With all the hoopla, he had forgotten that it was July 4th. “I love you. Happy 4th little one.” He told her.
***
In the Staples Center, the colors of Red, White and Blue lighting streamed from the rafters. With a sold out crowd. The audiences were a mix of Celebrities, MMA past and present stars, Contact Sports Executives and a huge portion of the viewing public.
Hayley looked at the giant crowd with amazement. She had done it. The show had been a hit and
already renewed for a second season. But she wondered after next year, who would be on top? Jackson or Evan.
His life had changed completely in the last 5 days. Anyone who was anyone wanted a piece of
him for something. Endorsement offers began to pour in. From cars to footwear, everyone loved the Enigma.
Since they were together, it had been agony not to see him. Their situation was new and
complicated. There were things that needed to be worked out, before they could move forward…If they could go forward.
She couldn’t help but to think of him during any spare moment she had. As much as she’d miss
the doing the show, she was looking forward to the break.
She looked at the clock; it was now 15 minutes until the show. Dressed in a royal blue halter
jumpsuit, Hayley grabbed the script and looked it over one last time.
In the corner of her eye, she noticed the Enigma, dressed in his trademark black silk trunks and robes, meditating quietly. As someone who cared about him, she wanted to go over wish him well, but as a producer and host, she needed to let him focus on his match.
“I see the Bates Effect is in full swing.” Tucker said in a smart Hugo Boss suit and tie.
“Huh?” Hayley said as she turned towards Tucker and smiled.
“Evan said told me that you both ‘recently’ talked?” Tucker asked.
Hayley nodded with feigned enthusiasm “Yeah. We did.”
Tucker looked at her with concern. “Good. I know you didn’t really have a chance to get to know
him like you did the others. ”
“We talked for awhile actually. He’s a good man. If anyone deserves this shot tonight, it’s him. I just hope that there won’t be any complications like there was before.” Hayley said
“Day by Day, step by step. Give him time. The man’s life changed permanently in the last week.
He’s got a young child, and an ex who wants to take said child away. Be mindful of that.”
“Evan won’t let her take Everly.” Hayley told him.
“He may not have a choice. May not be right now but in a couple of years? That little girl is
going to start asking questions.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Hayley asked.
“I don’t want to see either one of you get hurt. I care about you both.” Tucker said. “I just
wanted to wish you ‘Good Luck’ with everything. It has been great working with you.”
“Same here.” Hayley told her dear friend while she gave him a hug.
“Take care , Hayl.” Tucker said as he left.
3 minutes to air….Everyone get to your spots.
The stage manager shouted over the PA system.
Hayley gathered at the side of the corridor where she could see the Octagon sitting smack dab in the middle of the arena.
1 minute…Places…Places…
The stage manager yelled.
Hayley noticed that Evan was done with his meditation and was looking at the crowd from the
side of the building. He seemed nervous while she watched him pace around like a caged animal.
“Evan!” She called out. The number one MMA contender turned around and noticed that it was
Hayley.
As the Stage manager, counted down. Hayley smiled at him, waved and walked out into the
arena.
Her smile was wide while she looked into the front row to see all the former participants and their families. Evan’s mother, daughter and cousin also sat in the front beaming with pride.
“Good evening and Happy Independence Day!” Hayley told the audience.
“Welcome to the finale of the ‘Next Great Hope’. We hope you are in for some fireworks. In the building is our Next Great Hope, Evan Bates, who will compete against current Contact Sports, champion Jackson Briggs. So tell me America, who’s ready?”
The crowd jumped to its feet.
“Without further adieu, here is our Number One Contender, Evan Bates.”
A highlight package showing the highlights of Evan’s career and time in the house were
broadcast. Evan also spoke and for the first time; he spoke of why he was gone from MMA for the last five years.
“Well, there was one reason. My daughter. She’s one of the reasons that I’m here, but I guess;
truth be told, that I missed this sport. For years, I’d make every excuse in the book not to come back because I was scared that if I did, I wouldn’t be as good as I once was. Jackson and I are friends. I’ve known him for a long time. He knows that, for him and me, it doesn’t matter about the win. It’s about coming back better and stronger than you were before. I just want to say, thank you to my family, my friends and especially to Hayley. Thank you for making me see that in order for me to move forward, I have to come out of the dark.”
The tape ended. Hayley looked over at Evan with tears in her eyes. Evan looked over at her and replied with a wink. “We’ll be ok.” He mouthed.
Hayley smiled and watched the bout. Evan took Jackson Briggs out in the 2nd round with a
superkick. Hayley was pleased. She was glad that this journey was over. She had learned more about herself in the last few months than she ever wanted to know. But at least, she’d have others by her side to help her along the way to find the ‘Next Great Hope’.
The End
I hoped you enjoyed the story. For your reading pleasure, here are more Red, Hot and BOOM!
Stories!
A Slow Burn
Tigris Eden
In the Fictional town of Beauville, anything is possible.
Annabelle Macon left home to become somebody. When fired from her job in New York, she’s anxious to come home. Home is where the heart is, and her heart has always been set on Jackson Storme. But when opportunity presents Anna with an exciting new job back in New York, she doesn’t know what to do.
Sheriff Jackson Storme is happy being deemed a player. He hasn’t found the one woman to call his own, and that’s okay with him. When his baby sister pulls up to the Fourth of July picnic and her passenger steps out, Jackson realizes his woman has made herself known.
Will Anna and Jackson’s fire only burn for one night, or can he convince her that the best burn is a Slow burn…
http://www.authortigriseden.com/stories-from-beauville.html
********
Alexandra O’Hurley
Cheated on and dumped, Cassie Summers feels nothing but relief. She’d stayed too long, and honestly, it was her attraction to her ex’s roommate Mason that kept her hanging on past the expiration date. Mason makes her heart beat faster and her panties damp. Too bad he’s only a friend, as she’s not his type.
Mason Parker’s Southern charm and good looks let him through a lot of doors—and into beds. A
protective instinct a mile wide pushes Mason to be Cassie’s shoulder when his roommate skips town, and he has to face his real feelings for her. Can he find the patience to just be the friend Cassie needs while she gets over her ex?
When Mason’s called for duty and has to ship out for a year, he knows he can’t leave without telling her exactly how he feels. Amid the fireworks on the Fourth of July, they’ll make their own sparks and give in to the crushing need both have for one another.
http://www.alexandraohurley.com/p/red-hot-and-boom.html
********
Mari Carr
I Do
is the easy part.
Happily ever after
? Not so much.
Evan and Annie are deeply in love, but that hasn't stopped tension from creating cracks in their relationship. Determined not to fail his wife, Evan takes action before those cracks become craters, damaging their marriage irreparably. Over the Fourth of July weekend, he'll reignite Annie's passion with his own brand of fireworks.
Stand back and watch the sparks fly.
********
Jodi Redford
Lexie Winters is on a mission—to lose her good girl image and tempt resident bad boy, Ash Bodry, into her bed. Tired of being treated like his kid sister, it’s past time for her to play dirty. She has her work cut out for her though when it comes to the sinfully sexy yet incredibly frustrating man.
As far as Ash is concerned, Lexie is strictly off limits. Not only are they friends, her dad just happens to be the sheriff, and years ago the man steered Ash away from a life of crime. No way is he repaying that favor by giving into his wicked fantasies of Lexie. But when the little vixen strolls into his tattoo parlor and requests a very naughty piercing, Ash’s honorable intentions are tested to their limits.
Now that Lexie’s hammered the first chink in Ash’s defenses, and he’s sweating bullets, there’s no chance in hell she’s settling for his hands off policy. Even if it means some flirty strip tease action and late night skinny dipping to convince him that this newfound naughty girl will do whatever it takes to get her man.
http://www.jodiredford.com/More_Books.html
********
For Liberty
Rene Folsom
While deployed overseas, his mission classified, the heartfelt letters Maximus writes are the only bits of communication Liberty receives during the year he is away. Her memories of him, along with a box full of letters, become her most prized possessions—that and the life growing inside her.
It’s not until communication stops, and the scheduled return of her Army hero comes and goes, that Libby begins to freak out. Her worry for his welfare, along with concern over her current situation, wreaks havoc on her once-solid nerves.
While she’s waiting for his return with bated breath, she clings to hope and remembers the words he once wrote: “A soldier doesn't fight because he hates what is in front of him. A soldier fights because he loves what he left behind.” The infamous quote is a constant reminder of why he chooses to fight: For Liberty.
http://renefolsom.com/2014/04/for-liberty/
********
Graylin Rane
Julia is getting ready for work, her camerawoman and best friend Amy by her side, when a notice is left at her door. She’s been chosen to receive a sculpted chocolate man picked personally by Eros to fulfill her romantic and sexual needs.
While other women would jump at the offer, Julia is torn. It’s been three years since she lost her beloved Jorge after twenty-five years of wedded bliss. How would she explain a chocolate man to her six kids?
Anteros is carved perfection, luscious, and gorgeous with a surprise for her. He loves books and discussing history, he backs away when she feels a loyalty pull to her lost husband, respects her devotion to family. Time and patience pay off as Julia slowly opens her home, her body, and her heart.
http://www.graylinfox.com/candy-man-delivery-service-stories/white-chocolate-cherry/
********
Desiree Holt
Dani DeLuca is known as Firecracker, as much for her hot rides as a barrel racer as for her long, luxurious red hair. When she takes first place in the Fourth of July Golden Spur Rodeo she decides it’s time to celebrate with some real fireworks. And who better to create those sparks than Chad Bailey, bull breeder, and Brody Hunter, champion bull rider. Dani’s never experienced a ménage but she’s sure if she did Chad and Brody would be the ideal candidates.
Chad and Brody have been rodeo friends with Firecracker for a long time but they’ve never taken it beyond that. For one thing they didn’t want to ruin a great relationship. For another, they were all too aware that she didn’t play on the circuit. But over some time sparks have been simmering between them, sparks that are just waiting to be ignited.
The two men take Dani to a classy hotel for an elegant dinner and night of celebration. But all through dinner the air around them crackles with sexual electricity and when they give in to the desires gripping them all, the Fourth of July fireworks have nothing on the sparks between Dani, Chad and Brody.
********
Sable Hunter and Ryan O’Leary
Lacy spends her time planning events at a country club. Her latest and greatest project is the big Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks lighting up the sky – Red Hot and Boom! She loves the excitement and the spectacular display of sparkles and heat gives her a thrill. The only problem is… Lacy has never had any fireworks of her own. Despite having to listen to her friends tell of their sexual escapades, she has never experienced the big ‘O’. According to the only man she’s ever given herself to, Lacy is frigid. Is something wrong with her or has she just not met the right man for the job?
Jake is the manager of the golf course at the country club. He’s designing and overseeing a building project and the sight of him shirtless and sweating and flexing…has given Lacy ideas. Jake has a certain reputation of being able to handle almost any task he’s given. Rumors of his sexual prowess are
legendary. Now, every time Lacy sees him working with his hands, doing some heavy lifting, his body gleaming with the sheen of exertion – she begins to hope that Jake can give her what no one else ever has.
IF - she can just figure out how to ask him. But what Lacy doesn’t know is that Jake has ideas of his own.
His outlook on love and life has been molded by the mistakes of his family. He doesn’t think true love exists, there’s just sex. Until he meets Lacy. This Fourth of July celebration proves to have more explosions in store than those in the sky, for Jake sets out to prove that he can give Lacy exactly what she needs. In fact, Jake intends to show Lacy that what she needs – is him.
********