Tom lets out a breath through his nose, leaning against SJ's door as he runs his hands over his face and through his hair. His eyes are squeezed shut and he's fighting every ounce of him not to walk back in that room. The look she gave him was enough to shatter him. She looked at him as if he just betrayed her in the worst way possible and in a way, he did. He said and promised he wouldn't leave but he did. However, SJ isn't fair to him and sometimes, the right thing to do is to walk away.

With a deep breath, Tom pushes away from the door and heads for the stairs. He hesitates walking down, hoping SJ will open the door. He might be walking away but she's also letting him and it hurts. A small part of him is almost relieved SJ has the respect to let him walk if he wants but that small part is outweighed by the guilt, assuming she can let him walk because she's her own mess of shattered glass right now. So, it's with a heavy heart that he peels his eyes from her door and starts walking down the stairs.

Mikey, Matty, and Harrison are seated in the living room, all three of them turning the second they hear someone coming from upstairs. Their eyes land on Tom and he pauses for a few seconds, the air stiff. It's written across their faces that they probably heard everything that was said between Tom and SJ and it just makes Tom's stomach turn but he can't take it back. That's the thing with words. Someone can apologize all they want, but it doesn't take back what they said. There's no rewind. Now, Tom's left having to face them as he finishes descending and moving to the couch. Harrison prepares to get up but Tom just sits next to him. The other boys all look at Tom with pure confusion, brows raised and eyes slightly narrowed.

"What?" Tom asks, looking between them all.

"You said you were leaving..." Matty says.

"Yeah," Tom says, looking to his hands and back to him. "The situation. Told her I wasn't gonna leave and I won't but I'm not gonna be someone she's gonna scream at or use to get over whatever she's going through. So, I'll be here when she wants to talk."

Matty cracks a smile and turns to look at Mikey. Regardless on if SJ will say it or not, Tom means the world to her and her friends know that. While Tom and SJ were arguing Matty and Mikey were busy questioning what they were going to do if he left. They'd have to not only pick up the pieces SJ's mom so gracefully destroyed but also the new pieces Tom would leave behind. They'd do it because they're her friends and that's what friends do, but they were hoping they wouldn't have to. SJ deserves someone who will stay even if she isn't always a deserving person.

Mikey leans forward, expression showing his skepticism. "Why?" Mikey asks.

"Why what?" Tom questions.

"Why are you willing to just give her the chance to talk? She took out everything her mom is bringin' up, on you. She uses you, like you just said. We heard the argument, every word of it so why are you staying?"

With Mikey's question, Matty and Harrison turn their attention to Tom who's just staring at Mikey with furrow brows and his mouth in a straight line.

"Because." Tom says simply.

"Why? It's not that simple." Mikey challenges.

"It is for me." Tom retorts.

"It's never that easy." Mikey grits his teeth.

Tom shakes his head, not believing that Mikey is picking an argument over Tom staying. If anything, Tom expected him to just stay quiet. He doesn't owe Mikey any explanation but Tom thinks of SJ and everything she's told him and Tom is the bigger person.

"Leave 'im alone." Harrison's brows pulled together into a scowl.

"'S fine, Haz." Tom glances to Harrison with the role of his shoulders before peering back at Mikey. "When you care 'bout someone, you don't leave because there's an argument. You walk out of the room, let it cool down, and you talk it out. It's that fuckin' simple. I like her so I'll be here whenever she needs me."

Mikey leans back in his seat, arms crossing as he stares at Tom. He's trying his hardest to find every possible reason to hate him but Tom just keeps throwing every reason to like him. There's always going to be the aspect of Tom working with Arthur but the way Tom treats SJ makes up for it. He doesn't treat her like other people have and he looks at her like SJ makes his world go round. Mikey wants to hate him but Tom makes it hard.

"Her mom brings up alota shit for her, sends her into a spiral. She has a breakdown, takes it out on people she cares about. That's you." Mikey says, eyes still looking at Tom but they've lost their disdain. "She'll be up there at least an hour cooling off. You did the right thing leaving her alone and coming down here."Mikey's voice remains flat, almost reluctant on telling Tom anything. 

"Doesn't feel like it." Tom says, leaning back against the couch, running his hand through his hair once more.

"That's proof you did the right thing." Matty states, looking over to Tom.

"Why's she take it out on people?" Tom asks.

"She's scared." Mikey states. "Flight or fight and SJ's a fighter."

"Is she gonna be alright?" Tom's voice slightly distressed.

Mikey nods once. "Yeah, she'll be fine."

"What about you?" Harrison asks eyeing Tom.

"Fine." Tom says shortly.

Harrison shakes his head, letting out a breath. Tom doesn't walk away from people. He never has so Harrison knows it's eating at him but that doesn't mean Harrison doesn't agree. He would have walked away, too but that's always where they differed. Harrison just worries that if this doesn't work out, if this fight is too much or if SJ pulls away completely, it'll ruin Tom.

Tom sighs and stares at the TV. The house is silent besides whatever show is playing. There's no sound coming from the upstairs, just silence. Silence isn't always comforting but for SJ, it is. While the boys are downstairs, she's been cooling off, sitting at her desk. Her eyes sting from crying, they're puffy and everything looks foggy. Her nose is clogged and her entire body aches, a lump still jumping between her heart and throat. Everything was going so well and then her mom just had to show up.

SJ should have expected it but she felt safe with Tom. That's the issue with finding sanctuary in a person. It all seems so real but it's not. Sure, they're safe but they aren't bulletproof. No human is bulletproof and they can't protect anyone from everything. They can try to lessen the blow, but that bullet is still gonna hit and it just might go through both of them. It's a tough and painful spot for everyone. SJ knew better but she did it anyway because damn it, she deserves to be happy. But now, she's certain she's messed it up because she doesn't handle her problems "properly". She knows she's wrong and if it were reversed, she would have walked out, too but that doesn't ease the guilt or regret.

Then again, sometimes, guilt and regret can be good.

SJ flips the page of her book and something clicks. Her eyes widen and her thoughts start going a mile a minute as she jumps from her seat, searching for the laptop. Guilt and regret can make some people wallow and shut down but not SJ. She uses it to her advantage. With a few clicks on the laptop, she's able to view what she needs to and she has a plan.

She quickly grabs her phone and heads for the door. As far as SJ knows, Tom left but that doesn't mean Harrison isn't there and that doesn't mean she can't catch a bus or a train or even walk to Tom's apartment if she has to. However, she stops dead in her tracks when she sees over the railing to the living room and the back of Tom's head, him sitting right next to Harrison. Her sudden rushing and stopping grabbed all of their attention. SJ's eyes don't even look at anyone besides Tom.

"I...I thought you...."

Tom's heart pounds in his ears as he gets a look at her. Eyes red and hair messy as if she'd run her hand through it a hundred times. It hurts. "Told you I wouldn't." Tom says and his voice is gentle.

"Are you okay?" Harrison pipes up.

SJ nods. "Always, yeah."

"You were coming down here pretty fast." Matty chimes in.

"Yeah....I, uh," SJ stutters, looking back to Tom. "Was gonna go find....you." SJ bites her lip and her cheeks flush a pretty pink.

"You found me." Tom states.

"Yeah, can we talk?" SJ rushes her words, her head jerking up the stairs.

Tom nods and pushes himself off the couch, making his way to SJ. He's nervous as he follows her to her room and she is, too. Tom doesn't know exactly what she's going to say, if she's still mad, which he doubts but it's in his head. He wonders if he messed it up but SJ, she's just worried that she's going to mess things up further because yes, she is going to relay a plan to help him out of Arthur's game but that means she needs to apologize and more than that, it means she needs to explain a few more things. People run when it gets dark and twisty.

"Okay," SJ takes a deep breath as she closes her door. "I'm sorry." She sniffles once, her eyes just meeting Tom's. "You're right. I-I, uh, yeah, when shit hits the fan, I fuck people because there's no talking and no one wants to talk about the shit after sex. It gets me off for a night until I can think of some bullshit or some way to sugarcoat it. And....you don't...you don't deserve that."

Tom nods, taking a seat on the edge of her bed, watching her and waiting to see if there's more before he says anything.

"I....I just," SJ sucks on her teeth, dodging his stare. "I, really like you and," Her eyes go to the right, shame filling her expression. "It scares the hell out of me. I can fight people three times the size of me and I'm not scared. I'm scared of heights but I can face it. I, um, I'm scared of ending up like my mom but I know I won't. But...there's...." SJ licks her lips and picks at her nails, her eyes coming back to Tom's. "There's you. And you aren't a variable. You're a person. When I'm with you, you make my brain stall like...I don't have to be ten steps ahead of everyone all the damn time. Like.....I can breathe for the first time since....forever. So, when my mom shows up, I feel like I should have seen it coming. There was probably something and I missed it because I can breathe and I can relax and I don't have to fuckin' think with you and Tommy, it scares the hell out of me. And I took it out on you and I'm sorry because I shouldn't have. You deserve better." She croaks out the last part, trying not to break all over again.

The guilt is radiating off of SJ but that's not what's making Tom reach out of his arm, signaling for her to come to him. It's what she just said. Tom knows how she feels about feeling vulnerable and talking but she can be with him and she admits it. She admits it with her faults and Tom had already forgiven her before she even spoke but hearing it, that makes him know he doesn't deserve better because SJ is better. She's a mess but everyone is a little messy.

"'S alright." Tom says, softly, SJ standing between his legs, her hands on his shoulders and his hands on her hips.

"I....I, um, I...." SJ stammers, her hands squeezing his shoulders. "I don't....wanna lose you and I'm...scared I'm gonna fuck it up."

Tom shakes his head and squeezes her hips. "You still got me." He says simply, the prettiest and smallest smile coming to his face. "'M not gonna go anywhere, I promise." SJ's eyes start to water and Tom pulls her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist as he looks up to her. "Cause I really like you, too and it's like I can breathe around you, too."

SJ lets out a graceful chuckle, shaking her head before resting her forehead against his. Tom's eyes lock with hers and the smile that had formed faulters. Tom nudges her nose before kissing her softly and the smile comes right back. They're both pulled back into each other with one kiss. It's endlessly addicting and both of them are positive it would be devastating to have to go a day without it. She pulls away, eyes gentle and lip between her teeth.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Tom asks, voice kind and dulcet.

"No," SJ huffs. "But I will."

SJ moves out of Tom's grasp and sits beside him. She lets out a breath and Tom watches her carefully, surprised she's willing to talk. She's said a lot so he's surprised but he's so proud that she'll talk. Whatever pieces of her that are supposed to be shattered, they're gluing themselves back together and maybe Tom is just someone handing her the pieces.

"Okay, where do you want me to start?" SJ asks.

"Whenever you want." Tom states.

"Uh...." SJ scratches the side of her head, scrunching her face. "Okay....Arthur is the reason my mom is back. At least, I'm pretty sure because she's dressed pretty well and even from where I was, I could tell she was high. She doesn't have any connections here anymore besides Arthur because she burned them all. There's no reason for her to come back."

"Wait," Tom shakes his head. "Your mum knows Arthur, not just you?"

"Sadly." SJ rolls her eyes. "She was fuckin' him for drug money when she burned out everyone else. Don't really know how they met but it's Arthur and he's a slimy fuck and so is my mom so they probably just saw each other and bam. The rest is history, I guess." There's venom in SJ's words as she lays back. "I think Arthur did it because we both fought well this past weekend."

Arthur did look pleased by Tom's fight but he didn't with SJ's fight. Tom's getting better and so is SJ. They're getting closer. They get closer, they get better in the ring. That's not looking good for Arthur. He takes all the low blows and SJ is more than aware of it.  

Tom lays back with her, pulling up one of his knees and resting the heel of his foot on the edge of the bed. "Sounds like him." Tom agrees, his eyes staring at her ceiling. "What d'you plan to do then?"

"Ignore her until she fucks off." SJ groans. "Sure, she's here and it sent me into a tailspin but she's not gonna fuck up anything else. She'll be gone by Monday."

After the talk SJ and Tom originally had about her mom, he knows she's probably right but it breaks his heart that she knows that. Maybe it's better to know she won't stick around but it's heartbreaking nonetheless. As a kid, she shouldn't have had to deal with her mom leaving in order to give her this impression. She doesn't need her mom showing up and acting like she cares. If SJ is right, Arthur is paying her off. It took someone paying her mother to show up. It's disgusting.  

"I'm sorry, SJ." Tom turns his head, his eyes being met with the side of her face.

"Yeah, me, too." SJ shakes her head, glancing to him.

"That how you know Arthur?" Tom asks.

SJ faces him and turns her head. "Nope. I knew about him but I never met him until after my mom was long gone. You ready for this bit of the story?" Tom quirks a brow but nods. "Ian? The guy I owe money to? Yeah, he had a brother who worked for Arthur. Same shit as you. He was threatened and so he told Ian because shit like that scares a person. So, Ian knows I'm good with tech, he tells me he'll let me off the hook if I can pin Arthur for this shit. I agree because that's a fuck ton better than being in debt to a scumbag like Ian and I mean, Arthur's a piece of shit anyway. We get this plan that I'll hit up Arthur's office and Ian's brother will distract him. Arthur got a tip, probably from someone in the office and Ian's brother had a choice. His life or mine. So he pins me down with Arthur and Arthur brands me."

"So, you tried to prove what he was doing with his fighters? That's what happened?" Tom's eyes scan her face and SJ nods.

"Yeah, uh, I don't like Arthur anyway, obviously but he sells his boxers. He uses them and sells them if they lose so yeah. I got caught though, Ian's brother's lost, he was gone the next day and no one's seen or heard from him since. Ian doubled my debt. Arthur knew I wouldn't go to the cops because what the hell am I gonna say? I was illegally hacking into one of Chicago's finest computer's in his own office so he branded me? Yeah, not a good idea."

Tom's stomach drops as he listens to her recount the events. He knows. Arthur showed him what's on the laptop. It's an auction. He does sell his boxers and Tom knew but actually hearing SJ say it, hearing her say it happened, that's something else. Tom hoped that it was some twisted scare tactic but SJ's just crushed that small bit of hope. People don't disappear.

"Why not just tell them what you know?" Tom tries to reason, him trying to keep his mind from wandering and freaking out too much.

"Arthur probably transferred everything to a hard drive elsewhere until he knew it was safe, that I wouldn't say shit. And.....uh...he kind of.....miight have....more....on...me." SJ trails off.

Tom's eyes narrow as he stares at her. "What else is there?"

"So....you saw Travis." SJ looks away from him, his stare making her fiddle with her fingers.

"Yeah, yeah I did. What happened?" Tom loses the shocked tone, switching to one of apathy.

"Remember when I said he could have been extraordinary?"

"Yeah," Tom nods, moving to his side and using one of his hands to hold his head up. "'Bout hockey."

"Yeah," SJ looks to him. "He was." She sits up and chews her cheek, her jaw squaring as she faces Tom. "He found out he had a spine condition. It's where his spine narrows in his lower back. People can't play professional sports with it because it's a liability. If the spine gets hit right, that's it. Ya know? Well," SJ rolls her eyes. "My dad didn't know because why the hell would a kid need their spine x-rayed? So, when they did a physical for the Hawks, they found it and my brother was able to get this doctor to lie for him. Proof we're siblings, I guess. Talk anyone into anything if we try hard enough." Her words drip with snark and venom. "So, he goes to play for the Blackhawks. The dream. He did it. Until a year later when someone body checked him into the boards and that was it. Everything got stripped. Insurance, career, paychecks, his ability to walk. The money he had saved went to medical bills and it didn't take long before they piled up. And he's in constant pain. Constant pain means painkillers. He needs narcotics. They're expressive."

"What'd you do?" Tom's tone is low and touched with hints of worry.

"I got involved with Ian and started dealing. I had to make the money and I had to get Travis his meds. You do for family and desperate people do desperate things. My dad was pulling overtime every time he could but he was union. If there wasn't work, there wasn't work. His boss and co-workers let him take extra shifts when they could but it wasn't enough. So, I...I did what I had to."

"What happened?" Tom reaches out to her, his fingers lightly tapping her knee. His heart is aching with everything she's saying and he just wants her to know he's there and it's okay.

"Arthur caught me dealing. His nephew or something had gotten into drugs so he was tracking down who was selling to him. It was me because that's my life." SJ scoffs. "He had one of his employees buy from me with a wire and shit and he had photos. It's another reason he knows I wouldn't go to the cops over the burn. He's got blackmail."

"Why wouldn't he just turn you in after you broke into his office?"

SJ was afraid of that question. She's pretty sure she knows why but it's not something she's ready to get into. Before, SJ never had any intention on telling Tom every single detail but this bit especially. However, her mind has changed because Tom just takes everything in. He absorbs it all like a sponge and just lets it be. It's comforting, just not comforting enough to let her tell him now. She'll tell him, just when she doesn't need to explain a thousand different things at the same time. So, she opts for a response that isn't a lie.

"I think he's saving it for when he needs it. He didn't need it then. I can do whatever I want but the second I start talking to cops, that's when he'll flip."

This is all a lot for Tom take in. He knew it was going to be bad and complicated but he really didn't expect to get it all at once. Everything seems to be connected and Tom's head is just spinning so he can only imagine how SJ is feeling. She's been involved with a lot for years it seems and he gets it. The more he finds out the more he understands why she snaps and why she's afraid of letting people in. He's almost certain he wouldn't last if he were in her position. He felt like he could crumble just from Arthur alone, let alone everything else she's dealing with. SJ is unbelievably resilient.

"Where's that leave you then?" Tom asks.

"I have to have everything on Arthur. If I can get everything, what he has on me, won't matter." SJ's expression is harsh, full of determination.

An all too familiar feeling comes to Tom's stomach, one that says SJ is onto something and it'll be a lot to handle but he pushes it away because she wouldn't have that expression or be telling him that if she didn't need him. So, Tom sits up, feet planting on the floor. "Okay, whatever you need. I'll help."

"Funny you should say that." SJ grins, moving off the bed and going to her desk. She looks to Tom, a glint in her eyes as Tom just watches her in curiosity and slight amusement at her sudden change. "I have a plan."