Jason stepped out of the gym, his mind still racing from what Coach Morales had told him. Fifty grand. National recognition. UFC scouts watching. This was his shot. But before he could even start imagining himself holding the trophy, he had one major hurdle to clear—his family.
As he approached the car, David was leaned against the hood, talking with Sophia and Emily, who were still buzzing about his sparring match. Emily spotted him first.
"There's the champ!" she grinned. "Dude, you wrecked that guy in there. Like… it was brutal."
Jason laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well… guess that's kinda my thing now."
David caught on to Jason's tone immediately. "Something up, kid?"
Jason exhaled and nodded. "Yeah. Can we talk for a minute?"
Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly, already sensing something was off. "Of course. What is it?"
Jason took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
"Coach Morales just offered me a spot in the statewide youth boxing tournament next week." He paused, gauging their reactions. "Big event. Huge exposure. Best fighters in the state will be there. And…" he exhaled, "…UFC scouts will be watching."
Silence.
David's face immediately lit up. "UFC scouts? You're kidding me."
"Nope," Jason said, a grin tugging at his lips. "If I win, I'll get my name out there. Serious shot at getting noticed."
Emily practically squealed. "Holy crap! Jason, you have to do it!"
Jason held up a hand. "Wait, that's not all." He hesitated before dropping the final bombshell. "Winner gets fifty thousand dollars."
"…What?" Sophia's voice cut in sharply.
"Yeah," Jason nodded. "Fifty grand. If I win, I walk away with it."
David let out a low whistle, his eyes practically glowing with pride. "Son… that's life-changing money. And you'd get your name in the fighting world. This is huge."
But Sophia's face darkened. "And what happens if you don't win?" Her voice was sharp, concerned. "What happens if one of those boys really hurts you?"
Jason turned to her, his smile softening. "Mom… it's boxing. You saw what I did in there today. You really think anyone's gonna put me down?"
"That's not the point," she snapped, stepping forward. "Jason, you already promised me you'd keep things under control. Now you're jumping straight into a tournament where kids will be gunning to hurt you."
"Mom, I know—"
"No, you don't," she cut him off, her voice cracking slightly. "I saw you after that alley fight, Jason. Blood all over your face. Hands shredded. And I can't…" she exhaled shakily, "I can't go through that again. I can't watch you walk into something knowing you might not walk out."
The weight of her words hit Jason hard. Silence stretched thick and heavy.
David finally broke it. "Soph, honey… this is his shot."
She spun on him. "His shot at what? Becoming some underground fighter that everyone throws money at?"
"His shot at a career," David said firmly. "His shot at making a name for himself. You saw what he did in that ring today. He's built for this."
Sophia turned back to Jason, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "And what if that career breaks him?"
Jason took a step forward, his voice calm but resolute. "It won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I promised you," Jason said, his voice unwavering. "I promised you after that alley fight that I'd only do this in the ring. No more street fights. No more reckless violence. Only in the ring — where it's controlled."
Sophia swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure.
"I'll fight clean," Jason continued, his gaze locked on hers. "And I'll fight smart. I won't let you see me like that again, Mom. I swear it."
The sincerity in his voice hit her like a tidal wave.
"…And what if you lose?" she finally whispered.
Jason smiled softly. "Then I'll shake my opponent's hand and walk out with my head high. No street brawls. No dirty fights. Just me… in the ring."
Tears finally broke loose from her eyes. "I'm just… scared, Jason."
"I know," he said, stepping forward to gently hug her. "But you don't have to be. I'm not gonna break. I promise."
For a moment, she just clung to him, her heart silently warring between pride and fear. Finally, she pulled away, wiping her eyes. "…Fine. But you come out of that ring the same way you go in. Got it?"
Jason smiled. "Got it."
David clapped his hands, grinning ear to ear. "That's my boy! Fifty grand and UFC scouts? We gotta start prepping you now."
Emily jumped up and down. "Dude! We have to go shopping for your walkout fit. Like, full badass energy."
Jason laughed, shaking his head. "Let me win the thing first, yeah?"
As they all piled into the car, David was already buzzing with fight plan ideas while Emily brainstormed walkout songs. Sophia stayed quiet, watching her son in the rearview mirror. Worry still clung to her heart… but there was something else too.
Pride.
Jason stared out the window, his mind laser-focused. One week. Twelve rounds. Fifty grand. National exposure. No mistakes.
He was all in.