Page 9 of Strike Zone

“Whoa, that just took a turn. Talk.” I dug a hole for myself by running my mouth.

“Bad week. Ex-whatever the hell the guy I was seeing could be called. And, I’m two weeks away from my next fight, and training today was like a teenage growth spurt. You know what I mean? When you grew an inch and had to figure out your center of gravity and spatial awareness all over again. It was embarrassing. Gray sent me home early.”

“We’ll come back to the ex-guy later. Whoever he is, he’s a dipshit if he let you go, and we don’t need to waste any time on him before a big fight. Now, talk to me about the training issues. Are you PMSing?”

“No.”

“Fuck. Are you pregnant by the ex?”

“Seriously? Yes, I’m with child, Brooke. That’s exactly what’s wrong. I went to training pregnant and let myself get my ass kicked, including my tiny peanut of a fetus being beat black and blue. What’s wrong with you? No, I’m not pregnant.”

“You’re cranky as hell. It’s definitely a hormonal issue.” She’s probably right. Sometimes my period goes a little haywire when I’m training heavily in the lead-up to a fight. This is the ugly side of women’s UFC that men don’t have to deal with. But I’m also just fucking angry—at the world, at men, at Anthony, and most of all, at myself.

“With you guys doing a victory tour as the World Series champions, will you still be able to fly out to Vegas for my fight? After today, I could use some friendly faces in the crowd. I’m getting too into my own head.”

“Of course. Anders and I have been planning on coming for months, regardless of whether they won or lost. Can I invite Linc too? I know you seem to really dislike him, but he loves UFC. He’s actually a huge fan of yours. His love of Dee Lex predates me stumbling into Anders’ life.”

“Why would you tell me that?”

“What?”

“That he’s a total fanboy.”

“I thought it might soften you a little toward him. He’s going to be around. I’m married to his best friend. I want you two to get along.”

“Fine, but you have to promise you won’t let me sleep with him.”

“What? You said you were happy you didn’t sleep with him at my wedding, and two minutes ago you called him a jackass.”

“Yeah, but let’s face it, he’s stupid hot. It’s not even funny how hot that man is. The only reason I avoided the horizontal mambo with him at your wedding was because I had a date. A sexy date who still wasn’t even half as hot as Lincoln Nash. One smile from him and the right number of shots after a win in the cage, and I’d lose my panties quicker than a whore in the back seat of a Mercedes Benz.”

“Nice, sis. He’s easy on the eye, but if you don’t like his personality, isn’t that a turn-off?”

“Just promise me. It’ll be your fault if I get naked with him. If I lose, I might succumb to commiserating with him, specifically because I don’t like his personality. And if I win, I’ll want to jump him now that I know he’s a fanboy. Do you have any idea how hot the sex with him would be with the upper hand like that? I could ride his face all night long.”

“I’m ignoring that last part because it’s so disturbing… I just can’t even. There will be no succumbing. You won’t lose. One off day of training isn’t the harbinger of doom. Don’t be a drama llama.”

“Brenda straight up kicked my ass. That never happens. I’m not going to lie, it rattled me.”

“Well, stop letting it. Do you want me to come and train with you tomorrow? We can go for a run, and then I’ll just be ringside for moral support.”

“You mean you don’t want to spar with me?”

“Fuck, no! I love you, but I don’t have a death wish. Unless I’m allowed to bring my bat in the ring, I’m staying firmly on the outside of the ropes.”

“One round. I’ll give you a thousand bucks to go one round with me.” I’m grinning ear to ear, unable to mask the laughter in my voice.

“I wouldn’t do it for a million. I’m too pretty to take a fist to the face.”

“God, you’re such a princess.”

“I don’t care!”

“Fine.”

“Is that Anders I hear in the background?”

“Yeah.”

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