Page 38 of Liberty
“Ma…Why?” Talon asked his mother as he looked totally surprised.
“Cause the poor girl was beside herself about her man gettin’ hurt.” She then stared at me. “So I had your father bring it out.”
We looked over at my dad.
He shrugged. “There is nothing I would deny Bea, so I ended the fight a bit early. No worries though, we all saw some good hits from you boys.”
I looked around until I caught Fate’s face in the crowd, then I said, “And I did not get my ass handed to me.”
Fate scoffed as he shook his head at me. “Oh, but you were about to Lib. You were about to.”
“And I will say it again…you are bleeding!” Belle exclaimed as she was in the ring with me now. She helped to sit me upright and yelled out, “Legend!”
I blinked at her in surprise. “You got our doctor?”
“I did,” Belle replied. “You should see your poor face, Liberty!”
“It’ll be okay, Belle. I've been worse off.”
Legend was suddenly in front of me. “He’s right. He looks worse than this when he gets up in the morning on a normal day.” He chuckled as he swiped a few cuts with medi-wipes.
Wincing at the little alcohol stings, I shook my head. “I'm good, doc. I don't even think I got any busted ribs this time.”
“This time?” Belle asked as she looked stunned.
“Yes, Belle. MMA fighter, remember?” I shook my head at her. Then I paused at the concern on her face and it all suddenly hit me. Ma saying ‘she was worried about her man gettin’ hurt.’ Stopping the fight with a fire hose. Then her getting a doctor for me. I reached out and gently took her hand then raised it up to kiss her palm.
Blinking rapidly, she looked startled as she stared at me.
“Thank you, sweet Belle.”
“For what?” She looked confused.
“Caring enough about me to do the things you did.”
She yanked her hand from mine then stood up and peered down at me. “Oh, it wasn’t that. I mean you were doing all this cause of me. I felt guilty is all. Now, it looks like you are gonna be okay.” She glanced over at Legend. “Right?”
He nodded. “Just a few cuts and abrasions, he doesn't even need stitches this time.”
Nodding at him, she smiled. “Thanks for the favor.” She looked back over at me. “I’m just glad you're fine. I sure didn’t want you hurt because of me.” Turning, she climbed out of the ring and left the garage.
I think I felt my heart crack a little bit. Wow, I almost wished she would have slapped me for real instead of blowing me off like that. The woman acted like we were strangers at best and she was done with me now. I looked up at Fate.
Fate bit at his lip. “Damn, that was cold.”
“Yeah, it was,” Legend agreed as he placed another bandage over my eye this time. “Too bad she’s lying.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked him as I felt like shit now. All deflated when just a minute ago, I was on top of the world.
“When she came over to me to ask if I would come help you after the fight, she was practically in tears. I mean her coldness just now was super convincing I have to admit, but that’s not what I saw earlier.
“That’s right,” Ma chimed in. “Don’t let her cold and sassy act fool you none, Liberty. That girl is in love with you.”
I shook my head as I stood and leaned on the ropes a little. “Well, we got a problem then, because I don’t think she knows how to love, Ma.”
“Well then, maybe you should show her how.”
I looked over at my dad in surprise that he’d said something like this.
