12. Drew
CHAPTER 12
DREW
I t’s been a week and all three of us are getting restless. Especially Caine, and I’m about to be right there with him. We’ve started sparring daily so we can both get our aggression out. Adam and I are still working and teaching classes, but every day that passes, it feels worse and worse knowing we’re still here without any answers and not feeling like we are any closer to getting Max back.
Caine and I are gearing up for another fight after the last class leaves for the day. I’m wrapping my hands while he warms himself up. We don’t say too much, but in a way this is bonding for us. Neither of us are talkative guys, but doing this feels like a mutual agreement we’re using to cope.
Adam hasn’t been on my ass about my injury, which has been nice. I think he realizes just how badly I need the outlet. Caine may be unhinged as fuck, but he wouldn’t pull any dirty moves to reinjure me.
Even remembering the day I got hurt a few months ago sends a wave of pain directly to my knee. I know it’s not something I’m likely to ever forget, but moving on and fighting again is helping get me through this new pain of missing Max. The helpless feeling that washes over me when I think of her is something I’ve never experienced before. Not even the day of my injury.
“Keep your head on for this one, I don’t trust him,” Adam says before the fight. I’m in the zone, working on my pre-fight rituals, warming up and only half listening.
“Yup,” I say to placate him.
“Remember his weak spots. Use them to your advantage. It should be an easy win for you.”
I nod, again to placate him.
I’m called up, and get into the cage while Adam gives me a couple last minute pointers. It’s all things he’s told me before and I’m just ready to get this started.
My opponent looks ready to kill, and that look doesn’t go away even once the signal goes off to start the fight. We circle each other and he tries to swipe at me, but misses. I take the opportunity to try and go at him, getting a solid choke, but he’s able to break out of it with an illegal hit.
I grunt out in pain, waiting for a call that doesn’t come. I’m not going to let it throw me off. We continue the round, and into another. That’s when everything seems to go south.
I get behind him, getting another choke, but this time I know how he will plan to break out of it and I’m ready.
It’s the next move that I don’t anticipate. Before I’m able to take him to the ground, his leg rears back and he drives his foot right into my knee, kicking it in. I let go, dropping down in pain with a loud roar.
I can’t hear what’s going on with the ringing in my ears, but I’m not hit anymore. My knee hurts more than anything I’ve ever experienced.
There’s chaos and commotion all around me. I can’t focus on anything other than the pain radiating through my leg.
My vision is filled with white spots; I vaguely realize I’m being taken somewhere. I hear Adam’s voice, but can’t hear exactly what he’s saying. Eventually everything goes dark and when I wake up in the hospital I know before anyone tells me anything that my life is fucked.
“After you two are done fucking around in there, we need to talk,” Adam announces before walking back to his office.
Caine and I look at each other, both clearly wondering what that’s about.
“If it’s something about Max then I want to know now,” Caine says, and I nod in agreement.
We end up meeting with Adam in his office instead of sparring. And Adam looks at us, confused.
“I didn’t mean right now,” he tells us.
“Well, what do you want to talk about?” I question.
“Danner’s coming by later. She has more info.”
“Why isn’t she here now?” Caine demands.
“I don’t know her daily life, but I assume she’s busy and will come talk to us when she can.”
“Come on.” I tap Caine’s chest with the back of my wrapped hand. “Get your anger out in the cage.”
Instead of arguing with me, he does. We both do. And it feels good. My mind is distracted, focusing on the moves. This is why I’ve always enjoyed BJJ the most. I like to think and strategize rather than just fighting to fight.
Caine is good at all aspects of MMA, there’s no doubt about that. His strength is his biggest advantage. He’s a big guy, but he also knows how to use it in his favor, which is what makes him a great fighter. He’s strategic, strong, and powerful and he pays attention. All important details when it comes to MMA. Too bad he knows how good he is because at some point, that will be his downfall. The man doesn’t have a humble bone in his body.
We end up sparring for a few rounds, and it’s the perfect distraction. That is until Danner walks into the gym and we both stop immediately. Caine doesn’t even bother to wipe the beads of sweat from his face before he’s pushing out of the cage and hounding her for updates.
I give her a little bit of space, because I’m sure the last thing she wants is the two of us all over her, asking the same questions while also being assaulted by the smell of our sweat.
Adam comes out, likely hearing Caine and gestures all of us into his office. I’m the last to enter as Danner is laying out the new papers from her folder.
“We have a date for the wedding. It’s in a week,” she says, getting right to the point.
“That’s it, I’m done waiting. I’m going to get her. I don’t care if I have to rip the gate to his house off its hinges, I’m getting my girl,” Caine insists.
“I really hope that won’t be necessary.” Danner shakes her head. “I think there will be a way into the wedding so we can get her out.”
“We?” I question.
“Yeah, I’m helping. I told you this. You guys didn’t think I was just getting this information for you, did you?”
“No offense, but I don’t think we should all be showing up and suddenly trying to take off with the would-be bride,” I tell her gently.
“Just leave the planning to me, okay? Like I said, I’m good at what I do and a big part of that is remaining undetected. Trust me, you need me.”
“We trust you,” Adam says, and I grit my teeth because I hate when he speaks for other people. Especially me.
“Good. You should, so let me work out the details, but be ready to go to Texas in a couple days, and we’re coming back with my friend.”
“Damn right we’re bringing my girl back.” Caine nods.
“Our girl, for fucks sake,” I grumble.
“Don’t argue like this once we’re there. If you guys fuck it up from your massive egos colliding, then I’m going to sell you out to the mob,” Danner threatens and I want to ask if she’s serious. I don’t, but I have a feeling she is.
That probably should worry me, but honestly it makes me glad that Max made friends with her. Because I know that no matter what, she has people looking out for her. Even more than just us.
And I now know that we will be getting her back in just a few short days.