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36
Kit
Round One
Our group turns to chaos as reality threatens to smother us all. Jimmy’s up to reclaim his world title, live on national television. Hell,internationaltelevision.
He works fast to warm up with Jon; jabs, legs, squats, stretching, as Jon surrounds him with focus mitts.
Aiden gives him instructions as they go, quietly murmuring their game plan. “Legs, legs, legs, take it to the mat. We worked the ground game, Jim, so take him down, make him tap.”
“Stay with me?” Bobby whispers into my ear. “Aiden will go to the octagon with Jim. The girls and Jack will go find their seats. Jon will stay here with me, but I want you to stay, too.”
I nod and lean in close to whisper, “If you want me to, I’ll stay. But won’t I be a distraction? I don’t wanna mess you up.”
“No, trust me, you leaving would be the distraction. I need to be able to see you.”
I’ll do anything he wants. Always. So I nod my head again.
“Alright, Jim. Two minutes.” Aiden steps to the far wall and takes a robe from the hooks.
There’s a second, identical robe right beside it.
Oh my God, I swear I’m going to die from nerves.
This is ridiculous. I’m not even the one fighting tonight, yet I feel a million times more nervous than when Ididfight, or when Jack fought. It’s a wonder Izzy hasn’t already dropped that baby at our feet if she’s feeling even half as anxious as I am right now. But she seems so calm. So quiet. She and Tink just sit in silence on the bench and study their feet.
Aiden ceremoniously helps Jimmy into his robe, then passes grappling gloves; left, then right. Jim looks calm, casual to my nerves. Small beads of sweat trickle along his bare chest in the gap between the robe, and his hair dangles wet with sweat and water.
“Alright, kids.” Jon looks from one face to the next. “Give him a hug or whatever mushy shit you girls do. It’s time to find your seats.”
“Good luck, Jim.” Jack steps up and hugs him tight. “I’ll see you on the other side.” He walks to the door and stops beside Mike.
Tink climbs to her feet next, winds her arms around his waist and cuddles in tight. “Good luck, Jim. Be careful.” She pulls back, grabs him by the lapels of his robe and pulls him down to drop a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m staying behind.” Jon nods toward Bobby. “Just like we planned.” Jim nods. “Good luck, Jimmy. Smash him, I’ll buy you a beer tonight.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Jim smirks. He turns to me with a sly grin and grabbing hands. “Come here, baby mama.”
Blushing like a fool, I disentangle myself from Bobby’s arms and stop close in front of Jim. “Be careful. Good luck. I’ll be watching.” I press a soft kiss to the side of his mouth.
He sighs sweetly. “I’ll be okay, Princess. I’ll see you soon.” He turns to Bobby. “I’ll warm the crowd up for you, B. I won’t see you again until they hand you your belt, so be good. Be great.”
The brothers hug as the official pokes his head back into the room. “Kincaid, let’s go.”
Our group descends into chaos all over again. Tink and Jack move out into the hall to get moving back to their seats. Bobby pulls me down to sit, but when Iz makes a move to leave, Jim snags her hand and shakes his head.
“Walk out with me?” He looks down at their clasped hands with a smile. “Like we always do?”
After only the briefest pause, she nods and steps closer. “Like always.”
“Kit, hurry,” Jon snaps from the door. “Say goodbye and catch the others. I don’t want you walking to your seat alone.”
“No.” Bobby shakes his head. “She’s staying.”
“Bobby–”
His eyes fire and crackle. “She stays.”
