I chew my lip, hoping Killian isn’t getting stage fright. “Come on, Kill. Hit him,” I whisper.
They circle each other, Hugo’s taunts getting wilder.
“He’s gonna drop his hands,” Jonah says.
I don’t know who he’s talking about, but tension between Jonah and Blake strings tight as they hover close to the television.
“That’s it.” Blake says. “He’s waiting for him to—”
Hugo drops his hands.
Killer swings.
Connects to Hugo’s jaw.
The guy drops.
“Holy fuck!”
“Knock out!”
Blake and Jonah are yelling in unison while the roar of cheers from the training center are almost deafening.
Ryder tackles me from the side as I watch a startled Hugo stagger to his feet only to fall again.
“He did it!” Ryder shakes me from my shock. “His first fight and he knocked the guy out in thirty-seven seconds!”
Jonah’s hands are in his hair. Blake’s are propped on his hips, and all of us stare at the screen with grins so big we can hardly contain them.
“He did it.” My voice shakes with the powerful emotions swirling inside me. “I knew he could do it.”
The announcer holds up Kill’s hand, and I can’t help but laugh at the mix of joy and shock on Killian’s face. Something tells me he thought he’d have to work a little harder for this win.
Caleb wraps him in a hug and says something in Killian’s ear that makes him nod. Then Kill disappears behind bodies as his training crew surrounds him in congratulatory hugs.
All of them, including Fleur.
She winds her way through the bodies and presses her front to his. The camera zooms in, and I don’t miss the way all the guys back off a bit to give them space. In what seems like slow motion, I watch as Killian curls his upper body around her. I swallow hard when he closes his eyes. Time freezes as I bear witness to the intimate embrace.
The volume comes back as they rip apart and Killian pulls a shirt on over his head and pops on a hat when a mic is shoved into his face.
“Knockout in thirty-seven seconds, Killer. Can you walk us through that fight?”
He looks almost embarrassed. “Yeah, uh… I thought he’d come at me more aggressively, so I was waiting for him to charge, but…” He’s still breathing heavily. “He never did, so I waited for a clean shot.”
“Everyone thought you’d go for the takedown. Is there a reason why you didn’t?”
“I expected the fight would end up on the ground, but I wanted to keep it a standup as long as I could.” He chuckles. “Guess it worked.”
“It certainly did. Excellent fight. I predict we’ll be seeing a lot more from you.”
“I hope so.” Killian’s eyes come to the camera, and I flinch at the intensity of his stare. It’s as if he’s looking right at me, right through me.
“Killer McCreery, the UFC’s next superstar…” The announcer goes on, and Killian lifts his fist to his chest.
With his thumb up, he traces an “X” over his heart.
Cross my heart.
He brings his fist to his lips when someone pulls on him from behind.
Was that for me? Was that our cross your heart?
My pulse pounds, and just as I’m about to grab my phone and text him to confess how much I miss him, how I love him and will wait for him until he comes home, he gets knocked into by a blur of dark blond hair.
Fleur.
She hops into his arms, and he wraps her up tight, smiling down at her. I watch in horror as she tilts her head and presses her lips to his.
I suck in a breath, and the camera shot moves to the commentators, cutting me off from the view of Killian and his…his…girlfriend?
“Kiddo?” Blake looks down at me, concern pinching his features. “You okay?”
I sniff and realize a few tears escaped my eyes. “Of course.” I push back my shoulders, which only makes Blake scowl. “I’m so happy.” I force a shaky grin. “I’m really happy for Killian.”
All three men in the room study me like I might be unstable, and I’m grateful Blake’s the only one of the three who knows about my condition.
I blow out a breath and stand, patting my pockets for my keys. “That was some fight. I uh…” need an excuse to leave. “I’m tired. I’m gonna go ahead and head home.”
Blake steps closer. “Axelle—”
“Could you tell Mom I’ll call her tomorrow?” I make my way to the door. “Please?”
Blake nods and Jonah and Ryder watch me with curiosity.
“Great, um…” I lick my lips. “Awesome fight. I’ll uh… I’ll see you guys later.”
I whirl around and beeline to my car, barely holding back the torrential downpour of tears.
Twenty-six
Killian
My life changed dramatically in the span of thirty-seven seconds.
I walked into that octagon a nobody and walked out a fucking rock star. I have a publicist, an assistant, and an accountant. I don’t even have to talk to them, and they all manage my shit behind my back.