Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

21

"Come to the center, touch gloves." Rafe had only just gotten his gloves on and made it into the ring when Murphy saw my rage flare.

A film casted over my eyes as I thought about Pope.

"Are you going to say anything to me?" I looked Rafe in the eyes. The slight tinge of red left over from no doubt a line or three of coke. I said nothing, my hands raising as I held my gloves out for him.

A short moment of peace.

My expression was calm unless you could read my eyes. Murphy had seen me like this only twice. And each time it ended bloody.

"Kiddo," I slowly panned my gaze to Murphy, silently challenging him. He could stop this, if he needed to he could stop this. But he trusts me. He trusts me to not go too far, he trusts I have a reason for this.

"Last chance, Rafe." The blond wasn't entirely sure what Murphy meant, but once he bumped my gloves he found out.

I didn't wait. I called him here, I had the bone to pick. And I was gonna fucking break it.

Rafe barely had his guard up. My hits raining down on him as I pushed him to a corner.

He was surprised but after I had gotten him trapped in the corner, he focused.

Rafe had been coming to the gym and working with Murphy when I wasn't here. And I knew that. Murphy knew it too. But that still didn't make a difference.

It was all fury, hit after hit. He'd gotten out of the corner and tried to connect, but I was too far in my element for him to catch anything.

"Kid, you gotta get her out of your space. You've got inches on her. You keep her there and she's gonna send you to the ER." Murphy tried to coach Rafe. But I kept hitting him.

I was waiting and Murphy knew that. I was bidding my time with body shots and hooks until he opened his guard just enough for me to slip underneath.

My right lifted and connected with his jaw. The strap of the head piece doing nothing for him as his head jerked back.

He staggered a few steps, his gloves rising to his jaw. He gave it a quick feel before narrowing his eyes on me.

It was silent. No one moved. It was just the three of us in the gym, but only two of us were in the ring.

"You're angry." He said rolling his shoulders back. He scoffed, nodding as he rose his gloves to his teeth. The black mouth guard coming out.

"What are you doing?" He pulled at the Velcro as I spoke my first words to him.

"If you wanted to fight, then we're gonna fight. No gloves, no head gear, no ref." He shot his gaze towards Murphy who only rose an eyebrow at him. "After all, the only reason you'd be this angry after today is cause that Pogue got what was coming for him."

My jaw clenched as I felt my rage swell. My body going through the motions as I pulled off my equipment.

"That Pogue is one of my best friends." I tore my right glove off, "and the only thing he deserves is a happy life." My left was off next, "you on the other hand. You fucked up big time. You went after my friends, my family." My headgear was off and everything tossed to the outside of the ring. "And the only thing I'm gonna feel sorry for is how bruised my knuckles will be after this."

He followed my lead, chucking his gear over the ropes. The two of us standing with our wrapped fists raised. Murphy saying something but neither of us cared.

"I'm not liable for any of this shit. Xena, you clean up after this. Lock the gym when you're done. I won't stand here and watch you knock each other around."

"Don't worry, Murph, it will only be a bit of blood."

Rafe cracked his neck as we circled one another. Murphy true to his word left. Leaving just the two of us.

"Well," he taunted, "you just gonna stand there or are going to show me the monster you hide?"

"That depends, is yours ready to not be a chicken shit and play in its own league?" I struck first, my leg swiping out and catching his torso. The blow shocks him as he realized he got exactly what he asked for.

"Game on."

There was no calm as we returned blow for blow. Blood came from both of us as neither one backed down. Twice he'd sent me to the ground and twice I rolled right back up before he could pounce. His size to his advantage but I was too enraged to let myself get trapped on the ground. If I did it would be a hassle to get back on top.

I had finally connected a punch to his temple that had him rocking backwards, a small opening in his defense let me knock him to the mat. I lunged at him, digging my shoulder into his stomach as I sent us to the ground. I recovered quickly, pinned his hips down to the mat as I straddled him. My fists already moving as he lifted his own in an attempt to protect himself.

I was taking a risk pinning him to the mat, I just kept raining down blows to keep him from turning the tables.

There was blood in his mouth, blood along his face, blood on my hands. I finally stopped. His body slack as he realized the fight was over. I stayed on top of him. Both of our chests heaving as I look down at him.

"The next time, you need to fight a Pogue- you come find me. And we do this whole thing again. Kook." I hissed out the word, "do you understand?" He was silent, his eyes just staring at me. I punched the mat by his head. A bloody print left behind as I lowered my head to meet his eyes. "Do you understand, Rafe." It wasn't a question anymore as I seethed.

"Crystal." I gave him one last look over his face. His nose completely unharmed as I contemplated adding to the masterpiece. His slight smirk that he wore convinced me otherwise.

I huffed, rolling off him and using the ropes to help me stand up. My body jelly as I realized my adrenaline had worn off. I slipped out of the ring, my hands firmly gripping the ropes as I fought for my center of gravity. I refused to collapse where he could see me.

A haunted laugh stopped me from moving towards the locker room. My head slowly turning as I stared at the dirty blond still lying on his back. My hand on a hanging bag as I used it to keep me upright.

"You know. You spend so much of your time fighting and protecting others," he slowly sat up, his gaze finding mine, "but what happens when you are in need of protecting?"

"I can take care of myself, or do you need a round three to demonstrate." Something sparkled in his eyes. He licked his lips catching a trail of blood that sat at the corner of his mouth.

"If it ends with you straddling me, I'll gladly accept." My nostrils flared at the audacity.

"Get your shit and get out." I ordered over my shoulder, moving towards the locker room at a cautious pace.

Once I made it past the door, I fell to the ground. A loud bang following as the bench had tipped and the wood slammed into the lockers. I felt a wave of exhaustion settle over me. A tear rising in my eye.

I stayed on the ground, my lungs working overtime as I fought to calm myself. Rafe was dealt with. My friends are safe. I was alive, bleeding and weak, but alive.

I let out a groan, my ribs burning as I remembered the blood I needed to get cleaned up. Both on myself and on the mat.

I huffed, rising to my knees and standing with the help of the lockers. My feet taking me back outside to the supply closet, a quick glance at the ring and outside to the parking lot told me Rafe had actually listened to me.

Hopefully he listened when I spoke earlier as well.