Tracey steps forward, his hands raised as well.
Circling each other he suddenly jabs, and I duck. It was pathetic, there was no power behind his strike.
Is he weak, or is he deliberately trying not to hit me hard because I’m a girl?
His hands raised, he’s leaving his torso uncovered. Taking the opportunity I give a one two punch into his gut. He grunts and instantly covers his stomach with his hands. I twist and elbow strike him in the face. He stumbles, shaking his head as if to clear the pain away.
“Come on Tracey! You’re getting your ass kicked by a girl, son!” Thomas’s brows furrow in distress, nervous he’s going to lose the bet.
Tracey tries to throw another pathetic punch and I go in for a single leg take down, praying I don’t screw it up. Grabbing his leg with my hands, I squeeze it between my thighs, smash down on it to where his other knee buckles, and turn quickly throwing him down. He goes down with ease and I’m shocked.
“For fuck’s sake Tracey!” Thomas becomes irate from the sidelines.
“I’m not hitting a girl coach!” he slurs around his mouth guard.
“I can see why, you suck,” I insult.
“Who is that fighting him?” A familiar gravelly voice grabs my attention from the fight, chills suddenly running down my spine despite my rising body temperature. Glancing over to the side of the ring a man stands facing Thomas, all I see is his side profile, but it looks more than familiar. His hair is short and unruly, and cheeks holding a five o’clock shadow.
“Camden?”
Before I can react, Tracey grabs me around the neck and plows me to the floor hard, trying to lock me up tight. I can’t move. Was that Camden? I try to look, and Tracey tightens his hold.
Trying to refocus back on the fight, I have to think about my next move carefully. It’s like I forgot everything I know - which is limited. If I move my arm out too much I’m going to get submitted. He’ll apply so much pressure on it I’ll have no choice but to tap out.
Images of Camden flash in my mind, making it hard to think. Memories of the light stubble growing on his defined cheek bones, and the way his vivid blue eyes looked at me with such disappointment before I left four years ago flash in my eyes.
Focus.
Closing my eyes, I push all thoughts of Camden from my head.
Trying to catch my breath, I slip my hand under Tracey’s body, lay my leg straight before positioning it between his and hug him. I have no idea what this move is called, but I see them do it all the time on TV.
“Fuck, just tap out,” Tracey pants in my ear.
“Fuck you,” I grit through my bite guard. “You tap out.”
He tries to hook me in the face with his fist, and I slip out from underneath him before he can make contact.
Getting back on his feet I slip in behind him and go for a rear naked choke. Locking my legs around his back, I wrap one arm around his neck, while resting the other on top of his head.
Hoping he’ll tap out, he grabs at my glove on his head and tears my arm free instead.
“Shit!” I wipe the sweat off my forehead, I don’t know what else to do to take this asshole out. I’m out of moves.
“You done yet Barbie?” Tracey taunts. Adrenaline slams into my chest so hard my vision blurs. I can do this.
Pulling my fist back hard, I punch him in the face with all I have and he falls into the ring. That wasn’t a pre calculated move. That was just pure anger rolled into my fist.
“Holy shit!” Thomas’s surprised voice isn’t lost on me.
“Whoa!” That voice, it draws my attention back to the side of the ring.
He’s facing me fully now. Seeing his face for the first time in four years, butterflies swarm in my stomach. It’s definitely Camden. His blue irises lock on mine and I hold my breath. My heart breaks all over again just staring at him. His eyes widen with recognition, and his mouth parts.
Not keeping my mind in the game, I’m suddenly taken down on all fours. Tracey hovers above me, wrapping his arm around my neck, and tucking his head right under my arm. Before I can figure out what he’s doing, he rolls over and chokes me out.
Refusing to tap out, my ears ring. My breathing becoming labored.
“Tap out!” A voice I can’t make out echoes in the background.
I refuse. I won’t.
My vision begins to blur, just as Tracey’s arm is pulled from my neck.
I choke and wheeze pulling every morsel of air I can back into my lungs. Falling to my hands and knees, I try to regain my composure. My hair is a mess sticking to my forehead, and sweat trickles down my face to where I can taste it.
“What the hell was that?” Tracey scolds standing above me. Glancing to where Camden was standing I find him missing. My chest weighs heavy, tears threatening to fill my eyes. I wasn’t prepared to see him.