“Does that mean you’re not going to win?” Bump asks as his face falls.
The entire room goes silent, and the air vibrates. Gabriel is the only one who doesn’t hold his breath.
“I’m gonna win, bud. Don’t worry.”
“Okay, good. That’s what I thought.” Bump shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I mean, you beat him before. How hard can it really be to do it again?”
Gabriel’s booming laughter fills the office turned locker room, and everyone else follows suit.
“Damn right, he’s gonna beat him again,” Jeb says from across the floor. “I don’t train losers. Now, whoever’s staying, take a seat. Time to get our boy ready.”
Gabriel crushes Bump to him with a hard hug. “Stay out of trouble tonight. Okay?”
“Ten-four, good buddy.”
Roux curls up in the corner in the dog bed that’s a few feet from my chair, and Mike and Joanie both wave as they lead Bump out of the office.
Q comes in a bit later to let us know the undercard is starting, and that the club is damn near at full capacity but everything’s covered. Gabriel nods at him and thanks him, but goes right back to the pre-fight sequence that I’m guessing Jeb has down to a science.
I stare at Gabriel’s body as he moves in ways I didn’t know were possible for a man to do with such grace. It’s captivating and fluid, and I could watch him for hours, especially since no one is trying to punch him in the face for real right now.
The next knock on the door is Hal, and he’s here for me. “Scarlett, if you’d like to come down with me, I’ll show you to your seat. They’ll be up for Gabe in five to ten minutes.”
Gabriel rises off the mat and comes toward me. “You good, ladybug?”
I nod, suddenly nervous as hell. Terrified that I’m going to do or say the wrong thing. Terrified that everything could go wrong, even though I believe it’s going to go right.
“You sure?” he asks a little quieter.
“I love you, Gabe. So damned much. More than I knew was possible. Give ’em hell and then tomorrow, we’re definitely sleeping in, and I’m going to use those ladybug salt and pepper shakers to make you fluffy eggs from Scarlett’s Diner.”
A grin takes over his face, which is shiny with sweat. “That sounds like a hell of a plan, and I can’t fucking wait. I love you too. Relax. Everything’s going to be fine.”
I lean in to kiss him, inhaling the masculine scent wafting off his skin. “I’ll see you soon.”
As I walk out of the room, I wave at Jeb and the guys, keeping my head held high. As soon as Hal shuts the door behind me, I pause and release a huge breath.
“You okay, Ms. Priest?”
I turn and meet the older man’s green eyes. “I don’t know, Hal. I really don’t know.”
He pats me on the back. “Pre-fight jitters. I’ve seen it a thousand times. You’re gonna be fine, sweetheart, and so is he. This is what he’s been training for. You gotta believe he can do it.”
“I believe he can ... I really do. But how am I supposed to be okay with watching someone try to hurt him?”
Hal shrugs. “It’s all part of the game. You’ll feel better in a bit. All your friends are waiting for you.”
With another shaky breath, I let him lead me down to the main level and out onto the floor. People call my name as I walk by, and I smile blindly at them but I don’t stop. I can’t possibly make conversation right now with someone who needs me to be “on.” I don’t have it in me.
As soon as I spot Harlow and Jimmy, Monroe and Nate, Ryan and Christine, and Kelsey and her brother Jon, a layer of nerves fades away. They’re my people, and if I’m freaking out, they’ll understand.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whisper as I scoot down the row past Harlow and Monroe.
“Girl, you look ...insane. Good God.”
I’ve long since forgotten about what I’m wearing and have to glance down at the dress to remember. “Oh, yeah. Thank you.”
Harlow catches on first. “Shit, you look like you’re going to puke.”