Below The Belt

Round 2

Tyreek's POV

The sound of fists hitting punching bags was like music to my ears. Though I was taking a break myself, just the sound of the other members of the gym training put me at ease.

It was the day before my next fight, and frankly I couldn't wait.

Mostly because of the money, of course... But also because of him. The tall dread head I'd met in the locker room. My biggest fan, as Tyreek came to playfully acknowledge him. I wasn't entirely sure the man was attracted to men, but I figured if he showed up tomorrow night specifically to watch me fight, I'd have a pretty good chance.

My gaze flitted around the gym, watching men, women, and children alike train together. I had been coming to Big Mike's Boxing Gym since I first moved to New York a few years ago. It might not have been my home gym, but I'd grown to love it pretty quick. There was a sense of community that couldn't be replicated.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by a body catching my attention out of the window. It wasn't uncommon for people to walk by the gym- Pretty much everyone in New York walked, afterall. But this person in particular caught my attention.

Tall, dread head, looks high... I thought with a smirk. Though my smile soon fell into a confused frown as I saw what looked like a younger version of him trailing behind him.

I didn't have much time to question it before I was suddenly making eye contact with DeAndre through the window. His eyes widened as he abruptly stopped walking, causing the boy to run into his back and stumble away. My smile began to slowly grow wider as I watched DeAndre recognize me. His wide eyes eventually relaxed and he nodded to me before glancing over his shoulder to speak to the boy. Whatever it was that they said was over quickly. I watched with a wide grin as the two of them made their way into the gym.

"Hey Pretty Boy." DeAndre greeted once he made his way through the gym. He looked pretty much the same as when I last saw him. Tall, dark, handsome. His locs were pulled back into a half up half down bun, effectively keeping it out of his face. He wore a baggy shirt and black jeans and his eyes were red- undoubtedly he was high.

The two dapped each other up before DeAndre gestured to the boy standing awkwardly beside him. "Tyreek, this my son Antwon. Antwon, Tyreek."

The kid, Antwon, quickly stuck his hand out for me to shake, making me chuckle as I grabbed it and shook. "Damn nigga how old you is?" I asked, turning my attention back to DeAndre as I dropped Antwon's hand. The kid looked too old to be DeAndre's- or maybe DeAndre just looked younger than he was.

"I'm twenty eight. Baby boy is twelve."

Damn this nigga had a baby at sixteen?

I didn't say it out loud, but the question must have been obvious on my face considering DeAndre let out a low laugh and shrugged his shoulders. "Shit happens, mane. I got T-R-A-P-P-E-D when I was a kid."

Before I could answer, Antwon turned to his father with a frown. "You... You realize I can spell, right?"

DeAndre, for what it was worth, did indeed look like he had forgotten that. He sheepishly scratched at the nape of his neck and shrugged. "Damn... Forgot that don't work no more." His words brought a laugh out of me, but Antwon only rolled his eyes.

"Hey kid." I called out, garnering Antwon's attention. I reached down to my bag, pulling my wallet out of it before handing Antwon five dollars. "There's a vending machine 'round the way, over by the bathrooms. Gon' and get yourself somethin'." Antwon's eyes immediately lit up, and he wasted no time grabbing the money, barely managing to get a quick 'Thank you!" out before he was rushing through the gym again.