Once I get in front of the crooked ass stage, I look to my left to see Asher sitting in his stupid chair all high and mighty. There’s always three chairs surrounding him and the one to his left is always empty. The other one has an older man that looks about his age but isn’t as big as him. I remember seeing him last time, but he didn’t say or do anything to stand out.
I feel someone shove me forward. “Get ready.”
Swinging my elbow out, it connects with the asshole’s jaw, causing him to stumble backward. He tries coming at me, but before he can manage my name is being called to enter the stage.
The crowd starts chanting my name, a few of them whistling as I crack my neck and make my entrance. As I look around me everyone seems to look the fucking same. None of these faces matter to me. Pleasing them means nothing to me.
After a few seconds the screaming dies out with the entry of my opponent as he starts making his way down his path towards this hell. I turn my back toward him, not wanting to get a look at his face until I have to. That’s only going to get me more anxious, and right now I need to focus. I hear the ring announcer speaking, introducing the other fighter, but it’s all blurring together, non-comprehendible as I withdraw into myself to focus on my breathing.
“ . . . Ryder, the Cruiser, Lane . . .”
I suck in a breath and tilt my head back as soon as Ryder’s name leaves his mouth. I feel my whole body tense into a different kind of anger now. This isn’t just fighting for Asher now. This is personal. I’ve had beef with Ryder for as long as I can remember, and his father arresting me that shitty night was all Ryder needed to believe that he won. This is real fucking personal.
Ryder jumps between the ropes with a sickening grin on his face, eyeing me up and down as if this is his chance to prove that he still has the upper hand. Nah. Fuck that. I won’t let that happen. He isn’t shit in my world.
My eyes meet his and lock as we both start to circle around each other, waiting on the announcer to say the magic fucking word.
“This is going to be a good one,” the announcer says with a hiss. “FIGHT!”
Ryder lets out a snicker while jumping at me, trying to intimidate me. It doesn’t work. I’ve never been scared of that little shit and never will be. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, Memphis.” He grins. “I’ll take it easy on your ass. It’s probably still hurting from prison.”
Without giving anything away I swing out, hitting Ryder with a right hook. He’s shaken up, not expecting it, and stumbles back.
My body is completely still as he circles around me, looking for his opportunity to strike. I’m giving him one chance and then I’m taking his ass out.
“Yup. Looks a little sore.” He swings out with his left foot, but I lift my leg up right as he tries kicking it out from under me. This must’ve pissed him off, because before I know it he swings out with his elbow and connects it to my left cheekbone before following up with a right hook.
The crowd lets out a mixture of excitement and disappointment as I falter backwards a few steps, but I’m able to catch myself before connecting my right fist to his jaw.
Blood splatters across his face, causing him to growl out in anger and spit red onto the cement next to my feet, before coming at me, knocking me against the ropes.
He punches me in the ribs a few times, cornering me in, before I plow my knee into his gut and swing out with my elbow, hitting him square on the mouth. We’re now back in the middle of the ring, both of us taking this opportunity to let out our demons and prove to the other who’s finally better. The thing is . . . I’ve known all along. I’ve never had a doubt and he’s going to feel it tonight in this very ring.
We circle around each other a few times before Ryder comes at me, diving for my legs, but I grab onto his neck and plow my knee into his head twice before tossing him aside.
Rolling over, he jumps to his feet and shakes his head, sweat now pouring down his chest as he stares at me, eyes heated.
He motions for me to come at him, but I shake my head, motioning for him to make his move first. I don’t take orders from anyone . . . especially a piece of shit like him.
A lopsided grin flashes across his face before he side steps around me and quickly captures me in a headlock, falling backwards and bringing me down with him. I allow two quick jabs to the ribs before I maneuver my way out of his hold and jump to my feet, cracking my neck.
Looking around him, he raises his arms and motions for the crowd to make more noise. He’s getting too damn cocky now and it’s only making me want to rip his fucking head off.
I stand still, my fists clenched at my sides and jaw grinding, until he turns around to face me. That’s when I swing my foot and kick him right in the fucking head, catching his ass off guard. His body drops down to the cement, but he’s still moving; I made sure of it. I’m not done with his ass yet.