Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

46

All too soon we were back at school. However this time, I had a lot more attention directed to me than before. I was no longer the new girl who picked a battle with Rafe. I was the boxer.

According to Kelce almost everyone on the island was watching the fight. Or saw highlights.

"You were awesome! Baiting her for the first two rounds then going ape shit crazy! That was incredible." I could only laugh as Kelce was pulled away by Topper. The two done with their workout and leaving as I walked out of the locker room for my Monday evening shift my hair damp from showering after my own workout session.

"Xena, I need you to clean all the weight racks today and reorganize the dumbbells. Clearly people forget how to put things back where they found them." I gave Murphy a mock salute as I popped my AirPods in.

"On it, Boss. Make a list of anything else you need me to do before a leave for dinner." I opened my streaming app and randomly selected a playlist. The music filling the gym noise as I walked over to the cleaning supplies.

I made quick work of the machines and racks. My spray getting dangerously low as I once again replaced my rag with a less soaked one.

I was thankful we shut our weights section down by seven on Mondays-Thursdays. Being that Murphy wakes up at the ass crack of dawn to open the gym and I along with other employees work or go to school during the day closing up earlier on the work week keeps us from losing our minds.

I watched a shadow loom over my bent form. My eyes drifting from the bench I was cleaning to the mirror in front of me. My curious gaze soon dulling as I made eye contact with an emotionless Kook.

I sighed, rising and turning to cross my arms. My music paused as I stared blankly at him.

"Weights are closed. You know that, Cameron."

"Who was that guy?" I rose my eyebrows caught off guard by his question.

"I'm sorry? What guy?"

"The one from the boxing match."

"Murphy? Roy? You've met them before."

"Not them, and you know that's not who I'm talking about. Navy Blue suit."

"Randale, my manager?" His nose twitched as he clenched his fist.

"Damnit, Xena. You know who I'm talking about." I scoffed.

"I don't see how he is any of your business. But because you're so curious, his name is Donovan." I tossed the rag on my shoulder. "Are we done?"

"Who is he to you?"

"Rafe, what the fuck? I don't see how this is any of your fucking business." I shook my head and turned back around to finish what I was doing. His hand on my shoulder turned me back to him.

I rose to my feet my hand ready to knock his Kook-ass out when he lifted his phone to show me something.

"Who is Donovan Reeve to you, Xena?" His voice was softer as I dropped my cleaning items on the ground and lifted my hand up to his phone.

"What is this? Where did yo- you were there, in the maroon suit. That was actually you?" Rafe nodded his jaw still clenched as I stepped closer. The video playing on a loop while I just watched. The scene repeating over and over.

"Xena, I-" I held my finger to my lips to shush him. My sorrow replaced by anger. The feeling bubbling up and growing as I felt my heart sink backwards.

"Donovan and I were dating. But clearly, he prefers blondes." I spat as I clenched and unclenched my fist. "Thank you for showing me, Cameron. Even though it's really weird that you were at the fight. Even more so you were in VIP. But I don't want to hear anything in concerns to what the hell you were doing there. But I guess I'm glad you were." I snatched up the cleaning supplies from the ground. My hand pulling out my phone to find my playlist that consisted of songs that would fuel my rage.

"Xena, I- for what it's worth. You were really good. Waiting her out was sma-"

"Cameron. Do me a favor. Don't talk to me like we're friends. I appreciate you helping me out, but fuck off. Go back to being the Kook Prince and I'll go back to pissing you off by throwing water balloons at your back or some shit." I pushed shuffle as I finished, not letting him speak as I finally cleaned the bench the rest of the way.

I wasn't sure when he left, but it was before the chorus hit as I moved on to the last row of machines. After I finished cleaning up the dumbbells I told Murphy what was going on and he pretty much kicked me out.

Taking a pit stop at the Château. I'll be home for dinner.

Sounds good. Love you, Xena.
Ma

I set my phone in my jacket pocket before snapping my visor down. The sun setting slowly as I peeled out of the gym parking lot. My anger blinding me from noticing the Jeep which was still there watching as I sped off into the distance.

The driver's eyes red as his nose ran. The open bottle beside him empty as he sniffled. The business card in his hand twirling as he watched the motorcycle leaving. The small baggy of white powder nearly empty as the soft rays of the sun lit up the air.

Both dealing with their emotions differently yet similarly. Neither sharing as they kept to themselves. Both falling backwards on their own addiction.

The motorcyclist wasn't going to the Château. Not as she turned down the pathway towards Ms. Chelsea's house. Her fists clenched as she quickly pulled on her black wig and bandana.

She finished the rest of her disguise before marching towards the quiet warehouse. Her need for release growing. Parts of her wishing Apex would be here tonight.

However she wasn't upset when she finished fighting someone else. Xena wanted the confrontation not Koroleva. Sure they were the same and they both wanted payment for the cheating which was committed by her boyfriend.

But Donovan deserves the pure unfiltered redhead aggression and he deserves to see her full face when she gives him a fist to his face.

Koroleva was one of the first fights, much to the surprise of everyone. Even more so when she ending the first round with a knockout just before the three minutes was up. A bead of sweat on her forehead was the only sign of exertion.

When Xena finally made it to the house for dinner she no longer was angry. Just hurt.