The first song, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” is playing and I can’t wipe the stupid grin from my face. We don’t talk during the short drive to his dad’s gym and just enjoy the music, stealing glances at each other.
The lights inside the gym are dimmer than I remember.
“Come with me.”
Victor takes my hand and leads me to the ring, holding the ropes for me.
I’m fidgeting but all my senses are heightened. The only sound is my heart pounding against my chest, but I feel calmer when Victor takes me by the hand to the middle of the ring.
“So that you get used to the feeling,” he says with a spine-tingling smile.
“How does it feel for you?” I ask.
“I feel at home inside the octagon.” He wraps his fingers around my wrists, brings them to his chest, and rests my hands on his heart. “But you make me feel at home no matter where we are.”
And I’m honey melting from the comb.
It’s a lifetime we stand in the middle of the ring gazing at each other, but it’s probably only been thirty seconds. Victor brings my hands to my sides and steps back. He starts stretching and I mimic his movements.
“Didn’t you want to play football or baseball?”
“I didn’t choose MMA. My dad did. The karate and Jiu Jitsu lessons started when I was four and never stopped.”
Victor bends to touch his toes and I do the same while frowning, thankful he won’t see the disappointment in my face. All Victor knows is how to fight. What kind of childhood did he have?
My heart aches in my chest.
“It all came naturally to me. Apparently, it’s in my blood… You can’t change your DNA, can you?”
He stands up and brings his knee to his chest. I follow his movements.
“What do you mean? We always have a choice.”
“My dad puts everything into me—his money, investments, connections—so I can continue his legacy. He retired after he lost his heavyweight belt due to a shoulder injury. He wants me to fight and eventually win the belt back.”
“That’s why he’s pushing you so much.”
We sit down and spread our legs, leaning to touch our toes.
“Not only. He’s greedy. He’s using me—my fight career—so he can promote his MMA gym and make it a franchise.”
If Victor wins his first pro fight, his dad’s gym will become famous. He’ll train more fighters and his business dream will eventually become true.
I grit my teeth.
Victor turns on his stomach and pushes off his hands. Lifting his upper body, he flexes his muscles, tensing with each movement. He closes his eyes and I wait for him to talk more about his family.
“Mom was not happy. The more he pushed me, the more they argued. I wasn’t happy, so I’d lash out at school, get in fights. Then he started beating Mom.”
I suck in a breath at this admission.
“But I noticed when I did what he wanted, he would leave her alone.” Victor opens his eyes, and his chest starts hitching. “So I made a choice.”
That’s why he stuck around.
“Mom was eventually able to divorce him, but it took a lot of time and energy.”
I’m breathless, and it’s not from stretching.
