“He knows what he’s talking about. He’s seen your man fight before. MMA is pretty much his most favorite thing ever.” She turns to her brother. “Do you think Legend won that round?”
Jon’s gaze cuts from Kelsey to me. I’m not sure I want him to respond to the question, but I tell myself I need to know anyway.
I nod at Jon, giving him the go-ahead to answer.
Choosing his words carefully, he starts slowly. “It was close. Legend definitely needs to make some decisive moves in the next round if he wants to win it and keep the judges’ scorecards even, if not in his favor.”
I swallow the lump that’s been growing in my throat ever since Gabriel gave me a wink from inside that cage. “Okay. Well, close is better than losing. And hopefully he’ll make some good moves in the second round.”
The words sound foreign coming out of my mouth, and I feel like the total novice I am at this.
Why didn’t I watch more fights? Learn the lingo? Know what to expect?Clearly, I wasn’t thinking right.
Oh yeah, because I was running a business and worrying about the cyber stalker who has been trolling me, and Moses coming to get us, all while falling head over heels in love with an incredible man who I wantnotto get punched in the face anymore, although that last part is a long shot.
Only two more rounds to go. I can do this.I take a deep breath and release it as the men surrounding both Bodhi and Gabe pack up their buckets and walk out.
The ref moves back to the middle of the cage when Bodhi and Gabriel are on their feet again. The bell sounds, and Bodhicharges.He flat-outrunsat Gabriel across the cage, grabs him around the waist, and throws him to the canvas.
“Oh my God!” Monroe screeches from a few seats down, but I stay silent.
Oh God. No. No. No.
They grapple on the canvas, each man fighting for position with fists and elbows flying. Somehow, Gabe wraps him up in a hold and stops the blows Bodhi is raining down on his face.
Oh God, Gabe. Come on, stud. You can do this.
They roll around, shifting positions over and over, and Jon keeps a running commentary behind me.
“Good, Legend. Keep him in your guard. You got this.”
A few moments later, Bodhi breaks free and scrambles to a standing position. Gabe bounces up to his feet before Bodhi can come back at him on the canvas.
“All right, all right. Let’s see who’s got the better technical skills here,” Jon says, but I don’t really know what that means.
They start to box like Gabriel did with the pads. Each moves quickly, darting in and out. Bodhi lands a hard shot and Gabriel stumbles back a few steps, shaking his head.
“Fuck, he hurt him,” Jon whispers just loudly enough for me to hear.
Part of me wants to tell him to keep that kind of comment to himself, but the other part of me needs to know what’s going on through an expert’s eyes.
“Come on, Legend!” Harlow screams from beside me. “Hit him!”
Gabriel moves forward, ducking under one of Bodhi’s flying hands that looks like it would feel like getting hit with an anvil if it connected. When Bodhi’s jaw is exposed, Gabriel’s fist flashes out with lightning speed, and Bodhi’s head snaps back.
“Fuck yeah! That’s a fight!” someone in the crowd screams from behind me.
The roar of the crowd grows as the men trade punches and the clock ticks down. A wooden clapping sound echoes in the club.
“Ten seconds!”
Bodhi charges forward, his elbow slicing through the air. Gabriel loses his balance and lands on his ass, and more than anything, I want to scream, “No!”But I’m too terrified that I’ll distract him. Bodhi pounces, landing on him and going after his face with those bricks he calls hands.
“Five seconds!” someone yells as Gabriel covers up and kicks out a leg, catching Bodhi in the thigh.
“You can make it, man!” Jon yells.
Finally, the bell dings and the ref jumps in between the men, pulling Bodhi away from Gabriel. As Gabriel rises, blood drips down his face from a cut above his eyebrow and his nose.