Fight Like A Girl: An Opposites Attract Romance (Fighting For Love)

by Harley Reid

  I sit taking in my surroundings as the venue fills around us and promotional videos playing on the screens above flood the arena. The first fight is due to start in about ten minutes and worrying that if tonight doesn’t go as planned, Ethan won’t want to see me so I’m anxious to see him before the fight.

  “I'm going to go find Ethan. You okay here?”

  “Yeah, good luck.” She waves a hand nonchalantly, barely even acknowledging me as I slip away, travelling through the half empty arena and heading up the dark tunnel towards the training rooms.

  Wandering around aimlessly trying to find my needle in a haystack and after checking two rooms, I realise the doors have little silver plaques on with the names of the fighters. At least that should make it a little easier to find him. I continue to the end of the corridor, checking the rooms on both sides as I go with no luck and then I spot one of the guys from Ethan’s team out of the corner of my eye so I follow as best I can until he is out of sight.

  “Excuse me miss, you can't go in there.” The huge balding security guard stands in front of me, blocking the only way through the gloomy corridor as I try to pass. “Miss, these rooms are for fighters and members of their teams. I'll have you...”

  Oh my God! This guy.

  He's been chasing me down ever since I came out of the tunnel and started checking the room doors, looking for Ethan's name. Can he not see the stupid pass hanging around my neck?

  “For the last time, get out of my way! I have a pass, so I'm allowed to be here... Look.”

  Starting to lose my temper, I pull the pass over my head and wave it in front of his face. Out of the corner of my eye, a door plaque catches my attention as I realise, I'm stood outside Ethan's training room.

  I hear laughter, and for a moment I lose my nerve, maybe I should just wait until after his fight. What if he doesn't want to see me?

  Turning to face the door, I push the door open forcefully and suddenly, five pairs of eyes are on me. Ethan turns to face me, standing rigid in front of me, staring at me with those lust filled eyes that make my whole body tremble and flashing me a smile that dampens my panties.

  Nervously, I pace the floor in my training room following a warm-up sparring session, my feet sticking to the sweaty blue training mats placed over the rough grey carpet tiles in the centre of the room.

  The team busies themselves in preparation as I glance at the flat screen TV bolted to the wall to confirm whether the Early Prelims have started yet.

  The first fight of the night has just finished so I've got a while before making my journey to the octagon. Hopefully, that will give my nerves chance to calm the fuck down.

  It's a strange sensation, usually before a fight I'm pumped up and raring to go but as I gaze at the Hall of Fame fighters framed across the dull grey walls, a mixture of emotions take hold. With this being my first fight back after two years and knowing that she's not here, my anxiety levels are through the roof. I gulp down a bottle of water, hoping to settle the nausea rising in my gut, partly due to my nerves but mainly as a result of the epic weight cut, I've had to make this week.

  After days of water loading, I basically had to dehydrate myself to the point of almost shutting down my organs so I could shed those extra three pounds to make the championship weight yesterday and have been trying to get my body back into fighting shape for the main event.

  “Excuse me miss, you can't go in there.” There's a huge commotion going on in the corridor. “Miss, these rooms are for fighters and members of their teams. I'll have you...”

  “These fan girls are ridiculous,” Jesse laughs, “They'll do anything to get backstage for a bit of ass.”

  My team-mates start fooling around and telling stories about their fan girl experiences from previous fight but I resist the urge to join in. I have a fight to prepare for. Come on Ethan, focus!

  “For the last time, get out of my way! I have a pass, so I'm allowed to be here... Look.” I'd recognise that voice anywhere and hearing that one sentence makes me realise that I've missed her more than I thought was possible. Turning to face the door, it swings open and all of a sudden, I'm face to face with Mia.

  “Hey,” She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and bites down on her lower lip nervously. “I know you're busy but, can I have a minute?”

  Taking a deep breath, my gaze explores the goddess standing in front of me. She's dressed in this amazing black off the shoulder dress, with a split up one side revealing the teasing curve of her left thigh and a pair of sparkly, strappy heels. The sight of those piercing green eyes and soft pink lips that I've kissed a hundred times takes my breath away.

  Somehow, she looks different, more confident, but then I guess surviving being abducted by your boyfriend’s best friend will have that effect.

  Thankfully, Jamison is in police custody until his trial next year after being denied bail so she's safe. We're all safe.

  “Sure,” I'm stuck to the spot, unable to move as the sight of her in the doorway renders my body useless. “Guys, can you give us a minute?”

  The room fills with the muttering of my team-mates reminding me about what's at stake tonight but right now, the belt doesn't matter. All that matters is her.

  “Get out. Now!” I roar, as she takes a stride into the room towards me. The guys take the hint and spill out into the corridor, mumbling quietly and closing the door behind them.

  Any resolve that I had to stay away from her disappears and without saying a word, I stride towards her as fast as my legs with take me, wrap my hand around the back of her neck as my other arm snakes around to the small of her back, pulling her into me. I gently part her lips with my tongue as she wraps her arms around my neck, deepening our kiss.

  Did I honestly think that I could just carry on without her? Just pretend she never existed.

  “I'm so sorry.” She leans her head back, gazing longingly into my eyes, tears forming and her chin trembling. “My mum...”

  “It's okay,” My tone grows thick as I place my fingers under her chin and bring her lips back to mine, “We're together now and that's what matters.”

  I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close while she buries her face in my chest.

  “And I'm not going anywhere.” She pulls away from the fabric muffling her voice, leaving tear stains on my t-shirt, then raising up on to her tip toes, she kisses me again.

  “Too fucking right. I've missed you so much baby.” I moan, pressing my forehead against hers and stoking some loose strands away from her damp cheek. “This past week has been torture. There hasn't been one second where I haven't thought about you. The day you shuffled into my office looking like you were going to pass out at any moment is the day you stole my heart.”

  It's only been a week since I last held her in my arms, but it's been the worst week of my life. I've missed the smell of coconut shampoo, the taste of cherry lip balm, the soft touch of her fingertips stroking my stomach as she falls asleep and I've missed her bright smile, beaming at me as she gets out of bed in a morning and pulls her robe around her. Most of all, I've missed her.

  “Come home.”

  “I'll move my things back in tomorrow.”

  “Okay, but you're coming home with me tonight.” I take her face in my hands and draw her into me, slowly kissing her.

  “Sorry Ethan, we really need to get you warmed up before the fight.” The door creaks open and Jesse's head peers through the opening as I feel Mia pull her body away from mine. My body aches to have her close but I need to focus on the fight. I can't go out there and let her see me get slaughtered.

  “It’s okay, I better go find Lexi anyway.” She bites her bottom lip, driving me crazy. “Bring that belt home.”

  Home. She's coming back home.

  “I will.” I'm overwhelmed with the need to kiss her, but I know once I do, I won't be able to stop. Instead, I reach for her hand, raise it to my lips and kiss her. “I’ll see you after the fight.”

  The guys enter the room
as I watch her walk away, then she turns to face me, looking right into my eyes before vanishing from sight. “I love you.”

  Did she really just say she loves me? I push past the guys, desperate to tell her how I feel but when I get to the door, she's nowhere to be seen.

  The next forty-five minutes fly by. We run drills, do a little shadow boxing and some light pad work and finish with some more stretching. My corner is a man down tonight but after everything he has put my family through, I hope they lock him up and throw away the key.

  A short, stocky woman with a clip board appears in the doorway briefly. "Mr Brooks, please make your way to the tunnel. You're up next."

  I've got this.

  Psyching myself up, I let Jesse finishing wrapping my hands and put my gloves on, making sure they’re secure before jogging down to the tunnel with my team.

  In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair. It's a quote that I always think about as I ready myself for battle and as the vision of Mia fills my mind, I realise that it couldn't be more fitting. After everything we have been through, love gave us the strength, courage and hope that we needed to find each other.

  The arena is in darkness, the crowd in silence as we wait. As I make my way through the tunnel and towards the bustling crowd the music fades until all I hear is the pounding in my chest.

  The spotlight hits me when I near the end of the tunnel and the crowd erupts as I start the journey through the crowd.

  When I reach the waiting referee, it feels like a lifetime has passed. Then I see her, sitting ring side. I know how much she hates violence, but she showed up to support me anyway, because she loves me.

  I stand, trying to clear my mind enough to focus on the war about the go down over the next twenty-five minutes (less if I get my way). I close my eyes, breathe deeply and silence the chaos in my head before stripping down to my shorts, taking a sip of water and putting in my mouth guard.

  As the referee checks the length of my fingernails, my groin protector and my mouthpiece before frisking me for any illegal weapons or sharp objects, I stare straight ahead at my opponent as he enters the arena.

  I know Lucas Stone like the back of my hand. I've studied hours of fight footage and trained my arse off for this, knowing that he is the one person that stands between me and everything I have ever wanted.

  Entering my familiar battleground, my senses are attacked by the smell of fresh sweat from the previous fight. Heat burns down on me from the lights mounted above, highlighting the blood-stained canvas beneath my feet. A stark reminder of the brutal nature of this sport.

  I pace the length of the cage, stretching when I get back to my corner as I wait for my opponent to enter. A quick glance in the direction of the clock and I catch sight of the huge screens that have been set up. Even at my size, I look like an ant in the 30-foot enclosure.

  Lucas finally enters and as the doors close behind him, the crowd goes wild. Sorry, old friend but today is not going to be your day.

  “And now ladies and gentlemen. Live around the world, and we are ready to go with this. The main event of the evening! Five rounds of action is scheduled in the VFL light heavyweight division.” The announcer continues to introduce the fight as I zone out and glare at the man standing directly across the octagon from me. “And across the octagon fighting out of the blue corner, his opponent. Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing in at two hundred and five pounds. His professional record nineteen victories and two defeats. Presenting the number one ranked contender from Manchester England, Ethan. The Sandman. Brooks!”

  A roar escapes me as I bang on my chest, channelling Tarzan. I'm ready.

  One last breath and I march to centre, my heart racing as I touch gloves with the enemy, a show of respect between fighters before they beat the shit out of each other.

  The next ten seconds seem like an eternity.

  My jaw is clenched, and my fists are tight as I wait impatiently for bell.

  I've been in this position so many times before, but this time is different. This time it’s personal.

  Also, it’s been two years since my last fight, so the ring rust is definitely a concern.

  In all honesty, with all the chaos of last week, I almost cancelled the fight. I seriously considered just giving up and walking away because without her, it just didn't seem important, but I couldn't. Not after how hard everyone worked to get me here. I needed to see this dream through until the end. When this fight is over, I will have my belt and the woman I love.

  The bell rings, shaking me from my thoughts and I rush toward my opponent. We dance around for the first twenty seconds, both of us trying to figure out our opponent by throwing feints. Then, I confidently land a powerful right hook to his body that gets his attention.

  He retaliates, throwing a combo of strikes that are mainly targeting the air in front of me. He's rattled but as a former sparring partner, I am all too aware of the power he holds behind those fists.

  I can't let my guard down now.

  “Sorry Ethan, we really need to get you warmed up before the fight.” One of his team-mates pops his head around the door sheepishly as I pry myself away from him, taking a step back to put some distance between us. Hormones are raging and it’s taking all the will power I have not to rip his clothes off.

  “It’s okay, I better go find Lexi anyway.” I bite my lip as he looks at me with desire in his eyes, “Bring that belt home.”

  “I will.” He reaches for my hand, raises it to his lips and kisses it softly as a fire rushes through my body, “I’ll see you after the fight.”

  I walk towards the door as his team spill into the room, turning to face him before I disappear in the corridor, “I love you.”

  Not giving him chance to respond, I turn on my heels and glide towards the main arena. When I get to the tunnel, it is bustling with activity and I realise the next fight is due to start any minute, so I need to find another route to my seat.

  After asking one of the burly security guards for directions, I’m pointed to a large set of double doors that he tells me leads into the main part of the arena.

  “Just follow the aisle down to the middle of the arena and you can’t miss it, Ma’am.” Even with his voice raised, I can only just hear him as he points me in the direction I need to go.

  Moments later, I walk through the door, shouldering my way through the heaving crowd as the smell of body odour and alcohol attacks my senses. The noise is deafening, and a colourful display of silhouettes surrounds me on all sides, for the first time tonight, I am able to take in the enormous scale of the arena packed with screaming fans.

  Every row of seats is stacked with the featureless face of strangers, lit up by the multicoloured spotlights soaring around, illuminating the otherwise dark venue.

  Determined to reach cage side before the next fight begins, I push my way through the sea of people holding phones in front of their faces until I finally see the bright gold of Lexi’s dress contrasting against the raised, empty cage.

  “Sorry for taking so long.” I apologise as I slide into the seat next to her.

  “No problem, I think I’ve found a new favourite sport to watch.” I look at her as if to say ‘really’ and she continues, “What’s not to love? Hot as fuck men prancing around a cage half naked while I watch. Mia, I’m in heaven.”

  She wriggles excitedly in her seat as the next two fighters enter the ring, removing her gaze from them for long enough to shoot me a quick smile. “All good with Ethan?”

  “Yeah.” Happiness spreads across my face and butterflies flutter in my stomach filling me with a sense of euphoria.

  The next thirty minutes drag as I try to force myself to watch the fight in preparation for Ethan’s bout but instead, like a total wuss, I spend most of my time hiding behind Lexi. There is so much blood and I have to take calming deep breaths every time I think about Ethan getting hurt
.

  I watch just enough towards the end to see the guy in the white shorts, snake his way around the guy in the green shorts to get him in some kind of weird headlock with his legs and the referee announces the end of the fight. Alves won by something called a triangle choke.

  Suddenly, darkness falls upon the arena as everything goes quiet. Blue and red rays of light flash and swoop in time with the blaring music filling the arena. I look up to see Ethan's face appear on the huge screens hanging from the ceiling.

  I watch as he throws punches into the air straight ahead of him and pushes his way through the crowd, shaking hands with his fans until he's cage side. Lexi is screaming and cheering like a crazy person and I can't take my eyes off him.

  I smile, watching as he lifts his t-shirt over his head revealing an ink covered torso so perfect that it should be in a museum. The vision of him standing in his little Lycra grey shorts makes me salivate.

  I don't really understand what happens next, or why the referee is patting him down but finally, he enters the octagon and starts pacing.

  Then we go through exactly the same process as his opponent enters the cage and once both men are settled on their side of the cage, a silver fox in a funky gold blazer introduces them and the fight begins.

  My palms are sweaty, and my heart is pounding against my ribcage as I watch the two men move around slowly, throwing the occasional punch or kick. I try to watch for as long as I can but at some point during the second round, I let out a loud squeal and close my eyes tightly after Lucas lands a huge elbow to Ethan's head. The blood flooding down his face making me feel queasy.

  The rest of the fight is spent fidgeting in my seat and peering out from behind my fingers, then all of a sudden, the crowd erupts and Lexi informs me that Ethan dropped the other guy with a massive head kick.

  My heart bursts with pride as the silver fox announces the win, and my man's arm is raised. Appearing from nowhere, a bald dude puts an arm around his shoulder and shoves a microphone in his face.