Part 1 (1/2)

OtherSide Of Fear.

Outside The Ropes.

ASHLEY CLAUDY.

Regan and Gage have fought their entire lives.

For themselves.

For each other.

Now together, side by side.

As new fears arise, mixing with the old ones of their past, will they be strong enough to make it through?

Can they make it to the OtherSide of Fear?.

Fun Stuff.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

~ Dylan Thomas.

1: Almost.

MY STOMACH ROLLED AND SKIN WAS CLAMMY. Hot and cold warred inside me, erupting in beads of sweat on my skin. Bright orbs danced in my vision, blocking the small audience from view.

Closing my eyes, I swallowed hard, forcing saliva down my dry throat and replayed my conversation with Gage in my head.

”You dont have to do this if youre not ready, but I know you can.”

”I feel like Im going to throw up. What if I throw up?” Panic had already taken up residence in me, a strong vine twisting and choking out everything else.

”Then you throw up.” He lifted his shoulders easily, a beautiful smile on those full lips. His hands circled around me, pulling me into his body and I was able to relax slightly.

I opened my eyes, the spots gone, the ring clear. Coach was behind me, removing my silk robe. Sylvie was next to him, encouraging me.

”Youve got this Regan. Youre ready, more than ready. That girl doesnt stand a chance.” She squeezed my shoulders with firm hands. ”Loosen up some.”

”Babe, look at me.” Even in the dim lighting of the changing room, his blue eyes were bright. But all amus.e.m.e.nt was gone, his tone serious. ”Youve been training. Youre prepared. You know physically youre the better boxer. The only thing that can get in the way is your fear.” His hands slid over my shoulders, down my arms. ”If youre not ready for this, we can leave right now.” His grip tightened, keeping me from pulling away. ”You can do whatever you want and Ill be right there. Go out there and try, but if its too much, walk out.”

I shook my head, dropping my eyes from his. I couldnt allow myself to think of an escape. ”I cant do that. Theyre counting on me. If I dont do this, theyll probably kick me off the team.”

He lifted my chin with his fingers, making me meet his eyes, a c.o.c.ky glint sparking in them. ”Do you know who your husband is? You dont need this d.a.m.n college team. You could throw up all over that ring and Id still have you boxing next week if thats what you wanted to do.”

Rolling my shoulders and shaking my arms, I turned around, facing the audience. I found Gage in the front row and my nerves slowed their rapid-fire a.s.sault. He inclined his head towards me and I could see the question in his eyes. Was I all right, could I go through with this?

I nodded and gave a tight smile in rea.s.surance. Just knowing he was there was enough. Turning back towards the ring, I stretched my neck as I faced my opponent and waited for the announcer to finish.

The bell cut through my anxiety, my body propelling me forward, towards the girl, without thought. She was tall and thin, and held her body awkwardly, like she didnt fit her long limbs.

I leaned, dodging her glove as she jabbed towards me with her right and blocked a left jab with my arm. Then she pulled her arms back to cover her face. Her reach was long, but punches sloppy. I almost felt bad for what I was about to do. Almost.

Her attack, no matter how weak, was enough to spark my adrenaline. Excitement replaced the fear and anxiety pumping through me, energizing me.

I jabbed her stomach and followed with a wide hook to the side of her head. She crumpled forward, but stayed on her feet, her eyes wide. I swung again and connected with the opposite side of her head. She dropped to the canvas with a thud.

Stepping back, I didnt take my eyes off her. She wasnt knocked out, but she was curled up on the mat. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, no air reaching her lungs. I waited for her to push herself up and return to the fight, but she didnt. The ref reached ten and declared me the winner. I was almost disappointed that it all ended so quickly, just as I was getting into it.

For a second, I wished Dexter had been there to shake me out of my thoughts and pump me up about my win, but the rush soon came on its own, flooding me with excitement. I did it. And it had been easy. I could keep doing this.

Sylvie was in my corner, rubbing her hands together. ”Ragin Regan, this might be our year. With you, we might have a chance of making it regionally.”

Coach slid between the ropes, smile bright as he smoothed his grey hair back on the sides. ”h.e.l.l, even maybe nationally.” His face lit up with his dream, but Id be lying if I said the idea wasnt enticing. I wanted it too.

But I looked past them as Gage pulled himself up onto the canvas. Everything else faded away, and only then did I feel breathless. The match hadnt touched me, not like his presence did. His lips curled and he extended one arm to me.

My body was already there, gravitating towards him.

”I told you-” He started, but I gripped his collar, pulling him towards me, silencing him with my lips.

For once, I was able to kiss him after my fight, and I wasnt going to waste the moment. I could feel his laughter bubbling out of him, his breath bouncing over my lips. So I slid my hands around his neck, pulling him in closer, sliding my tongue in his mouth.

That stopped his laughter, and he wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me to him, off of my feet. The ropes wedged between us pressed into my stomach, but I didnt care about that, only that it was a barrier from his body. He lowered me down until my feet were firmly back on the mat, reluctantly returning me to the ground and letting the outside world back into our bubble.

”Lawson, hold up.” A voice cut through the buzz of the gym, just as I exited the locker room.

Gage pushed off the wall he had been waiting on, saying a quick goodbye to the group of people hed been talking to. He grabbed my hand as he turned to the caller. ”Yeah?”

At the same time, I turned towards the voice with a raised eyebrow.

Coach pushed through the concession line and stopped in front of Gage and I.

”Lawson.” He paused between us with a small laugh and shrugged. ”Both of you. You leaving already? Not going to stick around for the next fight?”

”Not tonight.”