Page 16 of Prophet
Talon grinned at him as he flipped him off.
“I’m just a shitkicker, as they call it in Texas.” I shrugged my shoulders. “With a good right hook.” I sat on a stool next to the ring and took off my boots as I noted Talon wore just his socks. I set them aside and looked up at the ring again. “Just don’t knock me out too early. I need this to go a round or two at least.”
Talon gave me a nod.
Ranger stepped over and offered up some gloves.
I shook my head. “Don’t need em.”
Hawk and Ranger stared at me.
Shrugging, I stepped up the stairs and climbed into the ring. The only gloves I ever wore were for roping. I wouldn’t be comfortable with those puffed up gloves on my fists. My adrenaline was still high from the tension in my body. I almost knew I would regret this at some pint but right now, I did not give a fuck.
We danced around while assessing each other. I decided to let him strike first.
He then slipped forward and hit me up the side of the head.
I’d been kicked by steers and punched by cowboys so it wouldn’t have a huge impact but my anger was just beneath the surface and it hit that nerve alright. I didn’t react right away though. Instead, I stepped to the side then faced him again.
Dancing a bit, he seemed to wait for an oncoming return.
I did not give it to him. My dad always said, ‘wait for it to come to you and only hit the strike when your iron is hot enough.’ I guess mine wasn’t just yet.
Seeming to again assess me, Talon came at me. Instead of a hit, his leg came swinging around.
I ducked and slid, then stood upright. Bulls could get ya in the head with a kick like that and it would rattle your brains around. I was limbered up and very aware now. The man was fucking fast, I’d give him that.
We again danced around.
Coming at me, his arm snaked out and he got me on the jaw. I didn’t feel it as I lumbered up and gave him my right hook.
Talon seemed surprised as he danced back. Now, he a had a bloody lip to match mine. He then laughed.
Yeah, I could see the gleam in his eyes. He loved to fight. I waited for him to come at me again.
He did just that as he pelted me with a stomach shot then a kidney punch.
Grunting, I felt that. However, I ignored it as I decided to counter since he was so close and I undercut him in the chin.
He again moved back, then he swung around and kicked me, only it didn’t connect with my jaw, it grazed my shoulder as that sameavoid the bullinstinct was second nature to me. Before he could get out of the way, I dropped down and swung my leg out to take him off his feet. Next, I tackled him and rolled him over onto his stomach. Grabbing his arm, I wrenched it behind his back.
“The fuck?” someone yelled in surprise from outside of the ring.
His groans fed me as I now let loose on him. I jammed my knee into his back repeatedly.
Finally, he managed to get out of my lock and scrambled to his feet. Standing, he winced a bit and came at me instantly. Punches, kicks and even slaps to my head.
I was groaning now as I wobbled back. The man was strong and fast. I wheeled around and backed up, then came barreling at him.
He sidestepped me easily like he was made of fluid water and I landed on my face. I immediately got up and before I could turn, he gave me another kick and this time it got me in the head.
I heard bells now as I stormed up and used that sore head to spear him in the gut.
His body went flying back and landed on the ring floor.
I was on him like wildfire, punching him repeatedly on each side of his head. Then wrapping one arm around him, I hefted him up as I stood on my feet. I swung him around my neck like a baby calf, then with a howl that sounded like an animal, I tossed him down.
Groans and men hollering could be heard in the barn.
