Normally, I wasn’t a fan, however, there was something about the way these were cooked that made them perfect. Or perhaps it was just this night overall. I glanced over at Val as they set her plate in front of her. I knew how much she lovedseafood, so I had selected her to get a lobster tail along with a six-ounce filet mignon.
Val quickly looked over at me, her eyes wide. “Oh, my gosh, Kaden.” She blushed. “This looks amazing.” She shifted in her seat and winced.
“Dig in,” I encouraged, chuckling because I knew the reason behind her wince.
I watched as she took her first bite and melt. “Ugh, it’s perfect.” She smiled while continuing to chew. “They really do go all out for these things, huh?”
I nodded. “They really do.”
Just then, the president returned to the stage, and announced we should continue eating while he got started with the awards, explaining he had quite a few to get through and wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the celebration.
???
Val
I continued to enjoy my meal as people made their way to the stage to accept their awards. When I looked over at Kaden, I could tell he was feeling nervous. I couldn’t imagine being able to get up and fight and coach in front of thousands, and then get nervous to accept an award with only two hundred people in the room.
Finally, they called his name. Kaden stood up slowly as the crowd clapped and cheered. He smoothed the front of his suit jacket and strode toward the stage. I would have tripped. Heaccepted his award and then began his speech, listing all of the people he wanted to thank.
“Val, thank you for being my number one fan and support system. I’m not sure what I pictured for my life at this point, but I know one thing, I could no longer picture it without you.” The audience swooned. His speech continued and suddenly, he threw a curveball. “As you all know, I have been out of the fighting circuit for a while now due to my accident. But this is my official announcement to let you all know… I am returning to the octagon and I would like to challenge Mark Wagner.”
I couldn’t believe what just happened. Kaden challenged my previous trainer.
Part of me found it ridiculously attractive, and then another part of me felt upset that he didn’t mention it to me first.
“So, come on man, it’s your move.” Kaden wrapped up his speech and walked back to the table as everyone cheered even louder than before, shaking his hand and patting his back as he walked past.
As he sat down he looked at me, I wasn’t sure what my face was doing, but I hoped I wasn’t seemingly perturbed.
“Surprise.” He kissed my cheek.
“Wow, what a surprise.” My voice sounded sarcastic.
He sat quiet for a moment. “You’re upset with me?”
“No,” I quickly interjected. “I just wish you would have given me a heads-up, so I knew what to expect, that’s all.” I reassured him. “You’re gonna get back out there, how exciting!”
Suddenly, I noticed the look on his face. There was more. “I want you to fight, too, a rematch against Mia.”
My heart sank.
“You’re ready.” He encouraged me.
I thought for a minute. “Can I think about it? Or are the flyers already printed?”
He laughed. “Of course you can think about it.”
The evening continued, and Kaden and I were bombarded by people wanting to talk to him, congratulate him on the award, and cheer him on for making the decision to get back out there. It should have been overwhelming, but with him… it was tolerable.
When the evening was finally over, Kaden escorted me to his car and opened the door for me. “There’s something I want to show you.” He closed the door once I got in and hurried to the other side so he could get into the driver’s side and finish his thought. “Do you trust me?”
“I trust you.” I smiled at him.
“Good, you’re going to love this.”
Thirty One
Val