The next day I had reluctantly left Drew, wishing I didn't have to but knowing she had to go to work. Thursday's were usually insignificant because I had nothing to do, so I would either have lunch with Maria or attempt to clean the already spotless apartment I lived in. Although, today had turned out different whenever Jada had called and asked if I wanted to have lunch, and I of course obliged.

When the time to leave rolled around I had left my apartment in a hurry, not wanting to get there too long after Jada. She had been in some sort of meeting this morning, most likely concerning her upcoming career in the UFC. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I was sure we were going to discuss it.

Making it to the sushi restaurant I saw her already sitting at a booth, her head buried in the menu. I approached her and greeted, "Hey," and shuffled off my jacket and removed my scarf.

The weather was relentless this time of year, and we were lucky enough to dodge snow this week. It was a real shit storm whenever our luck ran out.

Jada lied the menu down and smiled, "Hey, so guess what."

I already knew what was coming out of her mouth but I joked anyway, "You're pregnant."

She frowned, "You know that's not even funny."

 "You're right. Besides, that would involve you actually having sex... which I know doesn't happen often."

She kicked me under the table then, a slight pain rising in my shin. I watched her roll her eyes, "I'm signing the contract."

I raised a brow, "For?"

"To go professional! God, keep up Breanna."

I sighed heavily, thanking the waitress for the glass of water before returning to the conversation, "Congrats."

"You sound so enthusiastic."

I shook my head, twirling my ice with my straw, "You know I don't like this, Jada. I don't like you fighting, especially after..."

I let the sentence fall, deciding it was a bad idea. She had come to me with good news, and she was happy, I should be at least supportive for her instead of degrading it because of my own discomfort.

I apologized, "I'm sorry... I know you've worked hard for this."

She smiled sadly, taking my feelings into consideration, "I did, and I know you're worried... but this is different. It's not like that other place... it's better, safer. I promise."

I knew she was partially right, but even though it was "safer" in a legal sense, I knew it wasn't in a physical. It was still extremely dangerous for her health, and I didn't want my sister to be a vegetable by the time she was sixty, but who was I to tell her not to follow her dreams?

"What the hell happened to your wrists?"

I glanced at her, "What?"

That's when it registered, and I followed her eyes that were gazing down at the obvious hand marks, courtesy of Evan. I shook my head, pulling them back and under the table, "Uh nothing... it's just-"

"Did Drew do that?"The anger in her voice was clear, but the last thing I wanted Jada to do was hate Drew again.

I shook my head, "N-No, Jada... she didn't-"

"Then who, Breanna? Don't you even try and lie to me..."

Oh fuck, how was I going to make her believe me? I couldn't tell her about Evan because that would only make things worse, but letting her believe Drew had done it would ruin everything. I was shaking my head, searching for some kind of answer... and then it hit me.

I felt my cheeks flush at the thought, allowing a lie to escape, "I uh... me and Drew..."

Suddenly Jada leaned back, a look of shock on her face. Did she think I was lying? I mean I was implying a lie, but she didn't know Drew and I hadn't had sex yet. It had been over a month since our last talk about that. Things could've well changed over the course of January, I mean Drew and I were official now.

Jada flexed her jaw, "That's from you two...?"

I nodded. Just the thought of Drew actually getting rough enough to leave hand marks causing something deep inside me to heat up.

I shrugged, "We kind of got carried away..."

"Ok enough," she interrupted, obviously believing me, "Forget I brought it up."

I felt a sense of relief, but lying to my sister once again proved to have devastating effects. Although being honest about where the bruises really came from couldn't happen. I hated it, but I was protecting Drew.

"So, how's the internship going?"

I smiled, remembering Natalie and Morgan yesterday completely making my night before Evan had shown up and ruined it. My face was lit with excitement, "I love it, and the younger girls are getting used to me but the older ones like me too. One of them you could swear she thinks I'm famous. She saw the winter recital."

The waitress came and we ordered, and even though Jada and I were falling into easy conversation I could tell she wanted to ask me something. In my twenty-one years of knowing her, I could just tell, almost like a premonition. We were sisters, I knew practically everything about her, and so I decided not to make her wait any longer.

"What's on your mind?"

She looked up, her brown eyes giving away her guilt of hiding something, "What?"

"You've been weird since I showed, tell me. What happened? Is it you and Mike? What?"

She knew she had been caught, and for all I knew it could be something minor, but I was afraid. Jada could be the bearer of bad news, and for all I knew this could be one of those times. I couldn't take anymore negativity after everything that happened last night.

"Okay, but I want you to be completely honest with me..." she started, and suddenly I felt my pulse quicken. Ugh, I hated this. I want you to be honest with me is a close second to We need to talk.

I nodded, "Yea, of course," then I took a nervous sip of my water.

She folded her hands on the table, "Drew... she lost on purpose, okay. That was obvious. What I don't get is why... I just... it was her last fight, just like me. Why did she blow it?"

I was glad Jada no longer seemed mad about it, but rather curious. I was also happy to know it was such a small thing bothering her, and it was of course an easy fix.

I smiled, even though images of that night still haunted me, "She lost because she knew if she won you wouldn't get signed."

"How does she know that?"

"Really Jada, she demolished you the first time you two fought and I of course kind of told her. Everyone knew that if you lost you'd be out for good."

She rolled her eyes, "Okay, so I doubt very seriously if she lost for that single reason."

I nodded, "There were a lot of things that went into her decision I'm sure..."

"And?"

I frowned at her impatience, "I think she ultimately lost because she knew if she beat you, you would forever hate her. She knew she wouldn't be able to be with me if you despised her. You and I both know that."

Jada countered, "So she lost for you, not me."

"Of course she did," I smiled, even though Drew still had three more fights ahead of her. I hated it, but at least she was no longer up against my sister.

Then our sushi was set in front of us, Jada picking up her chopsticks. I watched her react, but she was calm and collected."Maybe we'll get along... eventually."

I teased, "Well, my hopes aren't high."

She kicked me from under the table as I saw a look flash across her face. Jada had no reason not to like Drew, aside from the whole "dating me" thing, so I didn't understand why she still looked so worried.

"I just... if she ever physically hurts you..."

I shook my head, trying to rid the image she had put there, "She won't."

And that was that, as if everything in the air was settled.

Although we had gotten Ashley and Jada out of the way, there was now Evan and Drew's father. The thought of things getting messy again frustrated me, but I knew there was nothing I could do. I wasn't leaving, and I wasn't running whenever Drew's past decided to resurface. We had dealt with mine, and now we were going to deal with hers.

~ ~ ~ ~

"You told her what?"

I held Drew's hands in mine, trying to calm her down. I shook my head, "It's really not a big deal. I mean I know we haven't... you know... but it's better than the alternative."

Drew's silvery green eyes just stared at me, her head shaking with an embarrassed smile on her face. "Bree, I'm never gonna be able to look at Jada with a straight face."

I laughed slightly, "Oh she doesn't care... and you shouldn't either. Sex is just that... sex. There's no shame you know..."

She grabbed my arms lightly, "But this... you made me sound..."

"Rough?" I finished, watching her cheeks blush a deep crimson as she dropped her arms to her sides. She was adorable when she was embarrassed, but for some reason I kept picturing what it would be like sleeping with Drew. Would she be gentle? Would she take charge and actually get a little rough with me? With my consent of course. I was really curious.

"What are you thinking?"

I snapped out of my untimely daydream, wondering if my facial expression had given me away. If I was blushing there was no way I could lie out of this one, but then again, why lie?

I shrugged, "Just curious as to how you are in bed?"

My new found sense of confidence had shocked her, along with my question, but I had fantasized about sleeping with Drew for a while now. I was comfortable with her and the same vice versa. So what was the harm in asking?

"I can't believe you just asked me that."

I smiled, grabbing her hands and pulling her over to her couch. Milo just stared at us curiously from the ground.

This late Thursday evening was boring, and although I had spent afternoons with Drew so many times this time was different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was more tension than usual between us. It could've been because when she got home she had immediately changed in front of me, and the sight had been great. Or maybe it was the talk with Jada... I just wasn't sure, but since the night I had gotten home after Christmas we hadn't taken things further. I was kind of desperate, to be honest.

She sat facing me, allowing me to scoot myself between her legs as I tried not to distract her too much. I was still waiting for an answer.

I countered, "Well?"

"Well what?"

I rolled my eyes, smiling, "What should I expect if we ever... you know... take it further?"

I watched her eagerly, really just wanting to see how she reacted to this. Her eyes seemed to darken a few hues, and when she looked at me I felt the tension thicken. She could be so many things within a short amount of time it was scary. She could pull off the cute and innocent, the sweet and gentle, and then the most desirable person you have ever met. I loved her for it.

She tilted her head, "I could show you better than telling you... but it's been a while since I've slept with anyone."

I shrugged, trying to hide the fact that I enjoyed where this conversation was going, "I haven't either you know."

Watching her watch me was turning me on, but I had plenty of practice ignoring it. It wasn't because I didn't like Drew turning me on, but rather because I knew nothing would come from it. I knew she was still afraid, but getting her to talk about it helped her grow more comfortable with the idea. And the last thing I wanted to do was rush her into this.

I started again, "Were you a flirt?"

She kinked an eyebrow, "Maybe."

I leaned forward, "Be honest, what were you like in high school?"

She smirked teasingly, "I guess I was in a way, but it wasn't because I was trying to sleep with everyone. I was friendly, and some people would probably say I was a little out there... but I was comfortable with who I was. People knew I was a lesbian and they respected it."

"If I would've gone to your school," I stated, "Would you have tried to get with me?"

She tilted her head again, a full smile on her lips this time. Her cheeks were red but in a good way, and I felt my pulse speeding up by the second.

She shrugged, "I don't know... I tried to go for the older girls, and you would've been two grades behind me."

I rolled my eyes, "You're such a mood killer."

That's when suddenly I was stretched over her couch, lying face up and staring at Drew. How was she so quick? I had literally blinked and she was on top of me. There was a look in her eyes that made something in my stomach tingle with anticipation, and then I felt one of her hands on my thigh.

My breathing hitched as she looked down at my lips, "But you would've been an exception..." she purred lowly.

I felt my skin grow hot just looking at her, and the way her neck was exposed in that loose T-shirt made me want to pull her down into me.

I teased, "An exception?"

She nodded, "I've always had a weakness for girls who danced because let's be real... Dancers have the best bodies."

I agreed, never pulling my eyes away, "You're still a flirt, you know."

I was trying so hard not to get carried away but the way Drew was positioned I could feel slight pressure between my legs. She had to be doing it on purpose, and when she moved lower I could feel my body scream in response.

Oh I could picture her now at school, flirting with all the pretty girls and touching them on their shoulders and playing in their hair. She probably still had it in her, and I was convinced she was using it on me now. The thought of her touching anyone else infuriated me, but I had to keep my cool, besides, she was here with me now.

She lowered her face then, but when I thought she was going to kiss me she landed in the crook of my neck instead. I felt her soft lips press against my warm skin, sending shivers through my entire being. I closed my eyes and allowed the sensation to take over for those few seconds, and then released a ragged breath.

It wasn't fair, the affect she had on me, and I desperately wondered if I had the same on her. I wasn't trying it now though, because whenever Drew touched me I was paralyzed. It was like her kisses were a sweet kind of poison that made you forget every single thought, leaving you defenseless and at her mercy.

She continued to tease me; her lips traveling painful slow down my neck and to my exposed collar bone. I was still dressed from lunch today with Jada, but when she started unbuttoning my shirt again I felt my eyes squeeze shut. I wasn't going to stop her, but I was afraid the way I was holding my breath wasn't beneficial to me, and the last thing I wanted to do was pass out.

I exhaled slowly, withholding a moan that was sitting on the top of my tongue. She was soft and slow; after each button she popped loose she would plant a kiss, trailing lower and lower until she was right below my belly button. I was practically panting by the time she had finished and flipped the two edges of my shirt open, exposing my torso that was now only covered with my bra.

She whispered, "See, you just have the best body..."

I made the mistake of opening my eyes, and the first thing I saw was her own, gazing down at me. I could see the lust, and when she kissed me I could taste the desire. I heard my heart beat in my head, and suddenly holding back wasn't in the cards for me anymore. I needed her like I needed air, except now I was sacrificing my very need of oxygen to kiss her. I hadn't wanted anyone this much in so long that it was almost a foreign feeling, and it was scary yet exciting.

She snaked one of her arms under my back, pulling me up and onto her lap into a sitting position. Even when I was on top of her I still felt submissive, and I wondered how that could be. I had always thought of myself as dominant in bed with Ashley, but with Drew it was so different. Not that I minded, because giving her control was fine with me, and I was comfortable.

She pushed my shirt off of my shoulders then, her hand torching every inch of skin she touched. I felt my hands run into her hair that was up, grabbing the hair tie and gently pulling it, setting her golden waves free. Her smell intoxicated me, the familiar shampoo and mint she always seemed to have. I craved that very scent, and her touch, her taste... I craved everything about her and getting all of it at once drove me up the wall.

Her hands were on my hips, squeezing every time I went in for a kiss. She was breathing heavy and I hadn't even begun to undress her. I didn't know if we would get far, but I was determined, and when she landed a kiss between my breasts I nearly suffocated.

Her hands had just snaked around my back, those skilled fingers seconds away from snapping my bra open when her phone rang.

She stopped, her head resting on my chest as I grumbled, "Seriously..."

I climbed off as she exhaled a desperate, "Every damn time..."

I stood with my hands on my hips, "We're no longer making out on the couch. Every time we do something interrupts us."

She laughed as she picked up her phone and rolled her eyes, "Dee," she answered.

Just Demarcus, I thought, realizing that for a second I had imagined it to be Evan or God forbid her father. That really would've ruined the night, but we were lucky. Well, not really, but you know.

She sighed, "Next Friday?"

I wondered what they could be talking about, but the more I thought the more I pieced that it was probably her next fight. I didn't like the thought but I knew she had talked about starting back up in February. She had had a month to recover, and ripping the band aid off quickly would be better than slowly dragging it out.

She nodded and then dismissed, "Okay, yea thanks... I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Hanging up she groaned, running her hands through her hair before looking back at me. I was still topless, with the exception of my bra, but I found myself not caring.

She wasted no time, "My first fight... it's next Friday."

I inhaled, already prepared to where it didn't shock me as much. I was still very uneasy at the thought but there was nothing I could do. This would have to be repeated three times before Drew was free, but I had accepted it.

I walked up to her, "I hate it."

"I know," she leaned down, kissing my lips softly as she whispered, "Let's go upstairs."

I groaned, "We're not gonna pick up where we left off...?"

She smiled sadly, her lustful gaze now replaced with the burden of worry, "That call kind of ruined it..."

I looked up at her, knowing that she was right and that I wasn't even feeling what I had felt prior to the call. I mean don't get me wrong, Drew was still amazing and I was still lusting after her, but now the worry had set in. There was no rush.