CHAPTER 24
Sophie
Just turn it on… just for a minute.
I’ve been internally battling myself for the past twenty minutes on whether to turn the fight on or not. My anger towards Kyle keeps me from changing the channel from the latest repeat of The Kardashian’s but my heart is giving my head a run for its money because a part of me, a huge part, wants to make sure he’s okay. I’ve had similar fights with myself over the past several years.
The logical part in me saying I need to check his well-being wins out and I turn the channel. My breath whooshes from my mouth when I see Kyle walking down to the ring. His song choice always makes me roll my eyes when I hear it. Cocky shit.
Kyle staring down his opponent is unlike anything I’ve never seen. I see so much rage and hatred in his eyes. It makes me nervous for Gibson’s wellbeing even though I can’t stand the asshole.
When the ringside announcer starts his spiel, I continue with my usual ritual of praying for Kyle’s safety during the match. I may hate his guts right now but I don’t want him to get hurt.
I’m completely surprised when the bell rings and Kyle goes crazy! In all the years I’ve been watching Kyle he always feels out his opponent before attacking. But this time he strikes Gibson and he attacks hard. In seconds they’re on the ground and Kyle’s wailing on him without mercy. When I hear Gabe shouting in his room I know I need to give in. Creeping up on his door I can’t help but smile.
“…Weighing in at 670 pounds, Kyle ‘Reckless’ Cageeeeeee!”
I hear Gabe going crazy and if I weren’t so heartbroken I’d be laughing. To say the last day or so has been rough would be an understatement. How can he believe Gabe’s not his? How could he ruin everything we’ve worked for? The trust is gone… and so is Gabe’s Dad.
I still don’t know how I’ll tell him that he’ll never see Kyle again. At this point I can’t stand to see him so tomorrow I’ll change over Gabe’s room. He’ll understand if I take him to the store and let him pick out some new stuff. He’s a kid, they love new shit.
“… and he hits him with a rear naked choke!”
I’m not sure this is the best decision, Gabe’s been fighting me all night since I told him he couldn’t watch the fight. It’s my own problem with his Dad and I shouldn’t take it out on him. I look in his room and he’s wearing his Reckless clothes with the matching title belt around his waist.
Someday Kyle will realize he made a mistake and be there for Gabe. I’ve been chanting this over and over in my head willing it to be true. There’s no hope for me and Kyle but I want nothing more than for Gabe to have his Dad in his life. Sometimes we need to be selfless for the ones we love and push our own hurt and betrayal to the side.
“Come on.” I nod my head towards the living room and a huge smile lights his face.
“You’re the best Mom ever!” He runs up and hugs me before darting for the living room. This is going to be hard but I’ll give him this. One last time.
“Mom it’s already started! Hurry!” He yells.
When I walk into the living room I see Gabe shadowboxing in the middle of the floor while completely transfixed on his Dad. And it looks like Kyle has gone full-on Reckless tonight. Just what everyone expects.
Jesus, he’s kicking Gibson’s ass! He totally deserves it, Gibson’s the worst kind of person. Is it horrible that I’m hoping he gets one or two hits in on Kyle, you know, to make it fair and all? Shut it, you’d wish the same if you just had your heart broken.
Five minutes later and the fight’s evened out a little. Gibson’s gotten a few good hits in but Kyle’s still going crazy. I’ve never seen him fight like this before, it’s kinda hot. Fucking hell girl!
Then it all happens so fast.
“Oh no Mom! Is Dad okay?”
I look on in horror fear immobilizing me unable to move or answer his question. I run for the TV to shut it off as fast as can be to shield Gabe.
Oh Kyle…
***
Kyle
I smile knowing I’m kicking Gibson’s ass. He’s chasing me around the cage and playing right into my master plan. He’s exhausted and he’s barely gotten a hit in. We move to the center of the ring as the next round is about to begin and he has a smile on his face.
“You ready for me Cage?”
“Huh, think you can put up with more Gibby?”
The bell rings and I’m expecting him to lunge at me but he doesn’t. He just looks at me and smiles even bigger.
“How’s your little family doing Reckless?”
“Motherfucker!” I dive and get nailed with a knee to my midsection. It hurts but I brush it off and dive back in. We end up in a tussle on the floor trying to fight for the advantage. He manages to get it and throw me into a sloppy arm bar. It’s easy enough to get out and I do so quickly. Finding the angle to capitalize I pull him in for a guillotine choke. I have him locked in tight, he isn’t going anywhere.
With his hands free he starts to wail on my head and I’m unable to block. Then there’s an excruciating pain in my dick and I try to maintain my hold but the pain gets worse forcing me to let go. I yell at the ref for not having seen the illegal move but he shrugs and say he didn’t see shit.
We get to our feet and start circling each other. A few fake outs and a couple punches to each of us, the round is called. I walk to my corner where my brothers are waiting with my coach.
“Fuck Kyle, you can’t let him get in there like that. Stop fucking around and end this!” My coach yells.
“I know, I know. I’ve got this. There will only be one more round.”
“I hope so. Let’s get this done.” My coach backs off and Zander jumps in.
“Hey, don’t let him get you on the ground. You’re stronger on your feet and your submissions are strong but his ground games better. You need to knock him out.”
“I’ve got this big brother.” I nod my head and get called back to the center of the ring. The bell rings all too soon and we’re rushing each other once again.
I get a few haymakers in making Gibson stagger on his feet.
Looking back now, I know exactly where I went wrong. When I got too cocky and turned to smile at the cheering crowd Gibby dropped me to the ground and locked me in Crucifix Omoplata. It’s his signature move and this is the one I’ve been dreading. It’s near impossible to get out of and he’s looking for me to tap.
I’m not a bitch and I’ll never tap.
Wiggling, I try to find a weakness… but there’s none. He pulls harder and harder on my arm and I swear my shoulders is a second from popping out of socket.
“Tap for me you pussy.” Gibson grits out.
“Never you fucking asshole!”
Then the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in my life flies through my arm and I black out…