Page 129 of Heal Me, Love Me

“Then the name’s working.” He winked.

Coach Isaac opened the cage door wider and pointed toward the benches. “Let’s get some water, then get in the strength room.”

“Yes, sir.” I climbed out of the cage and grabbed my bottle from the bench. My phone beside it lit up with notifications from The Loop, but I ignored them long enough to drink half my bottle. Pretending I didn’t want to check was pointless, but instead of opening the app, I went straight to Keaton’s text thread.

Reid just tried to give me a fighter name

Keaton’s reply came immediately:

What is it?

Lockdown

The typing bubble appeared, disappeared, then came back again:

I don’t hate it

You’re supposed to

Is it better than Cali Boy?

I snorted and typed back:

Everything is better than Cali Boy

Then Lockdown wins by default

I smiled despite myself.

I’m not accepting it

I took a big chug of water as I waited for his next text.

Ok Lockdown

Don’t start

Too late

A second later, another message came through:

Also my flight is officially booked. You’re stuck with me for fight weekend

My thumb stilled on the screen. After weeks of trying to make long-distance work through video calls and texts, Keaton putting actual dates on when I’d see him again did something to me that I wasn’t ready to unpack in the middle of the gym.

You didn’t tell me you were doing that

Figured telling you after would be more fun

I knew I had a shit-eating grin on my face as I sent back:

You’re annoying

You love me

More than you know

Then be happy I’m coming