Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

23

"Time!" Ted called out just as I landed my last punch on Rafe. My fist meeting his jaw after a burst of speed.

I left him to cradle his jaw as I went over to my corner already taking my boxing gloves off to grab water. My teeth unlacing the ties before I used my thighs to pull them from my hand.

"You want honest?" I looked up to see Ted extending the water bottle towards me.

"Hit me."

"Kid isn't half bad. He was holding himself back in the first round, but once he made a connection he rapidly fell into a rhythm." I nodded, his thoughts already been through my head. "But you already knew that. Which comes to my next point. You hate this guy so much, to the point y'all fight or bicker everyday. But then you offered to train him?"

"No one else was here to trai-" he gave me a pointed look which shut me up.

"You and I both know damn well, Jerry could have done it once he came in for his shift. But I ain't done. You not only trained him but you also sparred with him. We aren't even going to talk about how many of us here could have done it- beside that, I have seen you train, seen you spar, and I have seen you fight. Never have I once seen you pull a punch nor let someone who wasn't below the age of 16 get you packed into a corner. Nonetheless get over five hits in a row on you." My fist tightened around my gloves as I looked Ted in the eye.

"What are you getting at?" I was smart enough to know where this is going, but I didn't like it.

"I think you should revaluate your concept of hate. Because if you truly hated him, you'd of laid him out on the mat in the first round."

Then he walked away. Like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on top of me.

"Hey, Xena, I just wanted to-" I held up a hand to silence him before turning to face him.

"You did well. You can leave your equipment at the front counter and talk to Jerry about any questions you may have."

"Wait, where are you going?" I slipped through to the outside of the ring.

"I'm going to take a shower." I left the male standing confused in the ring. My own inner thoughts raging inside of me.

"Fucking asshole!" I shouted, slamming my fist into the brickwall of the shower. Blood rising to the surface as I lay my forehead on the bricks. The water cascading down my back.

You should reevaluate your concept of hate.

He's still standing?

She's taking it easy on the guy.

Is there something going on between them?

Words were running through my head as I stood letting the water turn cold before getting out. My brain on autopilot as I got dressed and left the locker room.

"I'm out, Jerry. See you later." I waved as I left the doors. Keys in hand as I swung them around on my finger. I turned to go to the back row when I nearly fell backwards on my ass.

I placed a hand over my heart to calm my breathing down as I looked up at the male who was standing directly in front of me. A solemn look on his face.

"What do you need, Cameron?" The words came out in a sigh as I shouldered my backpack.

"I, I just wanted to say thank you. I enjoyed myself. And I know that we do this whole hate each other thing, but..." he trailed off scratching his neck and looking down towards his feet.

"Look. I'll admit that maybe the whole grr I hate you thing is kinda old. I can take your title without constantly trying to shit on you." He chuckled as I found myself grinning.

"Not sure why your so adamant about getting my title." He threw air quotes around title and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"If you want me to be honest, I don't know why I am either. I think, when we ran into each other and you were an ass, I just immediately wanted to knock you down a peg. Somehow it got to the point of tribe wars and here we are. Truthfully, I don't even want to be known as the Kook Prince. It's a bit anti-image for me." We both laughed before the reality set in.

"You know, for the new girl on the island, you're really not that terrible." I clicked my tongue as I stretched my hand out.

"How about we call a permanent truce. Well, until you do something stupid again." He scoffed but grabbed my hand to shake.

"I'll try my best to avoid stupid things." I laughed letting go of his hand.

"Good luck with that, Cameron."

"We're still on last name basis?"

"Never left it."

I walked passed the male, aware of his eyes that followed me until I was hidden by the cars. As I unlocked my bike and got set, a random thought popped into my head. One that I immediately regretted having.

Stupid Ted making me think.

"Hey, Cameron!" I shouted over the roaring of my motorcycle as I rolled to a stop in front of him and pulled my helmet off. "You got a ride coming?"

"I - uh, Yeah, I've totally..." I shot him a look. "No. Kelce and Topper went to go set up for a party." I rolled my eyes. Of course.

"Assholes." I grumble as I set the kickstand up and got off grabbing the second helmet from one of my saddle bags. "Catch."

"Uh, what?" I gave him a dead pan look as I got back onto the bike and pulled my helmet on.

"What does it look like. I'm offering you a ride. Not in that way- get out of the gutter. You've got fifteen seconds, take it or leave it."

I don't think I've seen him move so fast. The helmet was on and clasped in seconds as he made his way to the bike. His leg swinging up and over as he hovered his hands around me. I sighed, lifting mine and grabbing his before tucking them around my waist.

Damn. I spared a glance downwards, I knew he had big hands but I didn't think they'd swallow my torso. I shook the thought from my head.

"You say this to anyone, and I'll gut you." I hissed his helmeted head nodding as he sat even closer to me. His large frame covering mine.

"You know where the country club is?" I nodded, undoing the kick stand and rolling out of the parking lot. I've had to drop JJ off a few times for his very serious busboy duties. "My jeep is there."

"Of course it is."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Cameron. Hold on tight. But don't suffocate me. Or I'll g-"

"Gut me. I got it. Just drive, Tallen."

You asked for it. I messed with him by goosing the throttle to which he yelled out and tightened his grasp.

I couldn't help but laugh at the pure terror in his scream. This was going to be fun.