The booming voice stopped Val in her tracks. She raised her chin as three of the largest humans she’d ever seen swamped her in a gigantic, bone-crushing embrace.
“Buck, Henry!” she cried. “Archibald! What are you guys doing here?”
The three guys stepped back, beaming. “We came to cheer for the hot newcomer in MMA, obviously,” Buck informed her. He was a mammoth redhead.
“Also, we noticed you were in the cage alone last time,” olive-skinned Archibald chipped in.
“Plus, we couldn’t let these shirts go to waste!” Henry, the attractive guy who completed the trio, gripped the bottom of his shirt and spread it proudly.
Val’s jaw dropped. “Where did you get that?”
All three guys wore matching shirts that featured a heavily edited photo of Val in the MMA ring, sweat and spit flying from her face, teeth bared and gloves raised. Lightning-themed gold letters splashed her name across the top.
“We had them made,” Henry told her proudly. “To show that we’re original fans.”
“You made them?” Val laughed.
Archibald hesitated. “We wanted to support you.”
“Aw, you guys! I love it.” Val exchanged fist bumps with the trio. “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.”
“Liam and Isabella are in the crowd, watching,” Buck added. “Liam...didn’t want to go into the cage with you.”
Val snorted. “Poor Lee. He’d get snapped in half just handing me a water bottle.”
“I’m not scared.” Buck grinned. “I play ice hockey. I reckon I can take a couple of unarmed idiots.”
“Unarmed idiots, huh?” Val raised her eyebrows. “I’ll have you know that I am the weapon.”
The guys laughed, wrapping her in mirth and company as they strode to the locker room. Buck and Archibald left her there after revealing that Henry had pulled a few strings, with help from Liam, to be her “coach” for the evening’s fights.
“Stay low,” he told Val, sticking close to her in the bustling locker room, which again reeked of sweat and testosterone. “Take out the kneecaps.”
“The kneecaps?” Val asked as she held out her hands.
Henry strapped her gloves on tightly. “I don’t know shit about MMA. I felt that I should say something coach-y.”
Val snorted.
The announcer’s boom filtered through the walls. A cheer followed his words, and Val’s stomach knotted. “Liam said it’d be a bigger crowd than last time. Is that true?”
“Oh, honey.” Henry chuckled. “This is one of the biggest amateur fights in New York City.”
“What?” Val yelped.
“Didn’t you read the emails from the promoter?” Henry asked.
Val’s cheeks blazed. “Liam handles that stuff for me.”
“Well, he got you into one of the most popular fights in the city,” Henry told her. “You’re fighting in front of a crowd of thousands tonight.”
“Shit,” Val squeaked.
“It’s cool. You’ve got this. The other fighters are amateurs too. You might be an MMA amateur, but you’re a pro at fighting.” Henry grinned.
Val drew deep breaths. “Thanks, Henry. You’re not a bad coach.”
Henry chuckled. “I’m using you as a guinea pig. I’m coaching little ice hockey kids this summer.”
“That suits you,” Val told him, drawing a smile.
An official called her name. Henry grabbed a towel, an ice pack, and a water bottle and followed her down a quiet, dark hallway.
The official opened the door at the end, and Val entered a hectic scene of lights, noise, and people.
“Please welcome our number one newcomer!” This announcer wore numerous gold chains and a tailored suit: gangsta meets Armani. “Vaaaaaaalerie Stonehooooooooold!”
The crowd thundered. Val stomped to the arena, hands shaking in her gloves. Shit. Shit. She’d never seen so many people in one place, and they were all looking at her.
Her steps slowed.
“You got this, sister,” Henry whispered.
Val raised her chin and managed a shallow breath. She brushed her glove over her wig, testing the silicone cap that clung to her hairless scalp, and stumbled into the arena. The announcer yelled something—her opponent’s name, maybe—but Val didn’t hear. The crowd applauded and yelled her name. An ocean of hands and faces surrounded her, alien and terrifying in the colored lights flashing across them. Her heart fluttered, but there was no sign of the scarlet fog.
“Val. Val!” Henry grabbed her arms. “Look at me!”
Val met his slanted eyes. Henry shook her. “Don’t look at the crowd. You’re alone in this cage except for the guy you’ll fight. Kick his ass. It’s another day in the life of a badass. Take him down!”
