Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

11

"Koroleva, congrats again. That's three wins in a row." I smiled at Maurice from behind my bandana. The green wad of cash set in my hand.

"Thanks. Speaking about the fights. The next one is my last." I gave no room for argument as I finished lacing up my red converse and zipping my bag shut.

"Really? You're profits are increasing by three times as much per fight. You're really going to stop now?"

"Look, Maurice. These fights helped your underground ring boost in profits, and now you have more fighters coming in. I've got a future to look towards and this is something I'm letting go. And you can do the mob boss thing and say you own me, but you don't. So I'll fight for you one last time and then I'm leaving." Maurice looked conflicted. He wanted to argue or maybe he wanted to punch me, either way, he wasn't happy.

"If you want to cut my win money in half and keep the rest as repayment for using your locker room the next fight you should. I'll be back in two days for the fight. Don't do anything you might regret Maurice." I warned as I left the locker room.

That night I was restless. Thoughts on overdrive as I contemplated what Maurice might do. I know some people in his position would be vindictive and greedy, I've heard it happen.

It would be my price to pay. The only good thing is he doesn't know what I look like outside of the mask and Koroleva get up. And even if he knew what I drove, he'd never be able to find the bike because the white false shields aren't there.

I had set up precautions and yet I was still worrying. I just want to sleep.

______•*•*•*•_______

For the last four days; I've hung out with the Pogues, toured OBX, worked with Murphy and Kelce on boxing, and have yet to run into Rafe. Though I knew the closer to school meant that I'd be seeing him a lot more come Monday in three days. Though, the good thing is, it's his last year at the Kook Academy. And I've got a few things brewing.

"Hot damn! Did someone just mess with the thermostat or is just that hot in here?" I rolled my eyes at JJ's comment as I entered the Château.

"Where's B?" I asked as I opened the slightly stocked fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"He's out back. His old man needed help with something." Pope said as I walked back over to the couches. I plopped down right next to JJ and laid my head back with a sigh.

"Kie not come with you?"

"No, her dad has her on lock down for today. Told me specifically, 'my daughter owes me for skipping on me yesterday' so no Kie today." I informed JJ as I took a drink out of the water.

"School starts in a few days. You excited?" I turned to Pope who sat ok the couch next to us.

"Honestly, I am. I do enjoy school. Though not sure how the Kook Academy is going to hit." I expressed my concern as JJ leaned up and scooted closer to me.

"You know what you need?" I didn't need to listen to the rest of JJ's comment, I was already pushing his hand away.

"You get that shit out of my face JJ." I voiced monotonously, turning to glare at him.

"Okay, okay. My bad, X." JJ tossed his hands up innocently before he returned to his blunt.

"Well. What do we want to do today?" Pope asked as we all stared at the table in front of us.

JJ and I both responded with shrugs.

"I already hit the gym so I'm available for the entire day." I informed as I sank further into the couch.

"We could go float on the HMS Pogue?" JJ suggested.

"Or," John B spoke as he entered the room, "we could go surfing?" He suggested with jazz hands as he jumped over the couch to land next to Pope.

"Hell yeah."

"Let's do it."

"Uh, guys." I interrupted the excited boys. "I have never surfed in my life." I informed sheepishly as the three teens all turned to look at me shocked.

"Oh no. This won't do." John B spoke standing up.

"Oh no, in deed. Alright, come on. Up you come." JJ spoke grabbing my arm and lifting me from the couch.

I went to hesitate before sighing. Everyone of the Pogues in this group surfs, there's no way they'll let this go.

"Fuck it. Let's go." My agreement to the suggestion had the three boys whooping and hollering.

"Hey, Big John!" JJ shouted as I was dragged to the Twinkie by the excited blond.

"Hello, where are y'all off to?" He asked as he saw my worried face.

"We're going to teach T how to surf. She's never been." John B shouted as him and Pope grabbed some boards from the shack.

"Ahh, living in Texas will certainly do that." Big John spoke shooting me a wink. "Good luck out there. Wind is supposed to pick up soon."

I was pushed into the passenger seat before I could interrupt Big John's comment.

"What do you me-" my question was cut off as JJ shut the passenger door and laid on it to keep me from opening it.

"JJ MAYBANK! Are you kidding me!" I shouted pounding on the door as I tried to force it open.

When he turned around faking confusion I knew I wasn't opening this door again. I huffed and sat back, letting whatever happens, happens.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"These do not look like beginner waves." I argued as I stood on the beach beside the boys in our swimsuits. The sun high in the sky as we stood on the packed beach.

"Man, I forget how packed this beach gets the week before school starts back up." JJ commented, ignoring my statement.

"Guys, focus. You have a nervous beginner who will swing on you if you ignore her." I threatened as I felt my heart jumping in my chest. It was good that I was getting out of my comfort zone but I didn't want to die because I do something wrong.

"Xena, breathe. Let's go down to that opening over there and we will teach you the basics." Pope guided as we followed him down to a section of the beach that wasn't as crowded.

"Wow, mommy, look at her braids."

"They're very pretty, hunny. Come on we need to put more sunscreen on you."

I blushed as I overheard the conversation between the daughter and her mother.

"When my hair gets long enough, could you braid my hair like that?"

"I certainly can try."

John B nudged my left arm with his hand holding his surfboard.

"Looks like you got some admirers." I huffed going to punch him before remembering I was being watched. I spared a glance towards the mom and daughter and gave a small wave towards the shocked little girl.

"B, you are so lucky I don't want to encourage violence to the youth."

"Oh, he wasn't talking about that little girl." JJ piped up from my other side. "Check our three o'clock."

I took a second before glancing slightly over to find a group of teens staring at us.

"You have got to be kidding me."