Ryder Cane: This is me

Chapter 1

I opened my eyes at the first touch of sunlight, the smell of dust choking my lungs, and haven't left me since I got home last night. I rolled onto my back, resting my forearm over my eyes taking a moment to gather the strength to get up. I pushed myself upright, glanced at the time, and pushed myself to my feet. Every part of my body didn't agree with my sudden movements. I grabbed some shorts and slipped them on before taking the stairs down. I pushed the door open to the patio, inhaling a fresh breath of air before jogging down the stairs and up to the door leading out to the beach.

         I jogged down my usual path that leads up to the lighthouse and from there jogging over to my dad's gym. There was only a handful of people that knows that my dad is Tony. My dad never wanted to steal my spotlight or be in my spotlight. Even though he is the reason behind all of my success. He might have never seen the inside of the octagon with another fighter as his opponent but my dad knew everything there was to MMA. He was the coach in town who raised a few fighters from being a newcomer to a winner.

             A few years ago, my dad had a fighter who was on the brink of getting into UFC but according to my dad, an injury occurred during the fight-ending the fighter's chance. I entered my dad's gym and caught him training his new handful of amateur fighters. His eyes widened when I entered his gym and made my way over to him. "When did you get here?" He asked walking over to me and throwing his arms around my shoulders giving me a hug.

            "Last night," I answered. "Shouldn't you be taking it easy before your fight tonight?" He asked acting like a coach. "A jog won't hurt my strict training," I replied. He tapped his hand on my shoulder. "It's so good to have you back home, son." He said. "You are also getting bigger by the day." He noted at my wide shoulders and broad chest. "It's all the training and that protein shakes you got me to follow," I said, chuckling. "You still drinking them?" He asked, sounding surprised. "I'd rather be drinking them before using steroids," I replied with a shrug of my shoulders.

              "You know how I feel about those things." He grumbled making me shake my head in amusement. "Even when I was at my lowest, thinking that I will never get this big. It didn't cross my mind to touch those things." I assured him.

"I've overheard that you are fighting Crazy Joe tonight."

             "Yeah, another local. He got quite big after our first meeting years ago." I nodded, looking at the ring where his fighters sparred under the supervision of his gym trainers. "New boy, I found him during a practice run. Knows a lot about MMA, he used to be a kickboxing champ in his class." My dad said gesturing to the trainer. "I'm glad you found yourself another helping hand. This gym of yours can become another training ground for MMA fighters, professional or amateurs." I said but he shook his head. "I'm done working with professionals. A lot of kids come to my gym with troubling thoughts. I help them overcome their past." He said.

                 "What about your last fighter of three years ago?" I asked, referring to the one who got injured. "I don't think she will ever return to MMA. Even though she was my best fighter." He said making me frown. "She? As in a girl?" I asked. My dad nodded. "My first ever girl fighter. She gave my boy fighters a run for their money. She kicked ass whenever she got inside of the cage." I knew that look in my dad's eyes.

          "Just like you, she had the heart for MMA. Born with the skills." I wanted to open my mouth and ask him who this fighter was but my manager entered the gym, calling out to me. "Morning, champ! Had a good night's rest?" Jack asked shaking my hand. "After getting rid of the dust," I answered shaking his hand. "You haven't been this side in quite a while." He acknowledged. I nodded. Between fights, training, and interviews, I didn't get much time to return ever since the build of my house.

          "Maybe something will keep him here for a while." My dad said shaking Jack's hand. "Like what? A girl?" Jack joked. "Ryder isn't really known for dating," Jack said. "And definitely not a man who sleeps with models, you organize for him." My dad cut back making me chuckle.

"He needs some downtime like any other fighter."

"And that's when I catch up on some sleep or hang out with my friends," I cut in.

        "Well, you can catch up on that much-deserved sleep after tonight's fight. You'll next fight isn't in a few months." Jack reminded me. "I most likely be here helping out my dad," I said crossing my arms in front of my chest. He nodded as he knew about my plans.

"I'll see both of you at tonight's fight," Jack said, pointing his finger at me and then at my dad. "Check you later, Daniels," I said watching him shake his head. "Don't be late, now." He walked off, probably to go see his wife.

     "I don't want you to feel that is an obligation to help me out during your off time." My dad said. "It's not an obligation. I want to help you out, it's the least I can do for what you've done for me. Raising me on my own, helping me become who I am. You could've turned your back on me as mom did, but you decided to stay."

"How can I turn my back on my only son?"

          I stayed at my dad's gym for a while before making my way back home after getting something to eat and got some groceries for a few days. Took a shower after getting my gear together for tonight's fight. I got dressed, grabbed my sports bag, and headed out to the arena where my coach was already waiting for me. I picked up my dad on the way. It has been a few years since I had him at my fights. I warmed up while the other fighters finished up with their events before mine was announced. My coach called for me once it was my chance.

      One would suspect that this feeling of nervousness will fade over time, it only fades the moment you enter the octagon and lasts for a couple of seconds at the first touch of your hand making contact with the other fighters' skin. We made our way down the tunnel just in time to witness Crazy Joe, known as Josh Bryant enter the cage. "You ready, champ?" My coach asked. I rolled my shoulders, moved my face side to side, and did a quick hop to get the adrenaline pumping. The lights dimmed as they called me to the cage.

    The crowd was on their feet at the mention of my name, I moved through the cheering crowd and made my way over the octagon. I stopped in front of the gate for the officials to their checks on me. Once they were satisfied, I turned to face the cage, did a hop in front of the cage before entering.

    I looked at Bryant as I made my way over to my corner before getting called to the middle. The referee explained the rules and then called us to fight. That second of a pause was surrounded by silence before Bryant threw the first punch and the arena erupted into chaos of cheering fans. Bryant was fast and he got in a few surprising punches but one opening was all I needed to knock him off his game. Bryant was too slow to cover up once he threw an unsuccessful punch, I moved in and threw a solid punch to his jaw that shook him off his feet. I threw another to his abdomen and watched him go down.

       I moved in on top of him, threw a punch to his side before taking him into a successful submission hold with no way out. He counted down the seconds before thinking of tapping out, I placed more pressure on his arm and if he didn't rethink his decision, he'll end up walking home with a dislocated shoulder.

     His ignorance ran out and before he had a dislocated shoulder, he made the decision of tapping out, making me the winner of the match. I was on my feet as the referee pushed us apart. He made sure Bryant was alright before crowning me as the winner. I raised my fists in the air, smiling at my cheering fans applauding me. Next, my coach joined me in the cage and overwhelmed me with a high-five and a tap of the shoulder.

         "Unbeatable!!" The commentator announced over the mic. "I give you the winner and still your heavyweight champion; RRRRRRYYYYYDDDDEEEERRR CANE!"