Chapter 29: Press Conference
*Win or lose, I’m still proud to be your coach. – Kevin*
After the three five-minute rounds, it came down to the judges. She lost by two points.
Taz was in the shower in the locker room with all the showerheads on. When Riffraff came around the corner, he found her sitting on the floor, beneath the spray, hugging her knees to herself. He made a small gesture and the other men nodded and made their way out of the room. Riffraff stripped out of his clothes and went to join her.
No words were spoken between them as he sat down and pulled her close to him. He held her for several minutes, allowing her time to cry and grieve for what she had worked so hard for.
“I’m proud of you.” Riffraff eventually whispered. Taz leaned her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Several minutes later, they heard someone clear his throat.
“Hey, guys,” Knuckles called out, “Taz has a press conference in five minutes.”
“Go dry off and get dressed.” Riffraff said kissing the top of her head. “I’ll get all this.”
Nodding she stood up and walked out of the shower area, holding his hand for as long as possible. As she exited, Knuckles held a towel out to her. She quickly dried off and pulled on her jeans and a t-shirt with her devil on the back. She was pulling on her boots when she saw Riffraff watching her.
“Nothing on underneath?” he asked with a grin.
“Nope.” She grinned back. “I have a skimpy teddy, thigh thighs and heels at the hotel.”
“I do not need to hear that.” Brute said as he walked in with Celt.
“If I wasn’t engaged, I’d ask to see it.” Celt said and ignored the death glare that he got from Riffraff.
A few minutes later, she walked into the press room and was shocked to see so many people in there. Her opponent was already there and the black-haired woman stood up and embraced Taz.
“You did damn good for your first fight.” Kristy said.
“I still lost.” Taz murmured.
“No one wins their first, but you were close.”
They sat at the table and answered questions. It was surprising to find out how much the press already knew about her. Someone asked about one of her social media posts.
“Ummmm… for that, you would have to talk to my, Priscilla, what did you make your title?”
“Social media manager and public relations director.” Priscilla replied. Molly had bought her a new outfit just for this. A black pencil skirt with a charcoal jacket and a fuchsia silk shirt that matched her heels. Small silver hoops were on her ears, being shown off by the up do that her hair was twisted up into. She wore light makeup and thin black rimmed glasses.
She looked like a young professional. Not a high school sophomore.
Kristy leaned over to Taz as the press focused on Priscilla. “She’s good. I stalked you. I should steal her away.”
“Her dad won’t let you.” Taz admitted with a little chuckle. At the other girls confused look, she explained, “Priscilla is still in school. But she wants to do public relations and crap.”
“Your manager? Is he still in school too?” she asked nodding towards Toad.
“Lord, no. He’s the president of the motorcycle club that I grew up in.”
“That explains all the leather in your cheering section.” The other woman looked over at where a half dozen brothers stood. “The sexy one that keeps staring at you, is he your man?”
Taz looked towards Riffraff and smiled. His face softened and he smiled back. “Yeah, he is.”
“You lucky little bitch.” Came the teasing reply before the press turned their attention back to the two women. A few minutes later, the event organizers moved them out so that the next set of fighters could move in. As they were moving out, one of the male fighters offered Taz his hand.
“You kicked fucking ass out there. I’ll be seeing you on the circuit more.”
“She has a man, Freddie.” Kristy said pushing her way between the two.
“Hope she kicks your ass next time.” Freddie said as he sat down.
“So do I.” Kristy replied pushing Taz out of the room.
“Freddie, did you see the opening fight? And what do you think of this new fighter, the Devil?” a man in the press asked as the two women left.
“Honestly, I think that had there been another minute, we would have a different winner. She did damn good and I’m planning on being at her next fight.”
“But I lost.” Taz murmured in the hall as the door closed behind them.
“He’s right.” Someone said next to her. She looked up to see the current champion standing next to her. Her eyes were drawn to the giant belt resting on her shoulder. The woman smiled at her. “You’ll have your own soon enough. Get with my manager, I would love to visit your post.”
“Really?” Taz asked in shock.
“Yeah. And hang onto your PR girl. Watch out for bitches like me that will try to take her.”
“She’s not for hire.” Molly said as they walked up to where they stood.
“Can I get some pictures?” Priscilla asked pulling her phone out of her dad’s cut pocket.
Before the other two fighter’s representatives could object, they agreed and posed together. The other fighters from the two main fights also arrived and wanted in on the pictures.
“Would any of you be willing to give me an interview for my school paper?” Priscilla asked hopefully.
“What university do you attend?” Freddie asked as he stepped out of the press room.
“Theodore Roosevelt High School.” Priscilla admitted.
“High school?” the majority of them asked.
“High school.” Molly said putting his arm around her. “She’s underage, so quit undressing my daughter with your eyes.” He was looking directly at Freddie who had the decency to look guilty.
Laughing at the MMA fighter that was now squirming under the glare of a man named Molly, the men’s champion, Matthew, agreed to meet Priscilla in the morning. Several others agreed also and a time was picked to meet in the hotel conference room.
