Epilogue #2
Once the referee uttered, “Break,” we tapped gloves and danced around each other.
I steadied my nerves and calmed my breathing, harnessing my training like I’d done countless times.
The spring of the mat beneath my feet made me feel like I floated around the cage.
I slammed my fist against my chest, encouraging him to hit me.
Goading him. I let him get the first punch in, made him feel as if he had a shot, but then I surprised him with an uppercut, snapping his head back.
He wobbled on his feet and recovered. I wasn’t ready to knock him out just yet.
The first round ended as expected with Jay sporting more cuts than me. His right eyebrow was sliced, and a shadow of a nasty bruise formed along his jaw. I hadn’t completely escaped without consequence, but every time he managed to land a blow, I became more invigorated.
During the minute of rest in between rounds, my team surrounded me.
“You got him,” Trevor shouted next to my ear. “Now end this so we can go home and celebrate.” He wiped my face and splashed water on me. “Is your shoulder still good?”
I nodded, preparing for the next round.
We met in the center of the octagon once more, only instead of dancing around me, Jay rushed me, trying to tackle me around the middle. I sidestepped him at the last minute, but he tried it again.
Another failure.
If he got me on my back, I was confident he wouldn’t succeed in the same move that dislocated my shoulder, but I didn’t want to risk it.
I hopped out of the way once more, landing a blow to the back of his head.
He stumbled forward, but his hand came down and prevented him from falling.
Once he was upright, he bounced on his feet, a fleeting look of worry passing over his face.
There was a moment when I thought he might get the best of me, catching me in the ribs with his foot and almost knocking the wind out of me, but I recovered and moved to the side before he landed another kick.
We exchanged blows, one for one toward the end of the second round. He caught the side of my cheek with a heavy blow, and I landed another hit to his right eye, widening his cut.
When Jay stumbled forward, I kicked him back against the ropes, and for a second, I thought he was going down, but he stumbled forward once more. Only this time, I grabbed a hold of his neck while he was bent over, twisted my body and flipped him onto his back, pummeling his face over and over.
I harnessed my training as best I could, every hit strategic, defensive, but there was a part of me that unleased some of the rage that had been festering inside me for years.
The hit to his cheekbone was for him staying in contact with Gabriel.
The second shot to his temple was for him forgiving what that man had done to our family.
And the third strike, which broke his nose, was for him choosing the man who murdered our mother over his older brother who’d always protected him growing up.
The ref shoved me away, checked on Jay, who was now unconscious, and declared me the winner. The metallic tang of blood and sweat filled the air as waves of relief and triumph coursed through my veins. The belt rested on my shoulder as the ref raised my arm in the air.
The crowd exploded, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I wore the biggest grin after a victory.
In the past, I was pleased with my wins, but I wasn’t a happy man.
I barely ever smiled, and people just assumed that was part of my persona.
But that was the real me. That wasn’t the case these days, though, and I had Sophie to thank for the change.
With this being my last fight, I answered a couple interview questions.
Every breath I took carried a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration, and while my body ached and the bruises started to form, all I could think about was the woman waiting for me in the back room.
Before I left the cage, I looked directly at the camera and winked, hoping she was watching.
Jay had woken up and was being tended to by a doctor.
Gabriel entered the ring and rushed to his side.
He made eye contact with me once but never approached.
He knew better. For as elated as I was about the news of the baby, I still had residual anger in me, and if Gabriel even spoke to me, I’d unleash it on him.
“That’s how you do it!” Trevor shouted at me, collecting me in an excited hug. “Fuck, man, you were awesome.”
“Thanks. I did my best.” A euphoric high descended and gripped me in its embrace.
“And it paid off.”
“Congratulations, Jackson,” Abby said, giving me a quick hug before standing next to Trevor, her smile widening when he pulled her into him. I was thrilled he’d found someone. Abby was a good choice for him.
Elton and Lance sang my praises as we all headed toward the back room. My steps were hurried. I needed to see her, and I couldn’t wait one more second.
I burst through the room, and she rushed toward me, jumping into my arms, not a care in the world that I was bloody and covered in sweat.
“Oh my God, Jax. You were amazing.” She kissed me with wild abandon, her lips never tasting so sweet.
“You watched?” I tightened my hold around her, not wanting to let her go.
“I did. There were a couple times I had to look away, but I saw most of it, especially the end. I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“And now it’s over.”
“Are you upset about that?” she asked, more color in her face than before. I was happy to see she was feeling better.
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to this next chapter of our lives. Which, by the way, we have to start looking for a bigger place. There’s no way we can all fit into my apartment.”
“We have some time.”
Sophie smiled at me with such love, my heart nearly exploded.
I thought when I finally ended my career, I’d be sad, disappointed, or restless about the decision, but all I experienced right then was gratitude.
For the long career I’d had.
For my team, who stuck by me, no matter what.
And for the woman who’d stormed into my life, flipped me on my ass, and blessed me with true, unconditional love.
THE END