Fight Like A Girl (Part One) Read Online Free

it seemed. But then, the notion
didn’t actually surprise me. I’d been training for years, which
meant I focused all my energy on fighting, not drinking. I was
never much of a partier, not like Wynter, who enjoyed alcohol and
consistently had one night stands. She and I were different on so
many levels.
    Wynter grew up being pampered and spoiled by
her rich parents. She had a nanny for most of her childhood. She
chose Boston College to piss her parents off. She was opposite of
me in every aspect. After a rough childhood and then my father’s
disappearance, I settled on Boston College because it was a good
school, and it was close to home.
    I’d always been interested in fighting, but
the truth was, it had been instilled in me at a young age. My dad
was a fighter, always looking for the next fight to earn money. He
even did some cage fighting. He was well-known and I was thankful
no one in the MMA world knew I was related to him. He garnered
quite a reputation.
    After one fight in particular, at least ten
years ago, a fight he lost, Dad disappeared. But not before his
opponent showed up dead. All leads pointed toward my father, but he
was long gone. The man I grew up loving and adoring was a murderer.
I hated him afterwards. He left me with no one.
    Not having him to lean on only made me
stronger, though. I wasn’t some silly young girl who cried anymore;
I was a badass. I fought to earn a name for myself, and so far, I
was doing a good job. People weren’t recognizing me because I was
John’s daughter. They only saw Madd Maxx . It was a nickname
the guys at the gym gave me when I started training there two years
ago, and it had stuck.
    I locked my apartment and went into my room
to pass out.
     
    * * * * *
     
    The next day, I pulled into the gym and
noticed Jeff’s bike parked in the lot already. I was hopeful, for
just a minute, that he changed, that he was finally getting his
shit together and I wouldn’t have to rely on someone who wasn’t
worth my time anymore.
    I should have known better.
    I was always the first one in the gym, even
before Freddie. But seeing Jeff’s motorcycle made me wary. I went
through the side door, cautious. Jeff was passed out one of the
benches. He didn’t look very comfortable, but his face was cut up.
He hadn’t fought in a few years, so I knew he’d gotten himself into
some trouble.
    “Jeff!” I shouted to wake him.
    He sat up swinging. I stepped back to get out
of his line of fire. He glared at me. “Why are you waking me
up?”
    “I’m here to train,” I told him.
    He grunted. “Fuck training. I need a day
off.” He dropped both feet to the floor and rubbed a hand over his
face. He looked rough.
    “No days off. Especially not before my first
real fight.”
    He glanced up at me and rolled his eyes.
“It’s not like it’s a real fight.” Jeff wasn’t one who supported
women’s MMA fighting, but his condescension only strengthened my
resolve to fight harder.
    I struggled not to punch him. His ignorance
was inexcusable, especially when he worked with me on a daily
basis. I wasn’t some weak-bodied woman. Hell, I’d brought him down
just yesterday. I wondered if he needed a reminder of that.
    As I contemplated decking his already bruised
face, the sound of sirens filled the gym. The sound was deafening.
Through the windows, I saw several cop cars pull up. They busted
down the front door, never bothering to knock. I went to my knees
before they yelled the words, my hands positioned unthreateningly
behind my head. I glanced at Jeff, who looked confused and watched
as they dragged him off the bench and to the hard concrete
floor.
    My eyes were wide as he was read his rights
and then hauled away. An officer approached me with a slight
smile.
    “Miss, you’re all set. Jeffrey Smith is being
arrested for drug charges, including possession and distribution to
a minor. Did you know anything about his actions?” The older man
offered me a hand up.
    I shook my head.