Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

50

"So what? You're babysitting the kid?" I ducked before giving Murphy a combo. Sweat falling down my face and pooling in my sports bra as we continued working with the pads. Life of being a woman, I'll tell you.

"I told you, he needs a place to stay. So what if I'm supposed to hate him, he came to me." Murphy grunted as I hit him harder on a cross than he was expecting.

"Yeah, but what for?" I ducked two swipes to my head as I continued my combos.

"What does that mean? He needed help. And I owed him for helping me when I busted my ribs last December." Murphy tisked as I gave him one last cross before our timer rang out.

"You're not dumb, Kiddo. But I'm starting to think you aren't too bright either. You say he was too embarrassed to go anywhere else. So he came to you, right?"

"Yeah, so? He didn't want his Kook friends to know he needed a few days away."

"So he came to you? Someone who literally fought him less than three days ago. Come on, Kiddo, you can't seriously think he went to you because you owed him."

"What are you saying, Murph?"

"I'm saying, that blond over there, ain't high as shit right now and he's smiling while benching two-twenty five like it's nothing."

"He's what?" I turned my head towards the bench machines before getting a pop to the back of my head. "Ow, well, why'd you do that for?" I asked, running my glove on the back of my head as I turned back to a smirking Murphy.

"Because I think I've just got my answer. And you, have earned yourself three miles on the treadmill."

"Why? What for?" I groaned already pulling at the velcro of my gloves with my teeth.

"Maybe some running will clear your head. And if not, then at least you got some cardio in." I rolled my eyes as I pulled my gloves off, making my way outside of the ring and grabbing a quick swig of water.

I let my eyes drift over to the weights section, subconsciously finding the bench presses and smiling when I saw Rafe talking with a few of the regular guys.

They were chatting animatedly, laughing about something as Rafe patted the bar. My eyes widening as I counted the weight up and saw he had two-fifty on now.

One of the guys pats Rafe on the shoulder as he moved to lay down on the bench. His hands rising as he took the metal bar into his fists. My jaw dropped as he pushed the bar up freeing it from the stands, his spotter ready as Rafe slowly lowered the metal to his chest. His muscles tensed and strained as he touched the bar to his shirt before pushing the weight back up. His lungs exhaling as he pushed all the way to a full extension before coming back down.

"Oi!" I hissed as a hitting pad smacked me in the back, my head turning to see Murphy giving me a look. His hand pointed at the treadmills in the cardio section.

"I'm going, old man. I was just getting some water." I grumbled moving over to him.

"Well maybe next time you should try to drink it and not let it dribble out of your mouth." I gasped glaring at him. But not denying it. I hadn't spilt any water but I probably would have if I'd been in the middle of drinking.

I grabbed my phone and headphones from his hands, quickly finding my running playlist as I stepped up to the treadmill. My feet landing on the mat as I kicked off.

I was thankful the treadmill I chose didn't have a mirror in front of it. Instead it was a window with a nice view of the road. I say that sarcastically but it was better than getting distracted by looking at what was happening behind me.

I let the music take over as my brain shifted to autopilot. My legs and feet doing their job as I made good time on my first mile. Approaching my second, I began to think about what Murphy said. Things I'd already asked myself last night before falling asleep the first time.

I'd pretty much confessed last night, through words and actions, that I didn't see Rafe as big of an enemy as I led myself to believe.

Would I still fight him if he went after my friends? 100%.

Would I still taunt and poke fun at him when I could? Of course, especially if he ever wears a bow tie again.

But would I go out of my way to do something spiteful or make myself be angry at him? No. Not without a reason.

I didn't have a lifetime of problems caused by Rafe or the rest of the Kooks. I guess that's where I stood out amongst the Pogues.

I guess another thing that stood out when comparing me to the Pogues, was that I found him alluring. Infuriatingly so, but he just drew me in.

I ran faster as I admitted to myself. Opening my eyes as I realized the real reason behind my actions.

No, I wasn't falling in love with the guy. Trust me, that would take a lot especially with my already high standards and issues of my own.

But, maybe there was a small part of me that liked the idea of getting to know him.

Not the egotistical Kook coke-head with daddy issues and a nasty right hook.

But Rafe Cameron; who had issues with his dad, does coke, and has a solid right hook.

I guess I had a little rebel in me that was intrigued by breaking the status quo. Or maybe she just wanted to stir shit up for fun.

I groaned internally as I increased my speed for the final four hundred meters of my three miles.

It was crazy to even consider. It'd never happen either. Not in this lifetime. We'd always be the Kook Prince and the self-anointed Pogue.