Believe

by Natalie Gayle

  After another dip in the hellishly hot water and a loss of a further six hundred grams, Xander and Reed decreed he was right for weigh in. Thank God for that! If I lived to be one hundred, I never wanted to see the man I loved go through that again. Trying to get to this 83.9kg when he was a big man was ludicrous.

  Now it was all about the weigh-in, which would be in a few minutes.

  Fortunately, it was being held just across the road from the hotel in the convention centre. I was sitting front and centre in the reserved section for family and supporters. The auditorium was about two thirds filled with screaming fight fans.

  Apparently, that was great for a weigh-in. I had no idea. Everything was brand new to me.

  Dane’s parents and sisters were all around me and it felt like I was truly part of their family unit, for which I was very grateful. They’d arrived early this morning and we’d yet to have a chance to catch up properly. In fact, we met in the foyer of the hotel before we made our way across here. Xander, Seth and Reed were bringing Dane by car. I doubted he’d have the energy to make it across the road.

  “Wow, he’s hot!” Macey nudged me in the ribs and whispered to me as a blond fighter with an angular jaw took to the scales. This guy was in one of the under card bouts. Dane and his opponent would be last. I could see the attraction for Macey; in my mind though, he came nowhere near her brother in the looks department.

  The program progressed quickly, albeit with a lot of noise, and gusto.

  Finally, it was time for Dane and this guy Warren “Wildman” Cummins to step up to the scales.

  My heart was in my mouth. I knew just how weak he was. He’d been swaying on his feet as I’d helped him get dressed. A fit Dane would not have let me have my hands all over him like that and not instigated something. Everyone kept telling me how amazing he’d look and feel later today.

  I sure hoped they were right. At this very moment, I was positive there was no way he could fight me off, let alone another world-class professional fighter. I only hoped his opponent was hurting as much as he was.

  Something dawned on me as we waited for Dane’s fight to be called. All these fighters seemed to have ring names, panic stuck me when I realised I didn’t know Dane’s. I leant over to Cathy on my left. “What’s Dane’s ring name?”

  She shook her head. “He doesn’t have one that I know of.”

  “Oh.” And I wondered why.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen…I’d like to introduce to you our opponent for tomorrow’s main event, the Australasian Middleweight Championship. He’s a fighter that comes with an impeccable amateur record with 44 wins from 46 fights, 28 of those via knock out.” I had no idea Dane had fought so much. Everyone, including him, had downplayed it like it was nothing. “Tomorrow he’ll step up to the professional ranks and meet his toughest opponent yet in the ‘Wildman’.” A massive cheer went up from this guy Warren’s camp. “Don’t be deceived ladies and gentleman into thinking he’ll be outclassed. He may be the underdog, but he’s the real deal in every way that counts. In fact, he’s the training partner of the one and only Xander “Pretty Boy” Todd. Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to Dane “The Destroyer” Roberts.”

  We all went up as one madly clapping and cheering for Dane as he made his way up onto the stage, flanked closely by Xander, Reed and Seth. He appeared to be travelling under his own steam and I had no idea how. I truly feared that if any of the men moved too far away from him he was at risk of toppling over. It had to be adrenalin and sheer determination keeping him upright now.

  He stepped up onto the scales, wearing nothing but a pair of lightweight swim shorts and the crowd hushed a little. His large frame was cut with muscle, but it didn’t look healthy.

  He looked drawn and gaunt. Then I saw the official clearly nod. He’d made it. Relief surged through me and I couldn’t help leaning over and wrapping my arms around Cathy.

  “He made it.” I was jumping a little in my chair.

  “Oh, I knew he would; he’s crazy determined when he wants to do something. Wait until you see him tonight and tomorrow. My boy is going to look so handsome,” she said with the pride of a mother.

  The voice of the announcer came over again as he introduced Warren “Wildman” Cummins. As the crowd went nuts for their reigning champion, it struck me why they’d had him strip so much weight. Dane, although dehydrated to the extreme, was physically so much bigger than the other man. He had to have at least four inches in height on him and his shoulders and legs were much bigger with hard muscle.

  The other fighter was all business and stepped straight up onto the scales. Once again, the official nodded to indicate the weight had been made.

  Then the “Wildman” and Dane stepped into the spotlight of centre stage. Both turned and did that staring thing that I really didn’t understand, but apparently it was important because every other pair of fighters had done it.

  After a couple of minutes of posturing, the announcer continued revving up the crowd in anticipation for tomorrow night.

  As crazy as it was, all I could think was, at least now he could eat and drink again. For the last couple of days, I’d been making sure Isaac and I didn’t eat or drink in front of him. Dane said it was fine. I didn’t think it was fair to tempt or remind him of what he couldn’t have. That was just too cruel.

  Food, drink and some hugs. Yeah, that’s what I decided I wanted to give my man now as the crowd began to file out. I was abuzz with the excitement of him actually being able to eat properly again. I moved between Cathy and Gary as we moved from the area we’d been in. Detective Mark and a couple of other guys that had made it into Onigashima last weekend moved up to us.

  “Hey Cathy, Gary, Arianne. Good to see you. First step done!”

  Gary and the guys all shook hands and nodded to Cathy and I.

  “Yes, he made it,” Gary said with pride in his voice.

  “How’s he doing?” This question was directed at me.

  “Well, I can report he’s as grumpy as a bear with a sore head and I know he’s very much looking forward to eating and drinking once more.”

  The guys nodded. A couple of comments such as hard core and brutal were made.

  “I couldn’t do it,” Mark said. “Dane, Seth and Xander are nuts.”

  The crowd had thinned a little now and we were making our way towards the doors.

  Gary was talking to a tall lanky guy with a couple of sleeves of tatts.

  Mark had fallen in beside me and Cathy was talking over her shoulder to her girls.

  All of a sudden, a shiver ran down my back. I flinched and my stride faltered.

  “Are you all right, honey?” Cathy asked breaking her concentration.

  “Someone walked over my grave,” I threw out there, as the saying went. My eyes darted around looking for the source. Was he here? I could feel him. Surely, I was imagining it? Cathy went back to her conversation.

  I walked on with Mark beside me, an assessing look on his face. He leaned over closer to me. “You can tell me the truth. There was more to that shiver. I can read it in your body language and actions. He here? What’s got you spooked?”

  I glanced to the side. Cathy was chatting with Macey, Maddie and a couple of other girls who were with Eden. Judging by their looks, they had to be her sisters. Talk about a trio of knock out leggy blondes.

  “Last I heard of Marcel was the message that security guys gave me. I’m guessing Dane told you.”

  “Yeah, he did.”

  “I just get this feeling down my spine when he’s near. I’ve got it now. I’m probably being stupid. I’ve been uneasy since we landed.”

  “Don’t discount it. We’re staying at the same hotel. I’ll keep an eye out and I’ll discretely pass around Marcel’s picture to the boys.” He nodded to the men in front whom Gary was talking to. “We won’t let anything happen to you, Arianne. You get our boy Dane through this. The boys and I’ll have your back.”

  I’m not sure if I
felt better or worse. I was really hoping I could convince myself it was nothing more than my overactive imagination

  Dane

  I normally hated this supplement flavour—today it tasted like heaven. Relief washed through me as I chugged down the litre bottle of electrolytes and carbs. The physically difficult bit was over. Now it was all down to what was between my ears and properly refuelling and hydrating. Eat and drink I could do, in spades. I just hoped my head would co-operate.

  The door to our suite burst open and Arianne charged across the floor with Isaac hot on her heels. I didn’t have time to stand from the sofa where I was sitting. She threw herself at me, kissing my face.

  “You did it!” she managed to get out between kisses. Isaac was jumping up and down as well.

  The first laugh I’d felt like sharing in days, slipped out of my mouth. “Yeah, I made it. What a difference a few hours can make. When I woke up this morning and the scales said another kilo, I could have happily given up.”

  “But you didn’t.” She looked to the bottle in my hand. “Bet that tastes good.”

  I chuckled again. “Actually, I hate this flavour.”

  “Why are you drinking it then?” Isaac asked logically.

  “Excellent question, mate. I was so thirsty when Reed handed it to me; even my least favourite flavour tastes good today.”

  Ari looked appalled. “What’s your favourite flavour in that drink? I’ll get you some of that.”

  “Thanks baby, but I only have to down this bottle and I’m just about finished. I move onto another type in a few minutes.” She nodded her understanding and gave me another kiss on the cheek. I didn’t remember Ari ever being so affectionate.

  I knew how passionate she was behind closed doors; today she was being sweet and affectionate. It looked good on her.

  “So how long until you start feeling better?” she asked curling into my side.

  “To be honest, I’m feeling a lot better already. Headache and the dizziness have almost gone. Give me a couple of hours and I’ll feel almost human again.”

  There was a knock on the door and Isaac raced to get it; Ari got up and moved as well. “I’ll get it,” she said firmly and he stopped. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something felt off about what just happened. The floor was accessible by access card only and there’d been a guard posted since yesterday on the lifts.

  I watched her peer through the peephole, then open the door. As her man, I had no problem with her being cautious; hell, I encouraged it. Something just didn’t feel right about her actions. Was there a problem?

  Xander and Reed filed in with trays of food. “We had the kitchen make this up and delivered up to Reed’s room. A feast perfect for an MMA fighter on a re-feed.” They placed them on the dining table and lifted the stainless lids. I could smell the delicious aromas of steak. Yum.

  The couch felt great, but the food was on the table. My stomach won out and I moved over and sat down at the table. Three seconds later, I was enjoying a perfectly cooked rare fillet steak.

  There was no stopping the groan that I let out; it was just too good.

  Xander and Ari both laughed. “I guess he’s hungry,” she said. If my mouth wasn’t so full of food, I would have come back with something smart. The fog in my brain was actually starting to clear quite quickly.

  Then Xander leaned over and whispered something in Ari’s ear and she blushed and giggled. I had a fair idea what Xander had just suggested.

  “Just making sure she looks after you, man.”

  “Not too well I hope,” Reed countered.

  Then I realised, Isaac was standing a little way off taking it all in. “You eaten, buddy?”

  “Yeah, Mum let me have a McDonalds cheese burger and chocolate shake on the way back.”

  “Wow. That’s a treat.” I knew Ari rarely let him have junk food.

  “She said I could have it if I was good for Maddie while you were at the weigh-in. I wish I could be at the fight tomorrow night.”

  “I’d like for you to be there too, mate, but you’re not quite eighteen yet. You’ll have fun kicking Maddie’s butt at Minecraft or Dragonvale. She can’t play either of them. You can probably watch some movies, too.”

  His face looked a little brighter. “I guess that will be okay.” I knew it would be okay because I’d bribe Maddie with a serious shopping session if I had to. If that’s what it took to make sure she kept Isaac entertained tomorrow night, then it was a small price to pay. Secretly, I knew she liked him and secretly, I had no problem spoiling my little sister with some new threads…win-win. Neither of us were going to come right out and admit that though!

  A few moments later, there was yet another knock at the door. Reed took care of it this time and let in my family.

  “Dane,” Mum called and came charging over. I only just managed to stand before she wrapped me in a hug.

  “Good to see you eating!” she said, pulling back to give me a little room.

  “Good to be eating!” I agreed as Maddie and Macey stepped in for hugs as well. Finally, Dad and I did our half handshake, man hug thing.

  When they stepped back, I looked around and realised Ari was missing. She must have gone to the bathroom or something.

  We went through a whole round of how are you feelings and all that sort of thing. I was too hungry to be polite. I kept on eating right through it.

  Reed placed another drink bottle in front of me. “Get that down in the next half an hour. Then I want you to have a nap for an hour or two.” He glared at everyone around me.

  “Still as subtle as ever I see, Reed,” Mum chastised and he softened a little.

  “Boy needs to rest Cathy. He’s got a press conference in a few hours and a damned fight tomorrow night.”

  “Fancy that! It almost slipped my mind why I was in Melbourne,” she flipped back at him. She purposely steered the conversation for a few minutes while I ate. Ari reappeared somewhere in there and took a seat on the sofa beside Eden, who’d come in with my family as well. Good thing the suite was reasonably large or it would have been even more overwhelming.

  After mum decided she’d annoyed Reed long enough and that I’d hoovered my way through a mountain of food to her satisfaction, she got up and ushered everyone out. “Isaac why don’t you come with Gary and I. Remember that movie trailer we were watching last week? Well it’s playing at the cinema complex downstairs. We’ll go and see that and maybe hit the bowling alley while Dane and your mum get some rest and do that wretched press conference. How does that sound?”

  “Can we get popcorn and ice-cream?” Isaac had jumped up off the sofa in excitement.

  Mum looked at him in mock sternness. “Isaac Le Flegg. Do I or don’t I stuff you full of choc chip cookies, muffins, ice-cream and other goodies every time you come to my place?”

  He nodded solemnly and I knew exactly where this was going. “Then I would think it’s very safe to assume that popcorn and ice-cream are a given when the movies and bowling are involved.”

  “Yay!” cheered Isaac and mum wrapped her arm around him.

  “You two take care of whatever you need to and we’ll catch up with you later. I’ll make sure he’s fed, entertained and clean. If you get held up and need us to put him to bed, that’s not a problem.” Arianne giggled and gave mum a grateful smile.

  “Thanks so much, Cathy.”

  Mum waved her off. “You look after my son and I’ll look after yours—deal?”

  “Deal,” Ari agreed as my family filed out the door.

  Xander, Eden and Reed followed my family to the door, but halted.

  “Get some rest,” Reed shot us a stern look.

  I couldn’t resist. “Go get naked, Miss.”

  “Dane!” Ari shrieked in horror.

  Xander doubled over in laughter and Eden slapped a hand to her mouth to stop the giggles.

  “What? I’m feeling better.” I was.

  “Boy…you’d better be joking,” Reed said and storm
ed out the door. Eden followed still trying to control her giggling fit. Xander wasn’t even trying to stop laughing; he just winked and saluted me. “Later dude.”

  When the door shut, I turned to Ari. Her jaw was still languishing somewhere around her ankles.

  “Alone at last, Miss!”

  Chapter 30

  Arianne

  Dane had been stirring Reed—big time! Just as the boss decreed, Dane dutifully continued rehydrating and took a nap exactly as ordered. He might have held me in his arms as he slept, and we might have been mostly naked, but that was as far as we went. His strength was returning and I wasn’t prepared to risk any setbacks just at the moment.

  In the last couple of days, I realised just how precise the science was behind the strip and preparation these fighters went through. There was nothing hit or miss about it. Every tiny detail was considered and planned to the second.

  While Dane was sleeping, my phone buzzed again…Another text message. I reached to grab it from the bedside table hoping the buzz hadn’t woken Dane. A second later and the dread returned to my gut. Leo again. This was the third text in as many hours.

  “What’s up?” Dane whispered in my ear, his voice sounding a little groggy.

  “Oh, nothing.”

  He pulled me to him tighter. “It’s not nothing. Someone’s been texting you.”

  How had he noticed? I’d been careful.

  “Really Dane it’s, nothing. Just focus on the fight.”

  “How am I going to do that when you’re getting strange text messages that cause you to go all stiff and secretive? Is it Marcel or do I have some other arsehole to worry about?” Right there was how Dane was so different to Marcel. He didn’t accuse he simply stated it as he saw it. Marcel would have accused me of having an affair.

  I didn’t see a way around it. “It’s Leo. Seems he decided to come down and watch the fight.”

  Dane nuzzled his face into my neck. “Mmm, fight fan is he?”

  “Not that I know of. More likely looking to get some action on the fight.”