Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

43

The crowd became background noise as my opponent and I exchanged hits. Her eyes narrowed as she threw with her strength and speed. Her eyes catching my movements as I dodged one hit only to get caught by another.

She was good. Quick, strong, just like the footage. I focused more on protecting my head, my body absorbing the blows I couldn't dodge.

I wasn't just letting her hit me, I returned a blow for every three. I'd let her take the first round and maybe the second. Anything to get her to waste her energy, make her think I've been weakened by her. Which is why I had to continue to exchange with her- if I didn't, she would know somethings up.

Just had to make her think she was lucky.

"What is Tallen doing? She seems to be dancing around the ring more than fighting." The announcers began speaking from a table a few feet away but none of us could hear them. Only those watching on tv could.

"It appears she may be trying to coax Williams into a burnout. We've seen what happens when Audrey Williams exerts herself too early."

"Yeah, that's how Lillian Sevadaer won against Williams last year."

I stepped backwards to avoid the jab then ducked before stepping away to avoid the corner I was being backed into. I saw the determination in her eyes as I kept her chasing me around the mat.

"It's certainly an interesting strategy, especially because everyone knows that Tallen could match Williams in speed and strength. Walter, We've seen her prowess when she fought for her spot in this league just one year ago against the rising pro, Bentley Jones."

I knew our three minutes would be coming to an end soon, especially when I saw Murphy tap the corner pad four times. A signal to tell me I had forty seconds left.

I bit into my mouth guard as I let myself get backed up into the opposite corner. My competitor took no time to advance on me as she threw punches left and right. I moved when I could, her fists grazing my sides or hitting the corner mat when I dodged. But when I didn't, my torso and outside of my arms were in a world of pain.

I counted to ten in my head before striking out. My fist connecting with her lower jaw, sending my opponent back enough to create space for me to slip out of the corner.

I felt two thuds on the mat as Roy shouted I had five seconds. I slipped a punch before delivering one of my own. My left fist making contact with her exposed side.

"Now that was a fight, Brad. I don't think Jones expected such a competitor out of the young firecracker. But that's how she gets her opponents. Not only is she skilled, but she's smart. I'm interested to see how this pans out as we end this first round. Points definitely in Williams's favor at the moment."

I moved backwards keeping my eyes on my opponent's form. Her breathing was ramped up as she turned her back to me as she went to sit in her corner. Huge mistake. I sat down on the stool Roy had set up as I kept my back to the crowd.

"You're doing good. Only three hits to your face and no significant bleeding because of it. Keep her away from your ribs." Roy spoke as he held my water for me. I nodded letting myself catch my breath as they stood blocking my competition's view of me.

"I want you to wrap her up instead of letting her beat you in the corner. I know she got your torso good that last rally. Give her some more hits to avoid. Make them difficult. She's been protecting her right side more than when you started. One of your hits must have connected over a past injury. I've got someone looking into it. Stay focused. You've got one more round of unnecessary beating before you start." Murphy coached as I leaned my head back.

"One more round of dancing? Wrapping up when in corners?" Murphy nodded at my questions. "Okay, give me my mouth guard. I'm gonna sit until she's up." They agreed getting me ready even though I looked like I wasn't. When my opponent rose I waited another five seconds before also standing up. Taking a slightly longer time to rise, nothing too noticeable unless you were really watching.

The smirk on her face told me she was. Perfect. I pulled a small grin to my lips as I moved to the center of the arena. My gloves out for her to touch as she brought her fists to mine.

"You're more sluggish than in previous fights." She spoke through the mouth guard.

"And you're faster." I pointed out, genuinely meaning it. I haven't avoided as many hits as I anticipated I would.

The bell rang for us to start, my feet already prepared to backpedal as she advanced. Her strike first method working to my advantage. I avoided her hits until I couldn't go backwards anymore. I let her connect twice before I moved around her and out of the way. A hit to my side the price as I once again began to dance around.

I worked into an advantageous position and got a few hits in before letting her win it over.

"What is she doing? She's just letting her beat her!" Kiara shouted in JJ's ear holding onto his suit covered arm.

"Relax, Kie. Oh shit! COME ON XENA!" JJ shouted as he watched his friend get beat into the ropes right in front of him.

"Relax guys," Donovan spoke from behind them as Xena wrapped her arms around the opponent, "she's doing it on purpose. Williams is known for her lack of endurance. Xena's making sure she will have nothing left in her tank when it comes to round three." He told them quietly.

"Xena may not have anything left if she gets hit in her ribs again." John B grumbled from beside Pope who was sat next to JJ.

"She can do it. She's smart." Pope spoke up, much to everyone's amazement. He'd been quiet the entire first round.

A loud gasp echoed through the crowd before the entire stadium began to roar. People rising to their feet shouting as the fighter went down.

"Get up! Damnit!" Donovan roared rising from his seat, his previous statement forgotten as he watched Xena hit the floor. Hard.

"That hurt." I grumbled as I moved my jaw around. My hands already underneath me as I began to rise as the referee made it to three waiting until six to actually get up. I twisted my neck side to side as I heard the roars of the crowd. I looked up to see Murphy and Roy also shouting, though they were way too dramatic for me to know they were serious.

"You alright?" I let the referee check me as I nodded.

"I'm good. Let's go." He nodded signaling for us to continue. I kept my left arm braced just in case she tried to get my jaw again. I felt my anger rise but I kept my emotions in check. I just needed to get through this round.

Soon Murphy was giving me the signal. Another forty seconds of taking blows before the bell rang.

"Sit down. Let's get you check. You'll definitely have a bruise. No bleeding yet. Thank you for not getting punched elsewhere in the face." I scoffed at Roy as he set some gel on my jaw.

"Enough games?" I asked looking up at Murphy, panting while I drank.

"Enough games. You finish it as soon as you can. She won't be ready, but I can tell they think somethings off." I grinned leaning my head backwards as Roy popped my mouthpiece back in.

Audrey Williams, your ass is mine.