He fell to his knees instantly, body hitting the ground seconds later.
While the ref counted, I silently prayed he got back up. But by the time the ref hit nine, I knew he wasn’t. This motherfucker had talked all that shit, only to last less than two rounds and not get knocked out. I had every intention of punishing him, but I guessed I’d done enough. Some niggas had no pain tolerance and he was one.
Knockout was helped out of the ring several moments later and Unc helped me out of my gloves, prompting several motherfuckers to step into the ring. Everything happened fast after that, from pictures with the belt to several motherfuckers in my face with cameras and mics asking how it felt to be the reigning champ of my weight.
That shit was funny because they had yet to send me a worthy opponent.
For the next several minutes I posed for pictures and answered minimal questions, even though I wanted to be in the hotel laid out. After a fight, I was usually the turnt type, celebrating my victory, but this time was different. Instead I was going home with my baby. Not only that, I was eating all the shit I had deprived myself of, including that red velvet cake my baby had made for me last night. I had her put it up for me.
As if I first remembered her, my head whipped in the direction of where she had been seated. She was instead now standing, laughing at something Journee said. We locked eyes and she smiled immediately.
I winked at her, then threw my head in the direction of the locker room. I was over all of the faces and people crowding me. I just wanted hers. My eyes found Duke, as he too knew what the next move was. He was to walk her back to the locker room and I’d meet her back there.
With Unc and the team around me, I wrapped up the rest of the photo ops. By the time I made it to the back, Selah was seated on the bench, her eyes locked on me the moment I turned the corner.
“Congratulations, handsome.”
I wiped sweat from my face, then stepped in front of her. I ducked my head to kiss her lips. A quick peck later, she was backing up to give me space. I was at the locker in seconds, pulling out a tracksuit to change into.
“So where do you want to go? Journee said usually when you win a match you celebrate for days. You’re said to be quite the party animal.” I could hear the smile in her tone even though I wasn’t facing her.
“Why? You tryna hit the streets with me, Muffs?”
“Indiri?”
“What, man? That’s your name.”
“No, I don’t wanna hit the streets with you. I was saying if you wanted to, you should, but I’d meet you in the hot?—”
“Don’t even finish that. Baby, the only thing I’m hitting after we leave here is that bed, maybe you and that cake you made for me.” I turned around and looked at her. She was seated, her hand resting on her stomach, and that alone had me smiling.
“No seriously, you don?—”
“You packed the cake?” I asked.
“Yes. It’s already in the hotel room.” She laughed. “I still don’t believe you’re gonna eat a whole cake by yourself.”
We joked back and forth while I finished getting dressed. I was ready to be out of here and knew Duke and Bigs were atthe door waiting to see my next move. Things were different this time around. I had no intention of hitting a club and taking something quick home. My mind didn’t yearn for that. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything in the clubs.
I made sure I had everything before Selah and I exited the locker room. Of course, as soon as the door opened, the cameras started flashing, but that was cool as long as nobody hopped silly enough to touch. The building security as well as my own hired guards cleared the hall as we were led out the same way we had come in hours before.
“You know I thought that would go on much longer than it did,” she commented when we finally reached the hall.
“I did too, baby, but there wasn't much fight in that dog, especially since he was getting in the ring with a beast.”
She laughed. “Arrogant ass.”
“It ain’t arrogance when I’m hitting you deep, is it?”
She chortled. “Probably not, but why do you gotta go there?”
“’Cause that’s where my mind lives right now, baby.” Duke opened the set of double metal doors for us to exit. I was shocked to see the parking lot was empty with just the two trucks waiting for us. Usually, a few stragglers got through and caught me leaving the car. This year I’d made it clear that I didn’t want any of that, especially because I had Selah with me. Her safety wasn’t something I played about. Especially when I knew there were still a few delusional motherfuckers leaving weird ass comments.
Once we were settled in the car, I sat back and closed my eyes. I was exhausted, not from the fight, but from the preparation. Then it was like somehow the fight was the furthest thing from my mind. My hand found her stomach, caressing in circles. She was carrying my legacy, my youngin. We didn’t know the sex of the baby, but I felt it. Jordyn and Siyah knew though.They were putting together the gender reveal. It was next week, enough time for the fight press to slow down.
Light snores filled the car, interrupting my thoughts, prompting me to open my eyes and glance at Selah. My baby fell asleep fast as fuck, and even in her sleep, she was beautiful. She looked peaceful, like she was carrying less. I didn’t know a damn thing about this type of love before her, but now? No part of me could imagine life without her or the love we shared. I needed this woman with everything in me and I had no problem admitting it.
Shit, I lucked up and found the one thing I wasn’t looking for.
