Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

53

"Come on." I ushered stepping outside of the ring, "take your gloves off then I'll get the timer started." Eric seemed hesitant but a look from me had him moving.

Once his gloves were off I set the timer, a grin on my lips as I looked at him.

"Okay, so all you're doing is copying me. Whatever I do, you do, understand?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"So if I throw a right hook, then you'd..."

"Throw a right hook."

"Perfect you got it." He rolled his eyes as a smirk grew on my features. "Now remember, this is a training exercise, if you don't buy in-it won't work."

"I got it."

"Good." I hit the start button on the timer before taking off. A yell of surprise coming behind me as Eric ran to catch up as I ran around the boxing ring.

"How is this helping my reactions?" Eric called as I moved over to the hanging bags and started weaving in and out of them.

"Just shush and trust the process." I called back as I dropped down and started to do a log roll along the width of the gym.

"Excuse us, sorry!" I yelled out as we rolled. People clearing the way as I grinned. Their gasps of surprise and shouts as they stared appalled. Murphy is so gonna bench me after this.

I hopped up, Eric rolled one more time before mimicking me his head turning to look at me inhaling deeply.

"How is th-"

"Just have fun!" I shouted as I took off again, my eyes set on the monkey bars that were open across the gym floor. Eric followed, the two of us swinging across. My right arm moved forward so did his. My left arm swung out, so did his.

I turned slightly and saw him hide a smile as we made it across before we took off running again, infiltrating the weights section as we dodged people.

"What are y'all doing?" We turned to find Murphy working with one of his private lessons. "His parents aren't paying you to goof around. Get out of the weight section and get back to boxing!" I laughed as we both made a silly face towards Murphy in response. Eric not needing to look for him to know I was doing it right along with him.

His face of disbelief made us both laugh as we ran back over to the hanging bags. We weaved again before jumping back into the ring.

We had two minutes left, and I felt he had let himself detach from whatever was bogging him down. So I rose my fists and got into a fighting stance, Eric copied.

I jabbed once, then twice, then ducked.

Eric jabbed once, then twice, then ducked.

"Shadows are faster than that." I sang as I jabbed again, his body moving quick to replicate.

Then we were moving. He got the hang of just copying what I was doing exactly after I did it. He reacted faster, catching each move as I did it versus waiting for me to finish the series of moves. I couldn't help the smirk that slowly grew on my face as Eric let go.

When the timer beeped, I raised my arms over my head. My heart racing as I tried to slow my breathing down. When I turned to look at Eric he was doing the same thing with a big grin on his face.

"That was fun." I laughed my hands dropping to rest on my hips.

"Sometimes a little fun is the right antidote." I replied as I gestured for him to follow me in getting water.

I spared a glance at Murphy who was already watching us. His head shaking as he wore a small grin. So maybe I'm alright.

"You want to try the combos again or do you just want to crank it out on the speed bag?"

"Speed bag." I laughed patting Eric's shoulder as I left him to go set up the small hanging bag.

"That was interesting." I rose an eyebrow as I began to hook up the machine.

"Doesn't Murphy have you with one of his private lessons?"

"He went to get water. But their session is done. They only pay for 40 minutes. But seriously, that was kinda cool."

"Yeah?" I finished hooking up the speed bag before turning to Rafe a smirk on his face.

"Yeah. I don't think I've seen you act like a goofball and I'd never imagine seeing that here at work." I snorted, popping the bag with my left hand as I stepped back to get Eric.

"I'm full of surprises, Rafe. You hang around and may uncover a few more." I winked, turning away from him back to Eric. Letting Rafe stew in the ending of that conversation.

I felt good, my head was less cluttered, my heart was steady, and I was breathing easy.

"Alright Eric. It's ready. You know the drill, minute at a time. Let's go for ten rounds then you're out of here to enjoy the hot summer day."

"Thank you, Xena." I set a hand on his shoulder and gave him a squeeze.

"Anytime, Eric. And if you ever want to just come here and beat the hanging bags instead, let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind. I'll say bye before I leave."

"I'll hold you to that."

I left Eric at the speed bag and walked over, cleaning up our practice stuff and putting it away. Stopping every so often to help someone or correct their form.

Leaning against the wall I took a moment to breathe. My phone deciding to ring at that exact moment as if whoever was calling knew I was taking a break.

I sighed, pulling my phone out of my back pocket. I glanced around the gym and found no one needing anything so I answered the call.

"Hey, what's going on Pope?"

"Xena we need your help!" My eyes widened as I brought my hand to my other ear, slowly moving towards the back corridor.

"Like big time!" My heart dropped in my chest.

"Whoa, easy. Pope who all is with you, I heard JJ."

"It's just us guys, John B is here too."

"Okay, so what is going on, cause I'm at work." I spared one lasts glance to the gym floor, my eyes meeting Rafe's who cocked his head. I shook mine before running off towards the staff room.

"We need your help with making Sarah and Kie friends again." I sighed my heart beat returning to normal. I slipped into the staff room and pinched my nose, shutting my eyes to regain control of my breathing.

"You idiots. Y'all made me worried. I thought I was gonna have to come save your asses."

"Nah, I mean, you can always come save my ass." I shook my head at JJ as he yelled in the background.

"I'm glad. Now, how exactly am I meant to help?"