I turned left off of Grand and onto Price Boulevard, the only road in and out of Erickson. The houses and buildings became more sporadic, and then there was an industrial area complete with a cement factory. After that it was nothing but wheat fields sprinkled with trees.
I looked out at those wheat fields, the new stalks weren’t any taller than six inches and would have to wait until spring to grow some more. I was the exact opposite of those stalks. My time was now.
Then I noticed a yellow school bus and a bunch of cars off to the side of the road, and people were milling around. I slowed a bit as I got closer to the group. It looked like a swap meet or flea market had popped up on the side of the road. I slowed some more, and when I was a couple hundred feet away I saw Morris’ car and his big body standing next to it. I was going maybe twenty miles per hour and I dropped it down to ten. Morris yelled to the group and they all turned toward my approaching car.
They held signs above their heads and I heard the cheers. At least a hundred people had gathered along the road. People from the bar, people from the gym, even a guy from the Erickson Eagle newspaper. And then I saw a group of kids holding a huge sign. It read, Ms. Vega’s second grade class believes in you, Zane!
I was blown away. They were there for me. They cheered for me. They were sending me off with high hopes. Tears formed in my eyes.
I stopped my car next to Morris’ and hopped out. The cheers grew louder, and a chant of ZT broke out. I was flattered and embarrassed at the same time. Morris stepped forward. “You’re going to do this, Zane. The whole town is behind you.”
Then I saw Mace and Tyson. Guess they weren’t at the gym. “You’re going to make history this weekend,” Tyson said. “First champ in UCC history to lose and regain the belt!”
We gave each other knuckles. Mace was in coach mode. “Get settled and rest. Your weight is good, but hit a light jog, maybe 20 to 30 minutes and go ahead and drink at least two more gallons of water today before four. Almost no water after that, and of course no sodium. Tomorrow morning we’ll shave the last few pounds.”
He gave me a hug. “I’m proud of you no matter what happens this weekend.”
I saw Sam, who was standing right next to Elizabeth, break from her class. “Daddy, Daddy, I’m so glad we didn’t miss you. I had to make Mommy get out of bed, and Ms. Vega got the whole class out here! Isn’t it cool?” Leeza was a few steps behind. Sam jumped into my arms and squeezed my neck. “I’ll be at your fight,” she said. “Mom says we got tickets!”
“That’s great, sugar. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, Daddy. Remember when I said you were my champion?”
“Of course I do.”
“Well you really are. I’m so glad you’re my dad.”
I had a lump in my throat. “I love you so much. Thanks for believing in me,” I said.
Leeza stayed to the side. Elizabeth now stood almost right next to her. I smiled at both of them, and then gave each of them a hug.
After 15 minutes of handshaking, picture taking, and a brief interview with the guy from the newspaper, I was on the road toward Oklahoma City with a chest filled with more pride than ever before.
Jordan Powers was all that was left standing in my way.
Chapter 35
A lady named Jen Kerley, one of the UCC’s event managers, met me in the lobby with my room key in her hand. My room on the fifth floor. She was nice and efficient, and with curly brown hair and a tight ass filling out a short tan skirt she wasn’t bad to look at either.
She had just walked away, and I took another quick glance at her before pushing the door closed. I wasn’t exactly in Oklahoma City to look at women. I surveyed my room. A small kitchen was off to the right, complete with a fridge, oven, and dishwasher. Straight ahead sat the living room. It was nicely furnished with a couch and a chair around a coffee table, and a big flat screen TV. My bags were already there, sitting next to the coffee table on the beige-tiled floor.
I walked through the living room to a door on the right by the kitchen. It led to the bedroom. A king-sized bed took up most of the room, and another flat screen rested on the opposite wall. The bathroom was along the far wall of the room.
It was a nice place, a hell of a lot nicer than my house in Erickson. I plopped down on the bed, and my brain started working. I’d already been checked out by the doctor, and everything was fine. There was no doubt now that in two days I’d be stepping into the cage against Jordan Powers. It was still hard to imagine. I was so far removed from this possibility just a few months earlier. Was I really capable of competing against him? I thought I could, but he was younger, bigger, stronger, and he’d been fighting against much higher level competition over the last few years than I had. And he’d been demolishing them.
Thanks to Leeza and Lorenzo and their insane deal, I figured I was hungrier, but after all my trash-talking I was sure he was pretty hungry as well.
I laid there on the soft bed and stared up at the ceiling for a long time, just trying to relax. I glanced at the clock by the bed. It was almost one, and I was hungry and tired. I couldn’t eat much because I had to make weight, but I could take a nap. I wasn’t scheduled to do anything until four.
I closed my eyes and let my mind drift. I saw a new house and me and Elizabeth and Samantha in it. I was so close. And I also saw myself waking up in the middle of a wave-crashing roar with Powers standing over me with his hands raised.
I had to make sure just one of those visions became reality.
Chapter 36
I took a two-hour nap, and then pulled on a hoodie and jogged up and down the Bricktown canal a few times. Now, I walked through the concourse of the baseball stadium with Jen next to me and Mace and Tyson a little behind us. We were on our way to the press conference along the third base side. They had it set up so we could cut through the stadium to avoid being mobbed by fans. I was in a silky shirt and sports coat with dark jeans and my nicest shoes. Years earlier, I’d show up in whatever the hell I wanted at press conferences. Now though, I felt it was best to look halfway decent.
Just an hour earlier I did a light workout for the media with Mace and Tyson in the Residence Inn’s conference room. During that I sported my sponsor-covered shirt. Morris had come through for me. Mac’s auto was now in the bottom left corner. It had been replaced by the much bigger brand name of Gold Star Fight Company.
We walked down some concrete stairs toward a gate that led out of the ballpark. Jen turned to me. “Okay, you’ll come out from here in about five minutes,” she said in a clipped and efficient voice. “Nick will already be on the stage, and then Jordan will come out. The conference will be short. No more than twenty minutes.”
“Got it,” I replied.
“And no fights right now. Save it for Saturday.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She walked off.
“Don’t run your mouth too much. We’ve got the fight now, so just be confident but respectful. No reason to piss him off more.” Mace laughed and then pushed me on the shoulder.
“He’s probably pissed off enough isn’t he?”
“For sure,” Tyson said.
We waited there. The wind whipped through the passageway and made the mild evening feel a little cold. The sun was setting, the buildings across the street cast shadows over us. It was like we were ready to be announced to the world for the first time. I was different than I’d ever been before.
I noticed a couple guys approaching. I figured it was people with the UCC telling me it was time. Instead, it was Jake Sherwood and his manager Lex McNeil. Sherwood looked healthy and McNeil looked pissed. He got within a couple feet of the gate. “You fucking got what you wanted, didn’t you?”
“It’s not like I planned this,” I replied.
“I’m not so sure about that,” it was Sherwood. “I got sick out of nowhere. It wasn’t the flu and it wasn’t food poisoning.”
Mace laughed. “What, you think Zane magically put so
me voodoo shit on you to make you sick?”
“I don’t know what happened, but it all stinks like bullshit.”
“The only thing that stinks is your bitching,” I said.
Now they were both pissed, and Jake took a step forward. Mace and Tyson did the same. “Get out of here,” Tyson said, and locked his best mad dog stare on Sherwood.
Sherwood started to reply when Jen showed up. “It’s time,” she said, and gave us all a disapproving look.
I walked on the stage and my legs felt heavy. I had a hollow spot in my stomach. It wasn’t from lack of food. I walked toward Nick as he stood at the podium. I reached him without tripping. We shook hands and then he directed me to the seat next to him. Moments later, Jordan came out from the other side. He didn’t look nervous at all.
“Here we go,” Nick addressed the crowd. “UCC 145 Saturday night right here in Oklahoma City. After a rollercoaster of a week we now have a main event that promises to have plenty of fireworks. Jordan Powers will be defending his belt against former UCC middleweight champ, Zane Todd. Zane has been on fire lately and is fighting like he did back when he held the title. And of course Jordan Powers is a little heated up too, and ready to shut Zane up. Like I said, fireworks.”
Some in the audience laughed, others applauded.
“Let’s get to it. I’ll call on you, wait for the microphone, and then ask your question.”
The questions and answers flowed, and for the most part the conference was tame. Jordan taunted me a couple times. At one point he leaned over the table so he could see me on the other side of the podium. “Your mouth got you into this fight, and I’m going to shut it by breaking your jaw.”
“Maybe my mouth got me into it,” I said, “but these are going to finish it.” I raised my fists.
Finally it was time for the stare down. Jordan and I walked in opposite directions around the long table and settled just in front of the podium. Nick stood between us. “Alright boys, square off,” he said.
I moved closer to Jordan and sized him up. I’d of course seen him on TV, and a few weeks ago we got within ten feet of each other, but now we were nose to nose. He was a corn fed farm looking guy with a thick and athletic frame. His hair was so light it almost looked white, and his face was pale skin mixed with a little bit of scar tissue on chiseled bone. His eyes were small and set back in their sockets. They glared at me like the eyes of a rabid dog. We were almost the same height. He was slightly taller. His shoulders made his light blue crew cut sweater stretch. It looked like it was clinging to his chest for dear life.
I was weighing about 190 at the moment. The five pounds tomorrow would be a breeze. Jordan looked to be closer to 200 pounds.
He raised his big white fists and leaned in close. I did the same until we were just six inches apart. I could smell his stale breath. I could make out an almost invisible thin scar under his left eye. “I’m going to fuck you up,” he said under that stale breath.
I leaned in even closer. Our noses almost touched.
“Easy boys, easy,” Nick said.
I ignored him. “I can’t wait,” I said.
He started nodding his head up and down and I did my best crazy-eyed glare, the one I’d found the most maniacal looking after getting high and practicing in the mirror for a good thirty minutes one night years ago. I kept my eyes locked on his, but didn’t move my head.
“Saturday, bitch,” he mumbled.
“Saturday,” was my reply.
Chapter 37
The lights were off. I was on my bed and propped up against the headboard. The TV light danced in the room as I was pretty engrossed in my fourth straight episode of Storage Wars. I’d found a Storage Wars marathon and was quickly becoming an addict, guess the TV show was less damaging than a bunch of pills and whiskey.
I was hungry, but not too bad. After the press conference I ate a little bit because my weight was so low. Now I was just relaxing and waiting for tomorrow so I could get ready for the weigh-in, and then I’d be waiting again on Saturday for my chance to back up all my trash talking by beating up Jordan Powers.
I had moments when I was sure I’d crush him, but they were often followed by moments of complete trepidation. It was like I was a pendulum that rocked back and forth with the slightest thought. Then there were times when my thoughts weren’t even on the fight at all.
I watched Barry win the bid on a storage unit and thought of Sam. Often it was her who was on my mind. She was the catalyst for my current situation. I thought of Leeza some too. If I was a pendulum she was a broken tilt-a-whirl that wobbled in the breeze and lurched violently when it didn’t even seem to be provoked.
Elizabeth wasn’t a pendulum or a tilt-a-whirl. She was so much more stable. I reached for my phone and sent her a quick text. Did you make it to OKC?
Thirty seconds later I was rewarded with a reply. Yes, just checked in to the Skirvin. Wish I could be snuggled up next to you.
Me too, I replied.
But the snuggling wouldn’t last…I’d end up wearing you out, haha
I’ve got too much energy for that…
Save it for Saturday, champ! Night night
Night
I put my phone on the bed and drifted off, never knowing what Barry found in his storage unit. When I woke, it was mid-morning. The sunlight streamed through my fifth-floor window. We didn’t have anything scheduled with the UCC, but after a glance at the clock I knew Mace or Tyson would be banging on my door soon. They wanted to get started on trimming the final few pounds by ten o’clock. It was now 9:36.
I hopped out of the bed and felt rested and ready. My first thought was about Sam, and right after her, Jordan Powers started diving into my brain. I took a few sips of water from a plastic bottle I had sitting on the night stand, and then I jumped in the shower.
Five minutes later I was pulling my shorts on when there was a knock at the door. It was only 9:45. I wondered why Mace was early, probably a little nervous.
I headed for the door while running my hand through my thick hair. It was still pretty damp and nice and trim too, had to look pretty for my big fight. I flung the door open ready to give Mace the what-for for showing up early. I stopped short, my hand tangled in my hair.
Standing in the hallway in a short skirt, heels, and a shirt that accentuated every curve and muscle, stood one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in real life…Leeza.
“Oh, what are you doing here?” I managed to stutter.
I’ve been thinking a lot,” she said. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah, of course.”
She entered and took everything in. “Nice room.”
“Yep, the UCC is taking care of us better now than they did five years ago.”
“Remember that shack in California they put us up in that one time?” She laughed.
“How could I forget? I had to fight off roaches all damn night.”
She laughed again.
“What’s going on, Leeza?” I kind of feared that she was here to try to back out of the deal.
“I’ve been thinking about you and Sam and us. I know I’ve messed up over the years. Neither one of us have been perfect. But maybe I’d like to try it again.”
I had a funny feeling coursing through my body. My tongue felt a little heavy. “What about Lorenzo? What about the deal we have?”
“Lorenzo is good, but he’s not you.” She moved a little closer. “And we wouldn’t need the deal if we were together again. It’d be the three of us, and we’re older now, we’re better. We’d do better.”
“I’m with Elizabeth now.”
This didn’t deter her. “You’ve been dating for what, like six weeks. Come on, Zane. This is us we’re talking about. Think of all the good times. I’m Sam’s mom.”
I walked over and grabbed a water bottle off the counter. I needed a drink because my mouth was dry, and even more so because I needed a few seconds to gather myself. This was the tilt-a-whirl spinning and I found myself
feeling like I really wanted to get on board. But I knew the consequences of that ride could be swift and severe. I’d experienced it and it sucked. I also had to think of Sam. Was Leeza and I being back together the best thing for her? I didn’t think so.
I finished the drink and she moved closer. We were just a few feet apart. “I don’t know what to say, Leeza. We are older and better, but the two of us together is dangerous. And I really like Elizabeth.”
She ignored my last statement, and gave me a coy smile like I’d just complimented her.
“Zane, me and you together can be great. We’ve been great.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean we should be together again.”
“Come on, Zane,” she said. “You could have me again.” As she said this she slipped her top off in one perfectly fluid motion.
Her abs were lean. Her skin smooth, and my eyes drifted right up with her shirt to her breasts. They were natural. Silicone couldn’t have made them better. Her nipples were the perfect color for her skin, and I had to force my eyes off of them.
Her hair was a little disheveled from removing her shirt. I fought the urge to step toward her.
“Don’t you want me, Zane?” She shrugged a bit and had a pouty look on her face. She looked amazing. She moved forward until she was right in front of me.
I was frozen, confused.
She leaned in until her nipples pressed against my bare chest. One hand slid up to my shoulder, the other reached between my legs. Her pouty look changed to one of passion. “Come on, Zane. Me and you, baby. Me and you.”
She massaged me, and without realizing it my hand had moved to her breast.
“Oh, yes. That’s what I want, Zane. I need you so badly.”
She kissed my neck. I tilted my head to the side. She tugged at my shorts and grabbed me, stroking. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t let this happen. What about Elizabeth? My body was hot. My breathing was shallow. God, she felt so damn good.
No! I couldn’t let this happen. I backed away, bumping into the chair before finding my legs against the bed. “No, Leeza. We can’t do this.”
The Comeback: An MMA Romance Novel (Book Two) Page 9