Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

25

I took two steps to meet him and hooked him right in the jaw.

The crowd gasping as I uncurled and reclenched my fist waiting for him to do something stupid.

"The hell was that for?" Rafe hissed quietly as I stood in front of him much closer then before.

"You need to think before you speak. You and I both know where you were going to stop and I didn't want to sound like another one of your whores." I whispered angrily, his eyes clearing up slightly as he nodded his head and fixed his jaw.

"You know I have a choice to make now."

"I know. Your choice. Walk away or stay and fight me. Either way, you'll end with something being bruised. Ego or self, you choose." I stepped back letting him stand to his full height.

"I'll see you at the gym, Tallen. We'll settle this there." Then he walked away. His boys following right behind him.

The crowd was silent, before letting out a roar of cheers once they were able to return to their party. I took a deep breath in before turning around with a weak smile on my face.

"So, I think I've got a lot to share." I admitted scratching my head.

"You think?" John B spat crossing his arms.

"Just thinking about him calling you babe makes me want to strangle him. It was a good hit, wifey. But you've got yourself a tell-and-tell date." JJ added, the two of them sobering up quickly. Kie nearly right behind them.

"What the hell was that about." Kie asked as she leaned into Pope. "I think I need to lie down. Tell me in a second."

"Let's just go to the Château. Y'all sober up on the way and I'll explain what's been happening."

"I'd be more excited if I wasn't worried about you having a secret affair with the Kook Prince." I gagged at Pope's suggestion.

"Absolutely. Not."

_______•*•*•*•_______

By the time I finished explaining the last several events that had occurred since the last time I had caught them up. Which was about two weeks ago just before the schools got out for Christmas break.

"I don't even know why you work at the gym." John B groaned as he slumped further back into his chair.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'll just stop working at the only location where I earn a sum of money and train at." I scoffed as I paced the room. "Honestly, B, think before you speak. And I like the gig there. Murphy's a good trainer for my profession, I get to work and I get to train other people who come in."

"Babe, it's just a little hard to swallow. I mean, you're literally working on Figure Eight." I threw my hands out at Kie's words.

"That shouldn't matter. I get it. I go to the Kook Academy, I work at a gym on the richer side of the island- but I'm here. With you all. And when you're not jealous or suspicious of me 'fraternizing' with the enemy- y'all are my people. Okay?" I got honest with them. "But if y'all have decided that I'm more hassle than I'm worth- I'll respectfully flip you all off and tell you I ain't leaving."

Kie was the first to get off the couch, her arms wrapping me in a hug. Pope was next. His arms coming around Kie and I. Then it was the two knuckleheads.

"Oh to hell with it." JJ declared standing up and joining us in the hug. And then there was one. I looked over Pope's shoulder at John B who was visibly struggling.

"B, I won't let Kooks hurt this group. I mean it." He sighed rising up and walking over to us, his pinky in the air.

"Come on." He waggled his pinky and I smiled locking mine in his. When we separated he joined in on the hug. My eyes shutting as I leaned into the four more.

"Xena, I think you should do water balloons around the school or in the parking lot once we come back for break."

"That's a fantastic idea, Pope." I declared pulling away from the group. "They'll never know water hit them." Pope and I high-fived, laughing as the other three rolled their eyes at us.

"Your jokes are actually painful." Kie said chuckling as we both held our chests, wounded from her words.

"Xena and I will be leaving now. We are going to find people who will appreciate our witty humor." Pope said as we huffed and pretended to storm from the room.

"Oh no. Whatever will we do." John B faked panic in a robot voice.

"Wifey, wait. Come back." JJ deadpanned from his seat on the couch.

"Pope, don't go." Kie mocked. Pope and I turned to look at each other before shrugging.

"Well since you all were so desperate, we'll stay." Pope concluded as we both went and flopped on the couches.

It was quiet for a few seconds before Kie and I burst out laughing. The guys right behind us.

"We need to get some rest. I've got training at one tomorrow. Well, today." I clarified once I flipped my phone over and saw that today was indeed Sunday.

"Training? But it's Christmas break." Kie pouted sitting up.

"Sorry, Kie. I've got a match in January just before school. If I win, it could be the chance I'm looking for to squeeze me into the league."

"Wait? I thought that's what you're already in." I shook my head.

"No, I have to get fights set up through agencies against other semipro fighters. It's why we're considered semipro." A chorus of oooh's filled the room as I stood to grab one of the blankets behind me on the couch.

I wrapped it around me and laid back down beside Kie.

"Night y'all." I curled into a pillow and shut my eyes. They continued to talk but at a whisper, I smile while I slowly drifted to sleep.