Page 47 of Sucker Punch Drunk Love

“I would still have to ask my trainer,” as Vega pulled out his card and handed it to me.

“Well…you do that. And tell Mendez, I look forward to his call.”

***

Walking through the front door, the duplex had been so quiet, I almost assumed no one had been home. But the light in the kitchen was on, and I could smell whatever remnants of what was the start or what was left of Josue’s cooking. I thought I’d be able to tiptoe past the kitchen without being noticed, but readjusting my bag over my shoulder had made a considerable shift in my stroll.

“Just getting home?” Josue yelled, before moving whatever he’d been cooking off the hot burner, as he snuck up behind me to lift me off the ground in a backward hug.

“Josue,” I whined, trying to firmly plant my feet to the ground.

“What?I can’t miss you? You been gone two days and already I feel like a fuckin’ Catholic priest,” he teased. His lips were already busy peppering kisses on the back of my neck, that it was hard not to giggle in response, even though I was far from being ready to doanythingafter today.

“I just got home,” I teased, pushing him away. “I’ve been out all day and could probably use a shower,” I admitted.

“Ma, that just means it'll have a little flavor to it. That fresh out of the shower pussy just don't hit the same,” he joked. I don’t even know how he got me there, but eventually my back wasto his mattress, as he showered both my thighs with bites and kisses, seducing me with low Spanish sweet nothings in my ear.

“Josue wait, I’m serious. I wanted to hear your thoughts on something. Something that’s been on my mind.”

“Oh, brother,” he rolled off me, with an impression that was so far from what I wanted to bring up. “Don’t tell me you got a secret boyfriend you got back together with in Philly?—”

“Josue, no. It doesn’t have to do with…what we do behind closed doors.” As suddenly my hands got clammy, I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous.

“Why are you keeping me in suspense, Medina?”

“I’m not trying to. I’m just trying to figure out a way to say it. I got approached today. Or rather, I was offered a fight?—”

“From who?” he interrupted, impatiently.

“Sebastian Vega?—”

“Get thefuckoutta here,” he rolled his eyes, as I had to pull him back from leaping off the bed.

“It was legit, he said he was training someone that, I don’t know. Could be a good payout,” I tried dressing it up.

“Who's the fighter?” he indulged his curiosity.

“Teresa DaCosta,” as if Vega’s name hadn’t been enough, now hereallywasn’t interested in what I had to say.

“No way, Sierra. That bitch would fuckin’ murder you. She’s got way more experience.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. What happened toI could beat anyone I set my mind to.”

“Sierra, half the battle of getting you in the cage is not just getting fights that put eyes on you, but ones I know you canwin,” he argued.

“So, you think I can't win against her?” I asked, offended.

“You’re not ready. Part of being smart is knowing where and when. She don’t have shit to lose, but if you lose to her, that could sandbag your career?—”

“But what if I won? Someone as good as her could probably fast track me than a normal fight.”

“Yeah, and a loss like that, your streak may never recover. Plus, Vega’s got a hard one for me. If anything, he's trying to bait me into another rematch.” So, he didn’t even think it was genuine. He assumed the only reason Vega was only offering it to me was to get back at him.

“You know, not everything is about you, Josue,” I said, sliding off his bed.

“Sierra, did I say it was? I'm trying to help you?—”

“But you're not convinced I could win against someone that good,” I challenged.