Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Motherfucker.
“Get outta there!” Sal screams at me, his voice riding above the crowd. “That was illegal, ref. Come on! This isn’t a back alley. This is a sanctioned fight!”
JULIA
“That staggered him,” the announcer comments as Crew wobbles as he backs away from Hunter. “You know, it really looks like Davidson is targeting Gentry’s neck.”
“If you recall, Nate, that’s the exact location where Gentry was injured the first time they fought.”
“Wow, I can’t believe Davidson would stoop to that level.”
“Well, I don’t think Davidson thought Gentry would be standing here for round two, either, Nate.”
“Macie,” I breathe, watching Crew get himself together again. She’s at my side, holding on to me. We watch him stalk towards Hunter, but something seems off. Crew’s stumbling and his arms aren’t up as high as they were before. The announcers notice it, too.
“Gentry is a little slower this round, I think. I’m not sure if he’s being more careful or if that kick to the back of his neck hurt him. You have to remember, Gentry hasn’t been in a situation like this in years.”
“Maybe ever,” the other announcer says. “Right now, he’s giving the naysayers fuel that said he shouldn’t even be in the cage with a professional like Hunter Davidson.”
“Fuck you!” I say to the announcer, tears starting to hit my eyes.
Watching this is torture. I want to close my eyes and not watch, but I can’t bear to not see what happens.
Macie and I stand together, watching the action on the screen. Crew throws a couple of punches and misses. Hunter takes a step back and taunts him, his arms out to the side, his hips swaying back and forth. He says something to Crew, but I have no idea what. The crowd goes wild at Hunter’s show and he just plays it up more, like an actor on stage.
I watch with bated breath as Crew goes in for a takedown, something I’ve seen him do a million times. I watch as Davidson’s foot in seemingly slow motion connects with Crew’s face.
He drops to the mat. My stomach falls right along with it.
SIXTY-ONE
CREW
I’ve felt this pain once before. Ironically, or not, it was against Davidson that time, too.
The back of my neck burns from the bottom of my head all the way down my shoulders. The pain pierces through the adrenaline that normally keeps any real discomfort at bay during a fight.
Hunter is on top of me within seconds. He throws punches at my face, which I’m able to block easily thanks to many rounds with Victor. He’s on top of me, wailing away, and I know I gotta get outta here. This is not the place to be.
I try to roll him off, but the pain in my neck puts me back flat against the mat. My elbows are in tight, my hands in front of my face, and I’m rocking back and forth blocking everything I can.
I feel another burst of adrenaline hit, that almost dizzying feeling that accompanies the relief, hitting me hard. I know I have to use it to my advantage. I have a very small window of opportunity.
It’s do or die.
Hunter goes to take a side mount, landing huge right hands against my face. I feel the force of every blow, each slap of the leather jerking my neck back and forth.
Davidson’s face is animated, his eyes blazing, sensing the kill. And I realize—that’s exactly what’s happening.
This guy’s trying to kill me.
Fight or flight kicks in and a rush of memories flashes through my mind. I see Jules’ smile, Ever’s eyes, hear Gage’s laugh. I’ve set everything up for this moment, the one where the girls will be okay regardless of how it ends.
I know what I gotta do.
The pain is insane. Everything starts to bleed together, everything one big, giant, fucked-up, muffled mess. I strain to find something to focus on, something to keep me present. I hear Will at the side of the cage and I focus on his voice . . .
JULIA
“I can’t believe what’s happening, Marv. In a matter of moments, the predator has become the prey.”
“That’s why people love MMA, Nate. Everything can change in a heartbeat.”
“Yes, but how quickly did Davidson just take over? Crew’s on the mat looking like a beaten man.”
“Come on, baby,” I yell at the television. “Come on, Crew!”
“I don’t know what’s going on with Gentry, Nate. I’m not sure he’s going to hold on.”
Tears are pouring down my cheeks. I glance quickly at Macie and tears are falling from her eyes, too. She reaches for my hand.
The camera gets a close-up of the two of them and I can see Crew’s eyes. They’re wide wild, unfocused, full of some sort of emotion that I’m too afraid to name.
CREW
I’m getting slammed in the back of the head by illegal punches every time I turn my head.