“Goddamn it, Cate.” The older man schools, placing his hands on his hips.
“I agree with her, it’s bullshit you don’t let women in here.” She shrugs, not even looking at him as she flips a page. “Your theory that men hit harder is as much trash as the inspirational quotes you feed your fighters.” She rolls her eyes. I look the other way, not sure what I walked into. Clearly there is some tension between the two.
“Look, I’m sure you look tough in the mirror, but this is no place for a girl,” he groans. “Why don’t you try swimming, or gymnastics?” My mouth nearly hits the floor it drops so fast. My insecurities are yelling at me to turn around, but my pride tells me not to back down so easily.
Fiona told me not to leave until I showed them what I could do. What if this is the only place in Chicago that trains? If I don’t do this, I’ll always wonder what if.
“I’m-I’m not leaving until you let me prove I have what it takes.” I nod, as if I’m reassuring myself I got this. I know I do, it’s just been so long since I’ve fought another person, what if I get in there and freeze?
“Excuse me?” Thomas tilts his head to the side in question.
“You heard me. Let me fight and show you I belong here.” An uncontrollable flush of heat ripples up my limbs from a sudden surge of confidence.
“And if I let you into my ring and you tap out, what do I get?” Thomas asks.
I blink slowly, not sure how to answer that.
“Um…”
He holds the pink jock strap up, a gleam in his eye. “You’re my cleaning lady.”
This asshole. Pursing my lips, I cross my arms in front of my chest. I have to win this bet, I have to show this sexist asshole that a pissed off woman is more to fear than any man.
“Alright, but if I don’t tap out, you have to train me... For free!” I point at him angrily.
He laughs as if there’s no way that’s happening and then holds his hand out.
“Deal.”
Shaking his hand, I accept.
“Deal.”
“Cate, grab her some gloves.”
“You got it, Thomas.” Cate jumps over the counter. Seeing her body for the first time I can tell she works out. She’s not ripped, but is well toned.
Dropping my bag, I stretch. Bouncing on the balls of my feet, and rolling my neck to loosen up. Berating thoughts slamming into my head one after another.
“Tracey!” Thomas hollers, his eyes smiling at me.
A lump forms in my throat from the wicked grin on his face.
“You knock Tracey out, or make him tap out, I’ll train you.” Thomas lifts his chin.
A big burly man steps up behind Thomas. He’s sweaty and looks to be about one hundred and fifty pounds. He has an overgrown red Mohawk, with the rest of his head shaved. Freckles dusting his crooked nose.
“How much does he weigh?” I squeak. My body cringes thinking about receiving a punch from Tracey.
“What are you now Tracey? One thirty? One fifty? Ah, you can take him.” Thomas smiles big, throwing his hand at me dismissively.
“Sorry, as I said before, we don’t train girls here so you’ll have to fight Tracey. If that’s a problem though, I understand your forfeit.”
“No!” I spit. “It’s fine.” I’m going to die.
“Here we go, these should fit.” Cate grabs my hands and begins to wrap them with fighting tape. It helps protect the knuckles. I, however, can’t take my eyes off Tracey. He’s massive.
“Tate here wants to fight.”
“Me?” Tracey points to himself then looks at me as if I’d lost my mind. His dark eyes wide with surprise.
Thomas nods his head.
“Coach…” Tracey begins to shake his head in rejection.
“It’s fine, she’s a little girl,” Thomas insults. “You might take it easy on her, though.” Thomas walks to the ring leaving a wake of malicious chuckles.
“Hey.” Cate’s voice grabs my attention. Looking at her, her green eyes focused on wrapping my other hand.
“You got this. Tracey is a pussy, do an arm bar and you’ll take him out easily. He can’t figure out how to get out of them so it’ll be a piece of cake.”
Arm bar? I’ve only successfully done that once. Maybe twice now that I’m thinking about it and I was a kid.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because.” She slips my gloves on. “I want to see the look on Thomas’s face when you prove to him women can fight.”
A laugh erupts from my mouth before I can stop it.
She pats my gloves, and shoves a mouth guard into my mouth.
“Go get ‘em.”
Climbing into the ring, my back is covered in sweat, and I know my shirt is soaked beneath my pits. I bet I smell lovely too. God, why am I doing this?
Thomas steps in between us.
“Ready Barbie?” Thomas insults.
I scowl. Now I know why I’m doing this. To prove this asshole I’m no diva.
I nod, biting my mouth guard.
“Tracey?” Thomas glances at my opponent. Tracey gives a sideways glance before nodding.
“Go!” Thomas jumps out of the way. I pounce forward, my arms raised up to protect my face.