Page 86 of Gambler's Fallacy

I extend my arm out for a fist bump. “You’re on.”

Havoc bumps his fist against mine, with Seven trapped between us.

“I call Blade Fury for the headline fight,” Havoc says immediately.

I groan. “No! I was going to pick him!”

“Too bad,” Havoc says. “You’ll have to take Jesús Díaz.”

“But he lost his last two fights,” I say. Havoc looks smug, and I mutter. “You’d better cheer for Díaz for me, Seven.”

Seven’s mouth twitches, but his voice is solemn as he says, “Who says I want you to win?”

I snort, and we settle in for the next two fights. The crowd cheers for the new fighters, one of whom hasn’t done a major event before. It’ll be interesting to see him become the headliner in the future. I guessed right for this fight, but Havoc takes the next match with more established fighters.

It’sfinally time for the headline fight. The crowd is thrumming with anticipation, and as soon as Blade Fury and Jesús Díaz step onto the fighting cage, everybody breaks out into a large roar. Havoc and I end up on our feet too, cheering for them.

“Is everybody ready?” the host calls to the audience. We cheer loudly, and the bell rings to signal the start of the match.

This one’s harder to call. Fury starts out strong, but Díaz quickly makes up headway. He must’ve been training hard, because I’m not sure I’ve seen this kind of passion from him in the fight cage before.

I find myself cheering, and Seven — while much quieter — joins me.

I flash a smug look at Havoc.

Díaz lands a blow on Fury, causing the audience to boo him.

I should be glad, but something feels strange.

Fury took the punch harder than I expected him to. I glance at Havoc, and he’s got a thin scowl on his face too.

The first round ends with the judges declaring Fury the winner, but it was a close call.

“That was weird,” Havoc says.

“I guess Díaz has been training hard,” I say, but it still seems off somehow. That was too decisive.

The second round isn’t any different, with Fury missing some obvious grapples and Díaz easily avoiding his slow punches.

I’d wanted Díaz to win, but this pathetic display only makes my stomach churn.

The second round ends with Díaz tackling Fury into submission. I look at Seven, expecting to see the interest in his expression, but he’s locked down tight.

“Seven?” I ask cautiously. “What’s going on?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing!” he says. “I don’t know why it’s weird.”

I want to press him, but Caleb chooses that moment to return. He looks furious though. “Vortex,” he snaps. “We need to go.”

“Go?” I echo. “The match is almost over?—”

“I don’t care.” Caleb shakes his head. “Did you see Trent anywhere? I thought he was going to be here for the event.”

“No,” Seven says. He stands up and goes to Caleb, pressing against his side.

There’s definitely something going on, and it stinks.

“Let me guess,” Havoc says with a sneer. “There’s no point in betting on Blade.”

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