Chapter 24: Now You’re Licensed
"The winner by split decision... Javier Restrepo!"
The referee grabbed Javier’s wrist and raised it high. The gym went crazy. Noise hit him like a wall - cheering, screaming, whistling.
Javier swayed in the center of the ring, chest heaving. His legs felt like rubber. Everything hurt, but the adrenaline kept him standing.
Devon walked over and touched gloves one last time. His face was swollen, blood crusted under his nose, but he looked Javier in the eye.
"Good scrap," Devon said, spitting out his mouthguard.
"Yeah. You too."
Devon nodded and climbed through the ropes. His corner surrounded him, but he walked out under his own power. Tough kid.
Miguel rushed into the ring and grabbed Javier in a bear hug.
"You did it! You actually beat him!"
Vicente appeared at the ring edge, arms crossed. He didn’t smile, didn’t cheer. Just gave one small nod.
But that nod hit Javier harder than any punch. His chest went tight with emotion he couldn’t name.
Miguel started working on Javier’s gloves, his hands steady despite all the chaos around them.