Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
Indiri
I didn’t remember when I’d fallen asleep last night, but I’d passed out sometime after I got off the phone with Selah.
One minute I was watching some video Rennix sent me and the next I was laid out on my couch.
I didn’t even make it to my bed, then leave it to Unc to come in at five this morning and drop a bucket of ice water on my ass, talking about time to get up.
In the midst of all of that, my line was ringing like crazy.
I didn’t know why and damn sure didn’t have time to find out because after the bucket of ice water I had about fifteen minutes to get out of the door to train.
Today’s training session whooped my ass and I knew it would. Three days off shouldn’t have been that detrimental, but in those three days I had taken two flights and eaten good. Yeah, I had done cardio in the morning two of those days, but I’d eaten heavy and felt it.
It wasn’t until I was in the shower and heard the bathroom door open that I found out why my phone had been going wild before I put it on airplane mode. In my life there was only one person who would do some shit like that and she was talking before I could.
“So, Knockout’s people finally reached out about an hour ago, but the media has been in a frenzy about him challenging you via an Instagram post since this morning. That is one lame ass nigga.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I kept my head under water.
“Also, Remy and Journee are in the kitchen. They’d both like to know why you’re not answering your phone. It’s going straight to voicemail. I figured you put the phone on airplane mode, which was why I didn’t bother calling. Just came here and in.”
I cut the water off, still not speaking. When I opened my eyes, she was holding out a towel. I finally spoke. “I sure thought my number leaked or some shit.”
Jordyn was used to my nonverbal moments. It was my way of getting my thoughts in order. It was the only way I could stop myself from becoming overwhelmed or overreacting to anything.
“Nah, you just have a bitch ass opponent this time. Not to mention, he’s using this fight to change the narrative about him. He’s got some bad press going on and has decided to use this to overshadow that.”
I nodded, moving toward my bedroom.
“How was training this morning?”
“Ass. But I’ll be better tonight.”
“Good to hear. Now what’s this text message you sent, asking me to block your day for Thursday?” she asked from outside my closet.
“I might have some plans.” I got dressed for the day, choosing sweats and a T-shirt since I knew by the end of the evening I’d be back in the gym and I had nothing planned.
“Might have plans, huh? Would this include Selah?”
I chuckled, moving toward my bedroom where she was now seated at the foot of my bed with her tablet and phone in hand.
“Yo, Bigs’s mouth is bigger than a motherfucker.”
“It’s not Bigs. I know things.” Meaning she had talked to Jade. They were only in contact because Jade sent most of my wardrobe through Jordyn and they’d met a few times when I took Jordyn home with me.
“Jade has a big ass mouth too.” I stalked toward the kitchen.
She laughed. “Nope, she was just putting me on game. Should I plan to see more of Selah? As a matter of fact, when am I going to meet Selah? I heard her baking skills are superb and she has your attention on lock.”
I laughed, because she was fishing hard.
“Yes, I’d like to meet Selah too, as she is apparently important to you,” Journee cut in.
I cut my eyes in Jordyn’s direction before looking at Remy. Of course he couldn’t say anything, he was too busy stuffing his face with a fucking muffin.
“She doesn’t have much of a social media presence either. It’s like she doesn’t ex—”
“One, that’s the homie. Two, she doesn’t like social media like that. She thinks it gives small people large profiles.”
“Oh. Even though you’re keeping her away from us, I think I may like her.”
“Not keeping her anywhere. She has her own life and businesses. As do I. Now let’s get to what y’all are here intruding about.”
Both Journee and Jordyn laughed, leaving Remy to finally get to the reason for them all being here. Remy and Jordyn ran Atkins’ Sports Management while Jordyn, who was Remy’s sister, worked directly under them.
For the next several hours they talked business and deals while also working to put together a comprehensive schedule and consistent availability for me over the coming weeks.
Today was the start of a different few months.
I’d be in camp heavy, training and getting ready to put a mouthy motherfucker on his forehead, which meant I needed consistency and focus.
No part of me was worried about any of this as he was no different from any of my other opponents.
It was nothing personal, even though I couldn’t wait to swell his jaw up; so for once he could shut his mouth.
After they finally left, I had a late brunch and decided to call Selah who’d returned my call this morning but I was training and couldn’t answer.
“I know you said you were tired, but not that tired.” She peered into the phone after propping it up on something in the kitchen of her bakery.
“Not even. I had training to do, then meetings and shit. Are you baking right now?”
She nodded. “Yes, sugar cookies. The kids love them when they’re just getting out of school.”
I nodded. “Shit I haven’t had sugar cookies since I was a shorty. That and a Super Donut. Those motherfuckers were fire.”
“Still are. I’ve actually made my own rendition of them. I call them the Chicago special.”
“That’s a good look. So when are you going to invite me to your bakery?”
She laughed. “Why would I invite you here while you’re training for your fight? That’s not a good idea.”
“I got some self-control, shorty.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t,” she countered, that beautiful face in the camera making my dick harden with each contour of her expression. Selah was extremely expressive with every word and statement.
I licked my lips. “So I can’t come see you at the bakery?”
“You can come very well where you please, champ.” Then, as if she caught the tone of what she said, her lips popped shut. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
I chuckled at her statement. “Sure, you didn’t. I wanna see you tonight, can I?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you then, beautiful.”
“Okay.”
We hung up less than a second later and I immediately heard Jordyn enter the door ordering food that Khia, my nutritionist, had prepared.
“So I’m here as your friend, but also because Remy really wants me to talk you into training somewhere other than Watertown. Things are getting bad down there with the waterboys and all that gang mess.”
I shook my head. I had been training at Blair Body Blitz since old man Ron was the owner. Now it was owned and operated by his son Killah, who I damn near grew up with. He didn’t play that street shit when it came to his business, so I wasn’t too worried.
“I know and I told him you and Killah go way back, but he’s adamant that I at least try to talk to you as your friend about your safety.”
“Yo, I let y’all give me Bigs’s big mouthed ass, now c’mon. It ain’t like I’m out here going on missions and in the streets.”
Jordyn laughed. “I hear you loud and clear. But I definitely just heard you talking about going to see someone tonight. You’re grown, but I need you to think about the state of the world and everything you have coming up.
I.e. a fight, some press conferences, and weigh-ins.
What if we train in The Bluffs? That way it’s a little secluded and unknown, less movement and worry, plus we can—”
“I’m grown, Jordyn.”
“And I just said that, but everybody is on eggshells about your safety, and so am I. Do you love me, Indi?”
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling, because she knew I loved her stupid ass. “Don’t pull that shit on me.”
“It’s just temporary, and it’s more spac— I know you’re the talent here, but do you want to make my life easier? Then just say yes. The Bluffs isn’t their idea. It’s mine and I think it’s grand.”
She held my food out for me to take with a big ass grin on her face. “Please.”
“Fine man, damn. How big is the property?” I accepted the food.
“I don’t know yet. Give me until the end of the week to finalize things. I’ll have some ideas in front of you by Friday.”
I side eyed her.
“I really came up with the idea on the spot.”
I laughed. “I bet.”
“You should send for your friend to come here though. Less movement and more of a safety precaution. I mean, unless you don’t want her to know where you live.”
“No. I'ont give a shit about none of that. Selah is good peoples and she doesn’t care about all that shit that everyone else does. Plus, I’m already knowing you’re tryna get me to invite her over so you can meet her.”
“Nah. I’m not. I have a date, so I won’t be here.”
“A date with who?” I dug into my food then looked up at her.
“Well maybe not a date. An appointment.” She winked.
My stomach soured immediately because I really looked at Jordyn as my sister. “Yo, what the fuck? I wanna hear about that.”
“You asked. So are you gonna have Bigs pick her up and bring her here?”
I shrugged. “I’on know. I kind of wanted to see how her bakery looked.”
“Bakery? Is that some sort of euphemism?”
“No. What, you thought she baked for the wedding out of her kitchen? She’s actually something different out here.”
“Oh, well I can’t wait to meet her.”
I shook my head at the thought. It wasn’t that I didn’t want Selah meeting my folks, because I wanted nothing more.
It was the fact that shorty had just gotten out of something seemingly serious.
The second time I saw her, she had been crying in the ice crem aisle of a fucking grocery store.
More than likely, she was still carrying that hurt from ol’ boy, but I had her around my people and found myself thinking about her randomly throughout the day. This was some careless emotional shit.
“It’s so pretty here and dark. It’s you coded,” she said, pushing off the island and walking toward the gray piano in front of the set of floor-to-ceiling windows. I had gone ahead and sent Bigs for her so I didn’t have to leave the house.
“Damn, so you’re calling me dark?”
“Not like that, but yes like that. Why did you have me bring my hoe bag? I’m not staying the night.”
I grinned. “Your hoe bag? And yes you are. I’m not sending you out of here at three or four in the morning. Shit, I get up at four and I want you to have breakfast with me around eleven.”
She looked at me, eyes studying me before she nodded. “No questions, just requests, huh? What is your sign?”
I chuckled. “Taurus.”
“That explains a lot.” She began moving around my living room again.
“Like what?”
“You’re bullheaded. Extremely stubborn, like it’s either your way or no way. I haven't experienced it yet, but I have a feeling it’s coming. You’re determined and sexually you’re very passionate, like even that night I was going through my shit you were.”
I tilted my head to the side with a grin. “Passionate.”
“Yes, passionate. You fucked me like you had something to prove and you took your time, like time didn’t matter.”
“It didn’t. Are you still carrying that though?” I asked, my eyes zeroing in on her because I needed to see her physical reaction to my question.
“Carrying what?” She looked confused.
“What ol’ boy did to you? Your old situation.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not carrying that anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because it doesn’t serve me and I have no intention of going back.”
I nodded. Her reaction fit her response, so I believed her. I pushed off the wall, moving toward the couch.
“Why do you ask?”
“To make sure I’m not wasting my time.”
“Why do you think you would be?”
“Shit, you tell me.”
“You are not wasting your time, because if you’re wasting your time then I’m wasting mine as well. However, I don’t know how you could be wasting your time if you said I’m your homie.” Her expression was filled with amusement.
“That’s how you are feeling, Selah?”
“No, but those are your words.”
I laughed. “Aight.”
“Wait, why did you say it like that?”
“Like what?” I asked, a smirk on my face. It was my turn to play. I didn’t respond fast enough for her because she moved from the window to the sofa where I was in less than a second.
“Like I was the one who said homie, Indiri.”
I shook my head, eyes climbing up and down her frame as she stood in front of me. She was dressed comfortable in a pair of ash blue jeans with a cropped, gray, fluffy cardigan showcasing her flat abdomen. “Selah, leave it alone, baby. You ain’t ready for what I bring and we are homies.”
“What are you threatening to bring?”
“Something you ain’t ready for.” I dropped my head back off the couch for a moment, resting my eyes.
“Shouldn’t I be the one deciding what I’m not ready for?”
“Probably.” I felt crazy even discussing this with her, because I had never been this way about a woman. I didn’t fuck with it at all. Selah wasn’t just a passerby or a momentary thought. This shit was uncomfortable and happening at the wrong fucking time.
“Then how do you know I’m not ready for whatever you bring?”
“Because what I bring will erase every bit of that nigga out of your life. Fucking with me will make you lose recollection of a history you once cherished while building a future you need to live in. Fucking with me makes the nigga who hurt you obsolete. You are not ready for that, and it’s okay.”
“Indiri.”
I lifted my head and looked at her, sitting up and resting my elbows on my knees. Our eyes locked, noticeable fire blazing from hers.
“Stop talking to me in riddles and talk to me.”
“I’m not speaking in a riddle. I said what I said.
I’m not offering to heal what that nigga did.
I’m telling you that if this is what you want, him and everything in connection doesn’t exist. I’m telling you that it’s okay if you’re not ready for that.
I’m not rushing you, ’cause we’re chilling right now. ”
She nodded, stepping forward. But instead of getting into my lap or on the couch, she took a knee to the floor right in front of me, her face a few centimeters from mine.
“See, told you, bullheaded and extremely stubborn, but I think I like it.” A smile was now on those full lips.
I palmed the side of her face, bringing her face toward mine and pressing my lips against hers. This was new for me, the type of territory I actively avoided. Yet here I was, standing tall in the unknown.