Every row of seats is stacked with the featureless face of strangers, lit up by the multicoloured spotlights soaring around, illuminating the otherwise dark venue.
Determined to reach cage side before the next fight begins, I push my way through the sea of people holding phones in front of their faces until I finally see the bright gold of Lexi’s dress contrasting against the raised, empty cage.
“Sorry for taking so long.” I apologise as I slide into the seat next to her.
“No problem, I think I’ve found a new favourite sport to watch.” I look at her as if to say ‘really’ and she continues, “What’s not to love? Hot as fuck men prancing around a cage half naked while I watch. Mia, I’m in heaven.”
She wriggles excitedly in her seat as the next two fighters enter the ring, removing her gaze from them for long enough to shoot me a quick smile. “All good with Ethan?”
“Yeah.” Happiness spreads across my face and butterflies flutter in my stomach filling me with a sense of euphoria.
The next thirty minutes drag as I try to force myself to watch the fight in preparation for Ethan’s bout but instead, like a total wuss, I spend most of my time hiding behind Lexi. There is so much blood and I have to take calming deep breaths every time I think about Ethan getting hurt.
I watch just enough towards the end to see the guy in the white shorts, snake his way around the guy in the green shorts to get him in some kind of weird headlock with his legs and the referee announces the end of the fight. Alves won by something called a triangle choke.
Suddenly, darkness falls upon the arena as everything goes quiet. Blue and red rays of light flash and swoop in time with the blaring music filling the arena. I look up to see Ethan's face appear on the huge screens hanging from the ceiling.
I watch as he throws punches into the air straight ahead of him and pushes his way through the crowd, shaking hands with his fans until he's cage side. Lexi is screaming and cheering like a crazy person and I can't take my eyes off him.
I smile, watching as he lifts his t-shirt over his head revealing an ink covered torso so perfect that it should be in a museum. The vision of him standing in his little Lycra grey shorts makes me salivate.
I don't really understand what happens next, or why the referee is patting him down but finally, he enters the octagon and starts pacing.
Then we go through exactly the same process as his opponent enters the cage and once both men are settled on their side of the cage, a silver fox in a funky gold blazer introduces them and the fight begins.
My palms are sweaty, and my heart is pounding against my ribcage as I watch the two men move around slowly, throwing the occasional punch or kick. I try to watch for as long as I can but at some point during the second round, I let out a loud squeal and close my eyes tightly after Lucas lands a huge elbow to Ethan's head. The blood flooding down his face making me feel queasy.
The rest of the fight is spent fidgeting in my seat and peering out from behind my fingers, then all of a sudden, the crowd erupts and Lexi informs me that Ethan dropped the other guy with a massive head kick.
My heart bursts with pride as the silver fox announces the win, and my man's arm is raised. Appearing from nowhere, a bald dude puts an arm around his shoulder and shoves a microphone in his face.
When did he have time to put his t-shirt back on?
"Congratulations Ethan. You are now the light heavyweight champion of the world." He pauses, allowing the belt to be wrapped around his waist as the arena comes alive with the booing of those who clearly wanted to see his opponent victorious. "It's been a tough road to get here but you've done it man. How does it feel to be back?"
"Thank you. It feels absolutely amazing. It’s so great to be back in the octagon and finally taking home what’s mine!” He takes the belt off, raising it above his head as a barrage of flashes go off, and then he passes it to one of his team-mates.
“Have you got anything you’d like to say to your fans?” The bald guy continues.
“I do, but it will have to wait until the press conference because right now I have an important question I need to ask someone in the audience." He points at me, summoning me to join him in the octagon. Lexi encouraging me to go to him as I feel my face flush with embarrassment.
A few seconds later, I’m stepping into the octagon as Ethan drops to one knee, holding a small, crushed velvet box. As I approach, he opens it to reveal the most precious white gold ring with three square princess cut diamonds taking centre stage.
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh!
"I have loved you ever since the moment I met you and this past week has shown me that my life is crap without you in it." I've never seen him so nervous. "I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me so will you marry me?"
My mouth falls open, tears pricking at my eyes. What the hell is he thinking?
Every single face in the arena is looking at me but it feels like we're the only two people here. I nod my head, speechless.
My heart is full to bursting as I hold out my hand for him to slide the cold band onto my left ring finger.
It fits perfectly.
3 Years Later
