Daniel and I were greeted outside of the condo with a sleek looking black limousine. Daniel slid into the vehicle first and the driver was quick to fold up and store his wheelchair in the trunk. I climbed in next to Daniel who had already grabbed a bottle of champagne in his hands.

"I don't think so," I laughed, taking the bottle away from him and stashing it back in the mini fridge.

"You're no fun," He pouted, helping himself to the nuts that were available to us.

I was feeling nervous but I couldn't explain why. I knew the only reason I was here was to make sure Lucas could focus on the fight and not worry about his irresponsible brother getting into trouble, but I felt anxious for Lucas. I couldn't imagine the preparation that went into going into a ring to fight on live television.

"Have you talked to Rebecca lately?" I asked Daniel to distract myself from my thoughts.

He had just stuffed a handful of cashews into his mouth and he chewed indelicately, "I did," he muffled. He swallowed harshly, "We have a date next week," He grinned at me.

I smiled widely, "What are you going to do?" I asked excitedly.

"I'm thinking of going to a restaurant, without you or Lucas around me. No offence, I mean." He added as an afterthought to protect my feelings, I assumed.

"None taken," I responded. The last thing I wanted to do was have to sit in on an awkward first date between two fourteen year olds. "Are you excited?"

"I can't wait," He grinned at me before stuffing his face with more cashews. His happiness was contagious. It was his best quality - he had such a bright personality and it made me happy to see him happy.

We pulled up to a huge stadium and the limo driver fetched the wheelchair from the trunk before opening the door for us. I climbed out first and placed the wheelchair as close to the door as possible before Daniel climbed out, moving his limbs into the chair after his upper half was situated. I stood in front of the stadium in awe at the amount of lights and paparazzi that surrounded it. There were newscasters all around commenting on the night's proceedings. I felt my anxiety build up.

Daniel and I walked to the entrance and I looked over at him, "Do you know where to go?" I asked.

He shook his head and pulled out his phone, "Lucas' friend is meeting us at the front." He stated looking around. He glanced at me before adding, "It's his manager and a partial investor in the gym."

I nodded at him before a booming voice shouted out to us, "Daniel!"

Daniel's face lit up as he approached a man who had his arms extended outwards. He was handsome, with tanned skin and dark eyes. I enviously took in his high cheek bones and luscious brown locks that bounced loosely on his head. He wore a t-shirt and shorts and looked to be about the same build as Lucas was.

"Hey, Miguel!" Daniel greeted happily as he wheeled himself closer. Miguel bent down and grabbed him into a tight hug.

"Where have you been hiding?" Miguel asked, ruffling Daniel's hair.

"You're one to talk. You get married and all of a sudden you're a dead man." Daniel retorted.

Miguel let out a loud booming laugh before replying, "Having a newborn son will do that to someone. I'm sorry, man."

Daniel grinned at him, "How is Mateo?" He asked.

Miguel smiled as though he could see the very image of his son in front of him, "Mateo is as his name means - a gift from God." Miguel's eyes flitted to me for the first time and I gave him a small smile. "I'm so sorry, you must be Emily."

I was surprised that he knew anything about me, but I figured Daniel must have mentioned it to him, "It's nice to meet you."

"You too!" Miguel said excitedly extending a hand for me to shake. I shook his large, rough hand in return. "I'll lead you guys in." He stated before walking next to us and into the massive stadium.

As we walked in, a few people with cameras snapped shots of us. Daniel kept pausing and flexing at them, which made our trek much longer than it needed to be. "I've heard a lot about you, Emily," Miguel remarked glancing at me with a sly smile.

"I hope it was all good," I hesitated nervously.

"Oh, all good, trust me." Miguel laughed. He lead us into a small locker room where Lucas' name was posted on the door.

Miguel entered first and Daniel followed, while I stayed outside to give them some privacy. Daniel poked his head back out the door.

"You coming, Em?" He questioned.

"You go ahead, Daniel. I'll wait out here." I smiled at him. He really was too sweet.

"You have to come in and say hi at least. I wasn't kidding when I said I think of you like family." Daniel's tone was so uncharacteristically serious that it made my heart melt a little. I had never met anyone more good-natured than he was.

I walked in to the large locker room to absolute silence. I stood as far away from everyone as possible, close to the door for easy escape. Lucas was wrapping his hands in tape and Miguel was prepping padding on the side. Daniel rode forward confidently, "Hey, Lucas!" His booming voice cut the silence in the room like a knife and I almost winced at the volume.

Lucas smiled however and stood up to hug his brother before sitting back down. "How are you feeling?" Daniel quizzed. The cuts on his face seemed to have healed slightly since the night before, but the slash on his arm was still wrapped tightly and would take several days to heal completely.

He nodded slightly, "Good," He responded.

"Let me know if you want me to get the paparazzi off your back," Daniel continued, "I'm a natural born talent. They flock to me."

Lucas smiled affectionately and Miguel guffawed, "Get in line, Danny boy." Miguel walked towards the door and smiled at me gently before stepping out, shutting the door behind him.

Lucas looked over at me and I gave him an apologetic grimace for being in the room in the first place. "Hi Emily," He spoke quietly as his blue eyes looked me over.

I gulped in return, "Hi," I squeaked.

"She wanted to wait outside," Daniel teased, "But she goes where we go, right Lucas?"

Lucas glanced at his brother fondly, "Right." He replied going back to taping his hands in silence.

Daniel glanced at the television in the corner that was muted but on the UFC channel. He noticed Miguel chatting with reporters and he grumbled to himself before beginning to wheel himself to the door, "That traitorous snake."

He opened the door and closed it behind him. I reached for the handle to follow him out when Lucas spoke while continuing to tape his hands, "You can stay."

My eyes darted over to him. I really did not want to follow Daniel into a field of reporters, but that somehow seemed less intimidating than being around Lucas on my own. My hand trembled over the door handle and my heart raced in my chest. "How's your arm?" I managed to stutter out.

His icy eyes met with mine before the tip of his lips tugged upwards, "You wrapped it well."

I glanced at the TV to see Daniel approaching the cameras and waving at Miguel who motioned for him to join him on stage. I let out a small laugh and Lucas turned to the screen, "He's a character."

He gazed back at me curiously, "He seems to be getting attached to you."

I shrugged, "It's mutual." I paused as I took in his overly calm demeanour, "Are you nervous?"

His eyes twinkled lightly as he leaned his elbows on his knees, his eyes trained on me, "Not really. Fighting centres me. Other things make me nervous."

I desperately wanted to ask what could make a person who wasn't afraid to get pummelled, nervous, but my tongue was tied.

Miguel and Daniel burst through the doors with Daniel complaining about mistreatment, "All I'm saying is that I bring heart to Lucas's story. Sure, a fighter who came from nothing and rose to top ranks is catchy, but a fighter who has a disabled brother and now you're working with gold. Use me, Miguel."

"It sounds like you're questioning my work," he raised an eyebrow at the teenager menacingly. Even I took a step back at the threatening look on his face. He could have Daniel as long he didn't give me that look.

"No, man. You do great work!" Daniel blubbered.

Miguel smiled and patted Daniel on the back, "Just messing with you, Danny."

"Like that's hard to do," Daniel rolled his eyes.

Miguel turned to face Lucas. "Ready?" He asked.

Lucas rose and removed his shirt, gracing us all with his broad chest and rippling abs. I could trace the edges of every taut muscle that littered his torso like a puzzle. His tattoos ran across his chest and down his arms. I blushed and looked away as Miguel reached for the padding, placing it on Lucas's hands before taping the wrists tightly.

Daniel rolled up to Miguel, "Let me walk in with you guys!"

"Not today, my man." Miguel advised. I wondered briefly why Daniel couldn't walk in with his brother, but kept my mouth shut even when Daniel's disappointed face looked at mine. I sent him a reassuring smile. "Kyle's meeting us at the front," Miguel informed Lucas who nodded at him.

Lucas then grabbed his brother in for a tight hug, "Love you, Danny."

"Love you, Luke." Daniel replied wrapping his arms around Lucas.

Lucas let go and grabbed his towel, wrapping it around his neck. He walked towards the door and raised an eyebrow at me as I shuffled awkwardly away from the door, "Uh-good luck." What am I doing.

He smiled gently at me brushing his fingers against my wrist as he passed me, following Miguel out of the room.