SJ and Harrison went on their date. They ate together and actually both had a good time. They pushed their conversation from before out of their minds to at least enjoy the night. If they had to be on a date, they might as well have fun. And it was. The two found out they get along quite well and in SJ's words, if it weren't for everything going on, they'd be great friends anyway. Harrison felt relieved through the entire date knowing SJ was on the same level he was. He felt at ease with her for the first time since everything with Arthur had started. Harrison isn't stupid so his guard is up but it's nice for it not to be to the skies.

After they'd finished their desert, Harrison took SJ back to Mikey and Matty's by SJ's request. SJ didn't feel like being alone so she'd be staying with her friends for the night and Harrison didn't even question it. He was a complete gentleman and even opened the door for her when they pulled up to the curb. They were going to say a goodnight but Harrison had a few more questions he was dying to know and seeing as the night had gone so well, he'd been hoping she'd give him an honest answer.

"Alright, gotta know," Harrison leans against the car door. "Why didn't you go for Tom first?"

"Didn't I explain this?" SJ raises a brow, crossing her arms but there's a smile at her lips.

Harrison gestures a handout. "Did you?"

SJ laughs and nods. "Look, honestly?"

Harrison nods. "Yeah, honest."

"I don't do the feelings thing. I don't have the time, ya know? I dig him. He's cute. But, feelings, I just...don't."

"Are you scared?" Harrison asks and his brows pinch together as if to feel a pain for her.

SJ shakes her head. "No, not really." SJ moves to stand beside Harrison, leaning against the car. "Between you and me, I told Mikey and Matty that I was afraid Tom would distract me but...." SJ pauses and she looks up to Harrison, his eyes a prettier shade of sapphire in the light of the night. "He wouldn't." She lets out a gentle scoff. "But, if or when we'd have to fight each other, I couldn't do that. I mean, I would because it's my fuckin' life here but I wouldn't want to and I wouldn't want to make him have to decide on putting a fist to face or living the life Arthur has planned for him if he loses."

Harrison nods in understanding. She has a point. It wouldn't be fair for either of them to really, really have feelings for each other that are more than surface deep and then be stuck being pinned against each other. If SJ is right about Arthur, that is a hell of a situation. Literal hell but SJ also says she's literally going to die if she doens't win. If something were to happen between SJ and Tom, it's put a new meaning to finding someone to die for. It'd be literal.

On a good note, however, SJ did say she was going to try and help. Try to figure something out to help them and hopefully help herself. Harrison isn't sure what her plan is and SJ doesn't exactly have one yet but she'll think of one. Harrison needs her and she needs him. But, what SJ doesn't realize is that she also needs Tom. She needs him no matter what her plan is.

"So, you're scared of really liking him."

SJ slowly loses the smile and a look of heartbreaking honesty consumes her face. "Yeah, felt comfortable with him when I talked to him and I don't feel comfortable with anyone. I only feel comfortable with you because you told me shit. Tom didn't tell me anything and I still felt like I could trust him. I can't."

"He'd understand if you told him, if you wanted to." Harrison offers.

SJ chuckles a little. "I won't but nice try."

"Had to." Harrison laughs, running a hand through his messy curls before he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket.

"Tell him or my friends," SJ starts as Harrison pulls out his phone and starts reading a text. "I'll knock your damn teeth in."

SJ's wearing a smile but Harrison isn't. His expression had fallen as he'd read the text and it felt like someone was squeezing his heart. He coughed a few times and shoved his phone back in his pocket, forever regretting the night. SJ watched him and questioned it but assumed it was Tom. If only had it been Tom.

"Arthur's watching." Harrison mutters.

"What?" SJ asks, eyes glued on Harrison.

"He said he's just been watching."

SJ scoffs and turns away. "He's looking for a show."

"What?" Harrison asks, looking down to her.

"He wants a show."

"What do we do then?" Harrison asks, ditching the question on how she'd even know that's what Arthur would want. Harrison figures they're on borrowed time outside in the chilly weather so he might as well just roll with whatever SJ has up her sleeve.

"Don't freak out," SJ says, leaning her head against his arm. "Give you a hickey."

Harrison starts coughing again and it takes everything in SJ not to snap up and hit him. "Really?"

"That's a horrible idea."

"Do you want Arthur to think you're not trying to play him or not?" SJ questions and all she hears is Harrison sigh before his arm moves from behind her head and goes around her shoulders, pulling her in front of him.

Harrison tugs at SJ's hips, bringing her flush against him before he leans down. "Tom's gonna be pissed."

"That's what Arthur wants, man." SJ whispers but makes sure there's a smile tugging at her lip just in case Arthur really is watching them.

Harrison pulls away, but only enough to look at her. "Okay." He says simply and there's guilt in his eyes but there's guilt in SJ's, too.

SJ's guilty eyes and fake smile make Harrison more confident to follow through. If she feels as bad as he does, this isn't a vendetta. This isn't something to get herself ahead. It's strictly something to make sure Harrison and Tom have time. They need all the time they can get so if random hickies to make it look like Harrison isn't playing Arthur, then that's what has to happen. If Tom starts going south, Harrison will start talking.

There's hesitance in Harrison's movements, very obvious he's unsure if this is the right thing to do. His thumbs are rubbing over the red fabric of SJ's dress and he's pressing his forehead to hers but he can't bring himself to make a move, to escalate and put on a show.

SJ takes it into her own hands but there's hesitance in her movements as well, something Harrison didn't know could happen. She holds herself with so much confidence and ease, but it's like she's scared now. This is her idea and she's scared. Ironically enough, her fear makes Harrison trust her more.

"Say the word and we stop." her voice is gentle and soothing as her lips brush against Harrison's.

Harrison responds with anything other than the tilt of his head, pressing his lips to hers. It's rushed and tastes like shame. There's urgency but the urgency that isn't lust filled and makes someone want to jump out of their skin in ecstasy. The urgency is just that. Urgent. A need to get over and move on. It's two-sided and boring. No sparks or butterflies, fireworks or rainbows. Just fast, harsh, and dreading.

SJ is first to make the move down his neck, making sure the kisses from his jaw are quick but precise. Harrison lets his hands go to her back, gently squeezing. SJ's mouth connects with Harrison's neck and she nips at his skin. She's fast but efficient. Delicate but rough, just rough enough to make sure there would be a mark and there was. It's small and bright pink, a simple mark that'll be gone in two days.

Harrison is next and he follows the same steps SJ did. Careful but precise. He takes his time a little more, making sure to find the right spot and thinking that if Arthur was around, he just needed to believe it. Harrison needed their making out to just look believable. So he took a little more time and the bruise is a little bigger than his and a bright shade of purple by the time he's done and trailing kisses back to SJ's lips. And lucky for the two of them, Mikey was calling out of the upstairs bedroom.

"You guys gonna get a fuckin' room or what?"

SJ pulls away, a lazy smile on her face as her forehead rests against Harrison's for a few seconds. She pulls away from him, leaving his forehead cool. "I'm coming!" she yells as she looks over her shoulder. Mikey shakes his head but his shoulders move with a soft chuckle before he shuts the window. "Right on time."

"Did you plan that, too?" Harrison asks, half joking.

SJ laughs, shaking her head. "Nah, I'm good but not that good."

A sheepish smile forms on Harrison's face. "Good."

"Well, it was fun tonight but I will see you later." SJ grins, tapping Harrison's chest.

"Yeah, have a good night, SJ."

"You, too." SJ gives one nod. "Good luck with Tom." Her smile falls a little and she's sincere. "I hope he isn't mad."

"You and me both." Harrison agreed.

"Say what you have to if you need to tomorrow with Arthur. Dude won't come after me." SJ wiggles her brows with the statement.

"You're not going to explain that, are you?" Harrison asks as he watches her make the walk up the walkway.

"Nope, not yet anyway." SJ turns and gives Harrison a cocky smirk. "Maybe another time."

"Alright." Harrison shakes his head, the smile not leaving his face. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." SJ says before she opens the door and allows herself inside.

Despite smiles and airy words, SJ's gut is consumed in guilt. Her plan was to get into Tom's head but it is wrong. It's wrong for many, many reasons but mostly Arthur. She wanted out because of him but it was too late and now Tom is going to get mad and will likely be distracted. It's proof SJ needs to take a breath, look at things from all angles before making rash decisions. She's sure to take note of that if there's a next time. If she makes this work, can think of a plan that will work this time and benefit her, Tom, and Harrison. That's the only way now. The only way everything will be worth it.

By the time Harrison got home, Tom was asleep. It was truly lucky for him because he did not want to deal with what Tom was going to say. Harrison had the drive to figure out what he could tell Tom and what he couldn't but every run through of a conversation lead to Harrison just explaining everything. Harrison knows it's the guilt of everything but that doesn't make him feel any better. Tom will get over it. Tom will be fine, especially when Harrison can tell Tom everything but in the time he can't, it's going to be a living hell.

The next morning came around and Harrison and Tom were shuffling around their apartment getting ready for work. It seemed like a normal morning besides the undying tension.

Harrison woke up before Tom so he's yet to sit down and talk to him, tell him what the date pertained. He wanted time to tell him what happened, to tell him before he sees the already fading pink mark.

"That a bloody hickey?" Tom asks, coming into the kitchen dressed in a navy blue button up and grey dress slacks.

"Oh..." Harrison says, hand coming up to his neck. "Yeah."

Tom scoffs, moving around the kitchen to grab himself coffee and to-go bar. "She really into then, yeah?"

Harrison shakes his head even though Tom can't see him. "She's into you."

SJ said not to tell Tom what she said and he won't. Telling Tom she's into him isn't exactly what she said not to tell him. SJ can bend rules and find loopholes, Harrison can, too.

"Doesn't seem like it." Tom's voice is stone cold.

"She is. Asked her myself." Harrison tries.

"Doesn't matter." Tom brushes it off but his voice says it does matter.

It always matters. People's feelings matter whether anyone wants to admit them or not. The circumstances don't matter but feelings do. Tom's feelings for SJ matter, especially to Harrison. The only person who doesn't care is Arthur and he doesn't care because it doesn't benefit him to care about how Tom feels and what's really best for him. But, Tom can't let how he feels matters. Arthur scares the hell out of him and rightfully so. Arthur doesn't want Tom talking to SJ and he has to obey that out of fear of what Arthur will do to him if he doesn't. Tom's jealous but there's nothing he can do about it.

"Yeah, it does." Harrison states.

"It doens't." Tom presses, turning around with Harrison's coffee mug in hand.

"Why not? Seems like it does." Harrison takes the mug from Tom while Tom finishes pouring himself his own coffee.

"Just doens't, alright?" Tom snaps and Harrison just nods.

"Alright, got it." Harrison's eyes are wide, caught off guard but just slightly annoyed at Tom's snapping.

Harrison did deserve it in his mind. To Harrison, he deserved every nasty attitude Tom could throw but Tom doesn't know that. Harrison thinks he deserves it for how he's lying and just not telling Tom things that maybe he does need to know. But, Tom doesn't know any of that. Tom just thinks Harrison and SJ are into each other. That's it. Harrison wishes it were that fucking shallow.

Harrison and Tom drop the conversation as they head to work. It's silent unlike most days and part of Harrison wants to ask again. He knows it matters but there's something more going on than what Harrison thinks. Tom's only been mad at Harrison for a day but he's never acted like this. Even when Tom is angry, he still runs his mouth. It's just what he does. So, Harrison has to wonder about what SJ said and if there's  more to Tom, more Tom isn't telling him and it's eating him the same way it's eating Harrison. But, maybe he's just paranoid now.

They get to the office and before Harrison can even sit down, he's being called into Arthur's office. A look of worry consumes Tom, one completely replacing the annoyance and distant expression.

"What's he want?" Tom asks.

Harrison shrugs, playing coy. "No clue." Harrison states. Tom nods once but doesn't explain his sudden mood switch. "Something up?"

Tom shakes his head and takes his seat. "No."

Harrison brushes it off as his paranoia for his own sanity. He goes into the large office with glass doors and window covered with elegant shades, something that's maybe a little too much for an office. He knocks a few times before Arthur opens the door and allows him inside. Arthur gestures for Harrison to take a seat but he doesn't. Harrison remains standing, feeling a better sense of security.

"Okay, we'll stand." Arthur scoffs as he leans against the end of his mahogany desk.

"Yes?" Harrison says, wanting to get whatever Arthur wanted out of the way.

"How was the date?" Arthur asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Fine." Harrison says plainly, crossing his own arms.

"I see that." Arthur point to the pink mark. "Keep it up."

Harrison shakes his head. "No."

"No?" Arthur repeats almost dumbfounded.

It's been a day and Harrison is already tired. He doens't want to date SJ. He had hope that they could just do the one date and call it quits, just be friends like SJ said until she thought of a way to get everyone out of this big mess but Arthur is allowing that to backfire. Harrison doesn't want it. He'll take whatever Arthur is going to throw at him. If what SJ said is true, even part of it, Arthur won't fuck with Harrison too bad. He'll need Harrison by the end so he can't do anything. Harrison can be defiant and not worry as much. He's putting a little too much faith in SJ but sometimes people need to just take a leap and hope for the best.

"No. She's not even into me. She's into Tom and he's into her. So, no. I'm not fucking around with her." Harrison blurts it out for Tom's sake.

They're both into each other and the worst possible thing Arthur can do is make Tom do exactly what Harrison did and in which case, it'd likely just benefit the both of them. Harrison knows Tom better than anyone and if Harrison doesn't straighten this out now, Tom is just going to spiral from feeling betrayed and whatever else could possibly be going through his head.

"What's with the hickey then?" Arthur challenges.

"She had a bit to drink and wanted to make Tom jealous. I played along because you said you were watching." Harrison remarks, voice not quite snarky but not polite either.

Arthur uncrosses on arm, holding a finger to his lips as if to be thinking. "She likes Tom, huh?"

Harrison nods. "Yeah."

Arthur nods but he gains this expression that makes Harrison's stomach turn. "Go to work."

Harrison shakes his head but doesn't bother saying anything else. Maybe he shouldn't have told Arthur. Truthfully, Harrison has no idea what he's doing. What the right thing to do is. Everything seemed easier just the other day but now it just looks like a trainwreck. Harrison feels like he's been dragged down an endless pit and he's dragging Tom with him but Tom doesn't even know he's doomed yet. It's exhausting.

When Harrison takes his seat in the cubby behind Tom's, Tom peaks over the divider with a raised brow.

"Everything alright?" Tom asks and Harrison has never heard that kind of worry in Tom's voice before.

"Fine, why?" Harrison asks and it's a good thing he's a better liar than Tom.

Tom shakes his head. "Checkin'." Tom brushes it off but Tom's a terrible liar. "Sorry, for earlier."

Harrison shakes his head. "'S alright. Be pretty pissed if I were you." There's a smile coming to Harrison's face and Tom matches it.

Tom nods with an apologetic smile before disappearing behind the divider again. Tom feels guilty for being pissed and he knows he doens't have a leg to stand on about it. So he did owe Harrison an apology. Plus, it doesn't help that Arthur calling Harrison into his office freaked Tom out enough to just shove it all to the side. Tom knows what Arthur is capable of and he doesn't want Harrison to deal with it. Tom has to push it all aside and remain level-headed with Harrison. However, he doesn't have to with SJ.

If SJ is into Tom like Harrison says she is, why would she go on a date with Harrison? Tom's only conclusion is because she's fucking with him and that doesn't sit quite well with him.

The workday progresses and before Tom even knows it, he's making his way out of the building and heading right for the gym. Harrison is going home first so it's just him and Tom is just hoping that SJ is either working or working out and he can talk to her. He might not be able to get with her but he can try and make sure she isn't just screwing with Harrison to get to him. It goes against what Arthur said but Tom hopes that Arthur either won't know or will actually believe him that he was just watching out for Harrison. Arthur's thought process is always up in the air.

SJ is gathering her things, staring at the clock and waiting for the second she can clock out. It's been a long day and it's not over yet. She still has one more thing she needs to take care of and it's the thing she's been dreading and will dread every single week. But, because her day has seemed to go so well, before she can clock out, the glass door to the building opens and in walks Tom dressed in his office clothes. Tom spots her at the counter and doesn't waste any time before approaching her.

"I need to talk to you." Tom's words are harsh, similar to how SJ sounded the first time she talked to him.

"Can it wait like two minutes?" SJ snarks.

"Yeah." Tom nods, fingers tapping on the counter and SJ can't tell if it's nerves or annoyance, maybe both.

"You can change first?" SJ points out his bag hanging from his shoulder.

Tom nods and his jaw clenches before he walks away. You rolled her eyes and can only assume it's something about Harrison. Based on Tom's mannerisms, she's gonna guess it's not because Harrison told him anything but because of the hickie.

If it were anyone else, she'd be fine it'd be working but it just has to be him and she hates that he makes her feel guilty for ever thinking anything was a good idea. And she hates him for being nice when they talked and being so damn comfortable. SJ didn't know it was possible to just...fall. But here she is and she's going to ignore it as much as humanly possible.

SJ clocks out and waits for Tom by the counter, constantly checking her phone for the time. She'll be late if he doesn't hurry up. She's already late as it is and she's already going to get an ear full if not more. So why is she bothering to give Tom the time of day? Maybe it's the thrill.

"What're you doin'?" Tom blurts out, catching SJ off guard as she pries her eyes away from her phone.

"You really do come out of fucking nowhere, you know that?" SJ retorts, heading for the door, holding it open as she walks through so it doesn't shut in Tom's face. "What do you want?"

Tom keeps up with her, not even caring that they're walking away from the gym. "Do you really like him? Or are yo fuckin' with him?"

SJ groans and turns, Tom almost running into her. "Are you fucking with me? That's what you're pissy about? Dude, get the fuck over it."

"You didn't answer the bloody question."

"Are you jealous?" SJ tilts her head but there's not a playful glint in her eyes or smile coming to her face. Her brows are pulled together and her mouth is in a tight line.

"Don't fuck with him." Tom says, the small distance between them closing as he steps forward. "Didn't do fuckin' shit."

SJ can feel his breath on her cool skin and goosebumps rise to her arms. He smells of like Armani and she's never been this close to him and she hates it because she wants to be closer.

"Look, Pretty Boy, I got shit to do so if you're gonna bitch about this, go bitch to someone who gives a fuck." SJ's eyes glance down Tom until they meet back up to his eyes.

There's silence between the two of them. They're standing in the middle of the sidewalk as cars pass and the sounds of the city surround them. Eye contact doesn't break as if they're battling to see who will cave first and Tom hates himself because he swears that she's playing him and Harrison like her own personal fiddle but he still finds himself getting lost with her. It's so unfair that people can just...fall for no reason. No reason at all. People just gravitate towards each other and maybe it's fate or maybe it's something totally different but whatever it is, it can totally suck. But, Tom doesn't move. SJ doesn't move. There's just this tension that feels like a rubber band about to snap.

"What happened the other night? We talked and I thought we were fine but you've turned around to flirt with my best mate. Why?" Tom asks, stance remaining still but his voice changes away from the accusation tone to one of curiosity and genuine ache.

"What part of you're my competition are not getting? You think you know what the fuck is going on here and you have no-"

"The fuck I do!" Tom yells, looking up to not yell directly in her face. "I get it, competition but Harrison comes home to tell me you're into me but you're giving him hickies. Kind game are you playin' and why?"

SJ hesitates. For the first time with Tom, she hesitates. Hesitation gets people hurt but he doesn't know. He thinks he knows and SJ knows why. And she is into him but that doesn't mean anything, just like what she told Harrison. It can't mean anything because she can't fight someone she gives a shit about. But, she finds her herself owing him something.

SJ lets her voice become grounded, understanding. "I know what Arthur did to you."

Tom's heart stops and plummets. It feels like he's just been hit by a freight train derailing at top speed. She can't know anything. How could she possibly know anything at all? She's just some girl who's fighting. But the look of pure sorrow written across her face tells Tom she's not lying. She knows.

"What?" Tom croaks. "W-what do-what do you mean? He didn't...what?"

"Okay." SJ nods but her tone doens't change. "I know what he did. I know what he's going to do to you if you don't win and for that, I'm sorry. So, if I were you, I'd do whatever the fuck he says. Don't worry about other fuckin' shit, alright? Just do what he says."

"What'd he do to you?" Tom comes back but it's the same tone SJ is holding.

SJ looks away and takes a step backward. "What hasn't he done?"

Tom's heart aches and he feel a lump forming in his throat for her. If Arthur did anything close to what he's done to Tom, Tom understands why SJ is the way she is. He doesn't need any more backstory.

"Are you okay?" Tom asks and he takes another step forward.

"I have to get some shit done. Are you okay?" SJ asks.

Tom runs a hand through his hair before dragging it down his face. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You keep telling yourself that, Pretty Boy." SJ sighs and there's this sense of understanding SJ can feel herself wanting to run to. She wants to run to someone who knows. But she can't. She can't but not for her. " I have to go." SJ turns away before Tom can stop her.

"SJ!" Tom hollers after her.

"Go train." SJ turns around but keeps walking. "You'll need it!"

SJ turns back around and leaves Tom to himself. She said a little too much but she isn't thinking straight. That's the problem getting involved this deep with people and their business. She doesn't think straight and she messes up. But, now the only thing she can do is hope she didn't say too much and Tom will be too worried to say anything out of fear for exposing himself. For ruining his chances of making it out of this.

SJ arrives at Ian's after a twenty-minute walk. She opens the gated door before knocking, loud music is heard from outside of the house and she knows what that means. SJ should have just stopped by on her break even if it meant she would have been late. The door opens and Ian welcomes her inside.

Smoke filled the small living room, a few people scattered about looking high out of their minds. SJ can only guess what they're on and how much of it they took. Drug use, not something she ever understood. SJ watches her step over the tan carpet where a few dishes and cans lay scattered as she follows Ian to a room that should be a small dining room. SJ slings off her bag and digs through it, pulling out an envelope.

"Here." She hands it over.

Ian opens it to see the money and a smile crosses his face. "What took you so long?" Ian asks.

"Tuesday, man. Took all of two days." SJ retorts.

Ian's eyes darken and it's like a switch was flipped. Before SJ can even say an apology, Ian's hands are coming to her throat and pinning her against the nearest wall. Her eyes shut from the impact and she kicks to try and hit Ian's shins but nothing. She claws at his arms but her nails are too short to do any damage. Tears trickle behind her eyes as her throat is being crushed. Her head starts spinning and panic sets in that he's on something and she's not sure if he'll lighten up.

She should have come with Mikey. Mikey never lets her go alone and this is why. Ian's an idiot but he doesn't fuck around and Mikey was always there to make sure Ian kept his hands away from her but now it's just her.

Ian's grip finally loosens and SJ gasps for air. "Don't smart off."

"Mikey....had to get it." SJ chokes out. "I'm not....allowed."

Ian lets go completely and SJ falls to floor coughing and trying to get oxygen back into her lungs. "Better not be late."

"Got it." SJ's voice comes out hoarse.

Ian goes back to the money, leaving SJ on the floor to let her get back to breathing correctly. He shuffles through it, counting it. "Keep this up and you and your pretty little friends will be just fine." A sinister smile comes to his lips and SJ needs to think of a plan sooner rather than later to save her ass.

SJ gains her footing, standing back up. "Not a problem."