He grins. “Junior, add Mad Maverick to the roster and put him on next.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” He goes to do Hugh’s bidding.
“I thought you were past this.” Dee blows out a breath.
“Are you here because of her?” Nix asks, regarding me thoughtfully.
I don’t respond. The reason for my sour mood is not up for discussion. I toss my bag to Dee and yank my shirt over my head. He and Nix work in sync, preparing me for the match. They wrap my hands, tug my boxing gloves on, ensure my mouthguard is in place, and slather Vaseline on my face.
“Make some noise for Mad Maverick and Herb the Hurricane,” the announcer rumbles over the loudspeaker.
The throng of people chant my name and part for me as I march to the center. I’m a legend here and someone to be respected. I appraise my adversary.
Herb is a burly bastard, but his size is a disadvantage. He lacks agility and will tire quickly. This should be a simple win, but I’d be an idiot to underestimate my opponent. One well-placed hit from him and I’m done for. The bell peals and we square up.
He swings and connects with my chin, rattling my brain.
Shit, he caught me sleeping.
I need to focus and get in my zone. I smash my fist into his jaw and follow it with a combo jab to his ribs. He swings, and I parry, then go on the attack, not allowing him a moment to recoup. Right hook, elbow to the throat, and an uppercut. Bam, he collapses to the floor.Lights out, motherfucker. The crowd goes wild.
After school, I plan an impromptu trip to the mall in Charleston. Jamal and Kate are tagging along. Lucy couldn’t get anyone to cover her shift at the grocery store last minute. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I need a break from these snobby assholes. Maverick kept his hands to himself for the last two days. That probably had more to do with me crossing my legs in a death grip. A crowbar couldn’t have pried them apart. In P.E., Queen Bitch and her minions constantly hurl jibes at me, but I’m quick to counter. They can’t spook me, and it pisses them off.
I’ve learned more about my new friends. Kate lives in a foster home. Tragically, her mother and father died in a car accident when she was eight years old. They were her only family. I can’t imagine losing both parents. Lucy never met her dad; he split before she was born. It’s just her and her mom. Jamal’s parents are drug addicts. His uncle and aunt have guardianship of him.
I settle in my car and shoot my mom a text.
Cocoa: Going to the mall xoxo.
Mom: Okay, have fun and be safe xoxo.
“Buckle up.” I click on the radio and pull into traffic.
We sing along to “Time of Our Lives”in loud, uncoordinated voices. It’s refreshing to be silly and forget the sudden uproar in my life.
Magnolia Day Spa catches my eye, and I turn in to the shopping center parking lot.
“What are we doing here?” Jamal asks.
“I’m overdue for a Brazilian wax.”
“You get those?” Kate’s eyes widen in horror.
“Yep, for a year now.”
She cringes. “Doesn’t it hurt?”
“At first, but not anymore. I have it done every six weeks.”
We file out of the car and head inside the pristine establishment.
“Hello,”a fashionable associate at the reception desk says. “How may I help you?”
“Hi, is there an opening for a Brazilian wax today?”
“Let me check the schedule.” She hits a few keys on the keyboard. “You’re in luck. Shelby, our most popular esthetician, had a cancellation. She’ll be with you in twenty minutes.”
“Thank you.”
