Page 86 of Spike

Clutch put hishand on my shoulder. “That’s what makes it so dangerous, kid.”

“I will never backdown from a fight.”

Clutch nodded.“Alright. Let’s get you warmed up.”

** *

Fifteen minuteslater I was making my way through the crowd, towards the ring. My heartthumping loudly inside my chest as I danced and bobbed through the sea offaces. Once ringside, Clutch opened the ropes enough for me to enter the ring,as Ropes and Minus set up a stool and bucket by my corner.

“Remember yourtraining,” Ropes instructed. “Now isn’t the time to get any crazy ideas. Justbecause this guy’s bigger than we expected, we still stick to the game plan.Right?”

I nodded.

“What are the fiveFs of fighting?”

“Footwork,fundamentals, fortification, and hit him in the fucking face.”

“Fortification isthe most important. Keep that left hand up at all fucking times. Stay covered.You hear me?”

“Got it.”

“One more thing,”Ropes said. “I just realized this is a real life Rocky versus the big assRussian moment.”

I grinned. “Rockywon that fight, didn’t he?”

“Go get ’em,Stallion.”

The crowd eruptedinto cheers as my opponent entered the room. The lights were brighter, and themusic pumped up in volume for their local hero. The closer he got to the stage,the larger he became. While acting as Edison’s bodyguard, Kevin’s demeanor wascalm, bordering on pleasant. Even back in the dressing room, he was almostdocile. The Kevin moving towards me now, was practically foaming at the mouth.His pitch-black predator eyes, trained directly on me as he made his way intothe ring.

Next to climb inwere Edison and the referee, who motioned the fighters and trainers to move to thecenter of the ring. The music faded and the lights dimmed as Edison produced awireless microphone from his inside jacket pocket.

“Ladies,Gentlemen, and everyone in between. Welcome to EBKB Super Fight Night Live!” heannounced to thunderous applause and cheers.

“Nice to know he’san inclusive bloodthirsty gangster,” I said to Clutch.

“Tonight,” Edisoncontinued, “We have a new challenger making his EBKB debut in the ring.Weighing in at a ready one hundred and seventy pounds, with a professionalrecord of zero wins, zero losses. Fighting out of Portland Oregon, andrepresenting the Burning Saints Motorcycle Club, in the blue corner, tonight’schallenger in this main event title fight, Spike!”

The lack offanfare made one particular spectator stand out to me. Sitting in the front rowwas someone wearing dark sunglasses and a John Deere trucker’s hat, but eventhat disguise failed to hide Trixie from my eyes.

“What the hell isshe doing here?” I asked Clutch, casually motioning to Trixie.

“Shit,” Clutchsaid. “I sure as hell didn’t invite her.”

“Goddammit,” Ihissed.

“You’ve got toforget she’s here. Block her out of your mind. Do you hear me?”

I nodded, but myeyes were still glued to her.

Clutch slapped meacross the face. “Focus.”

“I’m here,” Ireplied, doing my best to forget Trixie had ringside seats to my murder.

“And in the redcorner. Weighing in at two hundred and sixty-five pounds. With a professionalrecord of seventeen wins, all by way of knockout or TKO. Your champion, Kevin‘The Mangler’ Arlovski!”

“I’m sure theMangler was just something his mother called him as a child. Nothing to worryabout,” Clutch said, handing me my mouth guard.

We stepped to thecenter of the ring where we were addressed by the referee.

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