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Ava was stopped from responding by the burning in her throat, the result of using so many words. She sipped some water, but it didn’t help. In fact, swallowing made it worse. The mystery of her flowers evaporated. Her voice was descending back into nothing more than a coarse, dry pit. Pain and frustration coursed through her.
Jasmine brushed Ava’s tears away with her free hand. “Don’t cry...” she whispered gently. “It’ll be OK. I promise.”
“How do you know that?”Ava mouthed, hoping to not push it so far that she lost it for days.
Jasmine smiled. “Because I have faith. Because you’re a fighter.”
Ava’s reply burst from her. She cringed as the words came out like crazy, the pain in her throat increasing as she went. “I’m not... I’m a liar. I told the boys I don’t remember the fight. But the truth is I remember everything. I wake up shivering and sobbing some nights. I’m not a fighter anymore. Hell, with this voice, especially before the cast came off, I barely feel like a human being. Look at me. Do I look like a fighter to you, lying here like this? All this was done by a woman I looked up to my whole life. She completely destroyed me. Was she just faking me out? Did I just get lucky punches in? LOOK AT WHAT SHE FUCKING DID TO ME!” She stopped as she was hit with a coughing fit. Her voice broke and she struggled for breath, so much so that Jasmine had to signal for a nurse.
The last thing Ava saw before blacking out was an oxygen mask being fitted over her face.
22
Veronica Nash vsFelicia Wale
“Good evening, everybody, and welcome to our Main Event of the evening: Veronica Nash defending her Undisputed Championship against Felicia Wale. John, this is the first time we’ve really seen the champion since the Beckinsale fight, how do you predict this one?”
“It’s an interesting one isn’t it? THIS is probably the match we should’ve got instead of the Nash and Beckinsale one, on merit anyway. Certainly Wale has a good amount of experience in comparison, but I don’t know if she has the striking power to really worry Veronica Nash. Most of her victories thus far have been submissions, and with all due respect, I can’t see a fighter as seasoned as Nash getting into a position where that becomes a factor. I predict a round two knockout. Nash retains.”
“You mentioned Wale having a lot of experience in comparison to Beckinsale, but really, it’s impossible for anyone to not have more experience than Ava Beckinsale, isn’t it?”
“Well yes, you’re completely correct. Her last match was her only professional bout.”
“And what a memory she left behind. Now look, I don’t want to appear disrespectful to either of these women tonight, as Wale most definitely deserves her shot, and no matter what, these two will put on a great match, I’m sure. But jeez, John, imagine us being here for Nash and Beckinsale II.”
“No look, I don’t want to distract viewers away from this match either, but I got a huge buzz from those last few words. The arena here is just a few thousand short of a sell out as of today, after being on sale for only a number of weeks, which is amazing and a testament to our great industry and the amazing fighters on show. Those two, though, with the belt on the line? Could sell out a football stadium in minutes. It’s almost become a phenomenon, the desire for this match that, sadly, doesn’t look like it will ever get anywhere.”
“Stop fucking talking about it then!” Max screamed at the TV, his all-areas pass swinging from the lanyard around his neck. “Fuck.”
Veronica let out a breath through her nose, having just received the call to head for the Cage. Wale had already made her way there, evidenced by the cheer of the crowd. Veronica had always kept the TV on in her locker room, with the sound on. She liked watching the other matches and enjoyed hearing the commentators’ thoughts. But the breath she blew out was one of frustration though she didn’t show it like Max did. She had to focus, but this was such bullshit. She had given the ‘right’ person a chance in Wale, Beckinsale was halfway around the world, and they STILL couldn’t give it a rest. For the first time ever, she was sorry she had continued her pre-fight ritual.
Veronica Nash didn’t walk out of the locker room. She marched. Frustration and anger bristling in every step, closing in on the entrance to the arena, waiting for her music to hit.
“And now the entrance of the one and only Canadian treasure, Veronica Nash, and just listen to this hostile crowd!”
“Wow.”
“Can you believe this, John? Surely she had to know this was coming?”
“I thought she might face some animosity but not this. She’s got a smattering of her loyal fans, as you can see on the screen there, but the majority of the fight fans here in Atlanta are making their feelings known in no uncertain terms.”
“To her credit, though, Nash looks as focused as I’ve ever seen as both fighters take their last minute instructions. When that bell rings, the crowd booing won’t matter. The fight is all that matters, and that’s what Veronica Nash is best at. And here we go! Nash launches into a leaping punch, dodged beautifully by Wale. Oh crunch!”
“Beautifully done.”
“Nash landed on the ball of her foot after that punch and then sent a stunning heel kick directly into Wale’s cheek! That was almost one movement from the punch, to the landing, then the kick. The challenger staggers backwards into the steel!”
“There was no defense against that. It was so fast. The punch was just to position her for the real attack. She’s truly exceptional. And there’s blood in the water now.”
“I think you’re right, John, and here comes Nash! A brilliant judo flip sends Wale to her back! Nash unleashing furious strikes at Wale who’s trying to cover up! One. Two. Three strikes to the head! Wale slumps! That’s it! It’s over! Nash wins and the streak continues!”
“That’s a new record for her. Seventeen seconds. Unbelievable.”
“It’s just come up on the arena screens now, as Nash thrusts her hands in the air. There was so much pressure on her tonight. How much of a weight would this be off her shoulders, John? This champion of champions. John?”
“Sorry folks, I just can’t get over this crowd reaction.”
“This crowd has not stopped booing since Nash arrived, and if anything, the new record flashing on the screen only made the reaction worse. Never have I seen anything like this. Fans are walking out. Others are screaming, throwing things at the Cage. Nash is being escorted out by security. God Almighty, they didn’t even have a presentation. It is that dangerous! You never want to see this, John.”
