Murphy’s excuse has always been my age but when I was here last Friday, I somehow convinced him that after midnight it’s fair game. I don't know if I'll be up against a girl or a guy and I don't really care. I just want to feel it, the pumping in my veins, the buzz in the air and the sweat running down my back
Fuck I’m ready for that feeling. Glancing, I see I’ve dropped my speed. My mind focused on the ring a little too much. I turn on to a quiet road, no one's out here at this time and you can pick up some good speed heading towards the warehouse.
I focus, considering my emotions. I feel determined, excited, and confident, not even a single ounce of me feels nervous or afraid. I live for this. All my training and sparring with Rafe and the guys at the gym, on a daily basis has me ready.
Rafe says I can get destructive sometimes, out of control. It's like certain words can be said and I lose my sight, all I see is red and my fight or flight response goes into overdrive. Rafe and West think it could be set words that are a trigger for me but hell if I've been willing to figure it out. I know of one phrase but even thinking about it rattles me. All I know is I have no control in those moments and that scares me more than the nightmares.
Pulling up to the Warehouse I park next to the car, Jake and West hovering, not wanting me to enter on my own. It wouldn't make a difference to me but right now I appreciate the fact that they're a barrier between me and anyone wanting to hold a conversation. A nod from West and we're heading in. A familiar face is on the door.
"Hey doll face, how's my favorite girl tonight?"
I can't help but slightly smirk and roll my eyes at him which earns me a megawatt smile, all teeth, and he lets us through knowing I won't respond.
West and Jake fight here every Friday while they usually pull someone in to babysit me but not tonight. Tonight, we're all heading in the same direction and my anticipation kicks up a notch.
"Sorry Luna, there's only one set of lockers here," says Jake with a quick look over his shoulder.
I don’t say a word, I just continue to follow. It’s irrelevant. West has my gym bag from the car, and I won't be intimidated once we get in there.
This place is already grinding, music blasting through speakers everywhere and bodies pressed together like their lives depend on it. I'm being overlooked right now, no make-up on and my ass isn't hanging out. No one's glancing at me in my all black outfit consisting of my skinny jeans, leather jacket and combat boots, just how I like it.
Following Jake to the right, the volume lowers slightly, and I see the locker rooms up ahead. It's 11pm and the next fights starts in fifteen minutes. Each match starts at fifteen past the hour. There are two rings, so they always run both at the same time. I can't tell how the last matches ended but they're all clean and ready to go again.
Murphy’s rules are minimal to say the least. No weapons, tape your hands and the referee will only step in if you’re about to be knocked out. Anything else goes.
Jake is up next. West will fight in the other ring at quarter past midnight like me. I haven’t checked who any of our opponents are, because it doesn’t matter. Although Jake will read the board out loud in the locker room anyway.
Jefferson and Holmes are also up next, they barely have any brain cells left between them based on the amount of times they've pounded the shit out of each other, and they're dirty as hell. All because back when they were teens they fell into a love triangle with some girl. Ten years later and they're still brawling and the girls nowhere to be seen. Boys should have learnt to share. Stepping into the room the light feels like it's burning my retina compared to the dim setting outside.
"Sweet cheeks, if it's dick you're after you'll have to wait outside till I've finished."
I've not seen this guy before but West slams my gym bag down breaking my eye contact with the guy and easing some of the tension from the room. I keep my facial expression neutral and stare him down. Nothing riles a guy more than a silent woman. They expect us to be all catty and shit.
"Oh shit," calls Jefferson, "You're the Steele on the board for tonight huh Luna? Does Rafe know about this?"
"Steele? Are you fucking me? I show up here tonight and y'all think I'm fighting a little girl? What kinda place is this?"
Who even is this guy?
I haven't moved a muscle, not even to respond. I just keep my poker face in place and stare him down. Refusing to rise to him baiting me.
"Man, Murphy wouldn't agree to let someone fight if he didn't think they could, and if it's Steele you've been brought in for, it’s because it would be too personal for any of us."
Wow, since when did Jefferson ever talk sense.
"You’re all serious?"
Taking in how nobody’s moved and I'm still staring him down he shrugs, "Your funeral sweet cheeks, I'm going to socialize."
Jake squeezes my shoulder like I need the reassurance. I want to shrug him off and tell him to piss off, but I don't, wanting to remain calm and unaffected.
"So, you've had the pleasure of meeting my opponent tonight, who are you guys fighting?" I ask.
Jake glances at the board whilst West gets comfortable, "West has someone
