Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

75

"Oh, my shit?" JJ asked as the two boys once again squared up.

"Yeah, yeah, your shit." John B confirmed. Kie chiming in as well.

"Your pulling guns on people shit." Kie pointed. JJ opened his mouth looking at me. My arms crossing as I gave him a glare.

"You acting like a freaking maniac-" Pope piped in.

"Okay, Pope, I took the fall for you, man! Know how much money I owe because of you!" JJ exploded as I watched.

"I'm gonna pay you back, and I didn't ask you to do that!" Pope rebutted.

"I just did. Pay it back. Right here, right now, by myself." He nodded to himself looking away from Pope. "You know what? That's exactly what I'm gonna do. Go off by myself." He grabbed his bag from the Twinkie and started taking off.

You watch people you love being hurt.

And my decision could've changed that outcome.

"Fuck!" I blew up. My fists unclenched as I set my left hand on my waist with the intention to not blow my stitches up. I turned, finding the closest thing to me, which happened to be a lawn chair, and driving my foot into it. The plastic flew up into the air and landed feet away as I held in my yell.

"I fucking paid most of the restitution already." I cussed turning around, all eyes on me. "I didn't know if we'd have the gold in time. I figured 10k was easier to get than 25k." I explained my hand shaking. Pope ran over to me as I drove my right hand into my hair. Successfully pulling it free from the messy bun.

"Xena, what? You-"

"Yes, Pope. I did it the same day JJ was brought in. I wasn't-" Pope pulled me into his chest shutting me up.

My face on his shoulder as I hugged him back. The two of us careful about my side.

"You pay me back after you become rich from doing something smart." I whispered, closing my eyes not wanting to see JJ continue further down the road.

"I will. I promise. I- you didn't have to." He stumbled out as I tightened my hold on him.

"I did, Pope. I just did."

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Roy," I called out poking my head into the training room. "Roy?" I barely made it a foot inside before I was swept up by the older man. His arms tight but gentle. Similar to Murphy's when I waltzed into the gym five minutes ago.

"You beautifully, stupid, girl." He whispered into my hair as I wrapped my right arm around him. "Don't you ever do that again. Do you hear me!" He pulled away slightly to see my face. His eyes dewy with tears as he pulled me back in for a hug. "Aw fuck! You're making me go soft, girlie." He grumbled as I let out a watery laugh.

"Thank you. Thank you, again. Gosh, Roy, you've been a literal savior." I voiced once we pulled away, the two of us walking over to the table.

"Yeah? Well maybe you can help repay me by not needing my assistance?" I laughed as I carefully got onto the table and laid down.

"I can't promise anything. But I'll try."

"I'm not afraid to put you on house and gym arrest." I smiled unbuttoning the bottom buttons of the shirt until the wrap was completely exposed.

"I wouldn't put it against you. Though I'm sure I could find plenty of trouble on my own." He barked out a laugh.

"I don't fucking doubt it. Not one bit." I felt the cool touch of scissors as he carefully sliced through the wrap. The fabric pulling my skin weirdly as I grimaced. My stitches not liking the sensation so I twitched reaching up to stop him.

He very quickly slapped my hand away and finished uncovering the wounds.

"Ow."

"Well, don't get in my workspace." He snapped back as he turned to his little tray. "I'm going to clean around your wounds then do a few checks. It may sting."

I gasped at the cold and twinge of pain. My right arm raising to my mouth as I bit my knuckle. The cotton pad completely drenched in whatever was freezing cold. And the slight nip of pain when Roy moved too close to the stitching was uncomfortable.

"Almost done, you big baby." He mocked while I sucked in air. "I thought redheads were supposed to have a high pain tolerance." I glared at the ceiling.

"I do." I huffed pridefully.

"Well then act like it."

"It was cold!" I defended.

"Boohoo."

_______•*•*•*•________

"You be careful." I held back my wince as I pulled on my leather jacket.

"I always am." I smiled while slipping on my gloves a frown on my face as I noticed the dark stain on my left glove.

"We mean it, Xena." I looked up from my hands to see Murphy and Roy standing side by side.

"I promise. No more getting shot." Murphy sighed.

"You should do more with that brain of yours." Murphy called out as I slipped on my helmet. "Go write. Be a detective. I heard the County is offering a paid internship."

I popped my visor open staring at the two. A gloomy feeling settling over me.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, we think you should take a break from boxing. You can still come down here and work. But-"

"Murphy, I have a fight in two months."

"Then act like it." I sagged back into my seat as Murphy snapped. "I've been letting you off the hook this entire summer, and all I've gotten in return is you showing up at my gym broken and bleeding. You need to get your act together, kid."

His disappointment wrecked me. But underneath that disappointment was a blanket of worry. Fear.

"I'll be better. I promise." I tried to keep my voice strong.

"Show me. Don't just tell me." Murphy's voice had dropped to a calm tone.

"Once your stitches are out, you can get back to work. Until then, don't do anything to flare it up." Roy added.

"I'll be back in a week."

"Don't take this week for granted, Kiddo." Murphy called out as I kicked up the stand on my bike. Knocking my visor down as I pushed off. Slowly getting in motion as I brought my feet up.

I gave a passing wave before peeling out of the parking lot.