Page 105 of Beautiful Chaos
We exchanged blows, one for one toward the end of the second round. He caught the side of my cheek with a heavy blow, and I landed another hit to his right eye, widening his cut.
When Jay stumbled forward, I kicked him back against the ropes, and for a second, I thought he was going down, but he stumbled forward once more. Only this time, I grabbed a hold of his neck while he was bent over, twisted my body and flipped him onto his back, pummeling his face over and over.
I harnessed my training as best I could, every hit strategic, defensive, but there was a part of me that unleased some of the rage that had been festering inside me for years. The hit to his cheekbone was for him staying in contact with Gabriel. The second shot to his temple was for him forgiving what that manhad done to our family. And the third strike, which broke his nose, was for him choosing the man who murdered our mother over his older brother who’d always protected him growing up.
The ref shoved me away, checked on Jay, who was now unconscious, and declared me the winner. The metallic tang of blood and sweat filled the air as waves of relief and triumph coursed through my veins. The belt rested on my shoulder as the ref raised my arm in the air.
The crowd exploded, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I wore the biggest grin after a victory. In the past, I was pleased with my wins, but I wasn’t a happy man. I barely ever smiled, and people just assumed that was part of my persona. But that was the real me. That wasn’t the case these days, though, and I had Sophie to thank for the change.
With this being my last fight, I answered a couple interview questions. Every breath I took carried a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration, and while my body ached and the bruises started to form, all I could think about was the woman waiting for me in the back room. Before I left the cage, I looked directly at the camera and winked, hoping she was watching.
Jay had woken up and was being tended to by a doctor. Gabriel entered the ring and rushed to his side. He made eye contact with me once but never approached. He knew better. For as elated as I was about the news of the baby, I still had residual anger in me, and if Gabriel even spoke to me, I’d unleash it on him.
“That’s how you do it!” Trevor shouted at me, collecting me in an excited hug. “Fuck, man, you were awesome.”
“Thanks. I did my best.” A euphoric high descended and gripped me in its embrace.
“And it paid off.”
“Congratulations, Jackson,” Abby said, giving me a quick hug before standing next to Trevor, her smile widening when hepulled her into him. I was thrilled he’d found someone. Abby was a good choice for him.
Elton and Lance sang my praises as we all headed toward the back room. My steps were hurried. I needed to see her, and I couldn’t wait one more second.
I burst through the room, and she rushed toward me, jumping into my arms, not a care in the world that I was bloody and covered in sweat.
“Oh my God, Jax. You were amazing.” She kissed me with wild abandon, her lips never tasting so sweet.
“You watched?” I tightened my hold around her, not wanting to let her go.
“I did. There were a couple times I had to look away, but I saw most of it, especially the end. I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“And now it’s over.”
“Are you upset about that?” she asked, more color in her face than before. I was happy to see she was feeling better.
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to this next chapter of our lives. Which, by the way, we have to start looking for a bigger place. There’s no way we can all fit into my apartment.”
“We have some time.”
Sophie smiled at me with such love, my heart nearly exploded.
I thought when I finally ended my career, I’d be sad, disappointed, or restless about the decision, but all I experienced right then was gratitude.
For the long career I’d had.
For my team, who stuck by me, no matter what.
And for the woman who’d stormed into my life, flipped me on my ass, and blessed me with true, unconditional love.
THE END
