by Mel Curtis
Pop chewed on the inside of his mouth and then nodded. “Ten second rule.”
“Well, shit.” Esme replaced her mouth guard and turned to the center of the cage, gathering her strength.
Sarah had called her fat. She’d also neglected to trim her toenails. They cut Esme with every kick she landed. Sarah was the kind of person who’d been a school yard bully. Someone who’d been taller and smarter than the other kids. Someone who’d thrown a punch because their wingspan was longer than others’. Someone who’d used their reputation as being tough to intimidate. Someone who had to intimidate and cheat to keep up the façade that they weren’t to be messed with.
Well, guess what? Sarah was in Esme’s school yard. And Esme didn’t make idle threats. She kicked bullies to the curb. She ate bullies for breakfast. She…
Saw the time keeper reach for the bell.
Esme charged forward, prepared to abide by the ten second rule.
~*~
“Ten second rule!” Daisy shouted as she raised her shot glass. “My sister is the biggest bad-ass in the history of underground fights.”
“Ten second rule!” Shouted everyone at the table in the bar of what was soon to be the Richmond Hotel.
“I’ve never been so scared in all my life,” Amanda confessed to Hank with a feminine glance of appreciation. “My heart is still pounding.”
“Mine, too,” Esme said, removing the ice pack from her eye long enough to down her shot.
They all laughed. They had a lot to laugh about.
“Here’s to fighting the good fight.” Graham poured them all another round, happier than he could imagine to be included in the celebration. “For family.”
“For family,” they all chorused.
Graham had his arm around Esme’s shoulders. It felt good to have her by his side, not in a cage where he couldn’t protect her. “So. Are you officially retired?”
“Yep.” She still wore her blue contacts and her eyes were glazed from a few too many drinks, but she looked more at peace than she had in the week he’d known her.
“I won something tonight.” Graham placed a key fob with a rearing horse on it in front of Esme. “From Ryan Harper. If you sell it, you can pay for Hank’s rehab.”
“So you did bet.” Esme’s eyes glowed with warmth. “You broke your rules.”
“Many times,” Graham said happily. "From the moment I met you.”
“I’m confused.” Amanda looked a bit tipsy herself. “What’s the ten second rule?”
“It means you have to want it so bad, you’ll do anything in ten seconds to win,” Hank explained.
“If I had ten seconds to win you,” Graham said softly, stroking a finger down Esme’s cheek. “I’d break all my rules.” He ran a hand over god-awful, yellow hair. “I’d say I’m sorry.” He’d say it every day they were together. “I’d say, can you ever forgive me? And I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“Ding,” Esme murmured, mimicking a fight bell. "You win."
And then she kissed him.
A Note from the Author
Mr. Curtis has been a fan of cage fighting since they first began televising fights about a decade ago. When those fights come on, I leave the room. But then women began fighting, and I couldn't leave the room. It's oddly hypnotic to watch women step into the octagon and duke it out. I cringe. I gasp. And then I wonder what would drive someone to do this. And as a writer, I often find that is a kernel for a story. Fighting for Love has been percolating in my head for several years. However, I didn't want to write just a one-off or write a series of "fight" books, so I gave it a loose tie to my Breaking the Rules series (a loose tie that will later be double-knotted). The underground fight scene exists, but is not as common as it was in early years of the sport. Fight organizers and veteran warriors of the octagon want fighters to be paid what they are worth and have medical coverage in case of injury.
Playing For Love
Fool for Love
It's Only Love
All My Love
All She Needs is Love
Melinda Curtis is an award winning, USA Today bestseller who lives in her empty nest with her husband (her college sweetheart), two small dogs (Yorkie-Shitzu mixes), and an average looking cat (Queen of all she Surveys).
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Other Series by Melinda Curtis
Harmony Valley from Harlequin Heartwarming (fun, touching sweet small town romances)
Dandelion Wishes
Summer Kisses
Season of Change
One Perfect Year
Time for Love
A Memory Away
A Man of Influence
The Bridesmaid Series (sweet, romantic comedies)
The Wedding Promise
Always a Bridesmaid
Rescued by a Bridesmaid
