Page 66 of Hits Different

Chapter 26

Impulse

Parker

“Stay down, bitch”.

My opponent throws a combo of punches that I manage to duck and then block, right before he takes my head off. Brandon says that trash talking is common on the soccer pitch, but trust me, in the cage, it’s a whole new ballgame. Even if we’re just sparring.

Or, to quote Zara, ‘seeing how breakable you are’.

My opponent is a big bastard. Early forties. Bald, tatted, and bearded. I guess that’s why I’ve been partnered with him. It’s common to haze the new guy.

Zara is huddled together with some of the other trainers. Her eyes are locked on me, and she whispers something to her colleague, who looks at me with a smirk.

They think I’m going to quit.

My dad shakes his head. They’re wrong, though, aren’t they, kid?

I arch my back and twist, feinting that I’m going to shoot for a takedown, but instead, I spin, kicking his legs out from under him. He lands on the mat next to me with a thud. I don’t give him a second to react before I grab his arm, hyperextending it as I spin into my most deadly armbar.

He taps straight away. I hold on for just a second longer than necessary to send a message before I release him.

I’m not staying down, bitch. Tell your friends.

He hears me. “Hell of a roll around, kid”, he grins, exposing his black mouthguard. “Just so you know, I was holding back on account of you being new and all”.

“Thanks, sir”. I shake his hand and pull him in closer. “And just so you know, I was holding back on account of you being old and all”.

He bursts out laughing and yells out a whoop. “We got a wild one here, fellas!”

I spit out my guard and chug water. Zara’s shadow looms over me. “Way to put my boys on notice, Di Rossi”.

I fight the grin that threatens to crack my face. Showing my skills is the best way to earn respect. Bragging is the best way to earn enemies. “Thanks for inviting me. It was a good way to blow off some steam”.

“Your cousin told me that’s what you were looking for. An outlet. I’d say it might be more than that”.

“I've been working towards being a fighter my whole life. My dad transitioned into MMA but never had the chance to make it big. Fighting’s in my blood”.

“What kind of training have you had?”

“Not enough”. I tick them off, “Brown belt in judo. I started boxing when I was fifteen. I wrestled in high school, not enough for a scholarship, but I medalled a few times in local tournaments”.

Her mouth flickers. “But aside from that, not much at all. Did you work with a gym?”

“For a year. I had an amateur fight lined up. It didn’t work out”.

“It takes a lot to get kicked out of a gym”. Zara’s tone hardens. “I don’t tolerate any bullshit”.

“Then there’s a few things you should know”, I take a deep breath. “I just got kicked out of college. My family are pissed as hell. I’ve burnt pretty much all my bridges, and last week, I got into a barfight where the cops were called. But this is my dream, and I know I can do it. I know that I can make something of myself. I just need a chance, before it’s too late”.

My dad nods approvingly. Tell ‘em, kid.

“How old are you, Parker?”

“Twenty-one”.

For the first time Zara looks close to a genuine smile, “Twenty-one’s too young for anything to be too late. Listen, there’s a small fight card in a few days. Why don’t you come along and see it firsthand? This shit isn’t for everyone. But you’ve got some raw talent, and if you’re interested, we can talk about you training with us”.

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