Chapter 24 - THE REMATCHEleven months after Round Seven, Darius Kane stood across from Cole Maddox again.
No Roman.
No secret bets.
No instructions.
No predetermined ending.
The rematch sold out faster than the first fight.
This time marketing focused on redemption.
Darius had rebuilt his reputation slowly.
He admitted what he had done.
Accepted sanctions.
Returned.
Cole respected that.
Maya sat beside Elaine at ringside.
Ray worked Cole's corner.
Before leaving the dressing room, Ray said, "Anything you want to tell me?"
Cole thought.
"Yeah."
"What?"
"If I look terrible after eight rounds, stop the fight."
Ray stared.
Then smiled.
"Ethan would call you soft."
"Ethan isn't paying my hospital bills."
They laughed.
Cole walked toward the ring.
The crowd roared.
This time, when he entered, he didn't search for Roman.
Didn't scan the exits.
Didn't wonder who was watching.
He simply climbed through the ropes.
Darius touched gloves.
"No secret agreement?"
Cole smiled.
"One."
Darius frowned.
"What?"
"Don't cry when I beat you again."
Darius laughed.
"You've gotten worse."
Bell.
They fought twelve rounds.
No knockout.
No scandal.
No manipulation.
Just boxing.
At the final bell, both men were exhausted.
They stood side by side.
The judges announced a split decision.
Cole Maddox retained the championship.
Darius looked disappointed.
Then smiled.
Cole hugged him.
"Again someday?"
Darius laughed.
"After I find somebody easier."
Backstage, Maya found Cole.
His face was swollen.
One eye nearly shut.
She stared.
"This is the profession you love?"
"Very much."
"You're an idiot."
"Probably."
She kissed him gently.
Cole smiled.
"Slow?"
Maya looked at him.
"It's been a year."
"Good point."
She kissed him again.
Ray passed the hallway.
"Get a room."
Maya laughed against Cole's mouth.
May you like
For once, the future felt ordinary.
Cole had never realized how valuable ordinary could be.
