Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

17

"Damn, Wifey. You're gonna get sunburnt with all that showing." I rolled my eyes pushing JJ away as I climbed onto the HMS Pogue. Kie behind me.

"That's why Kie offered to help me with sunscreen." I teased, knowing JJ was going to ask.

"Aw man, you sure you don't want me to do it? I've got big hands, more surface area less time." Kie and I laughed as he attempted to sell his services.

The two of us taking shop at the front of the boat. I was wearing my maroon bikini top with my surf shorts, my fishing shirt tucked in my bag for if it got too sunny. I had my baseball cap on and my hair in a low braid.

"Shit, Xena. Sometimes I think you purposely fuck with him." Kie giggled as I set my bag down and winked at her.

"I do."

_______•*•*•*•_______

Several minutes later we were on the move. Cruising through OBX as we enjoyed the sun of the day.

John B was at the helm, Pope standing beside him as Kie leaned on the edge of the boat. JJ and I were sat next to each other at the front of the boat, my head in his lap as I looked at the sky above.

JJ let out an appreciative whistle as he continued to play with the end of my braid.

"You guys see that? That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wakesetter. Number one in luxury, quality, and performance."

"I smell Kook." I voiced up to the sky closing my eyes. "200K, easy."

"We picked the wrong parents." Pope murmured.

"I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend." Kie sounded so fed up and I couldn't help but laugh, fist bumping the air.

"Called it." I joked, they chuckled again my antics. Everyone knew it was a Kook driving but me being a goober was sometimes a good stress relief for all of us.

"You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch." I titled my head up to poke JJ in his abs.

"Promise me that the day Kie decides to prank Sarah that we all go."

"Oh don't worry, I wouldn't let you miss it for the world." I smirked deviously and settled further into JJ's lap. "You gonna take a nap?"

"Yup, you think you could help me get some more sunscreen on so I don't burn?" JJ was way too quick, the spray and lotion sunscreen already in his hands.

I let out a bark of laughter but sat up and let him help me. The other Pogues ignored us as we continued drifting through the water.

After five minutes I was settled back into JJ's lap and quickly falling asleep.

"She got over her fever pretty quick." Kie commented, now that they had the time to discuss Xena without her hearing her.

"She was really bad the day after tutoring. I hadn't seen her so out of it since she almost got knocked out last month in her fight."

"She's a tough cookie. But even she's fragile at times." JJ whispered as he brushed some strands of hair out of her face.

"She still looked groggy and pale yesterday. But she came as soon as we texted."

"It's who she is."

_______•*•*•*•________

"Thanks for dropping me off, B." I pat the door of the Twinkie as Kie climbed into the front seat from the back.

"No worries, I can drop you off after your shift too if you need." I smiled walking backwards.

"I should be fine. Thank you, B. Y'all go get some information. And please for the love of everything, don't get in trouble." JJ stuck his head into my view at the sentiment.

"Awe, but I love trouble." I laughed shooing them away as I walked into Murphy's gym. The place back up and running thanks to the back up generator Murphy owns.

"Xena!" I grinned as I set my backpack down behind the counter and clocked in. The computer was slow but still working for us.

"What's going on, Murphy?" I called over my shoulder as he approached the desk.

"I should be asking you that, ma'am, how are you feeling."

"Like a million dollars." He let out a belly laugh as I grinned. The words having double meaning now with the treasure hunt I have now involved myself in.

"That's good to hear. You up to do coaching? I've got two people coming in today for private sessions but I also have one of the maintenance guys coming out at the same time."

"You can count on me, Murph."

"And don't I know it."

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Let's go!" I shouted, moving the pads for Eric to hit. The large digital timer ticking away as we worked his combos.

"Faster, come on. You've got thirty seconds." He hit harder as the pads and his gloves pounded against one another.

His breath was coming out in pants as I continued to talk him through it.

"Jab, jab, cross, right hook, left hook, upper cut, slip." I moved the pads in the right placement at the right moment. No time for him to do anything more than react and hear what I was telling him to do.

His feet were light as he moved, the clock down to ten seconds now.

"Pound it out." I ordered bringing both hands up and angled for him to strike with both hands. His fists flying as he cranked it out for his last ten seconds.

"And time, you're done for the day." I slid my hands free of the pads then helped get his gloves undone.

"Thank you," Eric was breathless making me chuckle as I got him some water.

"Just doing my job. You've got a killer reaction time. If you ever want to get more involved other than just lessons, let me know. You're still young but we could get you into a youth division nearby." The fourteen year old seemed to like the idea as he squeezed water into his mouth nodding.

"I'll talk it over with my family." I grinned getting my own water.

"If they have any questions send them to me or Murphy. And hey, Eric, no pressure. If you want to do lessons only, then that's what we'll do. I just didn't want you to feel limited if you wanted more."

"Thanks Xena. I'll get back to you." He slipped from the ropes, grabbing his bag as his dad walked into the gym. "I'll see you next week." I waved, leaning against the top rope.

"Bye, Eric! Bye, Mr. Conskal!" I shouted waving to his father. The older brunet smiled and waved back, before his son launched into a theatrical retelling of our session.

"My clients love you." I turned, Murphy standing on the platform but beyond the ropes.

"I guess I'm just a good person." I shrugged taking another swig of water.

"You are, you're also more. I'm still trying to figure it out, but you have this natural ability to draw people in." I snorted moving over to him and slipping out of the ring.

"Murphy, I have a natural ability to spot a right hook versus an uppercut. Meeting and connecting with someone is a totally different story." Murphy grinned as he grabbed the pads from my hand.

"Good thing you like stories."