Sorry, Enya. You’ll lose again tonight.
We prepare for the fight in silence, up until the last few minutes, when Seth talks me through his game plan, which is basically to outmuscle her. Enya is technically proficient—I recognized that from seeing her at the Steel Angels—but she isn’t powerful.
An usher comes to get us, and I stride to the stadium for the last time tonight. I’m the first one to arrive at the cage, so I shake my limbs to loosen them up. The audience goes bananas when she struts down the aisle. They love her, and I feel a pang of regret that I’m standing between her and the win she so desperately needs. Hopefully she’ll be able to pick herself up again when the night is over.
She enters the cage, standing opposite me. I nod to her, and she offers a small smile in return. If not for the bruises decorating her torso and the lump growing on her forehead, she’d look very much like the girl next door. I’m not fooled, though. She’s a worthy adversary who made it through two opponents to end up here with me tonight. The umpire calls us to the center, reminds us of the rules, and then the fight begins.
The first round is relatively even. A back-and-forth of exchanges, with each of us taking turns being the aggressor. We’re weary from our earlier bouts, and cautious to protect our injuries. She aims a number of kicks at my right thigh, proving that she was watching earlier when it got decimated by Savage Rose.
The second round goes the same way as the first. It’s a toss-up as to who’s in the lead, and even if Seth hadn’t told me in no uncertain terms that I need to up my game, I’d know entering the third round that I need to do something drastic to ensure my success. It’s time to leave the comfort zone. Yanking her close, I sweep her off her feet and pin her to the ground. It’s the first time I’ve willingly gone to the floor, but I have more chance of using my strength against her from here. It works well—at first. But then Enya makes a move I haven’t prepared for, and all of a sudden I’m the one who’s twisted like a pretzel and unsure of the way out.
To my side, Seth is yelling instructions. I try to focus on them, but there’s a pain in my arm, and I struggle to breathe. Closing my eyes, I tune out everything except the sound of his voice. My body acts automatically, following his commands, and seconds later, by some miracle, I’ve reversed our positions. Putting more pressure on her, I up the ante. She thrashes, but thanks to Seth, I’ve got her in such a good hold, she’s unable to break free. Finally, defeated, she taps out.
Stumbling to my feet, I offer her a hand and help her up. She congratulates me, although disappointment is etched in every line on her face.
“Thanks,” I reply. “Maybe—”
But then the umpire grabs my arm, and someone shoves a camera in my face. Enya shrugs, as if to say, “what can you do?” then slinks back to her corner.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Devon
I manage to hold off until the promoter climbs the stairs, carrying a bulky belt, before dashing up them myself. The need to congratulate Harley eclipses everything else. She’s worked so damned hard for this, and she pulled it off. I don’t know many fighters crazy enough to sign up for three bouts in one night, and the crazy in her calls out to the crazy in me.
Slipping an arm around her waist, I kiss her cheek, taking care to avoid any areas that have started swelling. “You did it, Harls. I’m so fucking proud of you.” The pride wells up within me, and if I’m not careful, it might spill out my eyes. Wouldn’t that be something?
On her other side, Seth claps a hand on her shoulder, his expression full of respect. “You’re a badass. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
She smiles hesitantly. “I have the best coach in town.”
He looks like he wants to say something else, but the man with the camera has gotten impatient. Another guy, wearing a suit and tie, asks a question. She answers with a few words, never one to talk for ages, but I don’t hear what they are. I’m too distracted by the grin that’s transformed her face, and the vitality glowing from her pores. She’s so fierce. So alive. It reminds me of when we met, and I took one look at her and believed I was in love. But I didn’t know what love is. Not really.
Thisis love. This almost uncomfortably full sensation in my heart, and the knowledge that I’m never going to be completely in control of my life again. The fact that Ilikeit, and that, somehow, I think I’ll fall in deeper with her every single day, until I don’t even recognize my life without her.
Seth catches my gaze behind her back, and tips his head in a nod. I’m not sure what it means, but I like it. The interviewer finishes with Harley, then turns to Seth.
“So, big brother,” he says, straightening his tie. “Do you intend to train more female fighters?”
Seth clears his throat and gives the guy his full attention. This is the opportunity he’s been waiting for. “I do.”
While he goes into a spiel about his plans for the gym, I catalog Harley’s features and do an inventory of her injuries. Although her nose was bloodied earlier, it’s not too bad. The shiner on her left eye is impressive, and so is the knot on her forehead and the bruise on her thigh. Other than that, she’s remarkably fine. Of course, she’ll be worn out and have a terrible adrenaline crash, but that’s something we expect when we do what we do. It’s nothing new.
Moments later, we’re leaving the cage, trailing behind Seth toward the exit. A number of men call lewd suggestions to Harley and she gives them the finger. A couple of women yell that she’s their new hero, and her spine visibly straightens. I smile. She might not want to believe it, but she has an ego, the same as anyone else in our profession.
As we enter the corridor, Seth drops back to walk with us.
“So.” His voice is gruffer than usual from yelling above the roar of the crowd. “Harley threatened to leave the gym to be with you, so you’d better come back.”
My heart leaps, and I catch her gaze. “You did?”
I’m scarcely able to believe it. If I’d thought I couldn’t possibly love her any more, I’d have been wrong. But the thing is, I suspect she’ll be upping the ante every day for the rest of our lives.
She shrugs, as though it’s no big deal, when I know that’s the farthest thing from the truth. “I love you.”
“It wasn’t necessary,” Seth grumbles. “I already decided I’d made a mistake.”
“Thanks, man. You won’t regret it.” I give him a sly smile. “So, I’m officially your friend again?”
