I expect Bobbi to use a combination of those, one where she uses my weight to her advantage.
That’s why I’m surprised when she grapples my arm and manages to lift me enough to slam me back down to the ground.
I wheeze in pain, but I have enough strength to roll out of the way before she manages a leg drop directly onto my throat.
I’m definitely taking her seriously now.
I hop back up to my feet, but I’m not going on the defensive. I jab at her, and she dodges effortlessly.
Like me, she knows not to take punches from people in a higher weight class.
After a flurry of punches, I manage to land one blow on her. I want to celebrate, but I realize a second too late that it was a ploy.
She was letting me tire myself out—and get close to her.
Bobbi wraps her arms around my torso. The next thing I know, I’m staring up at the ceiling, right before I’m slammed onto my back.
I cry out in pain. Bobbi gets on top of me and drives her knee into my neck while holding my wrists.
“Better give up before you get hurt,” Bobbi says with a wide grin.
I just got my ass kicked.
I don’t intend to give up, but before I can recover, the announcer is calling the match in her favor.
Fuck.
I groan, letting my head drop back against the mat. “You’re good,” I tell her when she releases me. “I want a rematch when I’m fresh.”
“Oh, does this not usually happen to you?” Bobbi asks with a small laugh. She glances past me. “I think you’ve got somebody who wants to kiss it all better.”
“I do,” I confirm. “She’ll probably have a hard-on for you now, though.”
When she gets up, Bobbi surprises me by offering a hand out to me to help me up.
I take it, nodding to her as I get back to my feet. “Thanks.” I grin at her as I work to catch my breath. “See you next week?”
Bobbi shrugs. “If you think you’ve recovered by then.”
“Only my pride was hurt,” I say. “Guess I know how it feels to be beaten by the newbie now.” I wave at her then jog offto the side of the cage, letting myself out and heading over to where Pandora, Blaze, and Asch are waiting.
“You just got your ass handed to you,” Asch comments helpfully.
I roll my eyes at him. “Yeah. I did. Your point?” I grab Pandora, pulling her in for a kiss.
She obliges, but after barely a second she turns her head to stare at Bobbi. “Who was she? Maybe I should join the fights, so she can bench-pressme.”
Blaze immediately shakes his head. “No way. If anyone’s manhandling you, it’s us.”
Asch laughs, clasping me on the shoulder. “You did good with the other fights, at least. Let me guess. You told her you were tired? That you need to avenge your honor?”
I huff out a laugh of my own. “Yeah. Next week. You trying to tell me you wouldn’t want a rematch against someone who dropped you like that?”
“No one’s dropping me like that,” Asch retorts.
“Prove it,” I tell him. “You go get in the ring.”
Asch shakes his head. “Not my thing.”
