KNOCKOUT

Chapter 8

"Samuels, don't wear yourself out before the match tonight."

I can hear Sterling's voice resonate through the gym, bringing a smile to my face. He probably told Holden long ago his training was done for the day, but Holden kept pushing himself.

Holden's not sure he's ready for the match tonight, but he's got Sterling and I as his support team. Although I know we would be more than enough for Holden, I also put in some calls to his old team. His boys are looking forward to being there tonight, excited to see Holden coming back to boxing.

Having them there will give Holden a confidence boost, I hope.

"I'm just trying to make sure I'm completely ready," Holden is panting. His back is turned to me while he talks to Sterling. "I can't lose my comeback match, Abrahms."

From across the room, I can see Sterling rolling his eyes, "You're not going to lose."

I silently walk up behind Holden, hoping to catch him a little off guard. I've been upstairs in the apartment all day, trying to focus on how the match will go. When my mind kept veering back to the trial from yesterday, I decided it was finally time to come downstairs and calm my fighter down.

We know he'll win tonight. He's been training for weeks and Sterling has told me his defensive skills are much better than they used to be.

I'm hoping for an easy opponent like Thomas Wilkens. Holden barely broke a sweat during their fight.

Sterling glances at me, quickly flitting his gaze away before Holden notices. If anyone can get Holden to simmer down before tonight, it's me. I know if he overworks himself, he'll be exhausted for the match and that's the last thing any of us wants.

Holden is fixing his bun when I step behind him. He's a professional at wrapping his hair up in the small band now; in fact, his hair is more often up than down recently.

I wrap my arms around his waist from behind, ignoring the thin sheen of sweat coating his body, "You need to relax, H."

When his bun is secured to his head, his hands find mine around his waist, lacing our fingers together. The second I touched him, I could feel his body relax into me.

"I am perfectly relaxed, T. Just training," He's already exhausted, it's obvious just from hearing him talk.

"Well then, you're done for the day."

His hands leave mine, spinning around to face me, "No, I'm not."

"Yes," I nod. "You are. You're ready for tonight."

Holden shakes his head at me before looking between Sterling and I. His gaze is suspicious, but in a playful way.

"You two are conspiring against me, aren't you?"

His question is addressed to Sterling, but I answer anyway, "Obviously."

Holden moves to give me his full attention, ignoring Sterling completely. He does this more often than I would like, but I know he's more comfortable being affectionate with me when he pretends Sterling isn't near. I have my own suspicions about his reasoning ⎯ he was never really affectionate with me around Josh, and he's afraid to change the dynamic. Holden's hands slide up my arms, moving to cradle my face. His calluses are rough against my cheeks, but his hands are so warm and remind me of the passion between us.

"I just want to be sure," he whispers, peppering kisses all over my face.

"You'll be fine," I whisper back.