Punching and Kissing

SYLVIE

I sat down on my hay bale. My mouth was filling up with coppery, salty blood and I knew that I’d vomit if I swallowed it, so I spat it out.

Rick had left the ring. He knew that we got it. He knew that we’d finish it, now. The only question, for him and the crowd, was how it played out. Had we made a pact...and would we honor it?

I stared at Aedan across the ring. Both of us had tears in our eyes. Both of us knew it had to happen.

I nodded at him and he nodded back, looking relieved. He thought I was going to go through with the plan. He thought I was going to kill him.

And he had to go on thinking that. Right up until the very end.

The bell went and the final round began.