Page 28 of Fight Me Daddy

"That's it! The fight goes to Carlos!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and I released my hold on Mickey. He sat there trying to catch his breath as I stood up and panted. I reached out a hand, and he took it reluctantly before he groaned.

"You're a fast fucker, aren't ya?" he asked. "Shit, thought I had ya for sure."

"It was a good round. You almost did."

Mickey grinned. "Aye. You're takin' all my money tonight so I expect a drink."

I laughed. "Sure, why not. One drink," I said before I shook my head relieved that he took it so well. "It's the least I can do."

He patted me on the back. "Good lad. I like you." He nodded to the side of the ring. "Let's clear out and watch the next bastards get beaten." We moved out of the way and he opened his bag before he tossed me a towel. "For your eye."

"Shit," I muttered as I reached up and hissed. "How bad is it?"

"You still got the eye haven't you?"

I burst out laughing and the tension dissipated. There had been a few people I'd gone up against who were angry and bitter when they lost, but this guy didn't seem too torn up. Instead, he hung around with me until it was time to pick up our earnings from the next few rounds and I decided to buy him that drink after all.

At least I had one person watching my back here.