Worth the fight(6)

The fight didn’t last long, two rounds. I remember it clearly. It was probably less than ten minutes in total. The pre-fight festivities lasted an hour longer than the actual fight. Our seats were good, only about 10 rows back from the center of the ring. I remember flinching every time one of the men threw a punch, yet I couldn’t turn away. I close my eyes and watch instant replay of those last seconds. Most people think having a photographic memory is a blessing, but in my case it’s a curse. Yes, I remember lots of figures and words, but I also remember all of the bad things I’d rather forget.

It’s as if I flipped on a video and hit play right as those last few seconds play out. I see Nico throw the punch, and then I watch in slow motion as his opponent’s head turns to the side with the force of ten men. He drops to the floor, his head limp and rattling around before it even hits the canvas. The screaming crowd becomes silent and the medical team rushes into the cage seconds after it all happens.

As horrible as it is, seeing that all play out in my mind isn’t what haunts me. It’s the still of the fighter dropped to his knees when he realizes the man isn’t getting back up. He’s shattered. I can’t take my eyes from his face as I watch him break into a million little pieces. I should’ve felt sorry for the man that just lost his life, but I don’t even look his way. I’m fixated on the man who will never be the same. Never. I know it. I feel connected to him for a stopped moment in time.

In my mind, it’s high noon and the shadow of my past is twice the size of me. Towering over me. I can’t escape it.





Chapter 4


Elle

I’m later than usual when I finally get to the office. I’m still in a fog and find myself dazing out as I catch up on emails and plan my day. Nico “The Lady Killer” Hunter. I didn’t know him before the fight, but that was his name. I remember watching him walk into the cage and smile a cocky smile at the crowd. The ladies went crazy. It didn’t take long to figure out what his name meant. I remember feeling a jolt when I took in his smile and that body, that incredible body.

The press had a field day for weeks after that fight. His name may have been Nico “The Lady Killer” Hunter before the fight, but the press removed the “Lady” part from his name after that.

I’m typing words into Google before I even realize what I’m doing. The pictures that were etched into my brain are no different on the screen when they appear. The referee had ruled the fatal blow a clean hit, but that didn’t stop the press from sensationalizing the story. A few weeks later, after the press had moved on to whatever carcass was yet to be picked over, I read a small story hidden in the back of the paper amongst the advertising. Nico’s opponent had had an unknown underlying head condition and was a walking time bomb.#p#分页标题#e#

I’m able to push thoughts of Nico into the depths of my head and finally get some work done after two more cups of coffee. It’s midafternoon when Regina buzzes in to tell me I have a client in the lobby, but I don’t have an appointment on my calendar.

I walk into the lobby, my thick sandy blonde hair being held in place on top of my head in a lopsided bun held together by two strategically placed pencils. I stop in my tracks as I see Nico rise from the couch in the waiting room and toss a magazine back on the table.

I’m surprised by his appearance, but he seems oddly familiar after spending half of the night and most of the morning in my mind. I put on my best game face and straighten my posture. “Mr. Hunter, did I have an appointment with you today?” I pretend I’m concerned I may have forgotten an appointment, but there is no way I’ve forgotten anything about the man from the two times I’ve seen him.

He takes two steps closer to me, just an inch or two closer than one would consider normal space between people. But I notice it. He’s taller than me by at least eight inches, if not more. “It’s Nico, please.” He smiles at me and the room feels smaller, warmer.

I smile back. I don’t have to fake it, it’s a real smile. I’m happy to see him and I can’t hide it anyway. I have no idea why. I should be freaked out after what I remembered, but I’m not for some reason. I’m curious about this man. I nod my head. “Nico, what can I help you with?”

He smiles, it’s a mischievous, lopsided smile that makes me think the man is playful. But damn if it isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. “I remembered a few things I thought I should tell you that I didn’t mention yesterday. Do you have a few minutes?”