Page 94 of Hits Different

“What do you mean?” Parker asks, his eyes still on the cage.

“I just mean, and I say this with all due respect, that there are certain…levels, in terms of general fitness. It seems like”.

“I never realised you were so superficial, Carter. I’m very disappointed”. He shoots a sideways glance at me “Besides, those guys could pound you into the ground”.

“I thought you knew I was the giver”, I reply lightly.

His whole body reacts to my words without moving. “I guess I have lots still to learn”.

I’m about to respond when my phone buzzes. It’s Freddie.

And risk that pretty face?

I burst out laughing. “What’s funny?” Parker glances over. His eyes narrow as they catch my screen. “Who’s calling you pretty?”

I’m not going to lie. The jealousy is kind of a turn on.

“Just everyone”, I say nonchalantly, “Like always”.

“I see”, His mouth twitches. He edges slightly closer to me on the bench, keeping his eyes locked on the cage. “Well, if you’d like to turn your pretty head towards the cage, the fight is about to start”.

Chase’s opponent is about the same size as he is. He doesn’t have as many tattoos, but he still looks like a mean fucker.The referee, distinguishable by his black and white striped shirt, pulls both fighters into the centre of the ring, makes them touch gloves, then calls for the bell.

“Here we go”, Parker’s utterly transfixed.

They circle each other, before Chase throws some jabs that his opponent blocks. They both move swiftly, light on their feet, almost like they’re dancing.

“Come on”, Parker mutters. “You need to wait for an opening”, he adds to me. I’ve never seen him so engaged in anything. Well, almost anything.Suddenly, Chase shoots forward, grabbing his opponent’s leg and swopping in for a takedown.

“Go on!” Parker yells, his voice distinctive in a crowd of cheers, “Pivot! Take his back!”

Chase does just that, sliding his hand under his opponent’s chin. A minute later, he taps, and the crowd goes wild. “Holy shit!” Parker screams, jumping up and down. He grabs me, knocking beer everywhere, but his enthusiasm is infectious, and I’m jumping along, too, cheering away for this guy I’ve never met.

I could do this; a thought suddenly breaks through the noise. I could do this. Be with Parker, like this. It would be difficult, but it could work.

If he wants it to. Which, given his grip around my waist, and the way he’s forcing his pelvis into mine, he does. Oh fuck, he definitely does.

“I’m gonna go congratulate Chase”, he says, watching as other teammates go into the ring. “Wanna come?”

“You go ahead”. I might be new to the MMA world but even I can recognise when it’s a teammates-only moment. I settle back in my seat, take another swig of beer. I lose sight of Parker for a moment, and my eyes dart around to find him.

Something stops me cold. In the other corner, I see Chase’s opponent slump dejectedly on the floor. There’s blood pouring from his nose. Behind him I see a woman wiping away tears. I bite my lip as my mind replaces his face with Parker’s.

* * * *

“This is the best night of my life!” Parker’s grinning from ear to ear. He’s talking to Zara, but looking right at me.

“Keep grinding, and this could be you one day”. Zara nods approvingly. “One day soon. Do you boys want another drink?”

My heart drops, until Parker says, “Raincheck”, he says apologetically. “We’re already out past our non-existent curfew. But I'll see you in training tomorrow”. He waves goodnight, and we walk out towards the carpark.

“I know this isn’t the night we had planned, but...”

“This is really what you want to do with your life?” I search his face. “Fight?”

“I fight all the time”.

“So do I. It’s exhausting”.

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