38

♦𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖐𝖊♦

I told Isaiah to stay away for a while. I don't know if I'll be able to control myself if I see him yet.

I don't know what he was thinking, taking Rose to that party. His brain must have malfunctioned.

Jimmy's parties are known to be wild, the few times I've seen Isaiah drunk is when he's decided to go to one.

Ace and I went to one with him once, that's how I knew where he took her.

But we left within a few minutes, quickly understanding it wasn't the kind of place we wanted to be.

I left my girl in his care, and he took her to a place I refused to go with him time and time again.

Ace found him upstairs, drunk and attempting to play pool. He said at first he was super excited to see him, came running at him with open arms going for a hug.

But Ace grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him to the car without saying a word.

Ace was pissed, still is. He thinks of Rose as a sister, he wanted to beat Isaiah up for the situation he put her in, knock some sense into him and leave a couple bruises along the way.

When Ace shoved Isaiah into the passenger seat, his happy go lucky self vanished. He started to freak out about Rose, yelling at Ace that he left her and he needs to go find her.

Little did he know that she was safe in my arms.

Ace let him sweat it though, he wanted him to remember the fear he was experiencing so he never tried this again.

Not like Rose would go willingly anymore, but he didn't want to take any chances.

Isaiah was clawing at the car door trying to get out, "Rose! I left, Cupcake! I left her alone, I need to find her!" He rambled.

He was too drunk to understand he needed to unlock the door, so he was unable to get out.

Ace let him panic until they were almost at his apartment. By that time he was crying about what he'd done.

Ace showed no mercy when he explained the shaking mess we found Rose in when we walked in that party.

Isaiah ripped his phone out of his pocket to call us, but Ace took it from him before he could. I'm thankful for that because we were already home and Rose was snuggling up to my chest.

I finally calmed down when she fell asleep, a call from Isaiah could have woken her up and I would have been even more livid.

Isaiah is a valued friend I've had for years, but I can't just ignore the danger he put Rose in. And then to leave her alone for a whole hour, anything could have happened to her.

He's only breathing because nothing major happened. I don't want to lose my shit on my friends. But when it comes to Rose's safety, it's inevitable.

I've fought for my life before, several times. A survival instinct kicks in and you're willing to do anything to survive. You don't care about the pain or the consequences, because if you do, you won't make it out alive.

I don't know exactly when, but Rose has become a part of me. She walks around completely separate and independent from me, but at the same time it feels like she's a part of my heart and soul.

When she's in trouble that same survival instinct kicks in, but now I'm not concerned about me surviving, it's only her that matters.

When I walked into an empty apartment, I thought they were playing hide and seek at first. But when I couldn't find them and saw that Isaiah's car was gone I started to think the worst.

They weren't planning on going anywhere and then I couldn't get a hold of them. Those survival instincts started and I had nothing to use them on because I had no clue where Rose was.

I was pacing back and forth in the living room calling Rose then trying Isaiah.

Rose's phone was going straight to voicemail, but Isaiah's was ringing.

No matter how many times I called him he didn't pick up. I started to think that Conway got to her and maybe Isaiah as well. So I did the only thing I could think of and drove to the arena.

We passed Olivia's on the way to make sure they just didn't go there, but his car wasn't in the driveway and the house lights were off.

When we got to the arena I was trying to prepare myself for what I might see. If Conway got his hands on her no way would he let them go unharmed.

But we searched the whole building and found nothing.

I tried to call Rose, but it went to voicemail once again. I screamed in frustration and punched the wall I was beside, leaving a hole in the drywall.

Then my phone rang, it wasn't a number I recognized. I picked it up thinking it was going to be Conway taunting me. But then her sweet shaky voice came over the phone.

I was relieved at first, but that didn't last very long when I found out she was at a party and Isaiah left her.

I could hear her voice shaking and her uneven breaths hit the phone. She told me she texted me, but I never got that text.

When her phone was charged I looked and saw she accidentally sent it to Isaiah. He didn't tell her because he knew I wouldn't want her going with him.

That pissed me off even more, if she told me she was going to a party I would tell her I'm against it, but never that she couldn't go. If she insisted on going I would ask if I could go too, so I know she's safe. And if she wanted to go alone I'd stay up worried out of my mind until she got back.

Isaiah didn't forward her text to me or tell her she sent it to the wrong person because he knew that if I asked her not to go she wouldn't have.

The text she sent was a plea for me to stop her, and he knew it. He was so fucked up with everything going on that he didn't care.

Rose hasn't said anything against me telling Isaiah to not come around. I thought she might fight me on it but she said she understands and supports me in whatever I feel like I need to do.

I don't know how I got so lucky with her. She waltzes in the front door with a smile on her face.

"Have fun?" She looks crazy beautiful with the light shining in behind her.

"Yeah! Bella and I made lunch and had a picnic inside. She played bird noises on her phone to imitate the park." Rose's giggles give me life.

Bella suggested the idea of making a fancy picnic and spending the afternoon at the park. But the fight between Conway and I hasn't happened yet and there is a possibility he'll come after her again.

I felt like such a dick when I told her I didn't think it was a good idea for them to go out alone. It's one thing for her to go over to Bella's apartment, she's just a few doors down and I'd be able to get to them in seconds if anything happened.

Her lower lip pouted when I suggested I come along too, she's gotten quite fond of having girl time with Bella. I thought she was starting to get tired of being around me until she explained that she never had a girl in her life to hang out with before.

Even her mom never did anything with her, so she's just really enjoying the quality girl time that Bella offers.

Bella was the one who came up with the idea to have the picnic inside of her apartment. I don't think Rose could have found a better friend.

Bella listened to Rose explain that I'm a jackass who put a target on her head. She said it in nicer words of course, but that's how I would have explained it.

Bella said something along the lines of, "Well crap... wait, that actually explains so much." I was confused at first, then Rose told me that whenever I'm outside with them I'm constantly looking over my shoulder and scanning the area for threats.

Bella thought I was a drug dealer. Rose busted up laughing and said she's got it backwards, because she was the drug dealer.

The look on Bella's face was priceless, I guess finding out your tiny lovable friend was a drug dealer is a little surprising.

When Rose explained that she only did it because her brother forced her to, Bella's eyes held a rage only girls can possess.

If Oliver wasn't sitting behind bars right now I wouldn't doubt that Bella would be hunting him down.

"Ace is on his way over so I can go to the gym." I say to the green eyed goddess who's struggling to take off her shoes without falling over. Her head whips around, eyes gleaming.

"Can I go with you?" She asks, "That way Ace and you can train together." Surprise falls over me. I never thought she'd want to go to a sweaty, smelly gym with me, it's bad enough she has to go to all my fights.

But the thought sends a jolt of excitement through me. My girl going to the gym with me, it sounds like a fucking dream.

"Yeah of course. There isn't much there, it's used mostly by fighters. But I'd love it if you came." I can't keep my tone from showing how happy I am.

God, she makes me feel alive in ways I didn't know were possible.

"Is there a treadmill?" I wonder if I'll ever get used to how good her voice sounds.

"Yeah, a couple of them." Her eyes sparkle up at me, that smile she came in with hasn't left her face.

"Ok, I can do some running. Have to train so I can win the next water balloon battle." She pumps her arms, fake running. "And I'd like to watch you train too." Her words make my heart skip a fucking beat, she wants to watch me train... I'm so fucking happy right now.

"Yeah for sure." My voice comes out throaty. Just the idea of her watching me train terrifies the shit out of me. But it's also thrilling and I can't wait to show her.

"Cool! I'm going to go ask Bella if I can borrow some workout clothes!" Her enthralling voice disappears as she runs back over to Bella's.

I stay planned in the doorway, watching as she knocks on Bella's door eagerly.

I see Ace walking my way when Rose steps into Bella's apartment.

"Hey man, where's Rose?" Ace's eyebrow raises as he peeks in my apartment.

"She'll be right back. She went over to Bella's to borrow some clothes. She wants to come with us." I say, still slightly shocked.

"No shit. Really?" Ace and I both miss training together, but we agreed Rose's safety comes first. And after the last time ended with Rose calling from a party that Isaiah took her too, we both felt like shit.

"Yeah." I nod my head.

"I'm ready!" Rose comes barreling out of Bella's in a matching light blue workout outfit.

"Hi Ace! Did Blake tell you I'm coming too?" She bounces on her toes.

"Yeah, he said that because the water fountain is broken you're going to be our watergirl." Ace grins at my confused girl.

I smack the back of his head, "Fuck off. I did not, the water fountain isn't even broken, you dumb-ass." Like I'd ever bring her along just to get me water anyway.

I'd get shit boyfriend of the year award for sure.

⇼♢⇼♢⇼♢⇼♢⇼

I throw my knees at the strike shield Ace holds up. My eyes constantly drift over to watch Rose jogging on the treadmill not too far off.

When she looks over at me my heart drops to my feet, I've never been so nervous before. Not even when I'm in a match and I know she's watching.

Something about bringing Rose to the place I spent almost all my time before I met her puts me on edge, but in a good way. I'm sharing a part of me with her that helped shape me into who I am today.

This is where I come to when I feel like shit, or need to let some aggression out. It's also where I came when I needed to feel like I belonged, I found a home in fighting and this gym became the house for that.

But that's changed, now I go to my apartment, where Rose resides. That's the only place that feels like home now.

I felt like I was showing Rose my childhood home when I was giving her a tour of this place. I love it here, and it will always mean so much to me. This used to be my lifeline, but somehow Rose took over that spot without even trying.

The fucking stunningly beautiful girl walked into my life and it was as if my fate had been sealed.

"Are you going to stare at her all day or are we actually going to train." Ace laughs.

"Fuck off."

"Make me." Oh game on.

I jab my fists against the pads in his hands, going for his gut every few strikes so he has to dodge.

I wouldn't feel bad if I landed a hit or too, fucker deserves it. I let up when we're both left gasping for air.

"Geez, are you trying to kill me?" Ace puffs.

"Maybe you should keep your Goddamn mouth shut." Man I love this, Ace and I have come so far since the first time we stepped foot in this gym.

The grin on my face drops when I gaze over at my girl, only to find her gone.

Panic instantly grips me, how long has she been gone?

"She's gone." The words come out in huffs laced with terror as I try to catch my breath from the spar.

"Chill, look behind you." Ace nods towards the back of the ring we're training in. I want to punch him in the face for telling me to chill when my girl is missing.

That feeling leaves when I turn around and spot the green eyed beauty staring at me with a smile. Both her hands are raised giving me a double thumbs up.

Ace nudges my shoulder, "Get her in here, teach her how to fight." He side nods in her direction.

"Be all cute and shit. I'll go train on the bags, but I'll make sure to snag a few pictures for you." He winks at me then hops out of the ring.

My heart pounds as I make my way over to her.

"Hey beautiful." Shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud, is that too much? I hear if people say I love you too soon and it can end the relationship.

"Hey hot stuff." She grins with pink cheeks. Where the hell did she get that kind of confidence? I love it.

"Wanna fight me?" I smile, grabbing for her hand to help her in the ring.

"Not particularly, I've seen you fight. I'm not trying to die today." Her hand hovers over mine, not touching, but I can almost feel her.

"I would never hurt you." I say, deep and seriously.

I know she's joking, she holds a lighthearted smile on her face. But I also know her past, and someone close to her hurting her has been her whole life. Somewhere deep down the effects of it still lingers.

I see the way she flinches when someone yells or slams a door. She tries to cover it up so no one notices, but I'm paying attention to that girl every time she's in the room.

I don't bring it up because I know she hates it, I see the disappointment cross her face when she flinches. It's like she's scolding herself for it, and that alone bothers me.

She went through a lot, but thinks that because her brother is in jail that she should automatically be fine. It doesn't work that way, she has years of trauma and it will be with her for the rest of her life in one way or another.

Just like how I get anxious every time she leaves. I'm always worried that she'll leave me like my mom did, even though Rose is nothing like her, that rush of anxiety when she walks out the door doesn't fade fully until she comes back to me.

"Promise?" The look in her eyes makes my chest constrict.

"Promise." I lean forward, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Something about giving her a kiss on the forehead makes me feel complete, I don't understand it. I don't understand a lot of the feeling the brown haired beauty standing in front of me gives me.

I see Ace off to the side by the bags shoving his phone back in his pocket. Rose's hand finally closes around mine, the feeling of her soft skin makes my whole arm tingle. I help her into the ring and wrap her fists up, I don't want her knuckles to get bruised if she hits the pads wrong.

I explained to her how to hold her fist even though she already knows. I let my hands grip her waist for longer than necessary while I show her how to stand. Then I instructed her how to hit the pads in my hands.

Her tiny body actually has a lot of force behind it, her punches surprise me.

I can see the concentration fall over her as she strikes at my command. It makes me wonder just how many times she had to protect herself when she was living on the streets.

"Ok your turn." She sucks in breaths trying to look tougher than she really is.

"My turn?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah." She grabs the pads from my hands and holds them up.

"Show me what you got, Sullivan." My lips twitch into a smirk at the sound of my last name coming from her mouth.

She stands before me, the pads weighing her tired arms down. I take a swing, using only a tiny bit of my strength.

I was trying to be nice and not knock her on her butt, but then she started laughing at me.

"Your fights must be staged. Because that punch wouldn't hurt a ladybug."

Oh, I'm sorry for not wanting to send you flying across this ring like a jet, but if that's what you really want I can arrange it.

Kidding, I would never.

"That was just a sliver of my strength, baby. You can't handle the full force of Blake Sullivan." I scoff.

"Excuses, excuses. I think it's all for show, you're secretly weak and your muscles are all from plastic surgery." She eyes me up and down.

Little shit.

She's trying to trash talk me and it's fucking adorable.

"Yeah?" I challenge.

Her face lights up as she takes a step back with one leg getting ready for impact.

"Hit the pad like a real man." Her eyebrows are scrunched together as she focuses on the pad in her hand. God, she's so cute.

I glance over at Ace to see him leaning against the wall. His shoulders shake as silent laughs leave his body. I line my feet up with Rose.

"Are you sure about this?"

"The real question is are you? It'll probably hurt your delicate little hand." Her snicker makes me roll my eyes.

"Ok, if you insist." I reel my hand back and swing it towards the pad. Just enough force to knock her back a little, not enough to send her flying on her ass like I could have done. She dropped the pad as she stumbled back trying to catch her balance again.

"Pfff, weak. My grandma can hit better than you and she's dead." My mouth drops open at the shameless girl.

I guess I just found out she gets an attitude when she steps in a ring. She leans down to pick up the pad, a smile breaks out on my face when her eyes are off of me.

She wants to play tough guy and I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

"Why don't you channel your inner fighter and hit like you actually know how." She shrugs, holding the pad up once again.

"Yeah!" Ace hollers.

"You," I whip around pointing a finger at him. "Can shut the hell up." I growl. Ace laughs but turns his attention back to the punching bag.

"Come on, hit me, do your worst you baby baboon." Rose bounces from one foot to the other, she's way too excited about this.

"Right jab!" She yells, I obey and deliver a jab with my right fist. She stumbles back but quickly recovers.

"Right, left, double trouble hit." She yells confidently.

"What?" I drop my hands to my sides, I have no clue what a right, left double trouble hit is. I don't think anyone does.

"You know, right then left but two times?" She says in a duh tone, implying that I'm the uneducated one here.

"Oh, right. Of course how could I forget such a thing?" My eyes roll, I see the corner if her mouth tilts up but she quickly gets rid of the small smile. She's trying to act all macho right now so no more smiles I guess.

"Because you're a fake fighter." She taunts.