Seven
Cooper
I step into the octagon and tune everything out around me. I need this win. Not only will it keep me undefeated, but it’ll also ensure me a place in the title fight in a few months at the MGM Grand. This is what I’ve been working my ass off for, for the last ten plus years. This is why, after five years of hell from being around my father, I’m still in Las Vegas.
I look around and see my dad in the corner, along with Kaden, who’s still my trainer, and Bentley, who hasn’t left my side all these years. I know Caleb is out there watching. I don’t know what I would do without these guys. They’re my fucking rock. I’d never have been able to deal with my dad all these years without them pushing me.
Three rounds. Three. Fucking. Rounds. If I can beat this guy, I’m one step closer to the title fight and everything I’ve been through will be worth it.
I look out into the crowd like I do before every fight. Watching them scream my name is a complete ego boost, not to mention their enthusiasm helps to get me pumped up. I hear someone shouting Cooper, which isn’t something I normally hear. Normally, the fans are yelling Rage. I look toward where the voice is coming from and my eyes lock with hers. I realize it isn’t her voice screaming my name but her best friend’s.
It takes me a second to make sure I’m not hallucinating. This girl has been in every fantasy of mine for the last five years. The guys have a bet as to when I’ll mention her name again. She’s my girl who got away. There have been times when I was walking down the street and could’ve sworn I saw her, only to come face to face with a stranger who has a similar skin tone or hair color or the same curvy body. Well, not the exact same, because everything about Liz is one of a kind.
For five long years, I’ve lived with the regret of walking away and not taking her number or giving her mine. When we first got back and I couldn’t stop thinking about her, I asked Bentley if maybe he had gotten her friend’s number, but when he said he hadn’t, I knew there was no way I would ever find her again.
Kaden screaming my name knocks me out of my fog and our connection is lost. I want to try to find her, but right now I need to focus on this damn fight.
“Bro, what the fuck is wrong with you? Focus,” Kaden says, while wiping Vaseline on my face to prevent too much bleeding.
I look over at my dad and see him scowling at me. He can tell I’ve lost my focus and is wondering what the hell just happened. The few times he overheard the guys and I talking about Liz ended with us arguing. If he knew she was here, he would definitely lose it. I can’t even imagine the lengths he would go to to ensure my focus remains on fighting.
I know better than to mention anything about a woman to my dad, not if I want to remain on his good side. So, I shake it off for the moment and get my head back into the fight.
Three rounds. Three. Fucking. Rounds. I just need to get through this fight and afterward I’ll find her. There is no way I’m letting this girl go again.
Eight
Liz
Somebody pinch me because I must be dreaming. I remain standing, staring at this guy that looks even more like my daughter than I’ve imagined over the last four years.
I look over at Kayla and she’s in just as much shock as I am. No words are spoken. We just watch in silence while the majority of the crowd chants, “Rage, Rage, Rage.” Some of the women are holding up signs that say things like “Marry me, Rage” and “I love you, Rage”. Eww! One sign even says, “You can take your Rage out on me.” I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
I’m in shock. I don’t even know what to think right now. The many sleepless nights when Bella was first born and would wake up with Colic, I would hold her in my arms and rock her back and forth while I imagined what it would be like to have Cooper by my side. I’d make up scenes in my head where I’m out with Bella and we run into him. I tell him about his daughter and we ride off into the sunset. Okay, not really ride off into the sunset, but you get the drift. Not in any of those scenes did I ever imagine I would run into him at a UFC fight where he’s fighting in the main event.