Page 65 of Fight for Forever

“You get any trouble in here, come find me,” he tells us.

“We will do that.”

Jordan eyes us both, then kisses Brooke’s shoulder, winks at me, and heads back to his group.

“He’s sweet,” I say.

“He’s a nuisance,” Brooke comments back.

The music grows louder and Brooke squeals, grabbing my arm. Whether I want to follow her or not, she doesn’t leave me much choice. She heads straight for one opening in the glass wall. It’s already crowded but they part ways for us, which I’m surprised about but don’t question.

My hands sweat as I look out over the arena. The entire crowd is on their feet, cheering as an announcer steps into the ring. The atmosphere is electric and despite myself, I get swept up in the drama of it all.

Perry is announced first. I don’t recognize the music he comes out to, but I clutch my drink tight as he walks along the path that cuts through the crowds, heading for the cage. His stats are read out, an image of him projected on a huge wall behind the cage, looking like he’s about to rip someone’s head off. It’s the total opposite of the man I had dinner with a few nights ago.

My heart beats too fast, my legs shake as the music fades. The crowd gets quieter for a moment as the anticipation in the whole place grows.

The opening riff of ‘Kingslayer’ by Bring Me the Horizon plays. My stomach clenches as Joey appears from the door Perry just came through. Spotlights hit him and I have to grip Brooke’s arm.

“So. Hot.” She leans into me so I can hear her over the sound.

I don’t take my eyes off him. He’s focused on where he is going. Sam walks along beside him and a guy I recognize from the gym is behind him. He doesn’t have a big entourage like Perry did and doesn’t play up to the crowd, but it’s clear who the favorite is tonight.

My nerves kick in and I hold on to the barrier, leaning forward. I’m certain there is too much noise, too many people for him to find me amongst everyone here. He’s so intense, I doubt he’s even thinking about me. But he raises his head as he approaches the cage and, like a magnet, his eyes find mine.

The chorus of the song is playing now, and I can’t help but get swept up in it as the crowd chants Slayer, instead of Kingslayer. Joey pauses, his eyes locked on mine, and I see the question in that look.

‘Are you good?’

I nod and he holds the stare a short while longer, then turns to the cage. Truth is, I feel like I’m about to pee in my pants. Knowinghe has taken the time to make sure I’m okay, moments before he is about to step into the ring for one of the most anticipated fights of the year, eases some of the tension inside me. Warmth spreading through my chest.

It takes an age to get through the introductions, the referee speaking to each fighter, then the trainers stepping outside of the cage. The noise inside the box is just as loud as it is out there. There is no dark edge to it. Everyone is here for a good time.

For a long time, I wondered what kind of person could enjoy this sport. I’d imagined them all to be bloodthirsty, angry men, intent on violence, but that isn’t what I see.

Still, I block them all out as I focus my full attention on Joey. He’s wearing tight black shorts that hug his thick thighs. There is a sheen over his skin and his hands are wrapped. He explained they didn’t wear gloves, and that scared me. He’s been doing this for a long time. I have to have faith he knows what he is doing.

A girl in a bikini top and a short pleated skirt enters the ring. There are only a few hoots and cheers from the crowds. I guess it’s all part of the spectacle.

When Joey and Perry step into the centre of the ring, my heart stops. I swear. All I hear is a swishing sound in my ears. It’s like I’ve gone underwater.

But it isn’t for the reasons I thought. I’m not scared. My mind is not swirling with bad memories. I want him to win. I can take or leave the violence, but a surge of excitement ripples through me and I grip the bar even tighter.

I’d expected to cringe away and not be able to look, but as the bell rings and the two men come together, I can’t take my eyes off him.

The two men are evenly matched and they trade blows with their fists and legs, sizing each other up for the first couple of rounds. I flinch and shudder every time Joey takes a hit, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

Even when Perry lands a vicious combination of stomach and chest punches, ending with a powerful right hook that knocks Joey’s head sideways, and he stumbles off balance.

“Oh God,” I groan, for the first time looking away, squeezing my eyes shut.

“He’s good,” Brooke assures me, reaching for my hand. “Look, he’s fine.”

She scowls when the man beside us shouts he is a pussy. I have to hold her back from giving him shit, and it breaks some of the tension. In the fourth round, Joey goes down and I gasp, leaning out of the balcony. The referee pauses the fight. Perry steps back but doesn’t turn away as he watches.

I can’t stand it. I turn and run for the door. Brooke is shouting after me, but it’s not what she thinks. I said I didn’t want to be ringside, but right now, all I can think about is getting closer to him. A man I was introduced to earlier as security for the box, is surprised when I run out. He tells me not to leave, but I beg him to take me down to Joey.

The crowd is screaming again, the noise almost deafening. Joey is back on his feet. The security man curses but tells me to follow him and stay close. He leads me down through the crowds, speaking to a few people along the way, other security men I guess, but I’m barely paying attention. It’s harder to see what is going on down here, but I don’t care.

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