Chapter 2: The Defeat

The small-town school gymnasium pulsed with energy. The air was thick with sweat and the intense energy of a wrestling match. Nineteen-year-old Tyler Reed’s eyes were locked on his opponent, Jake “The Hammer” Thornton. The regional qualifier match was slipping from his grip, and yet he was calm. He was more interested in dissecting Jake’s explosive style and aggression than giving his all to win.

Tyler’s coach, Caleb, was seething in rage from the sidelines. Tyler’s almost detached mindset irritated him to no end. “What the hell is he doing now?” Caleb wondered.

“Keep your hips low, Tyler!” Caleb barked.

Tyler scoffed under his breath. He ignored the jeers from the crowd, just as he ignored Caleb’s hoarse shouts. Caleb’s drills felt like relics from an old school. They were useless against someone as relentless as Jake. He needed something different, something of his own. Caleb would rant and rave again, he knew, but he had to try. He coiled his legs like springs in anticipation of Jake’s aggression.

Tyler’s instincts were sharp for a wrestler with only a year under his belt. His lean frame was packed with surprisingly dense muscles and explosive power. He often compensated for lack of experience with creative, unorthodox moves. However, it wasn’t working against Jake’s brute force.

“Still dreaming, pretty boy?” Jake taunted Tyler. He appeared relaxed but lunged forward in the next moment.

Tyler sidestepped, but not fast enough. Jake still managed to hook his arm around Tyler’s leg. Tyler escaped the hold at the cost of crucial points. Winning was out of the question now, but he still wanted to reduce the point margin and soften the blow.

Jake’s smile widened at Tyler’s defensive posture. He had Tyler exactly where he wanted him. The next minute or two passed in a blur of frantic motions. Finally, Jake managed to grab Tyler in a pin.

Elena watched the match from the bleachers. Her nervous gaze shifted constantly between Tyler and Caleb. She’d never seen her husband so worked up over a trainee’s loss. Her green eyes flickered with intense concern as she watched the action with bated breath. Caleb may not like Tyler’s unique approach, but Elena admired his creative spirit.

She had a lot of Ideas on how Tyler could improve his advantage. However, she knew better than meddling in Caleb’s coaching. He was too stubborn and orthodox for experimentation and accepting help. Her fingers tightened against the railing in hope for another unorthodox move from Tyler.

Tyler caught her gaze through the haze of his struggle. Her eyes bore into him until he looked away. Her tight yoga pants hugged her firm curves, and her fitted tank top clung to her full breasts. Her dark hair was tied into a high ponytail. They swayed with each nervous shift. He cursed himself for the distraction.

Tyler’s bedroom was filled with Elena’s most provocative pictures from her modeling days. She was his fascination and a secret crush. His heart fluttered even as he was pinned to the mat in shame. His muscles were strained as he tried to escape once again. He felt even worse when he could not escape the hold. Yet, despite the awkward position and pain, a forbidden heat stirred in him. The pull was undeniable.

SLAP! The referee’s hand hit the mat. The cracking sound sealed Tyler’s defeat. The crowd’s collective sigh mirrored the sudden void in his stomach. He scrambled to his feet and brushed off his singlet. His head bowed as Jake raised a triumphant fist.

Elena’s chest tightened at Tyler’s loss. She could see Caleb anger surging, this was bad. Tyler’s defiance was not helping the situation. His shoulders stayed squared despite the loss like it did not matter to him.

She wanted to call out Tyler to tell him he’d fought well, but hesitated. Caleb would not like that. She wished Caleb to appreciate the unpolished creativity in Tyler but knew it would never happen. Her concern deepened for both the boy and her husband.

On the sidelines, Caleb’s face was a storm cloud. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles ached. The phantom pain in his knee flared again as if mocking him. Tyler’s loss wasn’t just a match gone wrong, the boy had not even fought hard. It was a direct disrespect to all the efforts he had invested in Tyler. The Golden Grappler Trophy felt further away than ever.