The few feet of space between everyone becomes stiff as they glance at each other. Matty might as well have a bowl of popcorn to watch everything unfold. He knows you can't stand to interact with other boxers and it looks like you'll have to at least be around Tom fairly often. Matty wants you to win and keep your head on straight but he can't help but find amusement in your luck.

Mikey doesn't know how to react. He doesn't want Tom anywhere near you. Mikey's seen enough boxers and trained with you long enough to know he's gonna be hell to beat. Tom being in the same gym might distract you and then there's Harrison. Harrison knows Tom too well and he doesn't want Tom near you for the same reasons Mikey doesn't want you around each other.

But, of course, there's Tom. His eyes are a bit wide, not fully expecting to actually run into anyone from the club's basement. Chicago is a big city. What are the odds Arthur would pick this gym, the one you train and work at, for him and Harrison to attend? Not as small as Tom would like. That said, Tom isn't pissed or worried when he sees you. He's pleased because to say he didn't want to talk to you, would be a lie. You're exactly his type and he's all for playing with fire.

"Y/n, Mikey, this is Harrison and Tom." Maurice gestures to the blond and brunette. "And Matthew." Maurice nods to Matty who gives Tom and Harrison a wide smile and a short wave.

"Nice to meet you." Tom says first moving to the ropes of the ring to shake your and Mikey's hands.

Mikey shakes first but you narrow your eyes while removing the boxing mitts. Your mouth is pressed into a hard line and your teeth grit together in pure annoyance. Tom gains the softest touch of a smile with the look on your face. It's the one he's received before, the one that says he's real competition. Sure, he saw you fight your first match of the season so he knows you're going to be hard to beat if you last that long but he can beat you. So, his hand remains extended and you step forward, shaking it once and pulling your hand back before crossing your arms.

"You, too." You mutter.

"You a trainer here?" Tom gestures to the boxing mitts.

You scoff, shaking your head. "No."

Tom raises his brows, waiting for more of explanation but you just blink, not wanting to talk to him. Tom sighs and the smile falls. It's not that he thinks he's irresistible or anything like that, but he's not done anything to you and you don't seem to care for him. He'd be lucky if you gave him the time of day and by the harsh glare on your face, he's lucky you've said anything to him at all.

"Y/n helps with our computers and machines, mostly." Maurice explains.

Tom quirks a brow. "You do?"

"Someone has to do it." You quip.

Tom nods, not wanting to piss you off more he clearly already has. Maurice shakes his head, not surprised by your coldness.

"Don't mind y/n. You get used to her." Maurice says.

"Hey, I'm nice when I'm working." You say as you exit the ring, Mikey following right after.

"Are you?" Maurice squints but there's a smile on his lips.

You laugh softly nodding your head and licking your lips. "Usually!"

"Exactly." Maurice says, joking smile still on display. "Well, I'm gonna give them the rest of the tour but Tom's told me they're both boxers so I figured you would like to meet them." Maurice explains.

"I'm good with Mikey, but thanks."

"You sure?" Maurice points to a bruise near your jaw.

Maurice is always onto you. He doesn't think you're into the underground competition but that's only because he thinks you're too smart for it. You can get yourself into plenty of trouble and always have but you've always been able to get yourself out of it. According to Maurice, you couldn't have gotten into anything bad enough to end up in an underground league. You're just too smart for it, on the surface. But, he does have his suspicion of you fighting somewhere that isn't legal. You come in with random bruises far too often and Mikey isn't one to just rough you up for training. But, Maurice isn't stupid and doesn't ask many questions.

"Mhm." You hum.

"We were headed out anyway." Mikey says, unwrapping his hands after exiting the ring.

"Uber should be here soon." Matty says, putting his phone into his pocket.

"We'll leave you then." Maurice says but Tom doesn't start walking.

"Can I have a minute?" Tom asks, eyes on you.

"No." You say but Mikey nudges you.

"We'll be outside." Mikey says, gesturing to Matty. Your eyes go wide and your jaw clenches in frustration but you keep silent, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Yeah, outside." Matty scoffs, nodding to Tom. "It was nice meeting you."

"Let's go." Mikey throws his bag over his shoulder and his hands on Matty's shoulders, pushing him towards the door. "Let her tell him off." He whispers to Matty as the two leave.

Maurice and Harrison leave you and Tom to yourselves. You stay silent, putting your things back into your bag and tossing the same black hoodie that was originally Mikey's over your head. You reach for the rubber band holding your hair up and tug it loose, allowing your hair to fall messily. Tom's brows furrow when he catches glimpses of the blue stripes in your hair, something he didn't notice with your hair pulled back. You're sweaty, no makeup, bags under your eyes, but Tom is looking at you a little bit in awe.

"What're you doing here?" You break the silence, annoyance laced in the word.

"What?" Tom asks and you don't even have to look at him to know his expression has confused written all over it.

"People who do what you do, only do it when they need the money. If you're here, you don't need the money that bad." Your voice is a harsh whisper, wanting to know exactly why Tom is at this gym.

"My boss recommended it." Tom shrugs as if it were nothing.

You lose the harsh expression and your brows furrow. "Boss?"

"Yeah, why?"

You remember two other times a boxer has shown up at this gym and you know how they got there. There are cheaper gyms to train at and this one isn't one of them. The boss always seemed to be in on the underground league. You know who the guy is and what he's about. It seems the only people who don't know are those that get involved with him. Maybe they never know because they're blinded by the luxuries or maybe they don't know because they're not usually from the city. If they are from the city, they don't travel in the grimy circles that would allow them to hear the rumors. But, then again, it is all just rumors.

"Have fun with that." You remark.

"What's that mean?" Tom asks.

"You'll see, I'm sure." You say, your backpack now clung around your shoulders. "Now what'd you want? I've got shit I need to do."

Tom has more questions but given your attitude, he's not going to badger you. "Well, was thinkin'," Tom starts, rubbing the back of his neck. "Since we're both...boxers..." Tom uses the word carefully. "Maybe we could hang out, ya know?"

You laugh and quickly shake your head. "Not even in your dreams."

"Why not?" Tom asks, genuine curiosity across his face.

"I don't hang out with competition, Pretty Boy." You grin and go to turn around.

"But you think I'm pretty." Tom challenges, keeping his stance.

You face him and if he were anyone else, you would take that. You would take it and nod to it, then agree to have dinner or lunch or just catch a movie but, he's him. Your competition who you can't allow to get inside your head.

"It's not a compliment." You say.

"I think you're pretty." Tom says softly.

"You should." You smirk before starting for the door.

"That's it?" Tom asks and there's an amused smile on his face.

You bite back your smile but keep your back to him, holding your hand up as a motionless wave. He's cute and charming. There's a cockiness to his voice and words but it's not over the top. There's a gentleness and sincerity. You're making the right choice to leave him in the gym and not let him speak or hear him out for another second. He will, without a doubt, distract you from your goal.

You meet the boys outside, an Uber ready for Matty and you while Mikey had his bike.

"To the house and we'll go from there?" Mikey asks when he sees you.

"Yep." You nod once and you and Matty get into the Uber, allowing Mikey to head out first.

Meanwhile, Tom catches up with Maurice and Harrison, the two of them signing up Tom and Harrison for membership by the register. Tom doesn't interrupt, knowing Harrison can handle everything and he doesn't want to be rude. So, while he waits, he can't help but question what you had said. You told him to have fun with his boss. There isn't a way you could know who his boss even is, at least, not that Tom knows. The way you spoke of needing money suggests you've never even worked for him. Yet, you still seems to know something Tom doesn't. It's all a bit weird and it's leaving Tom completely lost.

"We're set." Harrison hands Tom a small card. Tom takes the card and pulls out his wallet, placing the card inside. "She turn you down?" Harrison chuckles.

"Yeah," Tom shrugs a shoulder. "But she said something 'bout having fun with Arthur recommending this gym."

"So?" Harrison asks, stuffing his hands in his jeans pockets.

"Weird, I guess."

"Don't go digging into whatever conspiracy theories you're thinking. You've a match to win, tonight." Harrison jokes as the two head for the exit.

"'Course." Tom remarks with a scoff before his phone goes off. "'S Arthur, says there'll be a car to pick us up."

"Better get back then." Harrison says and the two start the short walk to Tom's and Harrison's apartment.

With their apartment not too far, Tom had started to brush off Arthur telling them to go to this gym. He brushed off every strange and terrible thought that crossed his mind assuming that maybe Arthur was just being nice and allowing them to attend a closer gym, recommending it. It made sense but now it's going to bother him.

"Dude," Harrison catches Tom lost in his head. "Don't let her get into your head. She's hot and shit but so what? Plenty of other girls and she's probably fuckin' with you to get in your head."

"Yeah, yeah." Tom nods quickly, brows knitting together. "I know. It just caught me off guard."

"Right." Harrison rolls his eyes. "Seriously, don't bother fucking with her."

"She's not interested anyway." Tom laughs. "Think she might be with...what's his name? Mikey?"

Harrison shrugs. "Probably. So, forget her and focus tonight, please?"

"Yeah." Tom gives Harrison his infamous cocky grin, one that shows his determination and willingness to win.

Tom and Harrison make their way to their apartment and get their things together, Tom changed from his street clothes and into athletic clothing. Harrison helped pack up Tom's boxing stuff for him and before they know it, there's a car pulling up for them and it's show time.

Already in the club's basement was you with Matty and Mikey, the three of you getting ready just as you were the night before. Matty is playing the usual music and Mikey is wrapping your hands. You're focused but tired from your day of working at the diner. You stretch your neck, your neck cracking in the process. Your shoulders roll and crack.

"You alright, Rocket?" Mikey asks.

"Fuckn' exhausted." You sigh, running a hand through your hair. "Hey," You start before Mikey could start on his reassures spiel. "What happened to the other two boxers that went to our gym? The ones that were there like two weeks?"

Mikey shrugs, giving you a knowing look. "What do you think?"

"That's what I was thinking."

"Why?" Matty asks.

"Tom said his boss recommended the gym." You confess.

"Okay? So?" Matty says.

Mikey turns to face Matty, shaking his head before looking back to you. "You think he's that stupid?"

"I don't think he knows and I don't know for sure."

"Why do you care who his boss?" Matty pushes.

"The more I can know about him, the better my chances." You mumble. "I gotta know who has got him here in order to know his technique and strategy. Look for him in the crowd. We'll stay for the fight with Tom and look for him."

"Got it. If I see him?" Mikey asks.

You shrug a shoulder before standing up. "I don't know." You close and open your hands. "Ready?" You ask and the boys stand up.

"Are you?" Mikey asks.

"Always." You nod once and give him a confident smile.

"Go get 'em, Rocket." Mikey chuckles, grabbing your gloves for you.

You, Mikey, and Matty walk out into the grimy and cold hallway, making your way to the center of the basement. The crowd is just as big as it was the night prior. Just as loud, just as rowdy. It's still a little nervewracking but it's also an adrenaline rush. You thrive on it and you're going to win. Your eyes are set on winning the second Mikey helps you into the ring. You win and that's it.

While you were taking the ring, Tom, Harrison, and Arthur were seated front row of the makeshift seating arrangement. Tom's fight, just like the night before, is after the fight after yours so he has time to watch you and Arthur seems keen on him watching you.

Tom feels uneasy sitting on one of the side of Arthur while Harrison is on the other. Harrison is right, Tom shouldn't be hung up on something you said because Tom doesn't know you. All he knows is that you can throw a punch and handle yourself inside of a ring. That's it. You could very well be the cruelest person to ever exist on the face of the planet and you could just be fucking with him but, your words are in the back of his head. You're either a good actress or you really are onto something.

The round proceeds and Tom's elbows are rested on his knees, one hand over the other as he watches. He might be attracted to you and he might just want to watch to watch, but he's going to also use it to his advantage. He's going to watch and try and see if you have a pattern to how you fight. If he has to fight you, he might as well try and get one step ahead of you.

Arthur notices Tom's stare and it doesn't sit too well, especially when you win the first round and he sees Tom's face lift with a smile. The last thing Arthur needs is Tom getting distracted and happy that someone won. Every single person that wins is just another obstacle for Tom to face later on. Arthur is not happy and he glances to Harrison who looks far more uneasy than Tom and that's when Arthur knows how to get to Tom.

The next round proceeds and you get hit hard in the ribs, immediately followed with a hit to your face. Tom winces as he watches the blows and you stumbling to regain your footing. His focus is fully on you, so much so that he doesn't notice Arthur gauging Tom's reactions to everything you do.

However, Arthur's anger only intensifies when you manage to regain your footing and pull yourself together, winning the round. You're declared the winner of your second match and Tom's gained a telling smile. His eyes are bit brighter and it's as if he's proud of you. And he is but it's not exactly just pride, Tom is simply impressed with your ability to just regain and hold your focus to win. To hold out and just win as if you've been doing it your entire life, like you're meant to be inside of a ring. You might be viewed as an underdog as the only girl in the entire competition, but you're no one to fuck with and you will prove it. Arthur doesn't want you to prove it to Tom and he's pissed that Tom might let you if he doesn't pry his eyes from you.

Arthur leans in to whisper to Harrison. "If he fucks up, it's your ass on the line as well. Remember that, Osterfield."

Harrison's blood runs cold and he gulps with Arthur's words, almost certainly confirming Harrison's fear. "Understood, sir." Harrison says clearly but quietly.

"Good." Arthur rests a hand on Harrison's shoulder, squeezing it a bit too tight. "Time to get ready, Holland." Arthur releases Harrison's shoulder, turning to Tom.

Tom wipes the smile from his face as if he knew it'd be bad if Arthur noticed. It's a shame Tom didn't notice before Arthur did. Had he, the ice wouldn't be thinning and the stakes wouldn't be rising but Arthur chooses not to tell Tom what he's in for right now. It would only distract him. Arthur is a man who waits for just the right time to relay information and to use it t his own advantage. Threatening Tom would do no one any good at this exact point.

You exit the ring with the help of Mikey. Matty is quick to approach the two of you, grabbing the towel Mikey had for you and putting it to your bleeding nose. The three of you walk back to the room you had gotten ready in. There's a terrible ache in your ribs, an ache you know you'll have for at least a few days and an ache you know will end up a giant bruise. You have an arm crossed over your stomach and your hand holding your side while your other hand is holding the now bloody towel to your face. It's only the second fight and you're already tired and hurt. This year is going to be literal hell and all you can think is that it better be worth it.

You take a seat in the room and Matty is quick to pull his backpack from his back and pull out of a first-aid kit. You shake your head slightly, smiling at Matty. He's always been the mom friend, first-aid kit on hand at all times and he always has a little extra cash just in case someone needs it. He's the friend that makes sure you and Mikey are drinking enough water. Matty can be quite the lifesaver.

"You see him?" You ask, pulling the rag from your nose to let Matty get a look.

Mikey shakes his head. "No, I was a little busy watching you get your ass handed to you that second round. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." You groan while Matty presses against your nose to make sure it's not broken.

"Not broken." Matty says, pulling your hand back to your nose before digging in the kit. He starts cracking a little blue pack and hands it to you. "Here, put it on the bridge of your nose."

"Who carries icepacks with them?" Mikey questions.

"I do, obviously." Matty snarks. "Ribs?"

"Hurt like a bitch." You mumble.

Matty presses against your bare skin, his fingers brushing over old bruises. You flinch for a second but just a second.

"Good, I think." Matty says. "Now, take this gauze." Matty hands you some gauze to replace the towel. "It should stop bleeding soon."

"Good because we have to watch Tom's fight." You say, swapping out the bloody towel.

"You sure? You can get some rest, ya know." Mikey crosses his arms over his chest.

"You have to look for Romano and I need to figure out what Tom's rhythm and method is. Watching one fight isn't going to help." Your words are slightly muffled with your hand blocking your mouth.

Matty and Mikey share concerned expressions but Mikey nods. "Alright, yeah." He runs a hand through his hair and you roll your eyes.

"I have the rest of the week to relax and rest anyway. You need to relax."

"I need to relax?" Mikey raises his voice. "I'll relax when you start using that your brain instead of your fucking fists."

"Would you fuck off with that bullshit? I am using my brain. That's how this works. If you don't like it, fuckin' leave, Mikey!" You stand up, gesturing your hand with the icepack toward the door.

Mikey sucks on his teeth, clearly holding back from whatever he wants to say. "Don't get yourself killed. I'll meet you out there." Mikey mutters as he heads for the door, slamming it shut behind him.

You huff as you plop back down, readjusting the gauze to see if your nose has nearly stopped bleeding. Matty is still crouched on the floor, his eyes showing his disapproval for your outburst. Matty wants everyone to get along but he agrees with Mikey. You're too smart to be here but you are. There are other ways but you're too stubborn and paranoid to look at it from a different angle. You should have looked at your situation from a different angle years ago.

"He just gives a shit about you." Matty says softly. "We both do."

"I know." You say.

"It's just your first time getting hurt this year, just like last time. Let him calm down and don't push him, okay?"

You nod, handing him the icepack back. "He just bugs me, sometimes. I love him but he bugs me."

Matty laughs. "Everyone bugs you."

"People suck." You laugh, taking the gauze from your nose.

"Not everyone." Matty says, taking the gauze from your hand and tossing it the trash as he gets up.

You nod but only slightly. "Yeah, I guess."

Matty takes out his small bottle of hand sanitizer that smells like vanilla and gives you a drop before squirting some into his hands. "Come on. We should get out there." Matty digs through your bag and hands you the hoodie. You toss it over your head while Matty carries your backpack. "You should take it easy this week though." Matty says as you leave the room.

"Yeah, yeah, okay, Mom." You quip, just barely nudging Matty's shoulder with yours.

You make your way through the hallway and to the ring. You glance around until you find Mikey. Mikey isn't one to stay too mad for too long, especially when it comes to you. You've been friends forever and you know how to push his buttons better than anyone but he can never stay mad at you. He'll always have a soft spot for you.

"Nose feel better?" Mikey asks as you stand next to him.

"A bit." You says, allowing a soft smile to tug at your lips. "Sorry."

"Yeah, me, too." Mikey wraps an arm around your shoulder and pulls you in for a side hug. "Haven't seen him." Mikey states, releasing you.

"No?" You ask, looking up to Mikey.

"Nope. Not yet anyway."

"Well," You start as you look towards the ring, Tom now going under the ropes and Harrison standing in his corner. "Pretty Boy's just entered the ring so maybe he'll turn up."

"You watch Tom and I'll watch out for Romano." Mikey says, looking around the basement in a search of a man who might look slightly out of place or a man who will look too focused on the brunette standing in the ring.

The group of you watch the fight and around the entire basement. You keep your focus on Tom, trying to figure out his pattern. What you've learned from fighting is that everyone has a rhythm, a pattern to how they fight. They take their swings when they can, obviously, but they all move a specific way. If you can figure out exactly how Tom moves around a ring, you can outsmart him and win when you have to go against him. If you can stay one step ahead of him, you'll be able to lay him out in seconds. At least, that's what you thought.

Tom wins the first round, not even taking a single hit. Your confidence falters for a second. You're standing in the grimy, dirty basement with terrible lighting and molding ceilings injured and Tom's standing perfectly fine with an easy win. So far, you've underestimated him and when you think you can figure out how to beat him, he throws you off guard. If everything you love wasn't on the line, you'd actually find it endearing and impressive but now, now it's just worrisome.

The next round moves on and Tom takes a hit to the ribs but he doesn't even budge. He moves out of the way and then takes his shot. His arms are flexed, veins showing, and his abs become defined as he swings, fist connecting with his opponent's ribcage and then face. With those two punches, Tom doesn't lighten up. His opponent isn't sturdy so Tom just goes for it. Punch after punch Tom hits, breathing heavy and soft grunts fall from his lips. You watch in a state of silent fascination.

"Y/n..." Matty whispers. "Can I think that's hot?"

"So hot." You mumble, glancing to Matty who just smirks. "I hate him."

Matty almost laughs at your words. Mikey overhears you both and rolls his eyes but there's a smile coming to his face, amused that two of you are both watching the fight and finding Tom attractive. He expects nothing less from the two of you but it still makes him smile.

In just a few more seconds, Tom is declared the winner. You nod a few times, when Tom's eyes fall on yours. You don't want anything to do with him....well, not right now but you can nod to him. He gives you the smallest smile but it's one that shows his thanks and pride. But the moment of you looking not annoyed with Tom only lasts a few seconds before you feel your phone vibrate in your hoodie pocket. When you pull it out, a sense of panic runs through you.

"Travis, be back." You mutter quickly before making your way out of the crowd and to the nearest exit.

Tom watches you leave before he exits the ring. He notices Mikey and Matty not following you and while you actually haven't been anything but rude to him, he questions it a bit. But, he has to brush it off as Harrison congratulates him on the win and the two meet up with Arthur.

"Well done." Arthur says.

"Thank you." Tom says.

"You seemed focused up there tonight, much better than last night." Arthur continues as they make their way to the room.

"Just tryin' to win." Tom states.

"Keep at it then." Arthur says and his tone is harsh, stern even compared to the uplifting one he had the night before when he was congratulating Tom on winning. "I will see you both on Monday." Arthur nods to Harrison and Tom before he leaves them.

Harrison opens his mouth to speak but Tom beats him to it. "Aye, I'm gonna go-"

"No." Harrison shakes his head. "Whatever you're gonna say, no." Arthur's words reply in Harrison's head.

"Come on, she took some hard hits and her friends stayed."

It takes everything in Harrison not physically explode from Tom's sentence. "Dude, no."

"It's fine. I'm just making sure she's alright." Tom grabs his bag from Harrison, digging through it and grabbing his hoodie.

Harrison rubs his hand over his face. "Just make it quit, ya? I wanna get home." Harrison knows there's no convincing Tom and he can't state his worry for what Arthur said with people around. It doesn't feel safe.

"Gimme five minutes." Tom says, handing his bag back to Harrison.

"Yeah." Harrison sighs, gesturing his hand out for Tom to leave.

Tom doesn't waste any more time before making his way back into the center of the basement. He moves around the crowd of chairs and standing people until he reaches the exit he saw you use. The door creaks open and Tom steps out into the chilly air. He looks around and he spots you slouched against the wall with your legs pulled up and your forearms resting on your knees. You're gripping your phone while your head is hung.

"Hey." Tom says, pulling your attention.

You look at him and Tom gets a little closer look at your face, the damage from the fight that night. There's a bruise already forming around your eye. But, you don't look too upset which Tom finds relief in. With your posture, he expected to find your eyes puffy and red but they're not. They're cold, just as they have been towards him. Your mouth is pressed into a hard line and you look ready to snap at him for even daring to approach you.

Tom expects you to tell him to leave you alone but he takes a few steps forward anyway and you says nothing, you just watch him. His steps become more hesitant as he closes the distance between the two of you, unsure of why you're not telling him to leave you alone. You should, most people would in his opinion. But you don't. You're just completely silent but visibly pissed off which is further proof Tom's got a thing for everything dangerous.

Tom leans against the wall and slides down it, keeping a distance of about a foot between you. You watch him, eyebrow raised in a sense of surprise and curiosity. Your friends leave you alone but Tom doesn't and while you want to tell him to go fuck himself, you're curious to know why he followed you. Most guys don't come back when they're rejected but Tom is now sitting on the cold asphalt beside you. You aren't sure if he's just a genuine person who cares about random people or if he just likes to make bad choices but either way, you'll let your curiosity win this time and let him explain why he's out here with you.

Tom's not the only one with a habit of playing with fire.