Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Back in the Ring
The next few weeks were a blur of training and preparation. Cole threw himself back into his workouts, pushing his body harder than he ever had before. The rust from his time in juvie had worn off quickly, and soon, he felt like his old self again—strong, focused, and ready for whatever came next.
He entered his first local tournament a month after his release. It wasn't anything flashy—just a small event in a rundown gym—but it was exactly what Cole needed to get back into the groove. He had missed the feeling of the ring, the adrenaline of a real fight, and now, as he stood in the locker room waiting for his match to start, he felt alive.
"You ready?" Ty asked, standing beside him.
Cole glanced at his friend, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Always."
Ty grinned, slapping him on the back. "Good. Because I've got money on you."
Cole chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not supposed to bet on your friends, Ty."
"Yeah, well, I like winning," Ty shot back, his grin widening.
As the announcement for Cole's fight came over the loudspeakers, he took a deep breath, steadying himself. This was just the beginning—a stepping stone to something bigger. But it was an important step, and Cole wasn't going to take it lightly.
The crowd was small but loud as Cole stepped into the ring. His opponent, a broad-shouldered guy with a mean look in his eyes, glared at him from across the mat. But Cole didn't flinch. He had faced worse.
The bell rang, and the fight began.
Cole moved quickly, his body reacting on instinct as he dodged the first punch and countered with a sharp jab to his opponent's ribs. The guy grunted, staggering back, but Cole didn't let up. He pressed forward, his fists flying with precision and power.
It didn't take long for Cole to dominate the fight. His opponent was strong, but he wasn't as fast or as skilled as Cole, and by the second round, it was clear who was in control.
With one final punch, Cole sent his opponent crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the referee raised Cole's hand in victory.
It was a small win, but to Cole, it felt like the start of something much bigger.
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