Unexpected Forfeit

by Sapphire Knight

  By the end of my frustrated rant, she’s in tears. The big droplets trail down her cheeks, and I feel like I just crushed my soul. It’s not fair for me to be pissed and lash out at the one good thing in my life besides my love for fighting.

  A spark flares in her gaze and her cheeks heat, “What do I know? I lived that life, Jace! I know what it’s like to love someone and have to sit on the sidelines while they rip their life apart, dragging you in and burying you as well. You want to know why I hold myself back? You think I didn’t hear you mumbling about my tattoo on my back? I’ve already been destroyed, Jace. I hold myself back because I know I wouldn’t fucking recover if you decided to wreck me, too. Drugs—my ex was a heroin addict. I stayed as long as I could. Eventually, after I had lost everything; yes, Jace, everything, I had to dig myself out. I finally broke after he was the one who left. I was cheated on, used, verbally abused, and I had to watch my boyfriend slowly kill himself. My father then left, to a completely new country, leaving me here alone with no one. That check? That’s the only thing I have of my family, and it’s out of guilt!” She sucks in a deep breath, her lips fluttering as she gains her next breath to continue. “My mother bailed, that’s what that tattoo is on my back. They all leave me some way, Jace! Why do you think I shot you down? It wasn’t to be a bitch; it was to protect my heart. Do you have any fucking idea how fucking perfect you are? You’re a-maz-ing!” She ends on a hiccup, and I can’t hold back from her.

  My mouth meets hers in a rush, I push her backwards until her back slams into the wall and I hold her there, pressed tightly against the surface with my strong body and I kiss her for God knows how long, but I know I have to stop or she won’t be able to breathe if I keep this pace.

  Wrenching my head back, her sad eyes meet mine as tears escape. “I fucking love you, Chyna. God, you actually get it. You get me. But how can I love you already?”

  “No, Jace. You can’t love me. Everyone who loves me leaves, and I can’t handle that.”

  “Well I do, Kiki; I love you so damn much. It was you that broke through to me during the fight, and kept me daydreaming about you for every damn minute I wasn’t in that gym. Hell, even when I was in that gym, I was thinking of you.”

  Her head dips and more tears fall. “I love you, too, Jace. I think inside I knew it when you first spoke to me. There was this fog around me when you spoke. All I could smell and see was you. I should have guessed what it was. I’ve never been around someone and felt nothing but them before. You encompassed all of my senses and you still do. Just…please-please don’t hurt me.”

  “Oh, Chyna. I will drive you crazy sometimes probably, but I will break anyone who tries to hurt you.”

  “I’m not worried about anyone else, Jace, just you.” I kiss her chastely and pull back, wiping the tears from her face.

  “You okay, baby?”

  She nods and we both collect ourselves.

  “So what do we do about all of this?” She nods towards the disaster of a living room.

  “Looks like I’m getting a new couch.” I shrug and she starts giggling. I follow, laughing with her at who knows what. It’s been an emotional day, so the laughter now doesn’t surprise me at all.

  five weeks later…

  I dodge Gavin’s jab as he comes at my face. We’re in the cage sparing while Aria and Chyna have their work out next door. Aria isn’t into exercising but she’s been humoring Chyna the past week and going with her. I appreciate it more than she knows.

  Every time I work out with Chyna it turns into a damn competition. She will quietly increase the speed on her treadmill until she’s jogging faster than me which will push me to increase mine and so on. It’s the same way with curls. She increases her reps and it drives me crazy. The last time it happened I started to wonder if she was doing it on purpose, considering she knows my big fight is coming up.

  Chyna has been almost too good to be true about my training. She doesn’t whine like a lot of chicks would about me making multiple trips to the gym. Instead she meets me at the door with cubed, seasoned chicken breast or Pedialyte to keep me healthy. She’s easily become my own personal cheerleader. Even Sin, my coach, adores her.

  She’s been getting into better shape with all the gym trips and all the chicken she’s eating. I told her I love her the way she is, but she’s really excited about the changes her body is making. I made her promise me she wouldn’t start getting cut like a dude though. I want her to stay looking really feminine.

  Gavin gets me with a kick to my thigh and a sharp shot of pain shoots up my leg. Fucker. He knows I have to fight, yet he still doesn’t hold back.

  The timer sounds off with three beeps and we separate, taking the protective head gear off as our round is up.

  “Good job, Jace. This belt is yours.”

  “You’ve seen the tapes on Ramirez. That guy’s a beast.” I shake my head, thinking about how he brutally beat some guy in an alley and got off by claiming it was self-defense.

  “And you’ll rip his face off, bro. Relax, man. We’ll all be there to cheer you on. This is your night, your fight. You deserve to be the champ and get that new contract. Screw the Beast, you’re the fucking King!”

  “I am pretty damn great, huh?” I reply and smirk.

  “Exactly,” he chuckles and pounds my fist as we exit the cage and peel off our gear.

  “Tonight we party. You’ve been training your ass off.”

  “No, I have to stay focused.”

  “You are focused. Tonight we relax, and then back to training. And in two days, you win that fight.”

  I nod, giving in and head to the locker room to shower.

  eight hours later…

  Jaxson sets another tray of shots in front of us and Aria groans, “I will die if I drink that.”

  Chyna starts laughing and throws another shot back. My girl can drink. I’ve discovered that if Chyna goes out, she’s getting hammered. I really don’t mind. I’m there to keep her safe if she needs anything anyhow. We’ve only been out two other times, because I’ve been really strict on myself.

  A new song comes on and the girls cheer, talking about dancing.

  “You got them? I have to piss.” I say loudly to Gavin over the music as the girls laugh and take off for the dance floor.

  “Yeah, bro.”

  “I won’t let anybody touch, Chy,” Jaxson reassures me and I head to the bathroom.

  I handle my business, wash my hands, and leave the restroom. The door closes behind me and some asshole bumps into me.

  I shift and shove him out of my way. He jumps back in my path and I brace myself, getting ready to pound into him if needed, but stop myself as I see my brother’s face in front of mine.

  “Seriously?” I bark and he puts his hands up, backing up a few steps.

  “Calm down, Jace. I was coming to talk to you, don’t flip out.”

  “Are you kidding right now? The last time I heard from you, you trashed my apartment. What the hell do you want?”

  “Who says I want something? Maybe I’m just here to see you.”

  “I’m not buying it, I know you. Tell me what you want or get out of my way.”

  “I ain’t with the crew anymore. I’m here now. You’re my baby brother, and I want to be a part of your life now. You’ll see, Jace. I’m not going anywhere. I even got my bus ticket to watch you fight in Vegas.” He used to tell me that shit all the time that he was going to my fights and then would never show up. Eventually I realized it was a good thing for him to not show up.

  “Whatever…I don’t have time for this shit.” I brush past him and he does the smart thing by not following me.

  I get back to the table to see Chyna doing another shot and she is toasted just as I had predicted.

  “Come on, Kiki. Let’s go home, okay?”

  We haven’t officially moved in with each other yet, but we may as well have. I’m at her apartment with her every night. If I’m running late, then she’s calling me to make
sure I’m coming to sleep in her bed with her. At first it kind of freaked me out spending so much time with her, but then I realized that if I wasn’t training that she was the only person I really wanted to see.

  “Oh, baby, you wanna get me naked?” She chortles out and it’s my confirmation that she’s definitely smashed. She’s not shy by any means but she wouldn’t be letting half of the club know our plans if she were sober.

  We practically carry the girls out laughing like a bunch of hyenas and get them loaded into our own vehicles. Jaxson had brought a saucy little Hispanic chick with him and he can’t wait to get her home with him. We say our good-byes and each head our own ways.

  I gave up trying to get Chyna walking when she practically fell out of the jeep at her apartment. I just hiked her over my shoulder and chuckled as she beat on my back, telling me I was a savage for not carrying her bridal style.

  I carefully set her on her feet in the bedroom, steadying her in front of me.

  “You okay, Kiki? You’re not going to get sick are you?”

  “No way. I just watched your back and ass muscles flex the entire time you carried me in here. I’m not planning on getting sick, I’m planning on having my way with you.” She grins.

  I peel her shirt off and unzip her skirt. Helping her lie down on the bed, I proceed to take off her shoes and pull her skirt down her thighs. By the time everything’s off of her and I get naked, I hear snoring.

  The little tart fell asleep. She’s not doing the sweet low snores she does regularly either. She’s sprawled out in the middle of the bed, sounding like she’s a chain saw about to cut down a tree.

  So I do what any man in love would. I crawl in that bed, shifting her to snuggle, then I cover my head with a pillow and sleep like shit. I don’t mind it though. It’s worth every minute of lost sleep—that I get to hold her close.

  VEGAS, BABY

  After two days of non-stop stress, video watching and specific training exercises, we’ve finally made it to Las Vegas. My imagination was nothing compared to seeing this place in the flesh. The city is wide awake and lit up like it’s Christmas year round. I can do without the freaks on the streets and the slot machines; otherwise, it’s pretty amazing.

  We’re set up to stay in an amazing hotel. I haven’t stayed in such a posh room since I was traveling with my father. I’ve told Jace all kinds of stuff about my family, and, surprisingly, he’s been really patient and kind about it all. Sometimes I feel childish for feeling abandoned by them, but he reassured me that it’s okay to have those feelings; they are my parents after all.

  “Eat, Kiki.” He gestures to one of the massive fruit trays the hotel was kind enough to have in our room on arrival.

  I can’t eat anything though. I haven’t been able to eat since yesterday morning. My nerves are too shot at this point. I know Jace is an amazing fighter, but I still worry about him. The guy he’s supposed to fight is a savage compared to the other guys he’s already fought.

  I’m so glad Gavin and Jaxson got to come with him besides just Sin. I like his trainer a lot; he’s a good guy. I just feel better knowing he has such a strong support system backing him up and guiding him during such a huge time in his life. There’s going to be so many people at this fight compared to the others we’ve been to, and I want Jace as comfortable as possible.

  Jace’s face is plastered all over posters in the hotel and in the arena. He’s even on a bunch of commercials on TV. It feels like my boyfriend is a celebrity and it’s surreal. He’s been giving interviews this morning, and then they had a big news conference. A bunch of people asked him and his opponent questions about the fight tomorrow. Ramirez was cocky, and Jace stayed quiet through most of it. He’s not one to let someone push him around; I know he’s going to show the guy in the cage tomorrow.

  It was really neat getting to sit back and listening to him talk about everything during the different interviews. It’s amazing how much you think you know someone, but sitting quietly and just listening, you learn so much more.

  I graze my fingers over the black dress I’m wearing to the fight tomorrow. The shoes I bought to wear with it will make me about four inches taller. I’ll be showing some serious leg and cleavage. I thought I was going to blow Jace away when I tried it on in front of Aria back home. Thinking about all of the gorgeous women yelling his name when we got to the hotel, I wonder if it will even faze him.

  I can’t be like that. I try to stop myself from jealous thoughts, but I love him and can’t stop myself from getting a little territorial over him. I know what I have in Jace, and I don’t want anyone encroaching on what’s mine.

  I’ve been cheated on many times in the past. Jace has never given me any type of reason to doubt him or his feelings, but this is now really starting to sink in. It’s becoming real. Our lives will no doubt change when he wins this. I know he’s going to win, and I also know that the women will be everywhere when he does.

  I can’t lose my shit the day before this all goes down. He doesn’t deserve that. Hell, I don’t deserve to put myself through it either. I take a few calming breaths.

  “Please, baby, some pineapple or something?” he asks again and my heart melts.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t eat. My stomach hurts too badly.”

  “Relax, I’ll be fine—we’ve talked about this. Want me to call down for some Tums?”

  “I know and I believe in you, I’m just nervous, so no Tums, okay?” I rub over the dress again and he catches my hand.

  Bringing my fingers to his mouth he lovingly kisses the tips.

  “God, I can’t wait to get you out of this dress tomorrow,” he grumbles, changing the subject and pulling me close.

  “It’s only been a few days; you’re not deprived.” I laugh and he does a cute fake pout.

  “Any day without you is complete deprivation, baby,” he says smoothly and kisses me tenderly. It eases part of my worries.

  This is Jace, and he loves me. I shake off the gloom and worry, kissing him passionately so he knows I’m still all in.

  After a long day preparing for tomorrow, we finally hit the sheets in the fluffy extra-large bed in the suite. I’m freaking out too much to sleep, but Jace knocks out quickly, worn out from everything he had to do today. Tomorrow will be even crazier for him. I’m really excited for him. With all of the work he’s put in, he really deserves this belt. There’s no one out there that could make a better champion than my Jace.

  Screw a good night’s sleep. Instead, I soak in the tub and drink half a bottle of wine.

  THE MAIN EVENT

  The music stops and the Beast charges at me. He’s so used to mauling people down, he doesn’t expect my fist to be ready for him, but it is. I clip the side of his face with a jab and he lets loose an animalistic cry of war. Turning around he takes up his position, switching legs so it’s harder for me to catch his pace. If I can’t pace him properly, then my punches will be less accurate, making it harder for me to get in a good hit.

  Gavin was right about one thing though; this is my fight tonight, not anyone else’s.

  Ramirez’s leg shoots out and he almost gets me with a head kick. I take a deep breath and return with a thigh kick. In my mind, everything’s quiet except what moves he’s making and what moves I need to counter with or what I should use to approach with.

  He circles the mat, catching me off guard when he fakes a hit and finishes with a flying knee. I don’t know where my head was on that one; I should have registered the moves. He catches me with a kick to my kidney, and I grit my teeth.

  I taste the blood floating around my mouth. Instead of it making me sick, it fuels my need to make him bleed in return.

  I jump back and forth switching my position. Once he starts to catch my pace I throw a quick jab, backing up to get momentum. I charge at him with a Superman. His head flies to the side with the impact and he starts to stumble.

  It’s not that easy though. I charge after him again to finish up, and he gets me in
the stomach with a hard uppercut. Before I know what’s happening, the bell rings signaling the end of round one. I know why it’s foreign; it rarely happens that I don’t finish a fight within the first round. Normally, I somewhat easily knock out my opponents, or if it comes down to it, I make them tap out. That seldom happens though.

  The thoughts add fuel to my anger inside. Not only is this guy getting hits in, he’s making me bleed. It’s almost as if he’s anticipating my moves. He most have studied tapes of me even more so than I did of him. That’s good; it means he was doing his homework. I wonder if I had him worried.

  I sit down, hitting the bench hard in the corner, as Sin and Gavin storm the cage. One of them sprays water in my mouth while another wipes my brow with a towel. It’s too hard for me to tone down my focus to really study them. My eyes stay glued on the opposite corner, on my target.

  Sin slaps my cheek, making me cut my gaze to him briefly. “Relax, Jace. I need you to calm down and pace him. He’s getting worn out; he’s not used to someone being able to keep up with his timing. You fucking keep the pace with him, and then you plow him. You hear me?”

  I nod spitting blood to the side. The cage is already splattered with it from previous fights anyhow. I’m the main event, so I fight last.

  Gavin interrupts, “This is your fight man! Don’t do things his way; you make him fight your way! You deserve this, bro. Now fucking take it, rip his goddamn head off!”

  I attempt to smile at him, flashing my mouth piece that says “MY BITCH.”

  That way at the beginning of the fights, I always flash my mouth piece at my opponents, basically telling them that they’re a bitch. Just a little something to piss them off and possibly mess with their focus. They usually all run their mouths trying to get me heated, but they can never penetrate my focus.