Page 109 of Bound to a Monster

“I doubt they’ll come in here.”

“You never know. They’re pretty drunk.”

“Frannie’s hammered.”

“Did you have fun?”

I curl up beside him and snuggle in tight. “A lot of fun. Thanks for letting me do this.”

“Absolutely. I just hope you’re going to be ready for tomorrow.”

“You’re going to be great.”

“They came all the way here to watch me.” I close my eyes, ready to fall asleep in my clothes. “I don’t want to disappoint them.”

“Baby, they came all the way here to see you. They don’t care if you fall over and break your ankle on your first thrust.”

I gently slap his chest. “Don’t say that. Bad luck.”

“You know what I mean. There are zero expectations for tomorrow. All you need to do is go out there, compete, and have fun.”

“You’re good to me.”

“Because you’ve been good for me.” He kisses my hair. “Now let’s get some sleep.”

“Think we can with a drunk Frannie on the loose?”

“I think we’ll manage.”

Nerves jangle in my guts.The gym’s full of people. Multiple different fencing strips are lined up all over with judges watching carefully as the bouts rage all around us. Foil came first, but those are nearly done.

Saber is next. My specialty.

“You’ve got this,” Sofie says, giving me the thumbs-up.

“Go Carmie!” Frannie shouts. I have no clue how that girl seems so chipper and alive considering the state of her last night, but somehow, she manages it.

“Win this shit,” Gia shouts, grinning huge.

I go through my stretching and warm-up routine. Lev is nearby, not saying much. Other competitors are prepping around me, talking strategy with their coaches, going through simple drills to get themselves ready.

Everyone’s younger than me or obviously more experienced.

“I shouldn’t be here,” I murmur to Lev.

“Why do you think that?”

“It’s been so long. What if I embarrass myself?”

“You won’t. You’ve got this.”

“I don’t know.”

“Two-time state champ. Don’t fucking forget who you are.” He grabs my wrist and pulls me toward him, glaring into my eyes. “Where’s that fire, little fencer? Where’s the warrior?”

I feel her inside of me. She’s buried under normal, nervous Carmie right now, but she’s still there waiting for the chance to come out.

I lean in and kiss my husband. “You’re right. I’ve got this.”

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