Believe

by Natalie Gayle

  Reed turned away and paced towards the massage table at the back of the room muttering, “It’s not normal.”

  Xander studied me for a moment, then suddenly, Seth made a lunge for me and I sidestepped him and let his momentum carry him to the floor with a little help from my hip.

  “Fuck,” he grumbled getting to his feet. “He’s fine, Reed. I’ve pulled that move on him dozens of times and never once before has he dispatched me like that.”

  Xander stood there chuckling with a smile on his face. “I told you a couple of weeks ago Reed, he’s not normal. Seems he doesn’t share the same prefight jitters most of us do.”

  I knew what he was talking about and yeah, I’d been there before. “I don’t feel like it this time. I feel ready—I am ready.”

  There was a knock at the door and a security guy carefully opened it. “I have a Mr Roberts here.”

  “Let him in.”

  Dad appeared. “Just came to wish you luck and show Ari back to where we’re sitting, Son.”

  I nodded at dad and turned to Ari. She moved to me and closed her arms around me whispering, “Good luck, Dane. But I know, you won’t need it.” Our lips met in a long lingering kiss before she pulled back. “Remember, do it because you love it.”

  “I love you,” I said giving her one final tight hug to my body.

  “I love you, too. You’ll do great.”

  My chest constricted and I wanted to go on hugging her, but I knew Reed was about to stroke out.

  “See you in an hour or so.” I couldn’t help the cocky grin on my face. It was going to be fine.

  Arianne stepped back and Dad gave me a man hug. “Proud of you, Son. Good luck and go show us what I know you can do.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ve got this.” I meant every word.

  No doubts.

  He nodded once and I knew he agreed. I pulled the energy of their confidence to me as well. Revelled in it. I watched them take every step to the door and then it closed behind them.

  The air sizzled beside my face a fraction of a second before I felt the sting of the hard slap. I didn’t think; I reacted. I turned my body into my attacker and took out his leg. It wasn’t until he came crashing down at my feet that I bothered to look.

  It was Reed.

  Our eyes met and he glared at me with cold eyes.

  Then the laughter started. It was Xander and Seth. Xander managed a few words between the chuckles to Seth. “Guess it wasn’t enough for him to put either of us down.” Then he turned his attention to Reed. “Dane did say he was feeling good, Reed. You know for yourself now.”

  I offered a hand to Reed and pulled him up. “Doesn’t make sense. What did you take?” he muttered moving away from me.

  “I didn’t take anything, Reed. I just realised a few things. Ari helped me straighten some stuff out in my head. It’s time to wrap my hands.” I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I could see him understanding and I didn’t want to bare my soul to someone who didn’t connect with me on the same level.

  Reed might not understand; that was okay. I didn’t need him, too. I understood and so did Ari—that’s all that mattered.

  Arianne

  The fight I’d just watched went the distance. Five rounds…twenty-five minutes of brutality until finally, the guy in the blue shorts had been announced the winner. It wasn’t before they both looked exhausted and seemed to be punching at half speed. Not to mention the blood that had been shed and was now being mopped up off the canvas, before Dane and his opponent made their way out.

  Dane made his way out…far out! The reality hit me. My belly was cramping in fear. It was nearly time. The crowd around us restlessly got drinks and stretched.

  Any second the lights over the crowd would dim and the music would start to thump announcing the arrival of the last lot of fighters for tonight.

  Cathy was sitting beside me and grabbed my hand. “You okay?”

  I looked at her. Should I be brave or should I go with terrified? She beat me to it.

  “You’re terrified.”

  The most I could manage was a nod.

  “Me too!” Our bodies collided side by side in our chairs and we giggled hysterically. Eden was on my other side and took my other hand.

  “He’ll be fine,” Eden said as cool as a cucumber. “You’re worried about nothing. Xander said he’s primed whatever that means? My man knows his stuff when it comes to fighting. Decorating not so much! But here, I’d believe him.”

  I laughed nervously at her joke. Eden was an absolute sweetheart and how anyone could be mean or unkind to her was unfathomable. She was a loyal and supportive friend. I loved her already.

  “Okay, I’ll try to believe him. Just don’t let him decorate the house, is that it?”

  “You got it!”

  We chatted amongst us for a couple more minutes. It was that nervous, nothing chatter. A large, obnoxious looking man took his seat behind us. His belly hung low over his jeans and his mate was only marginally better.

  “Odds were shit. I’ve just put ten grand on the “Wildman” to finish it in the first round. I got that at five to one. Mark my words, this will all be over in the first round. This newbie will get his arse kicked through the cage. I can’t wait to see it.” I turned and glared at the shithead.

  How dare he say that about the man I loved?

  Gary caught my eye. “Hey Ari, I was watching the late afternoon sports program before we came over here. They did that cross to the bookmakers like they do. Did you know someone put a million bucks down on Dane first thing this morning to win? Whoever it was got ten to one odds. They’re going to make a motza.”

  “Hffmp idiot! Bookies just got a million richer!” I heard Mr Obnoxious snicker to his friend.

  Someone had confidence in Dane, and I think I knew exactly whom…I hoped to God whoever it was, were right.

  Just then, the music started pumping and the lights over the crowd dimmed…Dane would be coming out.

  “Yes! I love this song!” Macey fist pumped the air. “Dane was so right in picking this…”

  I didn’t recognise it although I liked the drum and guitar composition. It was strong, heavy and spoke right to your heart, plus the lyrics…they said it all.

  “Macey, what’s this music?” She looked at me like I was crazy, from her seat on the other side of Eden.

  “It’s Switchfoot’s ‘Meant to Live’.” I wasn’t familiar with them; give me a day or two and I would be. “Dane loves them.” That was enough for me. If my man loved them, chances are I would, too. I’d at least give them a try.

  Then I realised the crowd were now screaming and hollering. Macey was going up and cheering. Dane was striding down the race between the seating to the platform that showcased the cage. He was flanked by Reed, Xander and Seth.

  God, he looked magnificent.

  Every muscle bulged and rippled as he moved.

  He was so big and yet graceful.

  The red shorts he wore, were the only thing hiding that warrior’s body. The announcer was saying something, but my ears weren’t working right now. All I could do was look.

  My heart fluttered and my body tightened with need and nerves. He climbed the stairs to the platform that was ablaze with lights, then moved to his corner which was actually an area. There was no such thing as a corner in an octagon. I was a Maths specialist, after all.

  He headed into the cage and waited off to the side, as still as a stature.

  My Dane wasn’t jumping around or doing anything other than looking out over the crowd. He looked like one of those ancient Greek God statues.

  Another piece of music belted out through the overhead speakers. Once again it was one I didn’t recognise…oh wait I did. It was that Eminem song from that fight movie, I’d watched with Dane late one night. What was it called? Then I heard the lyrics. That was it. “Kings Never Die”. Yeah, that was the name of it.

  It was the first time I’d seen Dane’s opponent in motion, other tha
n his mouth at the press conference and the weigh-in yesterday.

  One word sprung to my mind. Punk!

  “I don’t like him on sight.” Eden squeezed my hand. “He’s a bogan.” I laughed.

  “I was thinking the same thing, only I thought punk.”

  “Punk works just as well,” she agreed as the announcer went on about this guy Wildman’s stellar record yada, yada, yada—all the while the “Wildman” was hamming it up for the crowd.

  “Roberts is about to be crying for his mummy,” Mr Obnoxious said grinning like a fool.

  Cathy spun around and glared. “I don’t know about that. But I do know Robert’s mummy is going to beat on your arse if you don’t shut the hell up. How do I know this you ask? Because I’m Robert’s mummy and the giant beside me is his father.” Gary grinned. “This little sweetheart beside me, is his beloved and the lovely lady beside her is Pretty Boy’s wife and the girl beside her is his sister. Should I go on?” It was funny watching Mr Obnoxious’s jaw drop lower than his overhanging belly. “Somehow you’ve found your way into the area where Roberts’ nearest and dearest are seated, so if I was you, I’d shut my mouth because my boy is going to wipe the floor with this little punk and in about five minutes I’ll be reminding you of that.”

  Cathy spun back and sat straight in her chair, fury seeping from her every pore, but somehow still looking like a perfect lady. Eden turned to me and grinned. “I love her! She’s totally badass.”

  “Me, too,” I agreed. “I want to be Cathy when I grow up!”

  I leaned over to Cathy and whispered in her ear. “You rock. I wanted to do that. You did it!”

  She patted my leg, then caught my hand again. “Stick with me, honey. You’ll get there.”

  At last, the cage was cleared of trainers and other people. Dane and his opponent stood in the middle listening intently to the words of the referee.

  He was so calm.

  That was what struck me the most. It was as if his surroundings didn’t exist for him. His total focus was on the referee and his opponent. The referee instructed the fighters to acknowledge each other. They bumped gloves and moved back to their designated areas.

  In a few short seconds, it would be on.

  Dane glanced up to where we were sitting and thumped his gloved hand against his heart before pointing it right at us—me.

  His eyes met mine.

  I got him.

  I knew where he was at.

  The bell rang and it was on.

  Chapter 34

  Dane

  I stared over at my opponent—looked right through him. His mocking eyes and grin had no effect on me.

  “You’re going down, bro,” he snarled at me around his mouthguard. I didn’t acknowledge him or change the expression on my face. In fact, I looked over the top of him. My opponent tonight wasn’t important. I only had one job and that was to execute every move I’d learned over the last twenty plus years, perfectly.

  I was bigger and stronger. I had at least four inches in height and I’m guessing close to ten kilos of hard muscle. What’s more, I was one hundred percent sure of why I was here.

  Could he say the same?

  It was more than winning.

  In fact, it wasn’t even about the fight. It was about being the perfect student of the art. If I did that, everything else would look after itself.

  The referee instructed us to head back to our areas.

  Reed was immediately in my face. “Go out strong. Hit him with all those strikes. Avoid the canvas at this stage. Move him around; wear him out. You’re fit enough to go the distance, then some. Use all that hard work you’ve put in. You can do this mate,” Reed said finally, before giving me a slap on the shoulder and exiting the cage.

  This was it—in just a few seconds, I’d have my answer.

  I turned and focused my eyes on the crowd. Front and centre were my family and the woman I loved more than anything.

  I’d do this for them.

  For always sticking by me and setting me on a true path.

  The leather caressed the skin over my heart as I thumped my fist against my chest before pointing it out to Ari. This was for her. She understood what really made me tick. Because of her, I knew I had the tools and conviction to finish this thing and do it fast.

  All afternoon, since our interruption, I’d been watching footage with a new insight. Even that interruption couldn’t throw off my concentration and conviction.

  I wasn’t trying to get a win in a fight.

  I was going to better my opponent with perfect moves.

  Fights got scrappy because adrenalin and other emotions entered into the equation. Pure technique and dedication to the individual styles and arts that made up the MMA sport, would see me through this.

  I was planning a Master Class in pure technique.

  The referee looked between us once more. Now was the time to look my opponent directly in the eye.

  All I saw was cockiness and bravado. He liked to overpower and intimidate. That was going to be damned hard for him when I stood four inches taller. Did he have more? I’d soon see.

  A moment later, the bell rang and we were off. Everything around me paused again. The noise of the crowd receded and I was in the battle of my life—only I felt in total control.

  One step, two, three…the “Wildman” advanced across the canvas. I took two steps and held my ground. Reed had been right—I was a monster compared to him in size.

  He opened with a few testing jabs that didn’t land. They were a cinch to pat away with my lead hand. Then he stepped through and tried a right hook. I lurched back with my torso and let it slide past my face, harmlessly.

  Fury ignited in his eyes and he stomped forward wanting to take my head off with a combination of jab, straight, jab punches. I merely closed my forearms over my face and created a solid guard. The punches landed on my forearms, but I went nowhere. In fact, I stepped forward and opened my own account with a right upper cut to the jaw that snapped his head back like the crack of a whip.

  It had to have hurt. I felt the reverberation all the way up my arm, through my shoulder and down my body. While his eyes were looking skyward from the hit to the chin, it seemed to be the perfect time for a punishing leg kick to the thigh.

  Hard to fight if it hurt to stand.

  I pointed my toe and whipped the kick into his thigh with a full rotation of my hips. The top of my foot slapped against the skin of his thigh in a crack that could be clearly heard over the noise of the crowd. The kick landed clean and pure. The “Wildman” hopped then skipped back a couple of steps towards the cage wall.

  Now it was my turn to go on the attack.

  Arianne

  The bell sounded and the fight was on. My body was rigid with tension. The “Wildman” came at Dane with a series of short punches that Dane kind of padded away with his hand. Then he ducked back from a punch that looked like it had a lot more force behind it.

  So far nothing had landed. I wasn’t unhappy about that at all. Although I knew it had to happen soon. His opponent was no slouch and as focused as Dane seemed, it was a fight.

  There was another flurry in the cage but Dane’s handsome face looked to be safely protected behind his arms. Then Dane lashed out with a solid punch and the other man staggered back a step or two. He just didn’t seem to have the same reach as Dane’s longer arms and legs.

  The next kick, I kind of recognised. Dane did one of those roundhouse kicks I think he called them. Only it was low to the thigh, and solid. Rather than fancy like when he did it head high. I liked fancy, but solid worked just fine now, if his opponent hopping backwards was anything to go by.

  “Come on, Dane. Go after him.” Cathy was out of her seat and hollering at him. So was Macey. Eden’s sisters, Tori and Sophia, were in the row behind us and doing the same. I’d found out tonight they both trained with Xander and Dane.

  I stood up, too.

  The tension was getting to Gary, as well. He sudde
nly went from just gripping his hands tightly on his thighs to launching upwards and yelling encouragement. We were all up screaming now.

  Dane had worked the guy up against the wall of the cage and was boxing him in with his solid body. I couldn’t make out exactly what was happening with his back to us. Only that Dane’s shoulders were rippling back and forth in a quick rhythm. He had to be landing punches to the other man’s mid-section from what I could see.

  Eden gripped my hand and I could feel her body almost as tense as mine.

  “Finish him off, Sensei.” It was the more outgoing of Eden’s two sisters, Sophia, screaming out.

  Xander, Seth and Reed were yelling and screaming at the side of the cage as well. I had no idea what I expected, but it was all out bedlam with everyone yelling and screaming. The only reason I wasn’t terrified completely witless was because Dane looked so much stronger and focused than his opponent. Surely, that had to mean something?

  Somehow, the “Wildman” managed to slide down the cage and roll out from under Dane’s pummelling force. He made it to his feet and stood up. That’s when I saw all the red welts covering his pale skin around his mid-section.

  “Way to go, Sensei. You’ve busted up his rib cage big time!” Sophia yelled out in excitement. I had not a doubt that she was blood thirsty to the core. “Keep going. Hit that cocky shit!”

  The men in the audience were yelling and screaming advice, but none more than the women. They were on their feet and fully engaged in the action, voices hoarse already from screaming and fists pumping at the air. It surprised me. I don’t know why, because it was damned hot watching these guys fight.

  Dane’s opponent would stand upright for a second, but as soon as he moved, his posture favoured the ribs and his midsection. Dane closed the distance again. The other man was about to be hit again.

  I knew nothing about fighting except what it felt like to be on the other end of a blow. I knew he was about to get hit by Dane and it was going to hurt big time.

  Dane unleased a series of perfect looking punches and the final one looked like that one Reed had been harping on him about last Sunday—hook was it?