Caged: Cellar Door Series (22 page)

Almost through the second round, I finally saw my opening, the twist of my opponents body extending a little too far, leaving part of his back exposed. I kicked out, snapped my leg into the middle of his back knocking him off balance. I began drilling him with fists to his head and body when he turned to face me.  Backing him into the cage I continued to rail on him. When he tried to sag into me to get some relief, I backed up catching him off guard, his body bending forward and setting him up perfectly for my guillotine. A few seconds and a tap later, my arm was in the air.

Matt had the cage door open and was right on my heels as we headed back to my locker room. I had barely cleared the door before he had a bottle of water uncapped and in my hand. I stood guzzling down the room temperature liquid, rehydrating my body while he looked at my side.

“I swear Stanley had a bull’s eye mentally for your damn side JD.” My last opponent had unerring accuracy with the shots he’d landed to the side I’d taken the knife in. I shrugged and continued pouring water down my throat, crinkling the empty bottle when I finished it.

My pulse was just starting to calm down from the fight, my breaths more controlled. I yanked my hoodie on, and took the iPod from Matt. “Figured anyone I fought tonight would.” Planting my ass in a chair, I gave my hands to Matt so he could finish his inspection.

“You did good. Last one coming up. Keep it up and I can almost guarantee you the chance for a legit fight bro.” Matt dropped my hands apparently finding them fine and stood from his squatted position in front of me.

“Got it boss.” I tucked my ear buds in with a smirk, closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall taking advantage of the little bit of down time I was getting.  Non-championship bouts were 3 rounds, each round lasting 5 minutes unless called for a tap out, knock out or disqualification. Even with finishing my fights up before the full 3 rounds, it wore your body down quickly. My final round would be by championship standards, 5 rounds, 5 minutes for each round. I never planned to be in the cage longer than 2 but you always trained like you’d be in there for 10 if you wanted to be successful and I damn sure wanted that.

Matt’s palm lighted on my shoulder and I pushed to my feet shaking out my arms and rolling my shoulders. It was game on and I was ready to rock that shit. We made the walk and I paused to look over to where my girl was standing, a worried smile filling her face. I knew she didn’t like watching the fighting so it meant a shit ton she was still standing there supporting me. I tipped my chin towards her and focused on the cage, slipping my ear buds out handing them along with my iPod off to Matt.  I discard my hoodie before passing through the door back into the cage.  I bounced, flexing my knees in three high jumps to get warmed up. Adrenaline was pulsing through me but I was at complete peace. The Ref stepped between me and Jon “Reaper” Jones.

The tape between our knuckles barely tagged and his first jab was thrown. I dodged my head to the left, the fist missing and struck out with a wicked leg kick hitting his thigh hard. It forced him to step back. Circling, each one of us ghosting out our hands trying to draw the other in, we ate up time on the clock. Tiring of the cat and mouse bull shit, I took the small opening when he dropped his hands back and dove into his legs, getting a single leg and drilling him backwards until he slammed against the cage, my weight against his stomach. I swept the leg he was standing on and both of us hit the ground hard. I recovered seconds faster than Reaper and  gained top position. Reaper slung several punches to the side of my head, one hitting my ear and making that shit ring like a train was blowing a whistle through it. The dude had power and fuck I was going to feel every blow I was taking for a few days.

Keeping control, I laid my forearm across his throat, leaning my weight sink into it which forced him to start pulling at my arm and stop the blows. I hooked one leg around his, our bodies rocking into the cage and away again as we both pulled moves, his to get clear, mine to finish his ass. Feeling like shit was stalling, I got up and away, letting Reaper get back to his feet. We started back in again, both of us landing blows on each other equally. The bell rang drawing me to my side of the cage, Matt immediately hollering instructions to me.I nodded at each one, listening but my eyes never left Reapers face.

Start of the second round I came out with a series of kicks followed by some nicely landed fists. Matt’s instruction was working. He’d noticed the openings I was too close to see and damn if the change up wasn’t doing some nice damage.

We hit the ground, back to our feet, back to blows and back to the ground again. Head over ass, we rolled, each of us moving to get out of the others attempted set up when I finally caught him. He rolled right into the trap I laid for him. I took side control and advantage of his surprise to get into position. It was a fight to pull his arm free and finally submit Reaper with the Americana but I got it done. The tap took longer than most would have waited but I got it, held until the Ref hit my shoulder and shouted tap. I rolled off of Reaper and was up on my feet, my taped fists at my hips as I caught my breath, my head hanging forward letting the sweat drip off my hair and forehead to the mat.

It had been a battle, the fact it was only two rounds didn’t mean shit, it had been two rounds of non-stop action and I felt it, my chest heaving as I regained my normal breathing. A body crashed into me, Matt thrusting a towel in my hand as the Ref pulled up my other arm and declared me the victor. Shouting and cheers filled the basement of Cellar Door, the fans clearly happy with the victory. I followed Matt out of the cage after shaking Reapers hand. There was one other person besides Matt that I wanted to share this with and she was stuck in the crowd.

I pulled to a stop and spoke to the bouncer at the fence that barricaded Kylee’s row from me. Lifting two fingers in the air and motioning with them, I called her to me, lifted her over the fence, then helped Ronnie, and set them to walking towards my locker room before all hell broke loose with the fans.

By the time we entered, Matt was there, amped up, his face all smiles as he paced the room recounting the last match like I hadn’t just been in it.

I wiped the sweat off my face and chest along with a little blood from a wound above my eye; then pulled Kylee into me. “Sorry princess. I’m probably rank but I can’t wait.” My mouth fused to hers as I took a celebratory kiss from her and then some.

Matt slapped a hand against my back causing me to pull back from Kylee’s sweet mouth with a growl. “You see me right? I didn’t go fucking invisible after winning did I bro? Cause I’m pretty fucking sure you interrupt me kissing my girl again and I’ll fuck you up from the floor up.”

Matt flat laughed at me as did Kylee.  “Yeah, I’ll wait on that. Maybe hold my breath too.” Matt was ecstatic and my threat wasn’t going to phase his high in the least. “We need to clean up that cut and are you planning on celebrating?”

I didn’t hesitate in answering. “Not here. I’m not dealing with the crazy fucking fan Cage Crawlers tonight. I’m good going home and partying there.” There was going to be a party in my damn pants soon if Kylee kept rubbing her hips against me. Home was definitely the best choice.

Kylee pressed her lips to mine before backing out of my reach. “Meet you there. I don’t want Ronnie to ride alone.” Ronnie started to protest but Kylee cut her off.  “We came together, we leave together. That’s the rule girl. Now let’s go while we can.”

Matt and I were right behind them after gathering up my stuff, clearing the lingering fans and finally getting to his car. I’d won, big fucking time. It didn’t get much better than having your girl, friends and victory.

I was standing in the kitchen, Kylee leaning her back to my chest as we both sucked down some much needed coffee. The celebrating had gone on for hours, first with drinks and then an even sweeter celebration between my sheets with the perfection that was my hell cat.

Neither of us were surprised when Ronnie followed Matt into the kitchen. There’d been no way in hell she could have driven. What was semi-surprising was the fact when Kylee and I had woken up, Ronnie wasn’t on the couch and Matt’s room door had been shut but then again, I’d felt like something was between those two for weeks.

My side was throbbing and was sporting several shades of blues and purples as was my body and face, badges of the fights from the night before but I was still riding a high. “I’d ask if you both had a rough night but since I was there, there’s no point.” Ronnie gave a little half wave like talking would hurt and given the amount of bourbon the girl had swallowed I was betting it did.

Matt barely grumbled; attacking the Kuerig like it owed him money.

Kylee titled her had back looking up at me. “Can’t believe it’s almost noon already.”  The arm I had wrapped around her waist tightened, hugging her closer to me. I couldn’t get enough of just touching her, of being able to reach out and feel her when I wanted. Shit had changed unbelievably fast between us  and I was still getting used to it. At times it felt like something had finally fallen into its right place inside of me, other times I still tripped over not being what she really deserves. Thank fuck my selfish side won every damn time. I could no more push Kylee away again then I could lay back and not fight back if someone attacked me. It wasn’t an option.

Matt passed the cup he’d just made to Ronnie who greedily began sipping from it and slipped into one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

I glanced over at Matt who was making another cup of coffee and looking like an IV infusion of caffeine would be a better solution. “Kylee agreed to go to Ray’s fight tonight. You still going bro?” My boy winced even though I hadn’t raised my voice at all.

“Yeah. Ronnie said she’d be down to go too.”  Matt’s voice sounded like sandpaper on rocks. Kid had been full force in the celebrating and was paying hell for it.

Kylee, all extra chipper because she’d drunk the least, was grinning. “Oh sweet. Ronnie want to ride together?”

I could feel myself scowling at the thought of her being away from me. “I can give you a ride baby girl.”

Kylee leaned her head back again, tilted it to one side to look up at me. “Puuullleeeaasse. You are going to want to get there early. You seem almost as excited as I’m sure Ray must be about his fight tonight. We can meet you and Matt there.”

My scowl faded into a slow smile. My girl knew me, knew I would want to be there to support Ray. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Oh my god! I need a recorder. Quick someone pull out a phone.” Kylee’s decibels were rising. “I’m right! He just said it!” Kylee set her cup down and turned, wrapping both her arms around my waist as I struggled to keep from dumping my coffee over her head. “YES!”

“ Don’t get used to it baby girl. That’s a damn rarity.” Laughter fell out of my mouth, Matt and Ronnie both groaning and covering their ears. I set my mug on the counter, lifted Kylee up and headed out of the kitchen to relieve our friends from their discomfort and me from mine. All Kylee’s wiggling up against me had caused an immediate throbbing erection.

Kylee’s laughter turned into a sultry smirk when I deposited her on the bed, crawled over her and captured her lips, my tongue finding hers as it got serious. The afternoon faded past us in a blur.

Before I knew it, Kylee was hightailing it home to get ready; Ronnie right behind her, leaving me and Matt to get our shit together and hit the arena.

We’d been at the arena for an hour, talking technique on how Ray planned to run his fight when I got the text that Kylee and Ronnie were pulling in. Kylee sent me the lot number and space they’re parking pass was assigned to.

Matt and I headed out to meet the girls and bring them into the arena to watch Ray when shit went well past south.

The lot the girls were assigned to was dark; several of the pole lights out which struck me as fucked up since the rest of the place was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Matt and I approached Ronnie’s car already on alert that something wasn’t right when we spotted Ronnie hanging limply between two guys that were picking her up off the ground while Kylee was kicking and shouting at a third. The dude trying to get hold of Kylee reared back and back handed her hard across her cheek making her cry out in pain.

I flat fucking lost my shit and launched myself at the dumb fucker, hitting him square in the back and knocking him to the ground. Before he knew what was going on I had him flipped over, pinned beneath my weight as I straddled him and began dropping heavy fists to his face. Everything around me faded out, the only thing I saw were my fists smashing into the asshole’s face and head, delivering blow after blow, both my fists falling in a perfect rhythm, one after the other. He’d dared to touch my girl, my world.

Bone cracked beneath my fists, the dude’s nose flattening sickeningly but I didn’t stop. I hit him harder, his face changing shapes as it swelled, as broken cartilage and bone shifted.

Kylee screaming startled me, broke me from the trance I’d been in. I turned to look over my shoulder at her, both my fists ready to inflict more damage. Thank fuck she hadn’t touched me, that no one had tried, I might not have stopped to see who it was. She was yelling at Matt, had both her hands planted in his chest, trying to keep him from coming closer to me. “Stop it! Don’t Matt. If you try to grab him right now he’ll never forgive himself. You know that.”

I dropped my fists, my arms dangling loosely at my sides before pushing up to stand and step back away from the barely recognizable bloodied man I’d just beaten within an inch of  his pathetic fucking life.