Page 61 of Sucker Punch Drunk Love

“Why libertad?*?” Referring to the words in cursive right above it.

“Because eight years stood between me being born in Cuba, versus being born here. My life would have been so different if I’d been born there. We probably would’ve never met. Libertad?* just represents that. Even though this may not always be the greatest country, everything about my life has led me here. With this beautiful woman on my lap. Get over here, girl,” I teased.

“We only have about two days to christen this hotel?—”

“Nice try, Medina. You’ve got a ritual, and rituals are sacred for keeping your head in the game. I’m not hitting this until you walk out a winner.”

“Oh, so you're gonna deprive me unless I win?” she flirted.

“I ain't say all that,” I corrected. “But I want to bewhoyou reward yourself with when you win,” I said, leaning in for a kiss. “So, if that means fucking cold showers for two days, I'm committed.”

“Well…it'd be a shame if my butt came into contact with your crotch in your sleep,” she teased.

“So, youdodo that shit on purpose? Mi diabla. Mi ángel. Mi loquita?*,” as she kissed me. “Mi loba?*,” I settled on affectionately. “Trust, just because I ain't dicking you down don't mean I ain't gonna eat it,” as I bit my lip.

“I guess I just have to start that as my new pre-match ritual,” she sighed, leaning into kiss me.

“Can't believe this is one of the first times I've been to Vegas, and it's in the fucking summertime. Seems like every fight I ever had was like two weeks before Christmas. They go a few weeks without them around that time,” my mind wandered off.

“What did you normally do to celebrate. For the holidays, I mean?” she eyed curiously.

“Sierra wasn't much to celebrate when you don't got people in your life. Most of my family are still back in Cuba, so I didn't have family to be with. I was so focused on fighting, I didn't do marriage or kids, so no new memories to make. And foster care wasn't a picnic, but also the perfect way to show me that Christmas was just a day. Didn't get anything. Didn't give anything. Just came to terms with it.”

“Aw, but everyone should getsomethingfor the holidays at least once in their lifetime,” she sympathized.

“Getting stuff is for kids anyway. I'm not resentful or anything. Was just dealt different cards. What about you? How are you used to spending your holidays?” Curious since she asked me.

“Honestly, I have only about two decent memories. One with my grandmother and one with my daughter. My abuelita celebrated the holidays on Three Kings Day. Everything's like 75% off, and you miss out a lot of the holiday crowds. I didn't celebrate it like I wanted before my daughter came, because I was still pregnant. But after she was born, I adapted thattradition for her first Christmas. She probably doesn't remember it, but it was the first-time things felt normal. When I get Mónica back, I want to continue that.”

“That's beautiful.”Shewas beautiful. And I could totally see myself in that situation. With her. Especially if she could visualize me in itwithher. “I'm sure your daughter would love that. We're still waiting for the checks to cut on some of your deals, but at least you'll be able to give that to her.”

She leaned in to kiss me, purring into the kiss. “It just sucks thatnowyou choose to honor my no hookup rule until after a fight.”

“Look, I just said nodick. I need you out there, aggressive. And the post-fight dick I'mma give you might make that ass submissive, and I need a beast out there. Trust me, mi pinga?* will show you how much it missed you once you win. But in the meantime, if you need a mouth to use. I mean, my tongue really don't count because it's basically a vibrator,” I joked, trilling my tongue.

“You know, you'd just be doing it for you,” she teased.

“True, but you get to benefit in the best way. So, it's a win-win. I want to make your post-match ritual special this time.”

“Boy, how do you even make something we do nearlyeveryday special?”

“Ma, ain't you ever had sex by candlelight? Rose petals everywhere, and sexy music?”

“No!”

“What do the men your agedoon special occasions? ¡Coño?*! Girl, you're gonna be hearing so much R&B, you won't even be able tolistento it without getting wet. That's a promise.”

“You're so silly,” she laughed, leaning into another kiss.

“Y eres especial?*. In two days, I'll show you just how much.”

***

It’d been a busy morning, at least for Sierra, as the contrast between male and female fights couldn't be more evident than her having to sit in hair and makeup for four hours before our day even started.

She was a trooper, though. Glitz and glam weren't normally her thing, but I know she liked all that girly shit. She just never had access to it in this way before, so I was happy that she got the experience it. She lookedsogood. No one walking by her would be able to tell that she was a professional fighter.

She had a designer dress on, fit to kill. And they had done her locs up in a mohawk, a style fit to accommodate her fight the next day. The conference was at noon, followed up by the weigh-in, and another night of rest before the big fight.