Ellie's Mom

“Oh, so who is he?”

“Not he, is a she. My mom wants to get back into boxing.”

I blinked. “Your mom?”

“Yep.”

“Ellie, your mom is… your mom. What does that have to do with me?”

“She hasn’t fought in almost twenty years, but she’s serious about coming back. She’s been training again, and she wants to start having real matches."

“And you want me to fight her?” I asked, staring at her in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Not just fight her. I want you to give her the match of her life.”

I stared at her for a moment, waiting for the punchline. It never came.

“Ellie, I’m not sure you understand what you’re asking. Noyt only I have to fight her, if it is a real match we could....”

“That’s exactly why I want it to be you.”

I frowned. “That makes absolutely no sense.”

“Think about it. I’ll bring her to the gym and let you train her. She’ll understand you are her best bet for a good fight and she’ll ask to fight you herself. We won’t have to convince her of anything and she gonna be sure of her own choice.”

“And then what? I’m supposed to knock your mother around for a few rounds and then fuck her? Aboslutely not.”

“Give her a proper challenge,” Ellie corrected, moving closer with a teasing smile. “Make her work for it. Let her feel what it’s like to be back in the ring, facing someone who can really push her. And when the time comes, you let her have the win.”

I scratched the top of my head. “You realize how insane this sounds, right?”

“I do.” Her smile faded a little. “But there’s a reason I’m asking you.”

She took my hand, rubbing her thumb over my knuckles.

“Dad’s gone, and Mom’s been alone ever since. Boxing used to be a huge part of her life. I think she needs something to get excited about again, something that makes her feel like herself. And now that she wants to return to the ring, I don’t want her first opponent to be some stranger who doesn’t care what happens to her.”

I began to understand, though I still wasn't sure I liked where this was going.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean someone who might hit too hard, take things too far, or treat her like a trophy afterward. I don't want her walking into that kind of situation with someone who only cares about winning.”

“Ellie, I’m a boxer. I’m not exactly known for going easy on people.”

“Maybe not.” She gave my chest a playful tap. “But I know you. And I know how you are for me.”

I looked away, remembering our first match, and now how badly I’d want to impress her now for what I just did. When I was with her, winning was the last thing that come to my mind. Ellie being with me was the best victory I had achived in life. But what about her mother?

“You let me beat you because you were crazy about me,” she continued, her voice softening. “You gave me a real fight, you made me so excited, so horny, but you still made sure I was okay. I want Mom to have that same experience. I want her to feel strong, to feel challenged, and to walk away proud of herself and satisfied.”

“So, let me get this straight. You want me to put on a show for your mother, let her beat me, and make sure she has a good time afterward?”

Ellie’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.

“When you put it like that, it sounds almost romantic.”

“Romantic? I’m talking about getting punched in the face by my girlfriend’s mother!”

“And I’m asking you to do it for me.” She slipped her arms around my waist and looked up at me. “Please, Jack. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t trust you.”

I sighed. She knew exactly how to get to me. It was one thing to let Ellie win; I was hopelessly infatuated with her, after all. But fighting her mother? That was a whole different level of madness, even if my mind was starting to travel with immagination...

Still, the thought of seeing that hopeful look on Ellie’s face disappear was somehow worse.

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll do it. But if your mother breaks my nose and makes me uglier, you can't break up with me.”

Ellie laughed and kissed me.

“Deal.”