Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3

by Natalie Gayle

  “Good to see you, darling,” her mum was saying.

  Then, they all seemed to turn and look to me at once. I caught Xan’s grin over Sophia’s mother’s shoulder.

  “Seth, this is my mum and dad, Carol and Noel Sommers. Mum and Dad, my boyfriend, Seth Harris.”

  Her dad immediately stuck out a hand for me to shake and I reciprocated. He had a firm grip without being stupid or cocky about it. I hesitated for a second with her mum, not quite knowing whether to take her hand of give her a hug. Carol solved that problem for me by wrapping her arms around me and giving me a little pat on the back.

  “Lovely to meet you, Seth.” She stepped back.

  “Likewise, Mr. and Mrs. Sommers.”

  Sophia’s father’s burst out laughing. “Oh, we don’t stand on ceremony around here, mate. It’s Carol and Noel.”

  I gave them an appreciative smile. “Thanks.”

  Xander, Eden, and Tori called greetings to us and Soph and I returned them.

  “So, how are you feeling now? Sophia told us a little about your accident, it sounded awful.” Carol was guiding me to a seat at the table. Sophia took the one beside me and everyone resumed their places.

  “Yeah, certainly slowed me up for a bit and I’m not going to win any awards for being a good patient but I’m definitely through the worst of it and on the mend. In fact, I’m driving today for the first time.”

  “You look like you’re moving okay as well,” Xander noted from across the table. Nothing much got past him.

  “Yeah, I reckon I might start being of use to you in a couple of weeks.”

  He nodded and looked pleased. “No rush, man. I can manage until you’re ready. Always good to have you back though.”

  “It’s good to be up and around. I don’t do so well when I’m laid up.”

  “I don’t think anyone ever is, Seth,” Noel agreed. “I had a hernia surgery a few years back. Nothing worse than not being able to get up and around.”

  “Yep, you’re spot on, I hate being helpless. Although, Soph’s been amazing at looking after me both in the hospital and since I’ve gotten home.”

  “She’s a good kid,” her dad agreed.

  “Dad…” she moaned.

  “Well, it’s true.”

  “So, tell us a bit about you Seth,” Carol prompted. “You obviously do martial arts as well, right?”

  “Yeah, that’s right. I train with Xan and Dane. The girls as well. I’ve done a few pro-fights in the past. Lately, I’ve just been helping out Xander and Dane with the preps. They always seem to need a sparring partner.”

  Xander nodded. “Seth’s a hell of a big unit and a great fighter, particularly at Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. He’s certainly handy to have around.”

  Sophia’s parents nodded in understanding.

  “You looking to fight some more?” her father asked.

  “Nope. I think my pro days are done. I enjoy the preps but I’m not that keen on all the pain they entail. I’ll happily leave that to Xan. Besides, I’m not really sure exactly what, if any, limitations my injury will have longer term. I may never physically get back to that level.”

  “You’re healing okay, though?” Carol asked, the concern evident in her voice.

  “Sure, I’m doing great and the doctors are happy.”

  “Actually, they’d be a lot happier if he didn’t push himself so much,” Soph put in and gave me a long sideways glance.

  “The bone’s healed, it’s just getting the muscle and soft tissues back to full strength.”

  “This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, Soph. You know what he’s like. He’s the go hard or go home type,” Xander reminded Sophia.

  “So, what do you do now that you’re not fighting? Surely you’re not retired?” Noel asked. It was starting to feel a little like the Spanish Inquisition but I guess that was to be expected.

  “Seth’s a geologist. I’m sure I told you that,” Sophia put in and gave her father a look that said, “dad back off.”

  “You out of work? I thought mining was going down the tubes at the moment.”

  “Some aspects are certainly in the doldrums—coal, in particular. That’s not what I do. I do a lot of specific exploration and project work for the mining companies. I’ve been reasonably successful at picking mineral deposits. For a few years, I was pretty well stuck out there on the fields. Now I’ve got to the stage, I can pick and choose what I do. I also have an interest in a mine that’s about to start, shares are rising, so I’m not unhappy about that.”

  I saw her father nod and look impressed. I wasn’t trying to brag. They were asking the questions and I was answering.

  We talked for few more minutes before Carol announced she needed to get the meal on the table. Sophia, Tori, and Eden all followed her in to help.

  “Right, now that they’re inside, I wanted to talk to you two guys,” Noel announced. “I know Soph’s training to do some fight. I have to say I’m terrified. That’s my baby girl who’s lining up to get in the cage. What do you two have to say for yourselves?”

  I looked across the table and Xander nodded once solemnly.

  “Noel, Sophia is going to be fine. She’s an exceptional fighter and has the killer instinct needed to get the job done. I’m confident she’ll be just fine. I wouldn’t be letting her do it otherwise.”

  Noel turned to me. “How do you feel about it?”

  How did I feel about her fighting? I was in two minds, there was a big part of me that didn’t want her to risk getting hurt. There was also another part just as large that wanted her to have the opportunity to do and achieve what she wanted. I just wasn’t one hundred percent sure she wanted to do it. I was still concerned she was fighting because she thought she had to because Xander, Dane, and myself had.

  “Noel, it’s up to her one hundred percent. If she wants to fight, I will support her. If she doesn’t want to fight, I won’t push her to.” I doubted I could answer fairer than that.

  Noel was silent for a long moment. “Well, if she insists, then I’m trusting you two to make sure my baby girl doesn’t get hurt.”

  “It’s a fight, Noel. There’s always a chance, but you have my word I will prepare her the best I know how,” Xander assured him then looked to me as if including me in his declaration.

  “Can’t ask for more Xan,” I confirmed.

  Finally, Noel nodded as the girls began to bring the food out.

  Dinner was a lively gathering of great food and light fun chat. I was pleasantly surprised how easy I found it to fit in and how much I was actually enjoying myself. It was so different to the stilted, tense meals that I’d experienced with my mother and stepfather on the rare occasions I was actually allowed at the table. I could barely remember a meal with my real father.

  Sometimes, I wondered if my memories of him were, in fact, fabricated fantasies that I’d concocted to make myself feel better. For once, I didn’t feel envious of what someone else had. Maybe it was because I actually felt welcome and part of it.

  We’d all finished the succulent roast lamb and veggies, when Carol asked, “Sophia did you decide to make a claim against that man you used to work for?”

  “Yeah, I did. I went through it all with the solicitor and he said I definitely had a case. He’s drawn up the papers and John will be receiving them in a couple of days, I’d think.”

  “Good for you,” Eden said, nodding her head in appreciation. “He deserves to pay for what he did. You should have brought a sexual harassment case against him as well as wrongful dismissal and incorrect severance entitlements.”

  I sensed, rather than saw, Sophia tense beside me and a look passed between them. “I thought about it Edie. When I went through it all with Stuart, he said it would be difficult to prove because I hadn’t done or said anything before. I decided I had enough on my plate without adding more to it.”

  If I wasn’t mistaken, there was a strange vibe between the two of them today. Maybe I was imagining it? After all, most
of my experience of the two of them in the same room together, was limited to Onigashima. Which was very much a different environment to here.

  “So, how’s the new business coming?” Noel asked her.

  “Good, Dad. I should be ready to open early next month. I’m just waiting on some licences to be approved and some paperwork to come back. In the interim, I’m getting everything prepared and ready. I’m creating a target list of properties for listing and the same with potential clients.”

  He nodded at her but it wasn’t hard to see he was worried that she didn’t have a “regular” job.

  Xander looked up. “Well, add us to the list of potential clients. We’re in the market for a couple of properties. I think Dane and Arianne are in a similar position now that her inheritance has come through.”

  “Yeah, I’m wanting to start looking for another rental as well,” I threw in. I’d been thinking about it for the last couple of weeks. I don’t know why I hadn’t mentioned it to Sophia earlier.

  “Thanks, but I’m not sure I feel right taking your money.”

  “If we’re buying, the vendor pays your fee right?” Xander asked her.

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  “Then, you can happily take the money. We’d be paying anyway. Just remember to look after us when the boot is on the other foot and we’re the ones flipping the properties.” Xander joked it off and I saw her relax. The discussion turned to hot suburbs and the benefits of apartments versus houses. For not the first time, I realized just how good fighting had been to Xan, Dane, and me. How many guys our age could sit here and talk about expanding their property portfolio?

  Half an hour later, we were eating dessert. Sophia was pushing some fruit salad around her bowl, Xander was eating the same, just with a lot more enthusiasm. The rest of us were enjoying the fruit with generous helpings of whipped cream and trifle.

  “Nope, can’t say I miss fight preps,” I joked as I slid another spoon of all that calorie-laden goodness into my mouth.

  Then, I caught a sideways look at Sophia. She looked about the same shade of green as the melon in her bowl.

  I leaned over and whispered, “You okay?”

  She gave me a terse nod. “I’m fine,” she whispered back. There’s something I’d been hearing a lot of recently. As I returned my attention to my bowl, I noticed Eden passed a worried glance at her.

  It was Tori who finally said it, “Are you all right, Soph? You’ve gone the most ghastly colour.”

  Sophia didn’t answer, rather she threw her serviette on the table and bolted, knocking over her chair in the process. A second later Eden, Tori, and Carol were on their feet charging after her.

  I rose to my feet as well and began to head that way, not quite sure what the protocol was for something like this. I wanted to be there for her but whose place was it? At what point did I outrank a mother and sister? I hesitated at the door and cast a glance back to the table towards Xander and Noel.

  “Your woman, your call, man,” Xander said as if reading my thoughts.

  I moved slowly down the hall towards the bathroom. I could hear worried voices but I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.

  “I hope it wasn’t something she ate.” It was Carol.

  “No, Mum, she’s been sick for the last couple of weeks.” This time it was Eden. I hung back not exactly knowing what to do.

  “Here, Soph, wipe your face.” That voice was Tori’s.

  “What do you mean she’s been sick for the last couple of weeks,” I heard Carol ask of Eden and the unmistakable sound of a person tossing their cookies again.

  I winced. Throwing up was the worst and that sounded horrible.

  I moved silently to the doorway and was close enough to hear Eden hiss, “Sophia, how long is this going to go on for?”

  That didn’t make any sense? You threw up until you were done, right?

  “How long is what going to go on for?” I asked, not understanding what Eden meant at all.

  Four heads shot up to look at me, and Sophia looked like she’d rather the earth swallow her than have me here.

  “Nothing. I’m just sick,” she protested and turned her head back to the porcelain bowl, her body sagged against the floor.

  “Sophia. This is ridiculous,” Eden hissed at her again.

  “What’s ridiculous?” Carol asked, as confused as I was.

  “Eden, you promised. I’m not ready.”

  “Yes, I did, but this was before you insisted on being totally stupid and irresponsible about it. You’d be stupid enough to go back and train tomorrow too, wouldn’t you?”

  Now, I was really worried. What the hell were they on about? Was this what Sophia had been so cagey about?

  “What’s going on, Sophia?” her mother patiently demanded.

  I saw Sophia’s head shake from side to side, her eyes briefly met mine and all I could read was a pleading. But I didn’t understand what she wanted.

  Then, her eyes left mine and her words were little more than a whisper.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Sophia

  “What?” he demanded from the door in a harsh whisper.

  I could feel the eyes of my sisters and mother on me. I didn’t really care. All I wanted to know was what Seth was going to make of this.

  Somehow, I got the courage to override the fear and lifted my head to see what he was thinking.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  His face had gone white and I was suddenly worried he was in danger of sliding down the wall to join me on the floor.

  “You’re what?” Mum screeched.

  “Pregnant. Having a baby, Mum,” I argued back. The third time I said it was surprisingly easy.

  Then, I heard more footsteps pounding down the hallway and Dad poked his head in beside Seth.

  “What’s happened?” His voice was full of worry.

  “Your daughter’s pregnant, that’s what’s happened.” Mum sounded half hysterical already.

  “What!” Dad bellowed and turned to Seth in one move. “Yours?”

  Seth looked stunned. “I have no idea what’s going on.”

  It was getting so out of hand. I could picture Dad taking a swing at Seth and a full-on brawl erupting in the hallway. Eden must have been thinking the same thing, only she acted quicker.

  “Guys, how about you all go and wait in the lounge or outside or something while we get Sophia cleaned up.”

  Dad turned and stalked off, mumbling something under his breath. Seth stood there looking at me with total blankness. That blank look scared me more than any possible emotion I could imagine crossing his face.

  Tori passed me the toothbrush mug she’d rinsed out and filled with water. I gratefully took a sip.

  Mum was taking deep breaths and obviously trying to figure out what to say.

  “Was this planned?” she finally asked.

  I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “No, I thought that was obvious.”

  “Have you not been responsible?”

  That did it!

  “Mum, leave it,” Eden pleaded.

  I was in two minds right now about my older sister. I wanted to kiss her and wring her neck. I was so pissed at her for backing me into this corner. I also felt like there was a weight lifted from my shoulders. Now, I just needed to deal with the fallout.

  My recalcitrant stomach finally seemed stable and strength returned to my body. I rose to my feet.

  Was it possible to feel both trepidation and determination at the same time? Because that’s how I felt as I made the short walk from the bathroom to the lounge room with my mother and sisters in tow.

  Dad was standing in the dinning room looking out to the back yard. Seth was standing staring out to the front yard. Xander was sitting in the single chair in the middle of the room, in what felt like preparation to act as referee or bouncer, if need be.

  Eden walked over and perched on the arm of the chair Xander was sitting in. Mum and Tori took the lounge.r />
  I took a deep breath. I still had no idea what I was going to say, just that I had to say something.

  “Let’s start with the basics. I’m pregnant and the baby is Seth’s, of course.” He spun around.

  “How?” he accused and I knew it was all going to go downhill fast.

  “Maybe we should go somewhere and talk about this privately…”

  “Oh, now you come up with that great idea—that ship’s sailed babe and you waved it off from the dock. How long have you known, Sophia? A week, two weeks a month? More? How many times have I asked you over the last few days if everything was okay?”

  I’d never heard him so angry. He hadn’t even been this pissed at his mother and he hated her. He was right, and I felt so ashamed of my actions.

  “You could have told me any time. Fuck, you could have told me last night. Took care of birth control, did you! You lied to me again. Sure…guess you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant twice.”

  “Seth,” I hissed dying of embarrassment.

  “Hey! That’s enough. I don’t appreciate you calling my daughter a liar.” Dad spun around and glared now.

  “Well, I can’t see how it’s any other way. Maybe you need to explain, Sophia.” His voice was low and menacing, between shooting daggers with his eyes at my father and glaring at me. “On second thoughts, don’t. I’m going to ask the questions and so help me God you are going to give me a straight answer, you understand.”

  I nodded once unable to form words.

  “Did we ever not use protection except for last night when you assured me it was okay because you took care of it with the doctor? That’s what you told me.”

  I couldn’t believe he was doing this, here! He seemed to have no qualms laying our sex life out for my parents and sisters to see. I would have gladly died on the spot to end the horror that was unfolding. The kicker was, it was my doing. I could have had this conversation privately with him a hundred times and I hadn’t.