Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

77

"You're welcome." Rafe pipped up as I'd gotten Sarah to the hood of the Twinkie. Acting as if him stopping us was a service.

"I like your shirt, Xena." He taunted as I leaned backwards against the hood.

"Stole it from some asshole who just left it lying around. Alone." I spat the words out as he slapped his visor down. My plan of not saying anything completely out the window. "You should fuck back off to the Country Club you came from." I hollered as he got onto his bike and drove away. His head turning once snd I swear I could see his eyes through the visor.

His real eyes, the blue and grey. Not the red tinted eyes from doing coke.

"You're better than this, Sarah!"

"Fuck off, Topper! Rafe's waiting for you to suck his dick!" I shouted kicking dirt towards him as he took off on his bike, following Rafe.

"Well, he's a tool." John B commented as he came to stand beside us.

"Yeah, tell me about it. I dated him."

"Okay, I think it's time for me to take off." I sighed, dusting my hands off. "It's been a long 48 hours."

"Amen to that."

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Ma, Gray? I'm home!" I called out as I entered the house. Shutting the garage door behind me.

"Oh, honey! Hi, we were about to leave. Gray made dinner reservations." I rose my eyebrows as my mom popped her head out of the bedroom putting an earring into her ear.

"Dinner reservations?" I asked coming into the kitchen to see Gray taking a drink.

"Yeah, we're going into the mainland, some steakhouse." My mother called as she moved around inside the bedroom.

"Oh yum." I turned to Gray, tapping my left hand, "well y'all have fun." I beamed as I watched him nod, patting his jacket pocket.

"We will. Hey, I left some laundry on the dryer. I put the towels back but figured you'd know where the rest of it goes." Gray spoke as my mother walked out of the bedroom. Our jaws dropping as her heels clicked on the wood floor.

"Oh my- Marie you look gorgeous." I smirked as I looked at Gray who was awestruck. His eyes never leaving her form as he took her in.

"Awe, thank you." She flushed as she eyed Gray. "You look handsome." They stood staring at each other until I cleared my throat.

"Not entirely sure what time your reservation is but..." I tapped my wrist.

"Right! Let's go." Gray jumped into action as he strode over to my mother and offered his arm.

A grin on her lips as she took it.

"Xena, there's chicken nuggets in the freezer. And a salad inside the fridge." I laughed at my mom as I walked them outside of the house.

"Thanks. I'll be sure to not burn the house down."

"Love you honey!"

"Bye, Xena."

"Bye you two!" I called waving to them before going back into the house. My feet guiding me to the kitchen. I rolled my sleeves up to the middle of my forearm as I went, preparing to fend for myself.

I heard the truck leave as I fiddled with the metal tray and the nuggets. The instructions simple enough as I let the oven preheat.

I hummed while I waited watching the degrees rise. The loud beeping following the increase of temperature alerted me it was time to get the food started.

Making sure to use oven mitts, knowing me I'd bump my hand on the metal of I didn't, I got the tray in and set a timer.

A smile on my face as I realized I had checked the first several steps down and only needed to wait sixteen minutes until my food was done.

I left laundry on the dryer

My head turned to face the laundry room, the swinging door open almost inviting me in. An eye roll following as I reluctantly ventured in.

"Of course." I scoffed at the hoodies and sweatpants on the dryer. I grabbed my small pile and took it upstairs. Quickly putting it away as I sent a message.

Rag

Come grab your shit.
Xena

Why can't you just bring it to me?
Rag

Okay you entitled, selfish, pompous, prick.
Get your ass over here and get your stuff. Or I'm throwing it in the bin.
Xena

I'll be there in ten.
Rag

"Fucking dick." I grumbled as I sat down at a stool watching the oven and my timer.

The seconds ticking by as food cooked in the oven. I had crossed my arms and lowered my head shutting my eyes as I waited.

Flashes of things I wished I could forget popped into my head. The warehouse. The skeleton mask.

There's a reason Maurice had enough money to do what he did. And it wasn't just because fighters brought it in or the warehouse was a storage place for his legal business. No, Maurice was also a drug lord.

I'd known that before stepping into the warehouse the first time. In fact, Delgado made sure I understood going in meant I was opening myself up to a world darker than just his underground fights.

Maurice's playground is darker and dangerous, but it has a bigger payout. I could put in a word for you, Koroleva, but what happens there is all you. You can't trust nobody.

That conversation had been enough to make me almost second guess what I'd done. Made me worry I'd sell myself to the devil. But I guess Maurice knew to not push me. His payout was bigger when I'd be in the ring.

Everyone liked an underdog. That's why they bet against me. Yet they still cheered me on.

Chills flared down my spine as I heard the noise, the chants. I smelt the blood, the sweat.

"Xena!" I sat up as a heavy knock pounded against the door. A small thank you left my lips as I shook myself out of the memory.

I went to the oven and turned the heat off. I was really trying not to leave it unattended.

"I'm coming, chill your tits!" I shouted stomping my way to the front door after grabbing his pile of clothes from the laundry room.

I held the clothes in my left hand as I unlocked and pulled the door free. My hand extended as I refrained from throwing the clothes on the ground.

"Here."