twenty-four years old/November
Hollis was down at the gym he trained at with his coaches and trainers to prep for next month’s TCF fight. Usually, I accompanied him and watched, or I’d work out with his trainers when they were not working with him. Next month was going to be a huge fight, and none of them needed me as a distraction.
So, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to stay home and continue to work on a memory book of sorts for Hollis for Christmas. I’d been saving all his newspaper headlines and magazine articles ever since his first fight and thought this would be something cool.
Knowing that Hollis would be gone for the day, I spread everything out on the kitchen island and took pieces over to the table one at a time. Last weekend I’d put articles and headlines into the book covering his first six fights, and before I could attach more, I looked back at my work so far.
1stFight - October
(W) Hollis Ward – age 18
(L) Carlos Agustin – age 28
Time: K.O. 58 seconds into the first round
“Hollis Ward’s much anticipated appearance is a quick one as Carlos submits in round one.”
2ndFight - June
(W) Hollis Ward – age 19
(L) Adam Novak – age 24
Time: K.O. after 2 rounds and 23 seconds
“Believe the hype! Hollis ‘The Dragon’ Ward cruises to his second victory.”
3rdFight – September
(W) Hollis Ward – age 19
(L) Tommy Akins – age 30
Time: K.O. after 1 round and 3 minutes
“Hollis ‘The Dragon’ Ward is quietly confident.”
4thFight - March
(W) Hollis Ward – age 20
