Felix turned back to Ella with a frown and kissed her one last time. Things are not so bad if they could be worse. He was saying goodbye to her just for one day. It could be so much worse. He’d be thankful that he would still talk to her tonight when he got there and he’d be back in less than forty-eight hours.

He never imagined having such a huge fight lined up and not being pumped up for it at all. Noah and Gio weren’t happy about that. He could tell they were worried, but in all honesty, he really didn’t care one way or another about the fight. Felix wasn’t even gone yet, and all he could think of was getting back to Ella.

Chapter 25

Ella

It was hard not to, but Ella couldn’t help feeling anxiety, knowing that if Felix lost tonight it would be her fault. She could hardly believe she was even in his home. If she hadn’t met him just several months ago, she’d likely be watching this at home, completely unaware of what was going on in his head, and it certainly wouldn’t be thoughts of her and her illness.

Ella had talked to her mother more than once today. She was trying to be strong—think positively—but she’d seen it in his eyes, heard it in his words, and felt it in his kisses.

Felix’s heart wasn’t in this fight.

It was what scared her the most. Last night when they’d spoken on the phone, he promised, as usual, that he’d do his best. But Ella had heard it once again. He just wasn’t feeling it. He was more concerned about going over her meds and white blood cell counts.

She’d finally managed to steer the conversation onto something she’d rather that he think about—the things they’d do when she was better. He told her he had big plans but wouldn’t tell her what. All he said was his princess would get the royal treatment.

Everyone was over now, and they’d made a party out of it. Ella had showered and gotten out of her pajamas and into a soft linen pantsuit. She knew Felix was expecting her to lie there in the middle of the room all propped up in her jammies, letting everyone wait on her.

She did sit on the chaise because he’d gone through all the trouble of bringing it down for her, but she didn’t lie down on it. Isidora, Felix’s mom, and Alessandra had stayed back with Ella as well. They ordered pizza, and Isidora made a huge pot of posole. Isidora said she never went to Felix’s fights anyway. They were too stressful.

“Even watching them on the television, I can hardly stand it,” she’d explained. “That last fight where he went down and stayed down for several minutes I thought I was gonna lose my mind.”

Ella cringed. She couldn’t even imagine having to watch that now. She’d witnessed him going down because, of course, they’d watched the big fight at her house. Even then, before she’d ever met him, it was awful seeing him go down so hard.

She overheard Hector and her brother talking. Hector was telling Memo how Noah was worried that Grecco would be even stronger this time around.

“He’s got a lot to prove and he’s angry,” he said. “Everyone wrote off that first fight as a fluke. They all agreed that if Felix had been in shape and prepared, fighting like he normally does, there was no way that fight would’ve ended like it did.”

Hector lowered his voice even as Ella pretended to be engrossed in what Nellie and Roni were talking about, but she still heard it anyway.

“Noah’s worried he’s not all there again. If Grecco did get even stronger, and we’re hearing he did, this could end badly again.”

Ella stopped listening after that, focusing only on the positive. Before she got sick, both Noah and Gio were certain Felix had this. He was in the best shape of his life, and the training was going even better than they’d hoped. Felix may’ve lost his mental focus, but he was still a hell of a fighter and in awesome shape. He could do this.

The awkwardness in the room when Athena once again stepped into the ring to belt out the national anthem was a living thing. It was a little uncomfortable but nothing Ella was worried about. Felix hadn’t mentioned she’d be singing again at his fight, but then his head had barely been there when it came to anything about this fight.

The formalities and announcements were over, and the bell rang. Isidora’s hand was immediately over her mouth and she paced. Ella wished she’d sit down. Isidora’s pacing was making her even more nervous than she already was.

Grecco got a few good ones in, bringing the crowd and Hector to their feet. “Get ’im back!” Hector said through his teeth, jabbing his fist in the air.

A few agonizing seconds later the first round was over. Hector, Memo, and her dad agreed that round could go either way. Though Ella got the feeling they were just saying that for her sake. Grecco had been by far the aggressor in that round.

The next few rounds were the same. Felix had landed a few but nothing too impressive. Then came the round that nearly stopped her heart. Grecco got in a good one that rocked Felix and had him against the ropes. He landed another one, and Felix went down but not all the way. He landed on his knee and stayed there for a moment as the ref pushed Grecco away and began to count.

“Ay Dios mio!” Isidora said as she walked out of the room.

“Get up!” Hector yelled at the screen.

“Get up, baby,” Ella whispered, her heart at her throat now, but she refused to think anything but positive thoughts. This was just a minor setback.

Felix got up and took a few steps around as the ref continued his count. When he was done, he asked Felix something and Felix nodded.