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“Then the name’s working.” He winked.

Coach Isaac opened the cage door wider and pointed toward the benches. “Let’s get some water, then get in the strength room.”

“Yes, sir.” I climbed out of the cage and grabbed my bottle from the bench. My phone beside it lit up with notifications from The Loop, but I ignored them long enough to drink half my bottle. Pretending I didn’t want to check was pointless, but instead of opening the app, I went straight to Keaton’s text thread.

Reid just tried to give me a fighter name

Keaton’s reply came immediately:

What is it?

Lockdown

The typing bubble appeared, disappeared, then came back again:

I don’t hate it

You’re supposed to

Is it better than Cali Boy?

I snorted and typed back:

Everything is better than Cali Boy

Then Lockdown wins by default

I smiled despite myself.

I’m not accepting it

I took a big chug of water as I waited for his next text.

Ok Lockdown

Don’t start

Too late

A second later, another message came through:

Also my flight is officially booked. You’re stuck with me for fight weekend

My thumb stilled on the screen. After weeks of trying to make long-distance work through video calls and texts, Keaton putting actual dates on when I’d see him again did something to me that I wasn’t ready to unpack in the middle of the gym.

You didn’t tell me you were doing that

Figured telling you after would be more fun

I knew I had a shit-eating grin on my face as I sent back:

You’re annoying

You love me

More than you know

Then be happy I’m coming