The Battle

by t. h. snyder

  “What’s it gonna be, son?” he asks, his tone firm and filled with…disappointment.

  My chest begins to tighten, my head pounding and my finger tips digging into the mesh material of my gym shorts. Releasing a pent up sigh of frustration, I look down to the ground and back up to see Birch hasn’t moved a muscle.

  I know very well I need to do this. Hank and Trenton are two of the best competitors at the Cage. If I want to be ready to take down my opponents, I need to be fighting with the best.

  “I hear what you’re saying; I’m in this for the battle of a lifetime. I’ve worked too hard to let you or myself down. This place has been my life for far too long to let it go. My head is right where it needs to be, don’t worry about me.”

  Moving to stand from the desk, he rests his hand on my shoulder. As I look up I see him nod.

  “We need to figure out a time that works with all of your schedules. Switching up your training plan is going to make things a bit tricky, but no doubt we can make it work.”

  Moving to stand from the chair, his hand falls away from my shoulder and I step to his right. Tension still fills his office space and I need to get out of here.

  “Just tell me when and I’ll be here. Dan and Gus know my work hours, so anytime I’m not there I will be here.”

  With that I walk out of Birch’s office. Looking down the hallway I can see Traci at the front desk. For as hurt as I just was, the sight of her brings hope to my soul. The two of us are quite the pair, both wanting more out of our lives and striving to put the right foot forward. We may have a long road ahead of us, but there’s no doubt in my mind that together we will be there to support and encourage one another.

  As I step in closer I hear her voice talking on the phone. Patiently I wait for her to end the conversation before sweeping her up in my arms. Just as she sets the phone down I move in behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. A squeal leaves her lungs and I turn her round to face me.

  “Hey, pretty lady,” I say looking directly into her eyes.

  A blush begins to color her cheeks and I can’t help but laugh. She attempts to wiggle out of my embrace, but I won’t have it. I like having her body up against mine. Eventually she stops the squirming and stares up at me.

  “Well hello there yourself, tough guy. You gonna let me out of your arms so I can get back to work?”

  The look on her face is so serious, yet I know she’s enjoying this as much as I am.

  “Nope, I have to take advantage of you when I can. I’ve gotta get home and get some sleep before work, but tomorrow night you’re all mine.”

  “Mmm, I like the sound of that,” she says in a sexy tone.

  Leaning down to her, I place a gentle kiss to her forehead before removing my arms from her warm body.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” I say as I leave the desk and make my way out of the Cage.

  As I move back down the hallway, I keep my head focused straight ahead. I don’t need to see or make eye contact with Birch. What I do need is to get out of here and get in a good nap before work. Exiting the building my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. Taking the last few steps to my car, I open the door and reach into my shorts for my cell. A text alert appears across the screen from Dan.

  Dan – Tomorrow 1130 at the Cage for your first round training with Hank

  Knowing this is just the beginning and something I need to do, I mentally remind myself of the reason I started coming to the Cage. I’m a fighter inside and out, this is what I do and who I want to be. There’s too much at stake to let my pride get in the way. It’s time to come clean with what happened and forget about the way I felt about my best friends. No matter what happens in the cage, I need to train and work my ass off for the upcoming fights.

  Hitting reply, I respond to Dan’s text letting him know that I’ll be there. After a long ass night of work I may not be mentally ready, but my body and instinct will take over. It’s time to show them that with each fight I’m encountering, it will be a battle I know I’ll win.

  Walking toward the cage, I can feel my veins pulsing in my neck. I’ve done this hundreds of times, why am I so nervous? Maybe it’s because I’ve avoided and not spoken to two of my best friends in weeks. It’s basically a miracle that I’ve stayed away from them for so long, they were my only true friends, the ones I spent all my time with. Now it’s as though I’m about to walk into a gym with perfect strangers. Not to mention the last time I fought with Hank he took me down so hard I injured my elbow. But not this time, not now. I’ve been training far too long to let anything stand in my way. In only a few short months we will be up against some pretty raw competitors and I’m determined to see these fights through ‘til the final battle. I will become the champion. For years Birch and the coaches taught us everything they knew, they trained us to be the best and now is the time for us to show them what we’re really made of.

  Continuing through the parking lot with my head held high, I enter the back door of the Cage. At this time of day this place is booming and the sounds within the walls full of adrenaline. As I move down the hallway, I look into the offices each of them empty. I can only assume that they are all waiting. With pride in my step, I round the corner and turn to face the metal cage. From just a quick glance I can see everyone standing around indeed waiting on me. As I approach, Gus and Dan immediately step into stride with me as we make our way into the men’s locker room.

  “You ready for this, kid?’ Gus asks pulling the tape out of his back pocket.

  “Yeah, I’m good to go. This is what you’ve trained me for, time to step up and duke it out with the best of ‘em,” I reply tossing my bag into my locker.

  “It’s not the fight in you that we’re worried about, Mike, it’s what’s in your head. Hank and Trenton said they haven’t seen or heard from you in weeks. We need your head in this and not in the clouds. Didn’t Birch tell you to sort things out?”

  Turning around, I throw my gloves down onto the floor, my breath heaving from my lungs. The anger and hurt I’ve pent up since my conversation with Birch is about to pour out of me.

  “I spoke to Birch yesterday, went to work, and here I am. He wanted me training with the twins and that’s exactly what I’m doing. My head is exactly where it needs to be. Whatever I need to sort out is something I’ll do on my own time. When I’m in here, I’m here to fight each battle with the skills I’ve been taught. Don’t ever doubt my intention when I’m in that cage…it’s my life.”

  As I glance toward each man their expressions are priceless…fuck yea. I’m in no mood to explain anything to anyone, I need the cage and I will do my best regardless of what anyone else thinks. Reaching down for my gloves, I swoop them up and walk out of the locker room. Moving through the door, I’m hit once again with the sounds of the equipment and music. My eyes quickly take in the open space, seeing a few members working out with the free weights, some girls on the treadmills, and then my eyes land on the cage. Birch stands tall between Hank and Trenton, each of the twins ready and waiting. Dan’s text said today’s training was to be with Hank, so I’m not certain why Trenton is ready to go. Nonetheless I’m here for a reason. I continue, my stride leading me to the awaiting group of men. I look past the twins and focus in on Birch. With a nod, he steps forward and rests his hand on my shoulder.

  “It’s go time, let’s see what you boys got,” he states with a smirk.

  Moving past him, I step in between the wires of the cage and wait for my opponent. Hank shortly follows, my eyes keeping track of his every move. Not wanting to make eye contact before I have to, I stay focused on the tattoos across his chest. Anticipation surges through me, every sense in my body on high alert. I can feel a rush running through my veins knowing indeed what is about to happen next.

  I know exactly what I plan to do, this isn’t the first and it won’t be the last time Hank and I go head to head. My mind knows his subtle weaknesses and that’s exactly what I aim to attack. He’s the best fight
er in this place, not too much can take him down. But after all these years I’ve uncovered a few things that can bring him to his knees. I’m in this for the win, I will show Birch and my coaching team that I’m focused, alert and ready to take on anyone that stands in my way of the championship…I’ve got this.

  A whistle blows, it’s go time. My eyes focus a few inches upward and stare back into two intensely dark orbs. No emotion is felt, no prior friendship; it’s just two men about to fight between the wires. Our gloved hands tap against one another before we take a few steps apart. This is the moment I’ve been waiting on for the past few weeks. Standing mere inches from one of my best friends, all feelings aside, I’m confident I will take him down as the toughest competitor in the Cage.

  He makes the first move, raising his arm out toward my jaw. I back away quickly enough to feel the coolness of the glove graze against my face. Taking a step back, I move to his side lifting my leg to kick the back of this thigh. He buckles for a brief moment, yet regains his tall stance. We continue to move round the mat, sprawling with one another as the sweat begins to fall down my face. Without a second thought, I catch him off guard as he wipes his arm across his eyes, wrapping my arm behind his neck. Dipping my other arm below his neck and behind his arm, I pull him in tight against my body into a headlock. With force, I lower my right shoulder and roll us both over taking us down to the mat.

  His strength fights me to pull out of my lock, but I won’t have it. Moving him so that my arm still has his in a tight knot, I use my free arm to grab for his leg. He kicks back at me hitting my right cheek bone. Taking me off focus for a brief moment, I tighten my hold of his arm leveraging my weight against him so that he falls flat onto the mat. With both my legs I secure his legs in a tangled hook, not allowing him room to move. He’s mine; I’ve got him exactly where I want him. There’s no way he can break from this position. His head is firmly placed against the mat, his arms both unable to move and his legs glued to mine. Now to wait for the count. Gus’s voice booms through the thick air three…two…one and the sound of the whistles blows.

  Pride boosts through my ears, my body so filled with the rush that I can’t seem to move a muscle. Hank and I are a pile of sweat, determination, and drive, but I did it. The sound of the cage door opening pulls my attention into focus and I let go of my grid lock hold. As I slowly unattached my legs from his a feeling of euphoria sweeps over me. I did it, I stayed focused. Watching for the moment I needed I did what I had to do to fight against him.

  Chapter 8

  Once the fight was over, Dan and Gus immediately stepped into the cage to pry me off of Hank. I was a mess of loose limbs, my body screaming out in victory. The confidence I was feeling was like no other. It was the first time I’ve been able to take Hank down in such a short amount of time and I was damn proud of myself.

  As we all exited the metal wires, I took in my surroundings. Each man holding a different expression of his own, I didn’t know what to make of it. For as happy as I was, no one said a word about the outcome. Not allowing their silence to bother me, I decide a hot shower is a better option than standing around here. My mind, now in a fog and exhausted from the lack of sleep was beginning to set in as the adrenaline left my body. I needed a way to wake up and move on with my day.

  Stepping around the guys, I make my way through the now crowded gym, holding my head up high as I walk into the men’s locker room. My hands begin to tingle as I remove the gloves and toss them onto the nearest bench. Taking a few steps towards the shower stall¸ I turn the water to scorching hot, shed my shorts, and boxers and walk inside. The heat of the streaming spray hits my body and instantly I relax, closing my tired eyes. The tension of my muscles quickly fades as I stand completely still and take in the steam.

  The sound of voices pulls my attention back to my surroundings. Beginning to wash my hair and body, I listen to their conversation. Both Hank and Trenton are mumbling something about needing to get some grub and decide that they’re going to head over to Benny’s after they clean up. A pang of jealousy overrides my thoughts. I wish things could go back to the way they once were. It’s my fault that I separated myself from them for the past few weeks, but it was something I needed to do. Now that I have my plan set out and my head back on straight, I want to make things right. No matter how much it may suck or the pansy ass I may seem to be, I have to apologize for the way I’ve been acting. This avoidance and the awkward moments need to stop and stop now.

  After rinsing the suds from my body, I turn off the water and grab for a towel before exiting the shower stall. The locker room is quiet, all but the sounds of two other showers and the running water. Moving to my locker, I open the metal door and pull out my bag. With quick work, I dry myself off and change into a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. Just as I’m about to toss my wet towel into the basket, I catch a glimpse of Trenton moving through the room. Completing the task at hand, I throw the towel and turn in his direction. His eyes meet mine and for a brief second it feels as if time is standing still, yet he doesn’t miss a beat.

  “Hey, man, we’re heading over to Benny’s for some food. You’ve been missing in action lately, wanna join us?” he asks before turning toward his locker and getting dressed.

  It’s as if nothing has changed, or he’s just playing the typical Trenton card and ignoring the indifferences we faced a few weeks ago.

  Listening to see if Hank’s still in the shower, I wonder what he’d think if I went. Would it really matter? Could the three of us fall back into our old ways and routine just like that?

  Maybe I’m just overanalyzing things.

  Maybe the past few weeks were a blur to them.

  Maybe we can just forget about my stupidity and move on.

  Questioning myself is getting me nowhere and the only thing left to do is make things right.

  Agreeing to meet up with the guys for lunch may have thrown me for a bit of a loop, but I know we need to sit down and talk. To be honest, I miss the stupid fuckers. There’s nothing like a solid friendship to solidify that you have a place in life. Hank and Trenton are basically family, the two morons that pulled me in as the kid brother. We need to do this, we have to talk and I want to make things right, now that my head is screwed back onto my shoulders where it always should have been.

  As I sit and wait for them to arrive, I order three beers and chow down on the basket of warm peanuts. The door to Benny’s opens and the streaming sunlight brings in a ray of sunshine throughout the darkened room. Since I’m one of the few people sitting in the place, Trenton spots me and moves toward the table followed by Hank.

  Each of the twins takes a seat and we sit in silence for a few moments as we all take down a long swig of our beers. Slamming down my now empty mug, both guys turn to look at me. The subtle tension among the three of us is getting more intense as three sets of black orbs stare between each other. I need to say something, no matter how dumb it may seem it’s time to break this shit up.

  “Look, guys, I’m sorry. I’ve been a fucking idiot the past few weeks and I get that. Some things were on my mind and I had to sort through them. I’m good now and I don’t want to avoid either of you.”

  A laugh pulls from Hank and I can’t help but glare back at him.

  “Aww, Mike, that was sweet and all. Are you trying to tell us that you want to get back together again?”

  I squint my eyes at him, knowing his cocky sense of humor, I should have expected he’d be an ass about this. It doesn’t matter, for the shit storm I’ve pulled, I deserve for him to give me hell.

  “Yea, asshole. Keep it coming. Say whatever you want, I know it’s coming.”

  “Well, since we’re all chummy now I’d love to know how it’s going with Traci. Where the fuck did that come from? It’s like she shot out of the blue. I totally didn’t see that one happening,” Trenton mutters before taking down another long sip of his beer.

  “Seriously though, guys. I was in a bad place. That night we were here an
d the apartment and Hank with Taryn. I wanted to fucking kill you, Hank. Being lost and confused I didn’t know what else to do. I needed some time to clear my head, to realize who I really was, and what I truly wanted. I get it now, I’m seeing things a lot more clearly and to be honest I’m finally happy with the man I see in the mirror. It doesn’t matter to me if you and Taryn are together. I want to see you both happy and if it’s with one another than hip hip hooray,” I say throwing my hands in the air.

  “You are way too dramatic, Mike, this new thing you’ve got going on has gone straight to your head. No shit, man, chill the fuck out,” Trenton says with a laugh.

  “Shut up, Trenton. Let the man talk. I’m kinda enjoying this epiphany he’s had over the past few weeks. If nothing else it’s helped him clear his mind and learn how to kick ass in the cage,” he says turning his focus to me. “And by the way, I’m damn proud of the moves you played out in there today. No matter what you may think, I put up a good fight with you. I promise I wasn’t going easy on you.”

  “Thanks, asshole, I think,” I reply.

  “I’m glad we’re all one big happy family again, but in all seriousness I need to talk to you guys about something,” Trenton states in a very firm tone.

  The tension that was in the air a few moments ago has turned to an aura of uncertainty. I’m not sure what the hell he has to tell us, but by the look on his face something’s up.

  “I talked to Birch and the coaches before you both got to the Cage today. Something has been offered to me at work and at this point of my life I need to focus on my career options. We didn’t go to college and don’t have the educations like our friends. It’s time I decide what I really want to do with my life. Don’t get me wrong I love the fight, the Cage, and the feeling I get being in between the wires, but it won’t last forever.”

  He pauses for a second, looking down at his empty beer mug and reaching for Hank’s. With a quick sip, he swallows down the rest of his brother’s beer and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.