Read Online Paradise Fought: Abel by L. B. Dunbar - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: L. B. Dunbar
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actually worked out earlier in the day in preparation. I could almost sense the endorphins releasing within me. I would feel no pain. The warrior in me was anxious for the fight. Oxygen entered through every cell of my skin. I breathed deep, controlled breaths as I took in air.
You’re worthless. Can’t you do anything right? The words haunted me, adding additional hunger for the fight. Inhale. Exhale. Practice punch.
The door was open and the cheers of the crowd signaled the end of the match before mine. I stood and followed Shepherd’s lead. I didn’t have a team of supporters like other fighters. I worked alone, as much as I could. In my heart, I was tired of being alone, though. That’s why I noticed her.
She was there, closer to the ring this time.
“Concentrate,” Shepherd bleated to me, as I warmed up in my corner. I rolled my shoulders, stretched my arms. My eyes tried to focus on my opponent, but she was right behind him outside the makeshift ring; a ray of sunshine beneath the dark waters. I blinked to remove thoughts of her. The announcer called my name. I might have imagined it, but the crowd’s response seemed louder. This was my third fight here. I was hoping this was my third win. I felt lucky.
My heart raced as we were called to center. My opponent was a smaller man. I was surprised we were in the same weight class. I had been working to increase my overall body mass and my weight. Shepherd wanted me ten pounds heavier, saying it would be safer in the middleweight class. I was too close to the cut off line. My advantage, I was told, was my fluid movement. Deliberate, controlled, methodical, like liquid. Shepherd said, I gracefully swam through the ring, anticipating the moves of my rival, like a betta fish.
My opponent danced around me. It was almost like he was chasing me. While I was an amateur, his moves were like a little kid in a schoolyard. It almost seemed unfair, but my arm lashed out and his head snapped back. He lunged for me like he wanted to take me to the ground, but we simply connected in an awkward embrace. He struggled as we remained upright. His swings only tapped at my back in his attempt to wrestle me. This was ridiculous, I thought, twisting my leg to wrap around his calf. My opponent tumbled. Landing on top of him, it was a clean knock-out in one round.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but I was only concerned with one person. Had she seen me? Her fingers were laced into the makeshift ring. The fights weren’t legal and the warehouse tonight didn’t support the space for the travelling cage. Intense blue eyes focused on me in question. I stared a little too long and her eyebrows rose. I turned away quickly, allowing Shepherd to guide me out of the arena.
Inside the small closet of space considered my changing room, I heard her.
“Betta?” A hint of accent mixed with her sweet voice. I recognized the tone. She was trying to flirt her way into the room. I stood quickly and turned my back on her. While I was interested in her, I wasn’t ready to reveal myself. Shepherd took my subtle headshake as refusal to see her. It wasn’t a smart move for someone wanting to build a reputation, but it couldn’t be her. It couldn’t be here.
“Not tonight, sweetheart,” Shepherd said behind me.
“But…” The voice trailed off as the door closed to keep her out and my secret in.
Thor was charged after the fight like I assumed he would be. His win was a natural sort of high, not induced by drugs. The thrill from the fight was contagious. A party was planned in celebration of his victory and his place was crammed with fans. Everyone wanted to touch him. Every guy wanted to clap him on the back like a long lost friend. Every girl wanted to hug him in congratulations. I needed to grab his attention. Playing the vixen, I sauntered up to him like I’d witnessed my mother do on several occasions. I didn’t even say a word, just slipped between another girl and him, letting his arm
You’re worthless. Can’t you do anything right? The words haunted me, adding additional hunger for the fight. Inhale. Exhale. Practice punch.
The door was open and the cheers of the crowd signaled the end of the match before mine. I stood and followed Shepherd’s lead. I didn’t have a team of supporters like other fighters. I worked alone, as much as I could. In my heart, I was tired of being alone, though. That’s why I noticed her.
She was there, closer to the ring this time.
“Concentrate,” Shepherd bleated to me, as I warmed up in my corner. I rolled my shoulders, stretched my arms. My eyes tried to focus on my opponent, but she was right behind him outside the makeshift ring; a ray of sunshine beneath the dark waters. I blinked to remove thoughts of her. The announcer called my name. I might have imagined it, but the crowd’s response seemed louder. This was my third fight here. I was hoping this was my third win. I felt lucky.
My heart raced as we were called to center. My opponent was a smaller man. I was surprised we were in the same weight class. I had been working to increase my overall body mass and my weight. Shepherd wanted me ten pounds heavier, saying it would be safer in the middleweight class. I was too close to the cut off line. My advantage, I was told, was my fluid movement. Deliberate, controlled, methodical, like liquid. Shepherd said, I gracefully swam through the ring, anticipating the moves of my rival, like a betta fish.
My opponent danced around me. It was almost like he was chasing me. While I was an amateur, his moves were like a little kid in a schoolyard. It almost seemed unfair, but my arm lashed out and his head snapped back. He lunged for me like he wanted to take me to the ground, but we simply connected in an awkward embrace. He struggled as we remained upright. His swings only tapped at my back in his attempt to wrestle me. This was ridiculous, I thought, twisting my leg to wrap around his calf. My opponent tumbled. Landing on top of him, it was a clean knock-out in one round.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but I was only concerned with one person. Had she seen me? Her fingers were laced into the makeshift ring. The fights weren’t legal and the warehouse tonight didn’t support the space for the travelling cage. Intense blue eyes focused on me in question. I stared a little too long and her eyebrows rose. I turned away quickly, allowing Shepherd to guide me out of the arena.
Inside the small closet of space considered my changing room, I heard her.
“Betta?” A hint of accent mixed with her sweet voice. I recognized the tone. She was trying to flirt her way into the room. I stood quickly and turned my back on her. While I was interested in her, I wasn’t ready to reveal myself. Shepherd took my subtle headshake as refusal to see her. It wasn’t a smart move for someone wanting to build a reputation, but it couldn’t be her. It couldn’t be here.
“Not tonight, sweetheart,” Shepherd said behind me.
“But…” The voice trailed off as the door closed to keep her out and my secret in.
Thor was charged after the fight like I assumed he would be. His win was a natural sort of high, not induced by drugs. The thrill from the fight was contagious. A party was planned in celebration of his victory and his place was crammed with fans. Everyone wanted to touch him. Every guy wanted to clap him on the back like a long lost friend. Every girl wanted to hug him in congratulations. I needed to grab his attention. Playing the vixen, I sauntered up to him like I’d witnessed my mother do on several occasions. I didn’t even say a word, just slipped between another girl and him, letting his arm
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