Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

20

"Hey you, two!" I shouted, giving JJ and Pope a quick catcall. The two jerked around to look at me. Pope's fists clenching as he curled into himself slightly. JJ had stepped forward slightly to be in front of Pope.

I cut the engine on my bike and ripped my helmet off. The two relaxing though I could still see them both on edge.

I scanned both of their faces, JJ's first. His face relaxed and he gave me a smile though I felt in my gut it was for show.

"Hey, Wifey. How was the gym?" I narrowed my eyes at the blond, propping my helmet on my hip.

"Good. How were the grocery runs?"

"It was good. Got a nice tip..." I zoned him out as I stepped closer, my eyes looking at Pope's face.

My fists clenched as I forced myself to exhale. Pope's eyes widened as he realized I saw.

"Xena, wait, it's-"

"Who fucking touched you, Pope?" I clenched my jaw as I moved past JJ, Pope not meeting me in the eye. "Which Kook, Pope?"

"Look, it's fine, Xena. We-" I watched Pope shake his head rapidly at JJ who stopped talking.

"What, JJ?" I cocked my head in his direction but turned back to look at Pope. "Look, I don't give a rat's ass about what y'all did in retaliation if you even did. But one of those pricks hurt you Pope, and I am not gonna let that slide. So, Pope, who fucking touched you?" My voice was low, my tone not leaving room to discuss. I had a list of three suspects.

"It was Rafe, I was making a deli- wait! Xena where are you going?" I turned around and gave Pope a dangerous smirk.

"Tell B and Kie that I won't make it to surf this evening. I've got a problem to deal with."

"Oh shit." JJ whispered as I yanked my helmet back on. My visor slamming down hard as I got my bike started.

Pope's calls out to me were silenced by JJ, as he gave me a short nod before I took off. I gave him one back before I tore out of Mr. Heyward's parking lot.

Fire in my chest as I simmered in my anger. At a stoplight, I finally paused to breath. The rational side poking its head in as I realized I had no other plan besides beat his ass.

I couldn't just waltz into the Cameron's home and knock out one of their children. That would be me begging for a lawsuit.

No, I had to be smart.

My eyes drifted to my red converse. The ones I always wore unless I was going for a run or fighting in a match.

I pulled off to the side of the road in front of a pharmacy as I pulled out my phone.

R C

You still want that fair fight from your trial session? Meet me at the gym in 20 minutes. Don't be late. Drink some water.
I won't blame you if you don't show. Maintaining your pride is better than getting your ass handed to you.
Darling

I shut down my phone, driving the last few minutes with my own thoughts. If he didn't show, I'd find him and go with my first plan.

If he did, which I'm certain he will, I'll have him sign our official waiver and contract agreement with me. Making him one of my official sparring partners.

"Oh no. I know that look on your face. Why are you back here?" I threw my duffle on my shoulder as Murphy came out from around his desk.

"I've got a sparing match in 17 minutes. If he comes, have him sign the official wavier and the contract agreement for me."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow your roll, kid. Xena, what the hell is going on? You're good at masking your emotions, but kid I see right through you."

"Murph, just have him do it please." He sighed rubbing his eyes.

"What's the kid's name?"

"Rafe. Rafe, Cameron."

"What have you gotten yourself into Kiddo?"

"The fucking pissing match of a century. You might want to close the gym early."

"The shit I do for you."

I moved passed him and made my way to the female locker room. I wasted no time as I changed into my spare gym clothes I always keep in my locker. Black shorts, dark grey compression shirt and a pair of black mid-calf cushion socks. I quickly wrapped tape around my ankles before sliding back into my red converse. My hair back up in its high ponytail with two smaller braids. I had my hand wraps on as I exited the locker room. Gloves in my hand and water bottle in the other.

I still hadn't looked at my phone, but I didn't need to.

There in his kook gym attire stood Rafe Cameron, signing the documents Murphy had out for him. He had on black shorts and a tight royal blue long sleeve compression shirt. Thankfully a different brand than my shirt.

"Now, kid, you know what you're getting into, right? If you sign that, you officially become a sparing partner for her. It's not a fun training game anymore. It's the real deal, she could lay into you once you sign that." I listened to Murphy, waiting until he was finished to make my presence known.

I let my gloves drop on the mat as I set my water on the ground outside the ring. My eyes snapping up to meet Rafe's as I flexed my fingers. The fury hidden behind my stoic expression.

"If I sign this, am I just expected to take her hits. Or do I fight back?"

"If you sign that, you're fighting. The purpose of a sparing partner is to simulate a fight. Why she wants you to sign as a partner beats me." Murphy dropped his voice to a whisper so I couldn't hear what he told Rafe as I stretched out.

"Well, Kiddo," Murphy called out as I turned and watched Rafe sign the last paper. "You just got yourself a new sparing partner."

"Great. We start in ten minutes, Cameron." I turned back to the ring and grabbed the top rope, I sprung off the floor before sliding into the ring.

"You sure about this?" I handed Murphy my gloves as I popped in my mouth guard.

"Roy's nearby right?" Murphy's sighed but nodded anyways. "You may want to have him on speed dial."