The Night Orchid

by M. G. Hernandez

  I wave him off and when he leaves, I stare at the mirror. “Showtime.”

  Chapter 25

  Julian

  “How the hell did you convince me to come here, dawg?”

  Jordan breaks into his signature high-pitched giggle as I glare at him. It’s midnight, and we’re standing outside a hellhole of a building, freezing our asses. Zander, our quarterback, smokes a blunt a few feet from me and doesn’t give a shit. But I do because piss and liquor combined stinks and rats crawling up pipes disgust me.

  “Bro, you’re gonna thank me after because it’s two chicks in a cage. You can’t pass that up.” He pounds his fist on his palm, and I wonder how he and Dee share the same genes. In fact, they’re fraternal twins, but his sister is so responsible while Jordan is so corrupt.

  “I can pass up illegal fighting, asshole.”

  Zander raises his blond head, directs his dilated pupils at us and dangles his joint from his lips. “Oh, shit, is this a fight club?”

  I roll my eyes at his stupidity, but my ditzy friend misses my annoyance and continues to smoke. “Where’ve you been, fucker?”

  “High as a kite,” says Jordan. “Come on, let’s get our tickets.”

  We follow him to the door and into a crowded warehouse. The noise deafens my ears, but the drunk men and the women in skimpy bikinis fascinate me. A server sells us beer, ignoring the fact that we’re underage for drinking. Despite my protests, I buy a bottle and so did the guys.

  “It stinks like shit in here.” Zander crinkles his nose, but smiles when the server hands him his alcohol.

  “Yeah, tell me about it, and it smells like ass and B.O.,” I said.

  Zander raises a brow and licks his lips when a lady in booty shorts passes him. “Speaking of ass… yes, ma’am.”

  This lewd response is typical from Wakefield High’s resident playboy, and I laugh. “See, this is why you’re a walking STD, Z.”

  “Bitch, I’m clean!” He protests and gives me a middle finger, eliciting a chuckle from me.

  “Guys, shut the fuck up. The fight’s gonna start soon.” Jordan leads us further into the space, closer to the octagon cage. “Bro, the contender, Jenny ‘the hangman’ Spitzer, is a fucking beast. Don’t know the challenger, though, but she’s getting chopped and screwed tonight.”

  “How many times have you been here?” I shake my head as I take a seat in the front row.

  “Nah, I just started coming a week ago with Darren and Mitch.”

  I nod as I sip my beer because that makes perfect sense. Darren and Mitch are his basketball teammates who are notorious for crazy partying and doing stupid shit. Sneaking out to illegal fight clubs are within their realm of questionable activities.

  The announcer walks in the cage, a tall, balding middle-aged guy, with faded tattoos over his arms. The crowd cheers and jeers, raising the energy level to the roof. I drink the last sip of my beer and set the bottle on the ground.

  “It’s time,” says the announcer. He gives the first fighter’s stats before announcing her MMA nickname—a name drowned out by the shouting. But I don’t have to wait long for them to show her identity. The door opens, and they usher her into the rowdy crowd.

  She walks in, a hooded figure, with her head bowed and face obscured. She swaggers in to the rap song, “Kryptonite” by Purple Ribbon All Stars. Bouncers protect her from the audience, but she struts unfazed as she heads straight to the cage.

  As soon as she steps inside, she does a lap around the octagon while doing simulated punches. Finally, she takes her corner to allow the announcer to introduce the contender. While she waits, she unties her robe, and I lean forward. When she slips it off and dumps it on the floor, my mouth drops.

  “What the fuck?” I hear Zander. “Isn’t that the new girl?”

  ***

  With our mouths hanging, we’re rendered speechless by Jo fighting in a sports bra and Muay Thai shorts. Jenny “the hangman” Spitzer is a wild animal of pure muscle, but Jo is kicking ass. Her braids bob as she jabs, knee strikes, and push kicks her opponent, and we watch hypnotized. Inside that cage, with her brute strength and powerful body on display, Jo is a badass. It makes sense now how she tackled George today with ease. Homegirl trains in the cage and fights for money in a dingy old building in Breckinridge.

  Suddenly, she lowers herself in a swift motion and grapples her opponent’s legs, causing her to fall. The boys and I hoot in unison, making her turn in our direction. She looks surprised when we lock eyes, but she refocuses and locks Jenny Spitzer in a rear naked choke. Her opponent attempts to break free, but Jo keeps her under a firm hold. The contender turns blue and taps Jo’s arm in submission, sealing Jo’s victory. The crowd cheers while she springs off the floor as “the hangman” punches the ground.

  “Yep, saving tonight’s fight in my head for the spank bank later,” said Zander.

  Though I hear his lewd comment, I can’t respond with my usual reproach. In the corner of my eye, I see Jordan shift, and I’m sure he’s aroused.

  As the announcer lifts her arm in victory, she turns to us and narrows her eyes. Jordan speaks first and cups his hands and yells, “Damn, baby girl! That was hot!”

  She takes her gloves and mouthpiece off and chucks them on top of her duffel bag. I watch her walk towards us, sweat glistening her skin. When she reaches the barrier, she presses her body against the fence and claws the chain-link wall. I clear my throat and remind myself that I have a girlfriend.

  “You’re a beast, Josephine!” said Zander.

  “And the UFC Bantamweight belt goes to… Lightning Sugar Lips Jo.” Jordan announces her with flair, pretending to be an official UFC octagon announcer.

  I raise a brow at his nickname for her, and I turn to him. “Sugar Lips? Really, bro?”

  Jo shifts her brown eyes on me, and I shut my mouth at the weight of her stare. Her stellar performance still leaving me tongue-tied and star-struck.

  “Uh…” I stammer and struggle to find my voice. “Nice braids.”

  She smirks while she shifts her attention to Jordan. Meanwhile, I’m cursing in my head. Nice braids?

  Zander chuckles. “Good one, bro.”

  “What are you guys doing here?” she asks. “It’s way past bedtime.”

  I react. “We should ask you the same thing. What the hell are you doing fighting in a fight club?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Ok, Dad.” She turns around and heads to her corner. As she puts on her hoodie and hoist her bag onto her shoulders, she exits the cage and disappears among the crowd.

  Jordan jumps out of his seat and starts heading for the exit. I yell at him. “Where the fuck are you going?”

  He spins to me. “I’m in love, bro, and I’m asking her out on a date.”

  I growl. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Zander runs past me to catch up to Jordan. “Not if I ask her first.”

  I watch the two idiots disappear, and I look around the warehouse. An older lady winks at me and licks the lip of her beer bottle. I search for Jordan and Zander. “Uh, guys. Wait up!”

  Chapter 26

  Josephine

  In the distance, Dee’s brother and the school’s quarterback yell at each other, their voices disrupting the stillness of the evening. I’m in an alley a block from the warehouse, hiding under the veil of darkness. I doubt they’re following, but when I left the building, I thought I heard Jordan call my name. Damned if I know what he wanted with me, but I don’t need Julian questioning me again. In fact, I just want these boys to forget they saw me in case this event reaches my mom’s radar. Way to ruin my hustle, guys.

  “Ow!” I cry out as a heavy shoulder bumped me, and I grip my bike to prevent myself from falling. “Watch where you’re goin’! Damn!”

  A man with a fedora hat, a black leather jacket and slacks walks away with easy stride. He continues walking and doesn’t apologize, dismissing me as I rub my skin. “How about a ‘sorry,’ asshole!”

  B
ut he wanders off, unperturbed. As he passes a street lamp, the glow shows his height and body. Slim and tall, but marred by a slight slouch.

  “Josephine?”

  I turn to a familiar voice. A face covered in shadows stands before me, and my throat dries. I squint to see the figure, but the stranger steps into the light, making him closer to me. I recognize the balding head. “Mookie?”

  “What the hell are you doing here, girl? Don’t tell me you’re already out. I just sold you an eighth yesterday.”

  Someone clears a throat, and I glance at the woman standing next to him—a sultry brunette with pornstar, perky boobs. I furrow my brows as I try to recall where I’ve seen her. But I nod to his curvy partner, who gives me a twinkling, toothy smile.

  I peer around and find the street empty once more. “Nah. I was just taking a detour. Then I got accosted by some chump in a fedora hat.” I reach a hand to Mookie’s busty companion. “I’m Jo, by the way.”

  She shakes mine. “Lorena.”

  Mookie looks at his friend. “Was that Mr. Big?”

  She nods as she takes her manicured hands through her curls. “Probably. He usually leaves as soon as I finish my set.”

  I snap my head in her direction as I recognize her as that stripper I saw last week. “Mr. Big? Is that his actual name?”

  She laughs. “Of course not, girl. We will never catch these high-powered men floating their government names in a titty bar.”

  “Who is he?”

  She shrugs. “Don’t know his real name. Don’t know what he does. We don’t ask for details, honey. As long as they keep that money comin’ they can be whoever they want.”

  I grimace. I’m choosing ignorance over knowing which prominent person is loitering in Club Diamond. “How are you so sure he’s high-powered?”

  “Well, if he isn’t, he is obviously rich. Mr. Big doesn’t put dollar bills on my g-string, honey. If he likes what I do, he gives me enough to pay my rent.” She giggles. “And that leather jacket is Italian and costs more than your parents’ mortgage.”

  Before I can answer, Mookie’s gaze shifts, focusing on the commotion behind me. “What’s up, fellas?”

  I turn around and curse under my breath when I see the three stooges heading towards us.

  “What’s up, G!” said Zander. “Hey, Lightning Jo!”

  Mookie snaps his head to me. “You were fighting tonight?”

  I grit my teeth. Meanwhile, Julian looks at me with a raised brow while Jordan gives me a wink.

  “You know these guys, Jo?” asks Mookie.

  “How do you know these guys, Mookie?” I retort and give him a side-eye.

  But Julian crosses his arms and nudges his head towards Mookie. “And how do you know this guy, Jo?”

  “Whoa, this is too much questioning for me.” Zander places his hands on his temples, but lowers them when Mookie approaches him for their transaction.

  “Ok, break up this party and go home,” says Julian, motioning to his friends.

  Zander and Jordan ignore him, but he catches the eyes of Lorena instead. She rests her palm on her exposed clavicle, directing attention on mountainous bulbous breasts. A pink tongue moistens a glossy red lip, concluding that she’s got naughty thoughts on her mind.

  But the Spawn, who is standing three feet from me, has a “fuck you” sign scrawled across a wrinkled forehead. He fixates his eyes on Jordan, and I wonder what his friend did to irritate him. Lorena, though, cuts through the tension between them.

  “Honey, your friends are adorable,” she says to me. Then she turns to them. “I’m Lorena.”

  The curvy seductress leans over to shake hands, but she lingers longer with Julian. “My, you’re a tall drink of water, sweetie. Yes…”

  Julian reddens and clears his throat while I snort in laughter. He scowls when he catches me covering my mouth to hide my giggles.

  But I turn to Mookie. “Well, this was fun. I’ll see you later.”

  Jordan walks over to me. “Where do you live, baby girl?”

  “Baby girl?” I ask. “That’s a bit too familiar, don’t you think?”

  Jordan continues unfazed. “Either that or ‘MMA hottie.’ You going all Ronda Rousey in that octagon cage is the sexiest discovery ever.”

  Then he chucks me playfully under the chin, surprising me with his touch. Suddenly, a loud noise forces him to end his flirtation and scowl upon noticing Julian honking the horn of his convertible. Jordan gives him a middle finger.

  “You should probably go,” I said. “He won’t stop until you do.”

  He places his hands in his pockets and bites his lip. “Listen, Dee told me she invited you to our party tomorrow. You should come.”

  I purse my lips and avoid his eyes. “Uh… well… parties aren’t really my thing.”

  He smiles, his deep dimples appearing. “My sister doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

  After another honk from Julian, he turns around and says over his shoulder, “see ya later, baby girl.”

  Using that as my cue, I kick the brake stand off my bike and wave to Mookie. “Nice to meet you, Lorena.”

  But Julian saunters over and grips my handlebars. What the hell? I push off, but he’s too strong.

  “Don’t worry, Jo. I’ll give you a ride.”

  A low growl escapes from me. “That’s sweet, bro, but no, thank you.”

  Mookie chimes in on the conversation. “Great idea.”

  I stomp a foot in defiance. “I’d rather bike. The more you’re keeping me here, the longer my trip home is getting delayed.”

  He leans closer and towers over me. “Sorry. On good conscience, I can’t let you do that. I care. A lot.”

  I snort. “Yeah, right. Not dumb enough to fall for that.”

  Lorena chimes in the conversation. “Go on now, honey. You wouldn’t mind a cute boy driving you home. Promise.”

  I roll my eyes. Yeah, I bet you’d enjoy that.

  But I have a bigger fish to fry, so I turn to the Spawn. I lower my voice and hiss. “You’re so full of shit, Julian. What the hell are you trying to pull?”

  He puts on that innocent face. “Can’t I watch out for my buddy like old times?”

  “Buddy, my ass. How are you going to transport my bike in your Camaro, huh? I’m not leaving it behind.”

  He gives me a lopsided grin as he backs up to his vehicle. “Do you trust me?”

  “Hell, no.”

  He chuckles as he pops open the trunk. “Fate is on our side. Can you believe I have a portable bike rack?”

  Are you freaking kidding me?

  He pulls the equipment out of the compartment. “I mountain bike in the summer.”

  “Great. I’m impressed,” I said with a fake clap.

  Julian, in the meantime, is showing off his lightweight hitch 2-bike rack, and Mookie and Lorena are enjoying the show. “Only 15 pounds. This bad boy is light. No assembly required.”