Mams grabs two coffee mugs and proceeds to pour me one, then Ricochet. He’s adding his creamer and milk while I still gaze over the menu and decide what I want. “I figure you’re gonna need a few minutes, darlin’, Rico here always orders the same thing. He’s such a creature of habit.” Mams’ smile grows and I’m getting the idea she loves Ricochet like he’s her own grandson or something.
“Yeah, a couple more minutes would be great,” I tell her.
“So, Rico, how long have you been hidin’ your girlfriend from me here? Shame on you!” Ricochet spits the coffee out of his mouth from laughing so hard while she’s hitting him with a folded-up placemat. I even start to laugh from the pure genuineness of it all. It makes me realize I haven’t taken any time for myself in a really, really long time. The last few years have been about getting stronger, about getting myself to a point where I can get Peyton, and maybe even about getting some much-needed revenge.
“What’s so funny? Tell me this instant!” Mams demands, smacking him again with the placemat.
“Venom isn’t my girlfriend. She’s just a friend,” Ricochet immediately tells her after calming himself down.
“Ah, I see.” Mams looks over to me. “You ready, sweetheart?”
I give her a curt nod and ramble out my order, “A short stack of buttermilk pancakes, bacon, and some scrambled eggs, please.”
“Sure thing. Lewis, I need a short stack of buttermilk pancakes, six pieces of bacon, and a decent serving of scrambled eggs out here ASAP. This poor girl is all skin and bones,” Mams hollers back into the kitchen, and a ‘comin’ right up’ is said back in response to her.
“Now, Rico, I know you’re saying Venom here is a friend, but with the way you look at her I don’t buy a lick of whatever bullshit you’re tryin’ to sell me.” Mams makes her way to the kitchen and Ricochet glances over to me with redness spreading across his cheeks. While I want to pick on him for blushing, I don’t, instead I tell him how I feel, how this morning has made me feel.
“I-I’ve had a lot of fun today, and . . . if you don’t mind, I’d like it if we do it again.” Ricochet seems a bit surprised at my admission, but I’m sure he wanted to get me out of the rut I’d put myself in.
“Yeah, we can do the same thing tomorrow, bright and early, so make sure you don’t go drinkin’ with Devi or Nikki.”
“I won’t,” I speak softly, but I won’t break the promise I just made to him. Nothing I said was a lie. I want to feel like this again, and the sooner I feel this way, the better.
Chapter Seven
Ricochet
It’s been a week since I took Venom to Frank’s gym and since that day, she’s been waiting for me in the kitchen every morning. Even on my off day she was there, in her workout gear, ready to go. It makes me happy to see her have some sort of passion for something. I think if I hadn’t intervened when I did, she would’ve been sucked down a rabbit hole she might not have been able to pull herself out from.
She was determined to go yesterday on my off day so she went and I figured she’d take a break today like I told her, but with no shock to me here she is, pouring herself a cup of coffee and then one for me. “I thought I told you to rest today.”
“You did, but I don’t want to take a break. I’m learning so much and I don’t want to lose that momentum.”
“You won’t,” I quickly tell her and she does the typical thing, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Well, I didn’t realize that she’d have this much attitude this early in the morning. I should’ve come down here and got my cup of coffee first. “You’re not gonna forget everything in one day.”
“Still, I don’t want to chance it. Are you going to let me get in the ring with you today?”
I’m halfway through swallowing my first sip of coffee and about spit it out like I did at Mamie’s last week. I blink a couple of times and stare directly at her, trying to see if she’s kidding or not. “You’re joking. Please tell me you’re joking.”
She furrows her brows together. “Why would I be joking?”
Alright, this is fuckin’ hysterical. She’s lost her damn mind if she thinks she’s at the level to be in the ring. “I’ve been showing you the basics of mixed martial arts, Venom. You’re not ready for the ring.”
“I’d beg to differ. I’m a quick learner, I’m quick as hell on my feet, and I’m determined. Ricochet, I’m ready.”
“I’m not gonna say what I did again. If you’re comin’ to the gym then let’s go, but don’t go thinkin’ I’m gonna let you get in the ring,” I grumble, and Venom brushes past me while I sling my gym bag over my shoulder.
Venom huffs in annoyance and we make our way out of the club and head down to Frank’s gym. I didn’t think she’d want to come back a second time, or even a third, or a fourth, but here we are. Personally, I see how her lessons are helping her. She’s gaining more confidence and whatever the hell is bugging her isn’t peeking out as much anymore.
Venom wrapped her own hands today, totally taking the lead. Frank tells me stories about the different types of people who come here to the gym and only do it for show, or to tell people around the street that they’re some big badass now. They only want this shit for street credit, but not her.
