I sighed, not liking that answer, but knowing I had no choice. There was well over ten grand riding on this fight, and I would be getting a thirty percent cut of that. Plus, me versus Juarez would be a big draw, as we were both flashy, entertaining fighters, and I knew Juarez wouldn’t fuck around, but also wouldn’t go for serious injury, unlike some assholes.
I nodded, tapping the tabletop with my knuckles. “Fine. But I get fifteen percent of the on-site pool.”
“Five,” Moss countered.
“Fuck you, you stupid cow. Twelve.”
“Fuck you back, you ignorant slut. Ten.”
I held out my hand. “Original thirty percent, plus ten percent of the on-site pool.”
Moss shook my hand. “Deal. I’ll call you later with the location.”
And then he was gone, ambling out the door, hands in the hip pockets of his sagging black jeans.
I blew out a breath and slumped down in the booth. “Shit.Shit.” I glanced at Evangeline. “I’m sorry about that. About him, and the whole scene. That’s not normally how things get set up.”
“So you’re fighting? Tonight?”
I nodded. “Looks like it. There’s a lot of money on this fight, even more now that there’s been a last-minute lineup change.”
She was carefully still. “You do what you have to do. Don’t worry about me.”
I sat up and pivoted in the booth to face her. “I really am sorry about Moss hitting on you like that.”
She waved a hand. “That’s of no consequence.”
“Then what is? You seem upset. We met while I was fighting, remember?”
She shrugged. “I just…don’t know where I fit in this. Whatisthis?”
“You don’t know whatwhatis?”
Another shrug. “We messed around last night and then again this morning, which means what we’re doing isn’t a one-night stand. So then…what is it?”
I sighed. “Does it need a label?”
“Yeah, kind of. So I know what to expect.”
“You need a label? Then call it… a tryst. Or a hookup. Hell, I don’t know, Eva. This ain’t like any other hookup I’ve had. Those are…cheap. Quick and easy, nothin’ really to ’em but some sex and fun.” I caught her gaze and held it. “You’re not cheap, nor are you easy. This ain’t just somethin’ quick. I don’t know how to label this, and maybe I don’t want to try, you know? Let it be something different.”
“Iameasy, though…and cheap. If I’m doing something like this.” She finally met my gaze, her expression apologetic. “I don’t mean to insult you, it’s just…”
“Hey, I’m not insulted. I’m all for cheap and easy sex, and frequently. My life hasn’t really needed anything more. I was always focused on school and playing ball, and had no time or interest in anything serious. Don’t mean I don’t think therecanbe something more or something meaningful, if I wanted to look. I just wasn’t interested.” I touched her hand, covering hers with mine. “You’re trying something new. That doesn’t make this—or you—cheap or easy. Don’t fall into that trap of self-judgment, Eva.”
She shrugged. “Okay, so maybe that’s true. But I still don’t know what to expect, or where I fit.”
“You can expect me to treat you right. I ain’t gonna ghost on you, or decide I’m done once I get what I want. As for where you fit? You decide that, Eva. Like I said, you can hang at the apartment, or sit down in the family booth and pound some booze with the crew.”
She blinked at me. “The family booth?”
I nodded. “Yeah. At Badd’s, we have the booth closest to the kitchen and service bar that’s permanently reserved for us brothers and their women. There are always at least one or two people in the booth, reading, studying, or just hanging out and drinking. You got a permanent place in that booth whenever you want, regardless of what you may or may not expect from me. You can hang there, and you’ll have good company. My brothers and the girls will treat you right. I think you discovered that last night. We may not have a lot of money and we may be crude sometimes, but if there’s one thing we know, it’s hospitality, okay?”
She tried a somewhat wobbly smile at me. “Your family is amazing.”
“I don’t get what happened with you, just now, though. What was it about Moss’s visit that has you tripping?”
She shrugged. “I guess he just…reminded me that I don’t fit into your life. He scares me.”
