Five Rounds

It’s dark, but the spotlight follows her like it has no other choice.

Like leaving her for even a second would change the world as we know it. Every person is holding their breath, clenching their armrests and barely blinking. Every so often you can hear small gasps and slight exhales. She has the ability to suck you in without even trying.

Gliding.

Twirling.

Effortlessly dancing.

The auditorium is packed with people trying to outdo each other in what we call ‘their Sunday best.’ Women dripping in low cut dresses and diamonds, hanging off the arms of men who sit with glasses of whiskey. Even they are captivated by her beauty, her grace, and I can now understand why.

Her movements are like watching the wind slowly blow through a field of daisies. The word graceful can’t even describe her. She’s poised, yet exquisite. Moves like the stage is her only home. The place where she feels most comfortable. Where she feels she belongs, like she was made for this alone.

When my best friend, Baisden, asked if I wanted to go to the ballet, I thought he had lost his mind. He must have been joking. Maybe he was hit one too many times in the ring during our sparring match. But he said his girl had to go in on call at the hospital and had to cancel their ‘date night’. She was devastated and made him promise to use those tickets. He’s a sucker for his girl.

So, here we are. Two rough looking, tattooed men in penguin suits, watching a rendition of The Nutcracker. Looking so out of place in an auditorium full of women who are eyeing the only single men in the place, regardless that they are with their husbands. Only she is the lead dancer, and she retains my attention.

Landry Wade.

Sexy as hell. And way out of my league.

“Dude, you got a little bit of drool right there.”

“Fuck off.”

“If I knew you liked ballet so much, I would have given you tickets for Christmas instead of that scarf.”

“You mean the scarf with the little elves on it? My mother loves that scarf.”

His eyes go wide for a moment, as his hand flies to his chest feigning heartbreak.

“Tell me you did not re-gift my scarf.”

“Sure, as hell did.”

“See if I take time to specially pick out you a gift next time.”

“Whatever, B. You picked it up at the airport on our way to the fight in San Antonio. Now shut up and watch Landry do her thing.”

“Didn’t know you were such a fan.”

“Never realized how good she was. Hell, I just thought she was playing around in house slippers during school. Never knew she was going to make a career out of it.”

“Wait… you actually know Laundry Wade?”

“Know is kind of far-fetched, but we did go to school together. Saw each other in the halls. Talked here and there. You know, when we got stuck doing projects together. But she always hung out with a different crowd than I did.”

“Pretty sure she did. I met you at seventeen. At your dad’s gym, training. That’s not the kind of girl I see hanging around a place like that.”

What Baisden didn’t know was Landry was different. She was always down to earth. Never considered herself better than anyone else. Even though we were from different sides of the spectrum, so to speak, she never made me feel like I was beneath her. And she always made me do my part on the school projects.

Her friends on the other hand, that was a different story. They snubbed their nose at the boy whose father was training him to fight. The one who owned the MMA gym and helped underprivileged teens get their head out their ass. Sometimes he would see something in someone. Something redeeming. Something nobody else took time to look for.

Baisden is one of them. He was headed down the wrong path. Got stuck in a crowd dealing drugs and spent one too many nights being beat for not selling enough. In and out of the system and filled with rage. My parents offered him a home, and my father offered him an outlet for his anger. It was the best thing that ever happened. Not only did I find my best friend, Baisden found where he belongs in life.

My parents had all of us on a strict schedule, including their own son. I didn’t get special attention. We paid our way through life with blood and sweat. Mom taught us how to cook on our off days. School and chores were part of everyday life. By the time we were old enough to take care of ourselves, we knew how to cook, clean, and think on our feet.

My father to this day, still helps train me. He comes by and watches. Telling me what I’m doing wrong and what I need to improve on. He never misses a fight. Whether its by the ring or on tv, my father is my best supporter and number one fan. He’s never let me lose my focus. I am who am today because of him.

The performance ends in a standing ovation. I watch as she steps back to allow her co-stars the opportunity to share the spotlight. Making it known it wasn’t all about her. She quickly exits the stage left as the curtain starts to close, and we start making our way down the aisles and toward the back. It’s a slow trek with the crowd but I know the moment I see her. Her smile lights up her face. She’s talking adamantly to another dancer. Her head tilts back in laughter while her hand flies to her chest. She looks so happy and carefree. I can’t help but call her what I did in high school.

“Wade.”

Her head snaps over and her eyes widen in surprise as she recognizes me immediately. Her red hair is still pulled sharply to the back of her head but it’s just as vibrant as I remember it to be. Her smile stretches across her face and just like in high school, it takes my breath away. Those green eyes are like moss and twinkle with the excitement only a successful production can bring.

“Benson.”

We each make our way through the throng of people and find ourselves by one of the mobile costume closets. She quickly hugs me hello and I faintly get the smell of her sweaty skin and floral scent of whatever she washes her hair in.

“I didn’t know if you would recognize me or not.”

“It took me a second. Might be all the tattoos, but those blue eyes will never change. I take it you saw the performance?”

“I did and you were amazing. Here I thought you were playing in your slippers at school.”

She laughs and puts her hand on my arm. It’s comforting and even after all these years, still feels familiar.

“And I thought you got into fights because trouble always seemed to find you. Didn’t know you would make a career out of it. It’s really good to see you, Colby.”

“You too. This is my friend, Baisden Hendrix. I’m fairly sure you’ve heard his name a time or two as well. He’s the one who drug me here.”

She laughs and rolls her eyes.

“Drug you? Nice to know how you really feel about ballet.”

“I’ll get you tickets to my next fight and see how you really feel.”

“Touché. Well, it’s good to see two well-known fighters engaging in some theater. There might be hope for you two yet.”

“How long are you in town for?”

“Actually, this is my last performance for a while. My agent is working on a contract negotiation for a long-term performance of Giselle, in France. I don’t want to be tied down somewhere else if that goes through.”

“Wow, look at you traveling the world.”

“Look who’s talking, Colby. Do you live still here in New York?”

“Sure do. I took over the gym from my father when he retired. Made it something bigger, better. Helping more kids who need off the streets and given a break. I’m usually there between fights.”

“That’s amazing, Colby.”

“Yeah, Dad still helps out. He can’t sit still at home and trains the younger ones. Plus, he’s always there to keep me in line.”

“Sounds incredible. I can’t believe it’s the first time I’m back home in New York and have nothing to do. I might have to take up a hobby.”

She glances over my shoulder and becomes visibly rigid. Her hand quickly drops from my arm and her smile fails. In its place is a smile so fake it should hurt her face. Her eyes no longer hold that sparkle but a look of apprehension. I glance behind me and watch a tall man in a crisp black suit making his way over.

Even from here I can tell he’s dripping with money. The suit itself is made of the finest wool and tailored to perfection. His watch, a Patek Philippe, itself cost more than most people could ever dream of owning. His face though is hard as granite and stoic. He’s walking like he’s on a mission, steady and sure, oozing nothing but confidence a man of his stature thinks he deserves. In his arms are two dozen red roses.

With black hair slicked back and dark eyes, my guess is he’s a lawyer or corporate businessman. Someone who picks apart a person only to spit them out as he sees fit. As he arrives, he leans down, kisses Landry on the cheek and smiles. Yet, it never reaches his eyes. It’s as fake as hers. He then turns and looks straight into my eyes but speaks to her.

“Good job, sweetheart. You going to introduce me to your... friend?”

My hands automatically ball into fists at my sides and I tuck them into my pants to keep myself under control. This isn’t my fight, and this isn’t my girl.

“Oh, thank you. These flowers are beautiful. Brandon, this is Colby Benson and his friend Baisden Hendrix. Colby and I went to school together. Colby, this is my fiancé, Brandon Jamison.”

Now it’s my turn to become rigid and the tension in the room is unmistakable. Not because she introduced me or even because she’s engaged. It’s because I heard it in her voice. I’m a trained fighter who pays attention to everything around me. Every move, every sound, every possibility. She tried hard to control it, but I heard it. The unmistakable break in her voice when she spoke. The nervousness in her eyes. It’s all there. Only to see her shake her head so minutely, that if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t have noticed it.

But I did.

Something doesn’t set right with me. The situation is all wrong, but she doesn’t want me to question it. She doesn’t want me to make a scene and it’s not my place to get involved. It’s not my place cast blame. He never once takes his eyes off mine as he extends his hand toward me. It’s a move to show his dominance, a move to tell me he has the upper hand. Yet all I see is pussy of a man who uses his size and power to frighten. A man who can be taken down before he even has the chance to know what’s happening. Never letting his gaze go, I shake his hand. Without showing fear, without showing weakness. Letting him know he has no power over me, and I have no weakness. Because whether he knows it or not he just revealed his.

“Colby Benson in the flesh. I watched your fight in Chicago a few months back. I bet on the other guy.”

Asshole.

“I hate to be you then. Cause you lost a lot of money.”