45

With Bella already securing the National Championship for our Women's program and Liam and I guaranteed a win for the Men's team, I expected to get a call from Caius immediately, telling us that our program has been secured. For another year, at least. But no such phone call came and as I climbed into the ring, I felt even more pressure than before. Win or lose, our program was as good as over. The board had no intentions of honoring their side of our agreement, that much had been made perfectly clear.

"You nervous?" Bella asked, leaning against the ropes. The swelling around her eye was worse, and it was already starting to bruise. Her lips were puffy and cracked, and I could tell she was exhausted. But she wouldn't leave me, just as I wouldn't have left her.

"A little," I admitted. "Liam's tough."

Bella nodded. "But you're stronger. He's going to be coming for you early. Don't give him an inch, okay?"

"I'll do my best."

"You'll do better than that." Bella leaned across the ropes and gave me a kiss. "Now, kick his ass. I'm tired and hungry and I really, really want to fuck you."

I laughed. "You're a minx."

"No, just a woman who loves you more than anything."

"Even boxing?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yes."

And the sincerity in the single word took my breath away because I knew how much Bella loved being in the ring. For her to declare, without a moment of hesitation, that she loved me more was everything I needed to hear. Win or lose, Bella and I were going to be just fine.

"It's time to win, Edward."

Blowing out a heavy breath, I nodded and turned to face Liam. Phil climbed off the edge of the ring and moved so that he was standing on the side, but half-way between both of us. I could only imagine how proud he had to be of us, yet torn at the same time. Which of us does he help?

The referee called us into the middle. Just like with the women's finals, the arena was awkwardly silent, an eerie calm had settled over everyone. Maybe it's because we were on the same team, and they wanted to see how we'd fight. I'd give it my all. I loved Liam like a brother, but I wanted the title.

"Congratulations on reaching the championship, gentlemen," the referee said, with a nod toward each of us. "I want a clean match. Nothing dirty, no shots below the belts. Understood?"

"Yes," Liam and I answered together.

"Good. Bump gloves and move back into your corners."

Liam and I stepped toward each other, giving each other the same look. One that said no matter what happened, we'd still be cool. I just hoped that would be the truth.

Steeling my nerves, I moved back into my corner. Less than ten seconds passed when the ringing of the bell echoed throughout the arena and our match started. Just as Bella had predicted, Liam had come at me quick. He managed to land a hard right jab before I could block him, but I countered with a left hook, right uppercut that sent him staggering back a few steps. He shook it off like I had hit with a tissue and pounced for more.

Back and forth, our fits flew at each other. Blocking as many — if not more — than we were landing. Jabs, uppercuts, hooks, gut shots, headshots, arms, legs, backs, sides, lefts and rights, combos — I lost track of what I was blocking and what I was giving. I just kept repeating in my head that I wanted the title. I needed the title. The title was mine.

Three minutes later, the bell rang, ending the first round and I stumbled into my corner, gasping for air. Everything hurt.

"You're doing so good, baby," Bella said, climbing into my corner and pulling my mouthpiece out. She dropped it into a bucket of water and offered me a water bottle. "He's favoring his left, so try to stay on his right. Make him compensate. He'll lose a little off his hits that way."

"He wants it bad," I choked out between gasps of air. "He's not the same guy I fought a year ago."

Bella placed the towel under my chin and shifted my face so that I was looking at her. "Neither are you. You're a National Champion, Edward. A winner. Don't let him take it from you. Fight through the pain. Fight through the exhaustion, and win."

"I love you," I whimpered, suddenly feeling emotional. "I don't know where we'll end up after this, but I know as long as I have you, we can do anything."

Bella smiled. "I love you, too, baby."

She placed my mouth piece back into my mouth and climbed out of the ring as the bell rang and the second round started. Liam, once again, came right for me, but like I could tell that he was hurting, too. We met in the middle of the ring; his left jab connecting to the side of my face as my left uppercut landed along his ribs. Our mutual groans filled the air, but neither of us gave up an inch of space.

Just like in the first round, we battled back and forth, blocking and landing hit after hit. The arena was alive with people cheering for us, screaming for us to hit harder. Our team hadn't been expected to win the championship. We weren't supposed to be here at all. Everyone, including our own board, had written us off, thrown us away, but we proved them all wrong. We were the best of the best.

The second round ended and I, once more, stumbled to my corner, dropping onto my stool heavily.

"I'm done," I gasped, leaning my head back against the corner bar. "I'm done, baby."

"Look at me." Bella straddled my lap; my gloved hands came to rest on her hips automatically. She tilted my head up so she could look me directly in the eyes. "You're tired, but you are not done."

"I am," I murmured. "He's better than me, Bella. Stronger. He wants it more."

"No, he's not, and if you're really giving up, then yes he does. You can beat him, Edward. Just like you fought Mike Newton, Eric Yorke, and Tyler Crowley for me. Like how you held me when Aro came after us on the island. You can win this fight; win this title, because you're Edward Mason.

"And if I can't win?" I asked, my lips trembling. "Will you still love me?"

"I will always love you, Edward. No matter what. But if you give up and give him the win, I won't respect you. Will you respect yourself?"

I shook my head, knowing she was right. If I didn't give this third and final round everything I had, I'd never be able to look at myself again. I owed myself better than quitting just because it hurt.

"Then fight, baby, fight."

Bella climbed off my lap and out of the ring just before the bell rang starting the last round. I drew on every ounce of strength I had and met Liam in the middle. He paused for a split second, which was all I needed. I hit him with a roundhouse, uppercut combo, followed by a hook, a jab, which pushed him back against the ropes. He ducked under my next left hook and caught me in the side with a jab, which hurt more than I wanted to admit.

Following him along the ropes, we once more found ourselves in the ultimate battle. His fists were just as hard and heavy as they were when we started our battle. There was a look in his eyes that told me he was digging just as deep inside himself as I was to fight for the win.

I got Liam in the corner and unleashed every ounce of strength I had left. Over and over, I connected my gloves onto his body, hitting everywhere I could reach. He blocked his fair share and tried to push me backward, so he could escape, but I kept my body angled so that he couldn't get a good connection on me. I wanted to end this my way. I may not win, but I wasn't going down without a fight.

After what felt like an eternity, the final bell rang. I dropped to my knees, following onto my hands as I struggled to catch my breath. Win or lose, I gave my all.

"You okay, son?" the referee asked, kneeling next to me.

I nodded. "Yeah."

The referee helped me up before heading to the judges, waiting for their judgement on who won. Liam was still leaning against the rings. His nose was bleeding, his lip busted, and I knew he'd have bruises covering the majority of his body. Just as I would.

Placing my glove on shoulder, I said, "Thanks, man."

"For what?" he asked, wincing as he shifted just an inch.

"For not making it easy. I don't know if I won or if you kicked my ass, but you made me work my ass off in here. So, thanks for giving your all."

Liam laughed, and then winced again. "You're welcome, I guess. To be honest, I wanted to quit after the first round, but I knew you'd beat my ass if I did."

"Or Bella would have."

"Fuck yeah, she would have," he agreed with a chuckle. "Thanks, Edward, for telling me not to quit the program."

"You're welcome."

The referee stood from next to the judge's desk and moved back into the middle of the ring. He gestured for me and Liam to join him, which we did. My heart was racing with excitement, yet at the same time, I was afraid that I hadn't done enough. I wanted the title, I wanted to win.

"With only a difference of three points, this marks the closet National Title Match we've seen since the early 90's," the referee stated, pausing as everyone cheered and clapped. "Your new National Champion in the Men's division is . . . Edward Mason!"

For a split second, I could have sworn that he hadn't said my name, that Liam had been declared the winner. But then it hit me. I'd won. I was the National Champion.

Laughing, crying, screaming, I threw my arms up in celebration. I was swarmed by our team, each of them screaming that I'd done it, yelling that we'd just won a National Championship, but all I cared about was Bella.

She pushed through the crowd, leaping into my arms, and wrapping her legs around my waist. Kissing me long and hard, I knew no matter what, Bella would always be mine. Together, we'd just become the best fighters in the NCAA.

—LO—

Picking up my bottle of water, I stood next to the door to the banquet room and looked around. Our team, Bella, her family, Phil, Sasha, all of them were laughing, excited about the end of our season. Well, not about the end of our program. I hated that we hadn't done enough, that we'd failed to keep our program alive. What more could we have done? We brought home two National Championships and a Team Championship. It was clear that we never had a chance of keeping our program.

The door behind me opened and I smiled when I saw my father walk in.

"Hey, son," Ed chuckled, placing one hand on my shoulder while the other came up under my chin, tilting my head back so he could take inventory of my bruised and blackened eye. "He got you good."

"Yes, sir, he did," I admitted. "He's got hard fists."

"But yours were better," he said, smiling. "I know I don't need to tell you this, Edward, but I'm proud of you. You've really grown up a lot this year. Took on a lot of responsibilities. I'll be honest: I was worried about you and Bella coming to school in California. No family, no friends, just the two of you. But now, I guess, I see that's how the two of you survive, isn't it?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "We need our family. The first few months were hard. Our team didn't want us to lead, but they weren't willing to, either. I don't know how many times I picked up the phone to call you."

"Why didn't you?" Ed asked, crossing his arms.

"Because you would have left Mom, left your responsibilities in Washington to come help us, and I couldn't ask you to put everything you've worked for in jeopardy for me. Bella and I just had to find our fight here, figure out our strategy, and win."

"You're a wise man, Edward." Ed laughed. "You know, your mother wasn't too happy to hear that you and Bella deprived her of a wedding."

I cringed. "Yeah, I know, but Bella couldn't handle all that. She doesn't like attention, like being pampered."

"No, I know," Ed said, quietly. "Just would have liked to have been there to see the two of you get married."

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"Don't be," he insisted. "Just don't push us away."

"I promise."

Ed and I rejoined everyone around the table. After months have having to be careful about what we ate, the table was filled with fatty, carb-filled foods. But as much as I wanted to eat my fill of potatoes, pastas, and chicken, my mouth was too sore, my stomach ached, and my body protested.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Phil said, standing and lifting his glass. Missy sat to his left, tears filling her eyes. She'd have to figure out a way to stay in California. Going home wasn't an option, not after learning that her ex was still around. To his right, Sasha sat. "When I walked into our gym back in August, I never expected us to actually be sitting here with a National Championship in our hands. This year, I . . . I wanted more for you. Wanted to make this year the best for each of you. I wanted to save our program, to keep our dreams alive, but it would seem that we failed."

Phil opened his mouth to speak again, but shook his head and dragged his hand over his face, through his hair, and tried to regain control of his emotions.

"We may not have saved our program," he whimpered. "But I'm so incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Your progress and growth in and out of the ring has been substantial."

Before Phil could say another word, the doors to the banquet room opened and Caius came rushing in.

"Daddy?" Sasha asked, scrambling to her feet and rushing around the table to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to tell you in person," he said, smiling and holding up a piece of paper.

"Tell us what?" Phil asked, running around to join them. He took the paper from him, his facing twisting into a smile. "Is this for real?"

"Yes, sir," Caius laughed. "The board voted unanimously this morning."

"Voted for what?" Bella asked, the hope in her voice radiated off of each of as we stood.

"They voted . . ." Caius paused. ". . . to give your program another three years."

"Three?" I blurted out.

"Yes. Three. Campus was on fire after watching you both win Nationals. The quad was filled and we had to bring in more big screens to make sure everyone could see."

"You watched?" Bella asked, her lips trembling.

"My dear, everyone watched. You've made us proud to call you Bruins."

Bella turned and threw herself in my arms, sobbing quietly. While the rest of our team cheered and screamed, hugged and praised the God for giving us another year, Bella and I stood wrapped in each other. We'd overcome a lot over the last two years together. Fears, doubts, men out to kill us, the return of Ghosts of our pasts, yet somehow, we'd survived. We had our families, our friends, our team, and that's what made us the lucky ones.

—The End—

Thank you for all the love and support for The Lucky Ones and Fighting for Love. I have loved these characters so much.