“Really?” Excitement kicks away the guilt. The Nightshade event is where Harley will have her eight-woman eliminator tournament, which means I get to fight on the same night as my girl. We can train together, and kick ass together. It’s only six or so weeks away but I’m down for it, like always. “That’s awesome. Against who?”
He flashes teeth. “Karson Hayes.”
I fist pump.
He smirks. “Knew you’d like that.”
“Fuck yeah, I do.”
Karson Hayes is an all-round douche. I’ve fought him before and lost, but you can bet your ass I’m going to take him down this time. I have to. As if I’d let a girl-hitting jerk beat me.
“Did his opponent pull out? I heard he’d already been matched for the event.”
“He got injured during training. The promoter asked around for a fill-in and I put your name in the hat.” Seth holds out a fist and I bump his knuckles with mine. “You got this, Dev. You’ve come a long way since last time; you’re unconventional as hell but that’s part of what makes you such a good fighter. Just keep training like you are, and he won’t have a shot.”
“Thanks, man.” Forget the masculine fist bump. I go in for a one-armed hug, ignoring his groan of protest. It’s been a while since I had a fight. Not for any particular reason, that’s just the way it’s worked out, and I’m psyched to get back in the cage. It’s one of my favorite places. When I match my body and wits against another guy in such a raw way, I’m truly alive.
Seth pulls away and shrugs a shoulder. “You earned it. I know you’ll do me proud.”
“Count on it.” I’m buzzing. Already, I can’t wait to hear my song play over the speakers to signal it’s my time to strut my stuff all the way to the ring.
“Focus on takedowns today,” he says. “Hayes is crap on the ground. You can practice with Jase and Harley.”
“Done.” Nodding to him, I cross to the skipping ropes. Then, after a quick warm-up, I join Jase and Harley. She’s listening intently to whatever he’s saying, and his slate gray eyes slide over to me as I approach.
“Heard the news, bro.” He offers me a fist to bump. “You’ll take him.”
“You bet I will.” I grin. “Gotta defend Lena’s honor.”
He rolls his eyes. “I already did that.”
“What’s going on?” Harley asks, looking from me to Jase and back again, her attention lingering on my chest in a way I like a little too much.
“I’ve got a fight the same night as you,” I tell her. “Against Lena’s ex. The guy who cornered you at the Steel Angels event.”
“Oh. He was an ass.”
“He is,” I continue, “but forget that. This means you and I can train together for Nightshade. Coordinate schedules. All that jazz.”
She cocks her head. “We train together anyway.”
“Yeah, but having something to work toward makes it different.” I scan her face, noting her curious expression, and realize belatedly that my excitement isn’t only about the next six weeks. I’m thinking of all the times we could do this in future. This could be the beginning of a life together.
Hang on.
I’m planning a future. With a woman.
I mean, I knew I was ass over heels crazy about her but I’m not a planner. Spontaneity is my thing. What does it mean that I’m already thinking of the future? Nerves prickle under my skin, making me hyperaware of everything, but my gut says the change is a good thing, and I’m a man who trusts his gut so I go with it.
I turn back to Jase. “I need to practice my takedowns.”
He nods. “You and Harley can alternate on each other. She needs to improve hers, too.”
Grinning like a fool, I can’t help but think of how perfectly suited we are. Now all I need is for her to see it too.
Harley
For the seventh morning in a row, I wake and stare at a ceiling that’s not my own and wonder how I ended up here. I never expected to fall into a new relationship when I returned from Thailand, and I’m still figuring out how Devon and I fit together. He called me his girlfriend but I feel like so much more. We haven’t actually been on a date, unless you count the Steel Angels or the walk to the lookout, but despite that, we spend most of our free time together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s surprisingly thoughtful and funny, and when his arms go around me, I have this lovely fuzzy sensation in my chest that I never expected to experience.
