Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

36

"So you're telling me, we've met before?" Donovan nodded as I took a sip of water. "And it was at a tournament?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I said." I pointed my finger.

"Don't sass me. I'm just clarifying."

"It was a long time ago." He added.

"No shit. I haven't been to a tournament in a few years. Why didn't I recognize you?" He rubbed the back of his neck as he chuckled. Clearly whatever he was gonna say next was embarrassing.

"I kinda had a sheet over my head when we ran into each other at the hotel." My eyes snapped open as I immediately remembered.

"No way! You're ghost boy!" I shouted over the music. "Oh shit, are you okay? Do you have any head damage?" I asked.

"No, thankfully I don't. I seemed to have ran into the wall just right." I grimaced.

"You didn't run into a wall." He rose an eyebrow for me to elaborate, "it was me. I-uh- didn't see you until you whipped around the corner and my fight or flight took charge. I punched you in the head then said it was the wall." It was my turn to get embarrassed.

"No wonder why I was in so much pain in just one little area. Damn, you sure knew how to pack a punch."

"What do you mean? I still do." We laughed as the server set down our meals. The food smelled amazing.

"Very true." We ate in silence for a few moments before I had a thought.

"Donovan. What are you doing on the 26th of January?"

"If that's a weekend probably work." I nodded pondering if I should finish my thoughts. "Why what's going on that day? Wait, don't you have a fight?" Guess I didn't have to tell him.

"Yeah. That's actually what I was about to ask. If you were free, I have at least one additional VIP ticket available if you wanted it? Obviously no pressure and I'd underst-" he interrupted me with a dazzling smile.

"I'd love to come watch you fight in person. And not as your moniker." I felt the blush rise to my cheeks as I took another bite of meat.

"Hey, wait, if you were at the tournament does that mean you were fighting? Do you still fight?" Donovan seemed to find the question humorous as he leaned forward with a laugh.

"Xena, when was the last time you concerned yourself with the male bracket?" I thought about it.

"Not sense tournaments when I'd try to beat the highest scoring male. Why?"

"Honey, I'm at the top of the league. I held the semipro title for the last three years and I'm currently rising to join the pro leagues." My jaw dropped.

"Wait a second- first that's so cool, but are you serious! That means you had to have been pulling your punches." I pointed out, my eyes narrowing as I tried to figure him out.

"I can assure you that I didn't pull any punches. Did I avoid putting all my weight after I cracked you in the ribs, yes. But you held your own and stayed with me." No freaking way.

"I'm completely mind-blown. Now I know why we keep getting looks and why Murphy was so surprised. For as smart as I am, I sure was slow." Donovan let out a low chuckle.

"Happens to the best of us." He leaned back in his chair as he spoke, his arms crossing causing his biceps to pop in his navy shirt.

At least I know why I was struggling against him.

"You're a dick." I murmur making him guffaw.

"What? I'm? Why?" He seemed amused at my pretend anger.

"Because you didn't tell me you were a rising PRO." I mocked the last word angrily stabbing a piece of steak. He barked out a laugh as he drank from his water.

"I'm so glad you said yes to lunch. I haven't laughed this much in a long time." He admitted as we payed and began to head out to his Lexus.

"I'm glad you didn't break my rib." I joked. "I've had fun. Now we've got a ferry ride back to Kildare before Murphy whoops my ass into shape. He's probably going to grill me about you."

"Probably. But who wouldn't if they knew you were taking to the Donovan Reeve."

"Don't make me hurt you."

______•*•*•*•_______

"So. You gonna tell me how you met Donovan Reeve?"

I grunted in response as I continued to do push-ups.

"I told you." I paused slightly at the top to breath. "I ran into him-"

"I didn't tell you to stop." Murphy cut me off making me growl lowly but continue.

"He was at his father's shop. He wanted lunch."

"How many times do I have to tell you. I know when you lie to me, kiddo. So quit bullshitting me. Was he the reason you got hurt? Were you fighting again?"

"Fuck! Fine!" I shouted, my arms failing as I crumbled to the ground. A grunt leaving my lips as I fought to get my fists below me. "Yes! Yes to your questions. I didn't know who he was." I gasped as I finally managed to make it to my knees.

I saw Murphy's face fall as he sighed. He crouched down to be eye level with me as I rose my hands over my head. My eyes squinting as I focused on my inhales.

"Xena. You told me you were done. You promised your mother." The disappointment in his voice nearly broke me.

"I know. I know. But I needed to do it. I needed to fight again."

"Xena, we could have just called someone to spar wi-"

"No!" I interrupted, my breath slowly returning. "It's not the same, Murph. Sparing isn't real. It's training. The goal isn't to get hurt it's to practice. I wanted to hurt Murph. I wanted to be hurt. I feel alive when I fight. The brutal way of nature so freely expressed there. I don't even care about winners pay there anymore. I fight out of my league. And I win. I don't care if I get bet on. Because it isn't me. It's a moniker. A mask to hide behind."

"Xena." He set a hand on my shoulder the action making me want to break down. "You are so strong. So very strong both mentally and physically. I understand why you fight. The freedom, the control, the chaos. But the underground- it isn't safe. One day you're going to run into somebody who doesn't like being beat. And that could be your life over."

He pulled me into a hug. My arms wrapping around him as I poured out everything I couldn't earlier.

"Xena, you have people who care about you here. They love you. But you have to love you too. And that requires you to take care of yourself. Life is taxing. Your life has been difficult for sure. But you're a fighter. And if you want to keep going, you're going to need to be smart. So the next time you have the urge to fight, to bleed- you come to me. Promise me that you'll come to me first."

I sniffled nodding again this shoulder.

"I promise." My voice was watery as I laughed at my predicament. "I'm a mess." I chuckled still crying slightly.

"Real people typically are."