Page 89 of Hooks In

My eyes slide to Ty, as everyone starts talking amongst themselves about how fucking awesome this is. Obviously, this was the plan in coming here, but now that it’s actually happening and we could be fighting in the biggest developmental organization for MMA in the spring… well, fuck. This is real.

Ty turns his head from Max to look around the table, and then his eyes land on me. And they are full of excitement. I smile back at him, and his lips tilt up, ever so slightly.

“So,” Max says, pulling our attention back to him, “you all have great records, but we need more wins to build your applications. You’re all here because you have a distinct fighting style that grabbed my attention. Now, you need to showcase your fight to grab LFA’s attention as well.” He looks around at all of us. “I found you all a fight in January, in Nashville, to get started on this. So, you’re all stepping up your training, starting today.”

All of us agree, and the energy in the room is palpable.

Max goes around the table, telling everyone what he wants them to work on and discussing training plans. And as he does, my eyes travel to Ty once again.

He is listening intently to Max, laser focused and all business. I smirk, knowing his brain is probably close to exploding right now.

But he turns to meet my eyes, and once again I see the excitement. This rare glimpse into Ty’s emotions, along with this exciting news, has me feeling fucking giddy.

“Ty and Luca…” Max says hesitantly, and we both bring our attention to him.

“What up Coach, where do you want us?” I ask.

Max sighs, looking between us. “Grappling is looking good, so…” he looks to Ty, “I would like to see more striking from you. Clean it up and add some speed.”

Ty nods seriously, but Max still looks uneasy.

He glances at me, and back to Ty. “Will there be any problems with the two of you… doing that?”

I try to hide my smile but fail. Because the look on Max’s face as he awkwardly glances between us tells me he did in fact see us this morning, and he’s not quite sure how to navigate this.

I sling my arm around Ty’s shoulder, and he tenses and glares at me.

“No problems here. Right, Tiger?” I ask, smirking at him.

He sighs and shakes his head, turning to look at Max. “No problems.”

THIRTY-TWO

“Quicker, Ty. He’s keeping you at the distance he wants.”

To confirm exactly what Max said, Luca quickly steps backwards and lands a low kick right to my thigh.

“Fuck,” I mutter, stepping forward and wishing I could just take him down to the ground to end this right here. My legs are taking a fucking beating, and he’s really pissing me off.

I throw a left hook, but he rolls underneath it, steps to my right and throws a right uppercut to my body. I block that with my elbow, then block his hook to my head with my glove, but his uppercut down the middle lands on my chin.

I grunt, now fueled by rage and pissed at myself for not seeing that coming. I should have leaned or stepped back. Max is right, he is keeping me exactly where he wants me, and it’s because he’s too fucking fast.

“Stay low, pivot on some hooks,” Max calls out.

I keep my guard up and do as he says, pivoting to the right when I land my next hook in a combo.

The grunt that escapes Luca urges me on and I unleash another punch combo, followed by a knee to his ribs.

But he blocks my knee and fucking chuckles before attacking me at the top with a double jab and right hook, leaving me unguarded low for two left kicks. And of course, because he’s lightning fast and powerful with his kicks, I feel them.

I step back, taking a moment to collect myself and Luca smiles at me as he taps his gloves together.

That fucking smile. I hate it, so fucking much.

I step forward again, bringing in another combo and trying to move him onto his defense. As much as I despise a stand-up fight with Luca, I know I need him for this. Especially now.

I need LFA in the spring. This is a part of my plan to get to the UFC and be the best fighter I can be. Everything I have done so far has been working towards this, and I can’t mess it up. I will be fighting in that event.

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