Knocked Out: A Red, Hot and BOOM! Story by Ty Langston Page B

looking at the crowd from the
    side of the building. He seemed nervous while she watched him pace around like a caged animal.
    “Evan!” She called out. The number one MMA contender turned around and noticed that it was
    Hayley.
    As the Stage manager, counted down. Hayley smiled at him, waved and walked out into the
    arena.
    Her smile was wide while she looked into the front row to see all the former participants and their families. Evan’s mother, daughter and cousin also sat in the front beaming with pride.
    “Good evening and Happy Independence Day!” Hayley told the audience.
    “Welcome to the finale of the ‘Next Great Hope’. We hope you are in for some fireworks. In the building is our Next Great Hope, Evan Bates, who will compete against current Contact Sports, champion Jackson Briggs. So tell me America, who’s ready?”
    The crowd jumped to its feet.
    “Without further adieu, here is our Number One Contender, Evan Bates.”
    A highlight package showing the highlights of Evan’s career and time in the house were
    broadcast. Evan also spoke and for the first time; he spoke of why he was gone from MMA for the last five years.
    “Well, there was one reason. My daughter. She’s one of the reasons that I’m here, but I guess;
    truth be told, that I missed this sport. For years, I’d make every excuse in the book not to come back because I was scared that if I did, I wouldn’t be as good as I once was. Jackson and I are friends. I’ve known him for a long time. He knows that, for him and me, it doesn’t matter about the win. It’s about coming back better and stronger than you were before. I just want to say, thank you to my family, my friends and especially to Hayley. Thank you for making me see that in order for me to move forward, I have to come out of the dark.”
    The tape ended. Hayley looked over at Evan with tears in her eyes. Evan looked over at her and replied with a wink. “We’ll be ok.” He mouthed.
    Hayley smiled and watched the bout. Evan took Jackson Briggs out in the 2nd round with a
    superkick. Hayley was pleased. She was glad that this journey was over. She had learned more about herself in the last few months than she ever wanted to know. But at least, she’d have others by her side to help her along the way to find the ‘Next Great Hope’.

    The End

    I hoped you enjoyed the story. For your reading pleasure, here are more Red, Hot and BOOM!
    Stories!
    A Slow Burn
    Tigris Eden

    In the Fictional town of Beauville, anything is possible.

    Annabelle Macon left home to become somebody. When fired from her job in New York, she’s anxious to come home. Home is where the heart is, and her heart has always been set on Jackson Storme. But when opportunity presents Anna with an exciting new job back in New York, she doesn’t know what to do.

    Sheriff Jackson Storme is happy being deemed a player. He hasn’t found the one woman to call his own, and that’s okay with him. When his baby sister pulls up to the Fourth of July picnic and her passenger steps out, Jackson realizes his woman has made herself known.

    Will Anna and Jackson’s fire only burn for one night, or can he convince her that the best burn is a Slow burn…

    http://www.authortigriseden.com/stories-from-beauville.html

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Return to Her
    Alexandra O’Hurley

    Cheated on and dumped, Cassie Summers feels nothing but relief. She’d stayed too long, and honestly, it was her attraction to her ex’s roommate Mason that kept her hanging on past the expiration date. Mason makes her heart beat faster and her panties damp. Too bad he’s only a friend, as she’s not his type.

    Mason Parker’s Southern charm and good looks let him through a lot of doors—and into beds. A
    protective instinct a mile wide pushes Mason to be Cassie’s shoulder when his roommate skips town, and he has to face his real feelings for her. Can he find the patience to just be the friend Cassie needs while she gets over her ex?

    When