Brave

by Natalie Gayle

  Twenty minutes in and the anger started to clear enough that a glimmer of an idea sprouted in my mind. Thirty minutes in and I knew what I was going to do. Fuck the PR people. They were at me to post more. Well hell, I now had something I wanted to post about.

  I stepped back from Dane and dropped the gloves I was wearing. Reed passed me a water bottle and I drained it in a few long gulps then I reached for my towel.

  “Who’s got my phone?” I demanded.

  “I do,” Seth called out from the door. He fished it out of his pocket and tossed it over to me. I plucked it easily from the air and glanced at the screen. It was blowing up with all sorts of messages. FaceBook, Twitter, direct messages, text messages; they were all there.

  It was time I went on the offensive. I was sick of defending and ignoring. That only worked so well for so long. Then action needed to be taken.

  “What are you doing, Xan? Do you think you should be posting when you’re in this sort of mood?” Dane warned me obviously concerned.

  “There’s no better time.”

  I typed out a message for FaceBook.

  It was simple.

  I stand 100% by everything I said. If you don’t support what I said and my choice in Eden then I don’t want you for a fan or friend. I’ll help you find the unfollow or unfriend button if you’re confused.

  If you support what I said let’s start a positive revolution. #Brave

  I hit the post button before I had more time to think about it.

  Then I copied the same message into my Twitter app and fiddled with the post to fit the character limit.

  I stand 100% by everything I said. If U don’t support what I said & my choice in Eden then I don’t want U for a fan or friend. #Brave

  I pressed post on that as well then turned my phone off. What was done was done. The next statement I made would be in the cage.

  The guys couldn’t hide their confusion and weariness. I didn’t blame them; it had been a monumental afternoon.

  “Who’s hungry?” I asked as I headed for the door. They all fell in beside me.

  We rode the elevator in silence.

  “Meet you in the private dining room in thirty minutes,” I called to Dane and Seth as they headed to the right.

  I made my way to the end, but Reed stopped me with a hand on the arm.

  “I owe you an apology,” he said.

  “Oh?” This was very strange behaviour for Reed. Reed didn’t apologise. He was the type that was always right. His grey eyes were more stormy than usual and I knew what he was about to say was not easy for him.

  “I was wrong about Eden. I’m sorry.”

  I nodded my head and thought about that. “Yeah, you do owe an apology only I’m not the person you owe it to. You owe it to Eden.”

  He stiffened and I watched my words process through his head. A few seconds later he nodded. “You’re right. I’ll make sure I take care of it.”

  “Appreciate it.” I didn’t need to say anymore. Reed was a man of his word and he would make it as it should be.

  I turned and was heading to the door.

  “Xander, one last thing…” I looked over my shoulder at him. Reed’s jaw flexed and I knew whatever he was about to say was going to cost him greatly. “I didn’t get it before; I do now. I understand why you chose Eden… She’s about the bravest woman around.”

  “I know, mate. Don’t tell me. Tell her,” I said with a knowing chuckle.

  Reed threw me a chin lift and I returned it.

  Things were about as right as they could be given the debacle of a day.

  Now I just had a girl to check on and a fight to win.

  Chapter 33

  Eden

  The day of the fight was surprisingly quiet. Xander was very calm and did a lot of eating and drinking earlier during the day. He’d weighed a whopping twelve kilos heavier today. My mind was still trying to get around that. And well, his body could only be described as magnificent as he’d risen from our bed naked this morning.

  In contrast to yesterday where he looked desperately ill—today he looked the absolute picture of health and strength. Every muscle looked full and bursting with power and strength. His eyes were back to being bright and intensely sharp instead of dull and sluggish.

  After a monster breakfast, he’d spent the morning stretching and a masseuse had come and worked on his body for over an hour. Then he’d eaten another big meal and he’d dragged me off to the bedroom for a nap. He claimed he slept better when he was curled around me. It was no hardship at all. If that’s what he wanted, then there was no way I would object. If he was going to fight, then it was my job to make sure I supported him the best I could. Reed had thrown us a bit of an exasperated glance but had said nothing.

  Now we were all in full on fight mode.

  We were all gathered in Xander’s dressing room. Very soon it would be time for Len and me to go take our seats ringside. Reed, Seth and Dane would be with Xander throughout the fight. Xander was stretching out again; his flexibility never ceased to amaze me. Dane was fiddling with hand wraps and I gathered very soon he’d be wrapping Xan’s hands.

  When we’d gotten up a couple of hours ago, he’d eaten his last meal before the fight. It was some sort of high energy, easy to digest meal, of chicken and brown rice. It smelt divine and tasted even better when he had pushed his fork at me for me to try.

  The two of us had sat there at the table with the fight kind of looming between us, like the proverbial elephant in the room.

  “Might have to steal this guy and bring him home.” Xander had joked and nodded to the chef that was fixing something else in the kitchen, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

  “Probably a good idea, seeing I don’t cook.” I’d agreed with a giggle.

  “You’ll get there. We’ll see what we can do about fixing that when we get home if you want. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter.”

  Xander was being very supportive and I appreciated that. But now I was on the path to overcoming my fears, I wanted to rid myself of them all. “I want to give it a go,” I’d said.

  He head nodded between forkfuls. “Okay, then.”

  He’d eaten in silence for a few more minutes as I watched on, not quite sure what else to do.

  “Are you nervous about the fight?” I’d wondered a lot about this, but I’d never asked him before early.

  “Yeah, I am,” he’d admitted a little sheepishly. “You need to be nervous though. You need the extra zing that adrenaline nerves give you. I’ve just got to be able to control the nerves.”

  “That makes sense,” I’d said. I’d been doing my best not to show my nerves then and now. I really hoped I was pulling it off.

  Len moved over to where I was standing. “We’re going to need to go and take our seats soon. Leave these boys to do their final prep.”

  Suddenly, it all became even more real and my stomach started to do crazy flip-flops. I didn’t say anything, just looked at Len. My face must have said it all.

  “It’ll be fine. Eden.”

  “Thanks, Len, but I think I’m going to be a bit of a mess until it’s all over.”

  “Yeah, I often think it’s worse for us than it is for him. There’s not a damned thing we can do to help. Just be confident that he’s done everything he can in prep and he puts up a good show.” Len was trying to make me feel better, and I appreciated it, but I knew it was going to be one of the longest hours of my life.

  I glanced at my watch. Half an hour until fight time. Then five, five minute rounds with a minute in between.

  “Okay, let’s go, Len. I don’t think I can stand it much longer,” I decided. As much as I wanted to stay with Xander, I was struggling to keep my nerves together and I didn’t want that rubbing off on him. Len gave me a little pat on the back that said a lot more than words before he turned towards Xander.

  “Okay Son, we’re going to go take our seats.”

  Xander stood up and came over. “Okay. I guess this
is it.”

  He sounded fatalistic and I hoped it was all positive.

  Len pulled him in for a quick hug. “Proud of you, Son. Kick his arse.” I was never more thankful to have a man of few words beside me. Too many words and I knew I’d have been even more of a wreck.

  “That’s the plan, Dad,” Xander said confidently.

  When Len stepped back from Xander, I stepped forward into his arms. He pulled me in tight and whispered, “I love you Eden.”

  “I love you too, Xan. Good luck, but I know you won’t need it.”

  He leaned in and caught my lips with his in a lingering kiss. I couldn’t help but capture that full bottom lip between mine and give it a little nibble.

  He let out a groan and broke away a little. “I’m so looking forward to later.”

  I grinned and rubbed my nose against his. “Me, too. Don’t get that face messed up and make sure you’re not too banged up. I’ve got plans…” I pressed my lips to his one last time. “I know you’ve got this. Go tame those oni.”

  He gave me a grin that I knew he reserved specifically for me. “Count on it, Gem.”

  God, I prayed he was right.

  * * *

  Xander

  I stood bouncing from foot to foot at the door to the shoot that would lead me down to the cage. The arena was packed to the rafters with fans and they were so noisy, it felt as if the place would fly apart.

  “Jesus Christ, these Americans know how to put on a show,” Seth said a bit in awe, looking around. Music blared from the speakers, the crowd was cheering and the atmosphere was so intense. There had been four other fights before mine. So, by now the fans really had a taste for some blood and action. They were looking for the climax to the card—the main event.

  “You ready, Mr Todd?” a harried looking man with a headset and a clipboard asked my group in general.

  “He’s ready,” Reed ground out, answering for me.

  Oh yeah. I was ready.

  Two days ago I was fighting demons that I wasn’t sure I could put down. They’d been gnawing at the edges of my psyche and confidence when I was physically at my lowest. Not today. Yeah, I was nervous but I was going to win. Nothing else would be acceptable to me.

  There was no way I could let Luke disrespect my girl like that. That couldn’t go unpunished. If ever I’d needed a reason to win, Luke had just given me one hell of a motivation. Seemed he was much better at running his mouth than his brain. I hoped that stayed true to form. That would be my edge. My ability to be strategic was what would get me the win.

  Being strategic meant that I had to be clear-headed and not let my emotions or nerves get the best of me. I needed to push it all back and just focus on what I had to do. Every strike, kick, grapple and hold needed to work to my advantage.

  “Out you go, Mr Todd.”

  “You ready?” Reed looked me square in the eyes, Dane and Seth looked on.

  “Yes.” I said and I meant it. I’d never been more ready for anything.

  Reed nodded to the guy with the clipboard and he spoke into the headset. The music changed and “I will not bow” by Breaking Benjamin started playing. That was my cue to move.

  As soon as I stepped through the doorway, the spotlight hit me and I tried to avoid looking at it. I didn’t want my eyesight fucked up. It all seemed so surreal. Every step I took was one step closer to the cage. I’ve had some big fights before but this was a whole new level. There must have been twenty thousand screaming fight fans in this arena.

  Images of The Cobra and Carrie were trying to push their way into my consciousness. I beat them back and focused on what I needed to do. Step by step, I made the longest walk of my life. When I was a short distance from the centre platform the Master of Ceremonies started his spiel. “Ladies and Gentlemen, our challenger for tonight’s main event. He’s been out of the cage for the past three years since he took the life of one of the sport’s greatest champions, undefeated in his professional career...”

  My skin was tingling at the words, adrenalin was racing as I put my foot on the first step; this whole show was staged to perfection.

  “Please welcome from Logan, Australia...” I made it to the top of the platform as he finished. “Xander “Pretty Boy” Todd.” The crowd roared and rose, stamping their feet. The movement seemed to reverberate through every essence of my body.

  As much as knew I needed to ignore the crowd, it was impossible. I’d thought it would have been a totally hostile reception. It surprised me that wasn’t the case. All over the arena the place seemed to be littered with fans holding up signs that read #Brave.

  Seth had let slip this morning that my posts were trending wildly. I couldn’t think about it then or now. My focus had to be on bringing down Luke.

  Then the music for Luke started. It was some rap song I didn’t recognise, full of obnoxious beat and attitude. It suited him to a Tee. I headed over to my crew, trying to ignore what was going on.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen our defending champion tonight. With a near perfect professional record of fifteen from sixteen fights by knockout. From right here in Vegas, please welcome your hometown hero, Luke “Lights Out” O’Donnell.” The crowd went insane and Luke danced around jeering at me.

  “Ignore him,” Reed barked at me and dragged my focus back to him as I danced from foot to foot. “Don’t get sucked into his bullshit. You know what you have to do.” I nodded. I did. “Stay focused on the plan. He’s going to want to make this quick by a knock out. You can’t give him the opportunity.”

  Reed patted me on the back and Dane pushed my mouthguard at me. “You got this, man.”

  “Take out the trash, mate!” Seth called as I moved forward to enter the cage.

  I slipped the mouthguard into place with my gloved hand and rolled my shoulders.

  I was ready. Bring it on.

  The referee called us to the centre and spoke a few words about what he expected. I didn’t hear a single one of them. My focus never moved from staring into those mocking blue eyes of Luke’s.

  We bumped gloves and stepped back. The referee gave the signal to go and it was on!

  Adrenaline surged through me and we danced for a few paces, I was eager to get this thing started—dancing wasn’t going to do it.

  I stepped in and threw a sharp left jab to his head and followed it up with a stinging right leg kick that connected hard on his left thigh. He grinned at me and charged forward with a crisp jab, cross, then hook punch combination that caught me a little by surprise. The hook to the right side of my jaw left me off balance and forced me back. But as I did, he launched himself forward and we both ended up on the floor of the cage—me on the bottom and “Lights Out” on top of me.

  I was momentarily shaken. How did that happen so quickly I wondered, momentarily shaken. Luke moved in and covered my body with his across my ribs. Fuck! He had me locked up in a side control and my focus clicked back in. If I didn’t do something quick, the fight would be all over before we even got started.

  Somehow I managed to get my left arm under his chest and from there I could protect my head from the strikes he pummelled me with. His knees connected with my ribs. I needed to get up off the canvas and fast. To do this I had to set him up.

  Fortunately, I managed to keep his body off me just enough with my left arm. This allowed me to bump my hips sideways across, towards the wall of the cage. When I sensed I had enough leverage, I rolled into him and managed to find my feet. Luke followed my movements and slammed his body into my left side. The hatch work of the cage grill bit into my right side as Luke pinned me against the wall.

  This shouldn’t have happened. To win this fight I had to maintain control of the rounds. I wanted a knockout, but to be safe I needed to win every round on points in case it went to the end and a points’ decision. “Lights Out” was far too much of a dangerous opponent to give him any leeway. I needed to get back the upper hand and survive this round.

  Three years away from the cage had
created a thick layer of ring rust on my moves—something that no amount of training could counteract. It wasn’t that I hadn’t expected it, I just needed to do something the hell about it.

  Luke hammered at my ribs with short hard jabs and he had his other arm wrapped around my left shoulder and back, trapping me there against the mesh in a hell of a Whizzer. My feet were jammed tight against the wall of the cage. I focused on his fist that punched at my ribs. The next time he hit, I latched on to his wrist, giving me control of that arm.

  Once I had control of his arm, I circled my trapped arm outwards, over his head to escape from the Whizzer. From there I almost reversed our positions and slipped my body behind his and grabbed hold of the arm I had locked up with both hands.

  This was more like it. Now I had the position of power and control, but this round was just about survival and scoring as many points as possible. I wanted some distance from him. I needed to give myself some time to regroup and plan my next attack. Everything was happening a bit too fast at the moment. I needed to slow it down and give myself a chance to get back into the groove of fighting in the cage.

  I kneed him hard in the back of the thigh and shoved him forward with my hands into his lower back. He stumbled forwarded as I skipped back toward the centre of the cage. It was enough time for me to catch my breath and steady myself.

  “Lights Out” came at me with a big angry right front kick. I saw it coming in towards me and stepped to my left, pushing it away with my right hand. That set me up to land a whipping left outside leg kick to the back of his thigh. I felt the sting as the top of my foot connected with the hard muscle of his leg. My right fist flew out and connected solidly with his jaw in a heavy cross punch. Then I skipped back a few steps.

  The anger on Luke’s face was there for all to see. He’d been expecting this to be over in seconds. That wasn’t happening. There could only be one winner and I was determined that it would be my fist raised in the air. If it took five rounds, so be it. I was fit enough to go the distance. Our mantra for the last eight weeks had been “Train hard, fight easy.” It was never going to be easy, but I had the fitness to last the distance no matter how long it went.