Love Against the Ropes

Round 11

Nick sat in the back as Coach Hunter wrapped his hands with medical tape. He was focused and ready to get this over with. Every now and then his mind would drift away to thoughts about Aree. He just wanted her in his arms again. Nick cleared his mind and thought about the fight ahead of him. It was ten 3 minute rounds and Nick was ready. He could do more like twelve but the matchmaker Don insisted on it being ten which, now reflecting back on it made Nick wonder why he had been so adamant. Hunter finished wrapping his hands as Nick tested them out, flexing his fingers and balling his hand into a fist. “So you sure this is going to work?” Coach Hunter asked him. “Of course. Coach P will take care of minor details for me. I just need you to assist me in the ring,” he told him getting up to shadow box.

Aree sat nervously at the bar downing shots of Jack Daniels. She needed to calm her nerves before this fight. Nick assured her it would be okay but she still felt uneasy. Aree chose that drink in particular because it was the only drink her mom kept in the house and after she passed, Aree drank from them whenever she felt the stresses of being a teenager. Luckily with her dad being away so much it was easy to access. She poured a small amount on the counter forming a small pool. She then raised the glass, “I love you mom,” she spoke to no one and drank the shot. Just as she was ordering another drink she noticed a man staring daggers at her. She side eyed the man never turning her head and ordered her drink. The figure walked up to her sitting a seats away at the bar. From what she could tell he was incredibly tall, and handsome that was obvious. He had dark brown hair and green eyes. His shoulders were broad but she could also make out a faint red beard lining his chiseled jawline. Aree was speechless but kept her gaze to herself while forcing another shot down her throat. She groaned and shook her head, letting the liquid burn her throat. She coughed a little unaware the attractive stranger had been watching her the whole time. He sauntered over, drink in hand and sat down next to her. He placed his hand gently on her back. Aree instantly felt better. She gazed at his green eyes, they reminded her of someone but she couldn’t remember who. “Hi,” He said to her lifting his drink to say cheers. Aree stared back before realizing what was going on and lifted an empty glass to him in return. He chuckled at her and took a swig from his glass. Aree tried to do the same before quickly realizing her it was empty. She put the glass down embarrassed and looked away. The music was loud and there were some people dancing, others were gambling but most were drinking. The stranger leaned in to say something to Aree to which she replied, “Of course!” She could never resist a dance invitation and this guy would be a welcome distraction.

Nick paced back and forth thinking about the fight ahead of him. He was looking to make a fourth round knockout and end this quickly. He was taking a huge risk by not throwing fight but Nick was confident his plan was going to work. Hunter stared blankly at the gray walls not saying anything. After a few moments his phone lit up. Coach P was on the other end letting them know that everything was good to go. Nick sighed in relief and bounced up and down trying to keep his body warm in preparation for the fight. Hunter nodded at him as he gazed over at the clock. It was 11:30pm. Nick had 30 minutes. The countdown had started making Nicks stomach turn in knots. It was nothing new, he would get this way before any fight but this win was the most important in his career. Coach Hunter stood and opened the door. Nick finished putting his gloves on and hopped up bouncing all the way out and towards the ring. The ring announcer was already calling out his opponent Lugas Ledic and as he called out his name, Nick heard the crowd erupt with cheers and applause. “Drunk idiots,” he thought to himself as he walked next to Hunter. Nick looked down as he finally made his appearance walking out and throwing up his hands forcefully. There was a mix of cheers and boos as Nick waved out the crowd and some of his loyal fans. He scanned the crowd looking for Aree but couldn’t see her yet. He thought nothing of it. He didn’t mind if she missed this fight anyway it was going to be very intense. Nick entered the ring, running a lap around making eye contact with Lugas as he stood in his corner shaking his arms out. Lugas’s coach was some Russian guy Nick had never seen before. “Strange,” he thought Aree said her dad or someone he knew was the coach. Nicks thoughts were interrupted as the announcer finished the last of the fighter stats. The two guys came in as the referee held each of their wrists and went over the rules of the ring. Nick and Lugas stared each other down, touching gloves but never losing eye contact. The bell sounded and the two guys step to each other prepared to engaged in ten rounds of hell. Aree looked on from the back of the crowd where she was sure Nick would not see her. She wanted this to go as smooth as possible so she and the kind stranger chose to stay back. Just as Aree was getting into the fight she felt light headed and wanted to sit. Next Aree feels her eyes get heavy as she slumps in the kind strangers arms.