Page 91 of Beyond the Cage
It’s like he didn’t even hear me. His eyes are glued to Mikhail.Shit’s about to get real.He pushes us all aside and moves toward Mikhail before the bell rings, stopping just shy of the center of the cage. Even the crowd can sense the change, and everyone rises to their feet. Theding dingof the bell draws me closer to the cage.
Intent on finishing with a flair, Mikhail comes out wildly. I watch in complete awe as Cameron changes his stance and blocks every blow, his hands and feet moving in coordination. His movements are swift, sure, and lithe; it looks almost like a dance. Mikhail steps back, confusion etched into his features. The cheers from the crowd are back. He stomps toward Mikhail, pinning him to the cage with powerful blows to his head and stomach. A punch to his left jaw sends blood spewing from his mouth. Cameron steps back, giving Mikhail a chance to collect his bearings. He shakes his head with resolve and stands upright. When he moves forward, Cameron delivers a full roundhouse kick to his head. Before he even falls, Cameron is in the air, delivering another kick to the opposite side of his head. He falls flat on his face and rolls over in agony. The crowd chants, “K.O., K.O.!”
Finally, Mikhail stumbles to his feet, legs wobbling. Cameron pushes him in my direction. With Mikhail’s face pressed against the cage, Cameron grabs his neck, keeping him there. I step closer and look up at Mikhail. That’s when I hear him speak.
“She’s dead, Jackson. Dead!”
His eyes are fucked up but I know he can see me, so I push the hood back and reveal myself to him. His expression of shock and disbelief triggers a smile.That’s right, motherfucker. It’s me. I nod to Cameron and he pulls Mikhail back from the cage. With one last brave, albeit stupid attempt, he lunges, taking a kick to the chest that sends him flying into the chain link fence. Before he can fall to the mat, Cameron pins him to the fence, putting all his strength into every punch. He grabs Mikhail’s shoulders and pushes him to the center of the cage. That’s when Cameron really lets him have it. He’s using every punch and kick in his arsenal, including my favorite move. A kick to the side brings Mikhail to a hunched position, barely able to remain standing. Cameron glances at me then back to Mikhail with death in his eyes. From the ginga, he places both palms on the mat, bringing both feet up to deliver a meia lua de compasso dupla square in Mikhail’s face. It sends a couple of teeth flying from his mouth. The crowd is going absolutely insane. Mikhail bounces off the mat then rests in a broken and bloody mess.
The bell goes off and Cameron turns, walking back to his corner. I can’t even hear myself think over the noise in the arena. While the paramedics rush toward Mikhail, Cameron exits the cage and makes his way to me. He scoops me up into his arms and spins me around, flashing that dazzling smile of his. My heart breaks a little more because I know it will never be directed at me again.One more time. Just one last time…
I wrap my arms around his neck tightly and lean in. I hear the crowd in the background cheering us on but I drown them out, kissing him as if my life depends on it. He feels the difference, too. When I pull back, he searches my eyes for a sign, a clue as to what’s going through my mind. I smile weakly and stroke his cheek.
“They need you.” He sets me on my feet and attempts to take me with him. “No. This is your moment. You go.”
He sighs and enters the cage to collect his award. Jared is distracted so I use the opportunity to seek out Chels.
“Let’s go.”
“Are you okay?” she asks, brows furrowed.
“No.”
She motions to Damon and grabs my hand.
Back at the hotel, I start packing. We were supposed to be here a few more days, but I’ve decided to leave with my parents tomorrow.
“You wanna talk?”
“I just wanna go home, Chels.”
“What about Cameron?”
“He’s got stuff to do. He can’t leave yet.”
Itistrue…but I just don’t want to talk about him right now.
“I’ll go start packing.”
“You don’t have to,” I assure her.
She places her hands on my shoulders, giving me a somber stare. “I was so scared…when I saw that guy grab you…” She pulls me into her arms, wrapping me in a tight embrace. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I’m not letting you go through this alone.”
I return her hug, overcome with emotion. What did I do to deserve a friend like this? “We’re gonna grow old together, remember?”
“Damn right. Now, I’m gonna go pack.”
I watch her leave then walk to the chest of drawers. There, I see his cologne…the one I love. Picking it up, I take it back to the bed with me. I spray a little on my wrist and bring it up to my nose, closing my eyes as memories drift through my mind – the night we met, our first kiss, riding on the back of his Harley, our first time…
Why did I let myself fall in love with him? No. Why did he make me fall in love with him? How am I ever going to get over him?
I hear the door slam shut and wipe frantically at my tears. I can’t let Chels see me like this. Only, it isn’t her. Cameron races into the room, skidding to a halt when he finds me. He breathes a sigh of relief and stomps toward me with an angry glare. Shaking his head, he crushes me to him before holding me at arms’ length and giving me a stern look.Oh.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left without telling you.”
He blinks and studies me closely. Brushing his knuckles against my cheeks, his expression turns to one of concern. I walk away, getting the last of my things and dropping them in my suitcase.
“I’m going home…tomorrow…without you,” I tell him as I zip it up.
