Chapter 12 #2
He nods, then finishes his water bottle.
“Well, I’m sure you can get help with that after the championship,” I reply, a crimson tide surging through my neck and cheeks.
There have been so many times since I moved here I wished I didn’t blush so easily.
I’m reminded of him in room two with the hot girl.
I haven’t seen her this weekend, but she may be around.
Grabbing a container of muffins for the other guys, I stack it on top of the chips. “Are you ready to go?” I ask.
He steps closer and takes the containers from me.
When we get outside, he leads the way, holding my hand this time.
I give E and Seb their snacks and ask where the rest of the guys are.
Bay went to watch a seminar, and Alex is checking in with everyone.
Not wanting to brave the crowds myself, I take a seat beside them.
“How ya doing, Sunshine?” Seb asks, munching on his chips.
“Good. How do you like being an announcer?”
“It’s fun. But it’s hard to see the fights.”
“You can join us after you announce the championship fight in the stands.”
“I will,” he smiles.
Alex comes into the tent with Markus. “I am going to get the 3rd place prize for Markus now. I will be back in a few minutes,“ he tells me, then walks off.
Seb announces the second semifinal match as Hunter and another fighter enter the closest cage. “This should be interesting,” Markus comments. “Ceres is new to the area. He fought in the Pacific Northwest before this year, and he’s good.”
I get up on the bench again between E and Seb to watch.
The two fighters have unique styles, but they’re both good.
Nick joins us after the first round, standing in front of me to study Ceres.
At the end of the fourth round, I ask him what he thinks.
“Hunter will lose. He doesn’t know how to fight in this style. ”
“Do you?” I ask.
He nods. “Haven’t seen it in a long time, though.”
Ceres wins the fight as Nick predicted, and neither seems to be injured.
Nick stays with us as the fighters leave the cage.
The judges determine 3rd place based on rounds won throughout the tournament between Juan and Hunter, and Juan is victorious.
Markus presents him with his trophy and cash prize as the crowd claps for him.
There’s an hour before the last fight as Markus pulls Nick aside to strategize, but he’s still restless. He seems calm on the outside, but I know him well enough now to detect it. He’s tapping his fingers and keeps looking around.
I do a final check with Alex around the grounds before we take our seats in the stands for the championship fight.
Our group has filled out the top right side of the stands.
Between me, the guys, Holly, Jaxon, Gabby and Finn employees, there’s about 15 of us.
I take a seat between Holly and Zander as Seb announces the fighters, then makes his way through the sizable crowd around the cage.
Nick looks focused as he takes his place, and Ceres seems very relaxed.
As the first round begins, neither fighter makes a move, and there's a tense silence hanging in the air. A minute passes before Ceres explodes into action. Nick parries most blows but doesn’t successfully return any hits.
In round two, Nick counters with calculated aggression, assessing Ceres’ strategy as both fighters get solid hits in.
By the third round, they switch between offense and defense.
Nick’s movements are now smoother, anticipating Ceres’ strikes.
When the bell’s sharp clang signals the end of round four, Nick is smiling with a relaxed grin as he sips water and discusses strategy with Markus.
Round five begins, and the fighters erupt into a breathtaking dance of skill, weaving in and out in a whirlwind of fists and feet. Cheering echoes through the crowd. It’s nonstop action until the final bell rings. Both fighters share a smile and do the bro-hug thing.
Sitting down, I look at Zander. “I don’t think he won.”
“I’m not sure. It was close. What a fight, though,” he replies.
The judges’ decision is taking longer than expected.
Finally, Markus’ voice comes over the PA system.
“The winner is Ceres!” Markus exclaims. As he receives his trophy and cheque, the crowd erupts into a loud round of applause.
Nick is nodding and clapping with the rest of us for him.
Markus presents Nick with his second-place trophy and cheque as we cheer for him, then Juan joins them in the cage for a photo.
“Can we have Alex and Summer join us at the officials’ booth, please?” Markus announces. He thanks our sponsors, instructors, fighters, security, and the crowd for joining us.
Zander and Troy lead me and the guys through the crowd to the tents. I’m not sure why Markus called us down here, but Alex and I enter the tent with everyone else waiting outside. “Here they are,” Markus announces.
“Is there a problem?” I inquire.
“No, no,” he waves. “We just need a photo of you with the winners,” he tells us.
“Oh,” I say, looking at Alex. He smiles and steers me over to stand beside Nick.
We have our picture taken with the fighters, then Markus joins us for another picture.
Alex asks Markus to take a few photos with his phone as well.
We start with a picture of Nick and me, then move on to one of Nick, Alex, and me, and end with one of Nick and Ceres.
I congratulate Ceres on his win and get a nod in reply, then Alex and I step back outside with our crew. Almost everyone has left already. The stands are being closed up, and the booths dismantled. People are working fast. “So, what’s next?” Troy asks.
“We have a cleanup crew working now,” Alex replies, “and they will take away the rentals this evening. After that, we will do a second cleanup.”
“Are you coming home now, Summer, or are you staying for a while?” Zander asks.
“I’d like to stay until everything is done,” I tell him.
“We’ll drop her home when we’re done,” Seb offers.
“Okay,” Zander responds. “Troy, you can head out. I’ll stay with security until they’re done.”
Troy nods, putting his arm around Gabby. “Let’s go home, Gabs,” he says. She says goodbye to us as they walk towards the parking area, and Zander breaks off to check in with his employees.
As the workers and volunteers complete packing, Alex and I walk around offering thanks. Since Markus is in charge of payments, we can focus on dismantling the tents.
When everything has been picked up and the cleanup crew is doing a final round, we go back inside to the third floor. Nick is leaving his room, freshly showered, when we enter. He moves straight towards me and picks me up for a hug. “Thank you, Shortie.”
“You’re very welcome, Grumpy.” I’m so happy he enjoyed himself. Despite his beliefs, he deserves this.
He bro hugs the other guys as we all get comfy on the couch. They discuss the match, and Nick isn’t upset at all that he lost. He invited Ceres to train with him in Mt. Pleasant since he’s based in Charleston. “Is he going to switch all his training to your place?” I ask him.
“Not sure. He’s gonna check it out first.”
“Ready to go home, Sunshine?” Seb asks, standing up from the couch.
“Sure. Alex, is there anything left to do?” I don’t want to leave something on Alex’s plate if I can help him, but he assures me everything is done.
I nod and go to my room to grab my backpack and overnight bag. I purchased my new bag when I went shopping with Gabby and Holly last week, and it’s big enough for a three-day weekend. I leave the room as Seb and E enter, closing the door behind me to have a moment of privacy.
Bay gives me a hug, then leaves. Seb joins us as I thank Alex again for all his help and for hosting. I hop in the back of the Jeep, and then we’re off. We are all quiet as Nick drives me home. I think the busy weekend has worn us out.
Seb jumps out and gives me a hug when we get to my house, and Nick hands me my bags before kissing my forehead. I’m shocked still for a minute. He says nothing to me, just gets back into the driver’s seat. Seb winks at me as he gets back into his seat. “Bye, Sunshine,” he waves as Nick pulls out.
I wave back after I clear my stupor, then enter the house to find Zander watching television from the couch. “Hey darling. Is everything done?”
“Yeah. You’d never know we were there.”
“The tournament was fantastic. I’m so proud of you. If I didn’t know better, I would swear you had a year to plan it. Everyone I talked to was impressed.”
“Thanks.” His praise means a lot to me. “Couldn’t have pulled it off without Alex and Markus, though. I’m going to get some laundry going and take a shower.”
I join Zander on the couch after I’m ready for bed. I skipped my run on Saturday because of the tournament, but it’s back to the routine tomorrow. We eat popcorn and watch a few episodes of tv before I go to my room. Turning on my tv, I get caught up on homework for school and Sarah’s homework.
Since the kidnapping, Sarah and I’ve been talking twice a week.
Each night I’m supposed to pick a tiny part of the ordeal and talk myself through it.
As I talk to Seb every night, he often helps me.
Zander has a few times, too. I shoot Seb a text to see if he’s busy, and my phone rings almost immediately. “Hi Hurry.”
“Sunshine, what are we working on tonight?” he greets.
“I’m running out of things to work through that aren’t the shower.”
“I know. Let’s tackle part of it. How about when you were first put in there?”