Guarded Heart (Dubicki's) (7 page)

Chapter 11

Carissa sat down next to Dana and Kyle in what ended up to
be really good seats. They were off to the left of the ring, a few rows back,
so they could see the fight pretty well. Carissa had honestly never been
excited for a fight, but she wanted to see what Jesse Dubicki was capable of in
the ring. When Dana had told her he was an MMA fighter, Carissa had googled
him. She spent some time looking into his track record, which was pretty good
except for the fact that his competitor that night had nearly killed him in a
previous fight. She’d seen a YouTube video of the fight two years prior. It was
sickening. She hoped Damon Velasquez got his payback tonight. He deserved it.

“Ladies and gentleman, on this day you have come here to
witness a match by two competitors at the top of their game. First, the
challenger. Let’s give a nice, big Minnesota welcome to one of the top
middleweight fighters of the West… Damon ‘The Detonator’ Velasquez.”

Both cheers and boos erupted with every syllable of his name
as it was announced.

Damon Velasquez emerged from the tunnel with his green robe
that bared “The Detonator” with a picture of a bomb with a lit fuse below it on
the back of his robe. As he got in the ring and pulled his hood back, she could
see his nearly black eyes take in the crowd; the look in them either evil or
crazy. Or maybe both. Carissa shivered. He looked sinister to her.

As he smiled, his right bicuspid tooth’s gold cap seemed to
glint in the light of the auditorium. His face was hard with a square jaw, and
his skin tone looked almost cinnamon in color. His jaw was covered in short,
dark stubble that towed the line between sexy and creepy, and he held himself
as if he knew he was creepy and was proud of it. He looked slightly flushed in
his cheeks, which was the result of the various pock marks on his face from his
battle with acne in his youth.

His fans stood up and cheered for him, all wearing their
green “Detonator” shirts. An obnoxiously big-chested woman a few rows over from
them held a sign that said “Do Me, Detonator,” and her t-shirt had what looked
to be simulated fuses going off over each of her breasts.

“Okay, folks! Here’s the moment you have been waiting for.
Our defending hometown champion we know and love. Are you ready?”

Deafening screams enveloped the auditorium in answer.

“Here he is. Jesse… THE PATRIOT… DUUUBICCKKIIIIIIII!”

The volume seemed to rise to a decibel level of sound that
rivaled a freight train.

Jesse emerged from the tunnel with his head under the soft
hood of his navy blue “Patriot” robe. Carissa’s mouth dropped open as she
watched him jump up to the ring. She had not realized how sexy he was. As he
lowered his hood, she felt the heat raise a notch in her body as she took in
the intensity of his gaze. His steely, blue-gray eyes seemed unforgiving just then,
and she marveled at how chiseled his facial features were. His skin looked as
if it was both sun-kissed and slightly oiled, and he scanned the crowd.

Both men finished disrobing and talking in their respective
corners to their coaching teams. They then met in the center of the ring while
the referee recited the rules, after which they bumped fists. They went back to
their corners, and the bell signaling the fight had begun resounded through the
air. The arena suddenly went quiet as both men walked toward the center of the
ring.

The men circled each other for what seemed like too long as
they assessed each other and waited for the other to make the first move.

Velasquez swung a right hook to connect to Jesse’s upper
body, but Jesse was quick to dodge the attempt. Velasquez barely let him
correct himself, still advancing on him like a predator. He threw a few more
shots at Jesse, and Jesse finally seized the opportunity for an upper cut to
Damon’s jaw. Damon’s head flew back in surprise as Jesse connected again with
his right eye. The crowd went wild.

A woman above them screamed, “I want to have your babies, Jesse!”

After Jesse had landed a hit to Damon’s eyebrow, Damon
recovered quickly and the men continued to dance back and forth.

“Kill him, Jesse! You’ve got this!” one man in the crowd
screamed.

Jesse stood still while Damon danced around him, waiting
until Damon hit the perfect angle, and landed a hard shot with his fist to the
side of Damon’s torso. Damon barely flinched.

Damon continued to dance with Jesse in an effort to tire
him. It worked. He backed Jesse into the corner, which was a bad place for a fighter
to be overpowered. It took talent for the man trapped in the corner to
overpower his opponent and get back on his feet.

An evil smile seemed to erupt across Damon’s face as he
delivered a series of quick punches to Jesse’s side. It was a move that was
risky. It could tire the person delivering the punches more than the fighter
the punches were delivered to.

Jesse used that to his advantage to power his way out of the
corner.

The bell rang signaling the end of the round.

“Kill him, Jesse!” a few people yelled in the crowd. Clearly,
Jesse’s fans wanted vengeance for him, too.

At that moment, the tension in the arena seemed to be at a fever
pitch, and a few little scuffles broke out in the crowd.

“Jesse, do NOT let him get the best of you so soon,” Pablo
said to him as Jesse got back into his corner.

“I know, Pablo. I’m just as frustrated as you are.”

“Remember what we’re fighting for. What you’ve worked for.
We’ve discussed the different scenarios and strategies. Don’t forget them. You
can do this,” Pablo told him as the bell rang again, signaling the start of the
next round.

The next few rounds were tense. The battle was closely
matched, and by the fifth round, each fighter was showing signs of the wear the
fight was taking on them. They both had a couple of cuts and scrapes, and both
seemed like they were becoming physically tired.

Jesse took a deep breath right before the start of the next
round; he remembered his promise to his family that he would fight smart and
not be harmed again like he was last time. If he couldn’t pull off the win, he
would at least try to honor that even if it meant submission. He didn’t want to
put too much energy into giving up right now, though. He’d worked too hard for
this, and it wasn’t over yet.

A couple of minutes into the round, Damon advanced on Jesse,
taking him down in a scissor kick. It made Jesse’s 280 pounds look like nothing
as he toppled to the floor, flat on his back. Jesse had little time to react
other than to let his instincts kick in. The attack brought his primal need to
win to the surface.

Jesse was up so quickly it surprised his opponent. The crowd
cheered.

Damon’s surprise worked to Jesse’s advantage as he plowed
his opponent against the wall.

The fighters took turns delivering hits to each other, with
Jesse still trapping Damon against the wall. Jesse was able to deliver the
perfect punch above his eye, resulting in a bleeder that would ultimately alter
Damon’s vision if not repaired.

That was Jesse’s moment. The moment for him to advance on
Damon with all his might and not give in.

Damon had a handicap then, but that seemed to make him
audibly sneer. He pushed at Jesse to let him out of the corner like he was
crazy. For all the studying Jesse had done of Damon’s moves, he wasn’t prepared
for the hit he took after Damon was released from that wall, and Damon was
counting on that.

Damon slammed his fist into the side of Jesse’s head,
causing Jesse’s head to snap back. Damon anticipated his delay of motion and
delivered another punch to his mouth. Jesse’s tooth started to bleed.

The TV announcers began discussing with the crowd how that
might be the end of things for Jesse Dubicki for the second time in a row.

Damon, thinking he had a second while Jesse seemed disabled
from the punch to his mouth, visibly seemed to back off. Jesse waited until
that moment to advance on him. He slammed Damon down on the mat with just the
right amount of pressure to his lower body, and both men went down.

Jesse secured enough of his body over Damon’s so that his
opponent was momentarily immobile and got him in a choke hold. The blood seemed
to be pouring out of Jesse’s mouth, but he was not going down without a fight.

Damon bucked at him in an attempt to turn the tables with
little success.

The crowd was screaming as the bell rang signaling the end
of the final round. Since neither of them had ended the fight by submission or
a visible win, it would be decided by the judges.

The crowd screamed. People were hugging and high-fiving each
other. Carissa even high-fived a few people in the excitement of the moment.

The announcer sounded the bell as the referee got both men
to the center of the ring.

“Ladies and gentleman, the winner tonight by unanimous vote
is JESSE… THE PATRIOT… DUBBICCKKKIII!”

The referee grabbed Jesse’s hand and raised it above his
head. Jesse looked so proud. His eyes seemed to dance with the promise of good
things to come. At that moment, his eyes connected with Carissa’s. His eyes
grew wide with surprise, and then he smiled. He lifted his free arm and pointed
at her.

Carissa looked behind her and realized he meant her. Her
breath caught as the crowd turned to look at her.
Shit
. She bit her
lower lip as she smiled and waved at him. She didn’t know if she’d be able to
stay away from this guy if he really liked her. Like it or not, it seemed like
the Jesse and Carissa train had already left the station.

***

Jesse felt on top of the world. Not only had he defeated one
of his biggest rivals, he had spotted Carissa in the crowd and had pointed to
her. She may have said she wanted nothing to do with him, but he was going to
do his best to change her mind. He walked over to his team and asked one of his
security team to go find her. Luckily, most of the place had seen him point at
her, so hopefully the guard could track her down easily.

Jesse made his way back to the locker room. Pablo and the
rest of his team all cheered as he walked in. They had open energy drinks, and
everyone toasted a congratulations.

“Jesse, I’m proud of you,” Pablo said, giving him a quick
pat on the back as Jesse thanked him.

Just then, Carissa entered. To Jesse it felt like the world
stopped. He’d wanted to see her again, and the moment was finally there. It was
as if his crew knew, and they all quietly filtered out of the room, closing the
door behind them. It was just the two of them.

“Hi,” he said as she hesitantly entered the room.

He stood up and extended his hand to her.

“Hi, Jesse,” she said shyly. “Congratulations. I didn’t know
you were a fighter until last night when my friend invited me at the last
minute because she had an extra seat. She mentioned you were somewhat of a
local hero. I didn’t know if I would like it, but it turns out I screamed so
loud I think I might not have a voice tomorrow.”

He just stood watching her, smiling. He looked like he was
undressing her with his eyes.

“I’m babbling. Sorry. I babble when I’m nervous,” she said,
biting her lower lip and looking down at her shoes.

He took a step near her. He was so close he was almost
touching her.

“Do I make you nervous?” he said quietly.

Carissa just shook her head as she continued to look down at
her feet.

“I was glad to see you here. Did you know that I looked for
you after you ran from me that morning?” he asked her.

Carissa’s eyes got big with surprise. “You did?”

“Yeah, I did. I know you told me to go away, but I was
hoping it was just because you were scared. I swear I’m not a stalker.”

They both laughed.

“Yeah, I was a little afraid that morning. And embarrassed.
You did a nice thing for me, and I’m sorry I flipped out on you like that. It
was also a small matter of pride.”

“What do you mean?” he quietly asked, urging her to
continue.

“Well, you saw me fall apart. You held my hair while I
puked. You carried me up to your apartment when I passed out. I felt stupid. I
don’t like being helpless like that.”

“Carissa, I would not judge you for that. It’s not your
fault you were drugged.”

“Jesse, I hear you. I’ve just had a rough time in the past.
With men.”

“Listen, I have a little tradition after my fights in town
that I go to Dubicki’s after and see my family. I either celebrate or
commiserate with the locals. Any chance you would want to go with me tonight?”

“Wow. Jesse, that’s really sweet, but, honestly, I’m still
digesting what just happened. It might be a bit soon to meet your family.”

“Carissa, honestly, I decided the night that I met you that
you would be mine. You can meet them now, or you can meet them later, but you
will
meet my family.”

She bit back her smile at his bravado. His announcement to
her was a little shocking, but something in it connected to her. As long as he
didn’t force himself on her, she would go with the flow of things. She wasn’t
ready to leave him just yet, so she decided to go with him. She tried not to be
nervous about meeting the family before they’d even had their first date. She
kept telling herself it was crazy, or, at the very least, it all felt a little
surreal. If it was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.

Chapter 12

An hour later, they walked into Dubicki’s, hand-in-hand.
After Jesse’s announcement that he’d decided she’d be “his,” Carissa had told
him that she may need to take things slow. He said he understood and then held
out his hand for her to grab and asked her if it was okay. And it was okay.
Their hands felt just right together. Carissa couldn’t seem to keep the smile
off her face. It was a strange feeling, but she liked it.

When they walked in, the whole Dubicki family seemed to be
there. Jesse introduced her to his sister Kelsey, whom she remembered as the
bartender that horrible night; his brother-in-law Jason, who was Kelsey’s
husband; his brother Adam; Adam’s wife Stephanie; and their baby, Jack. Jack
was a total cutie, with chubby cheeks that smiled, and he held his hands out to
her. Carissa was surprised by this and held her arms out to accept the baby in
them. She was nervous at first but found quickly that the baby charmed her, and
she enjoyed holding him for a few minutes before giving him back to his mommy.

They all laughed and congratulated Jesse, and all the locals
there came and gave Jesse congratulations as well. They had all been watching
him on the big screen TV in the bar that day. The Dubicki family decided to
order a few pizzas and pitchers of both beer and soda as they all sat around a
big table and socialized.

“You seem happy,” Kelsey said to Jesse when they found a
moment alone to chat.

“Yeah, I am.”

“That shit-eating grin you have on your face wouldn’t have
anything to do with Carissa, eh? Are you blushing, Jesse?” Kelsey said as she
teased him, jabbing her elbow into his side as she did it.

He playfully swatted her elbow away.

“Stop it, Kels. She’s not that far away.”

He looked over his shoulder, and his eyes found Carissa. She
was across the bar talking to his brother, Adam. Jesse would have to go save
her from him in a few minutes.

“Yes, it might have something to do with the grin. I don’t
know what the deal is. I have no time for a relationship, but something changed
when I met her. I’m glad you charged me with taking care of her that night, or
I may not have met her.”

He stopped and popped a peanut into his mouth. They had
peanuts or popcorn at every table in the bar.

“Our initial meeting was a bit less than ideal, and it took
a bit of convincing to get to her, but it seems I did. I didn’t even know if I was
going to see her again. But she was at my fight today, and I somehow convinced
her to come here with me.”

“I have to admit, I was unsure of her at first, but she
seems really nice. Maybe it was just the situation and the way you met her. But
hey, I just want you to be happy, just as you once wanted for me.”

“Thanks, sis,” he said as he leaned over and hugged Kelsey.
“That means a lot.”

Jesse and Kelsey both walked away from the bar together
towards the rest of the crowd at the tables in the bar.

“Congratulations, Jesse!” a couple of older gentleman that
were regular patrons of Dubicki’s congratulated him. They were both watching
the large flat screen TV that was above the bar for sports events.

Carissa was surprised at how easy it was to walk in the door
and meet the Dubickis. Jesse’s brother Adam had come right up to her and
started talking, and since then she felt like she’d been occupied being
introduced to someone that was either family or a friend of the Dubickis. She
was nearly dizzy trying to keep all the details straight. She felt welcome here
and wondered what it must be like to have such a loving family.

Carissa saw Jesse try to make his way towards her, which was
proving a challenge at the moment. Just as Carissa was about to start making
her way towards Jesse, his sister walked up to her. They’d been briefly
introduced when she and Jesse had first walked in the door that day.

“So, Carissa, you seem to be doing well with all the chaos
here. Do you have a big family?” Kelsey asked her.

Carissa looked down and bit her lip as she contemplated the
best way to address that. “No, I don’t. But let’s just say that if I had a big
family, this would be the kind of family I would wish for.”

Kelsey could tell there was a story there, but decided the
story would present itself when the time was right. “Well, you seem like a
natural with a room full of new people, anyway. Do you work with people in your
job, then?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” Carissa smiled at her.
“I’m a nursing assistant at a home that’s a retirement community with a hospice
wing. A lot of people might not understand why I like to work with seniors,
and, at first, neither did I. Now I realize that there’s no place I’d rather
be.”

“Really? How so?” Kelsey tilted her head in curiosity as she
listened.

“Well, some of the people there don’t have anyone to talk
to, and I love providing them some company while I do my job. I love listening
to all their stories. They have such interesting lives, and some of them have
been through so much.”

She felt like she was babbling, but Kelsey didn’t seem to
mind.

“I felt lonely when I was growing up, sometimes. It helps me
connect with all the people that are there and are all alone.” Carissa looked
down and bit her lip. She figured she better not give herself away yet and
steer the subject away from what it was like when she was growing up.

“Anyway, I want to go back to school to eventually become a
registered nurse. I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my
life. I’m not quite sure how all the details will work yet. I’m determined to
get there, one way or the other, though.”

“Well that’s good that you seem so sure of what you want to
do in life. So many others have no idea what they want to be when they grow
up.”

They both laughed.

Kelsey liked her. The girl seemed to have a good head on her
shoulders. Her first meeting with anyone her brother dated, which was a rarity
in itself, was always an interview of sorts. She only wanted the best for him.
Not that she could stop it if she didn’t think it was a good match, but she
liked Carissa.

They continued to talk and laugh the night away.

After they all said their goodbyes, Jesse took Carissa’s
hand as they walked outside the bar to his truck.

“I ‘m so happy you were there today,” he said as they got
into the cab of his truck.

“Me, too. Thanks for having me,” Carissa said to him as he
reached his hand over the seat towards her. She took it.

“So, can I call you?” he said as they pulled up to her
place.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” she said to him.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked her.

She nodded in response to him as he brought his face to hers
across the seat of the truck. She leaned towards him as his lips met hers. It
was a soft kiss, and she liked that he was respecting her enough to take things
slow.

He let go of her hand and got out to open the door for her
to get out of the truck. He held her hand as he walked her to the door.

She turned to him as she opened her door. “I had fun
tonight, Jesse. Thanks.”

“So did I, Carissa. So did I,” Jesse said as he thought of
what an amazing day it had turned out to be.

He walked back to his truck and selected Cole Swindell’s
song “Just Chillin It” on his audio system. He smiled, thinking that it was a
fitting tune for his drive home.