--Xander's P.O.V.--

I groan when I hear the annoying sound of my phone vibrating on my bedside table. I pat around trying to grab it. I finally find it looking at the caller ID to see Tony.

"What?" I grumble rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I turn onto my back.

"Well, good morning to you too, asshole," He responds. I roll my eyes.

"What do you need?" I say faking a joyful tone. I hear a sigh from the other end of the phone.

"I booked you for a thing tonight, to your request," he says. Now it's my turn to sigh.

"Alright," I say sitting up and heading for my closet.

"I figured we would meet up and you could practice. It's been a while," he adds as I hear shuffling in the background.

"Okay I'll meet you guys there in...30 minutes," I say. I hear an 'alright' before hanging up the phone.

I grab a duffle bag putting in 2 pairs of underwear, shorts, and tank tops. I grab my wraps from the back of my closet and put them in as well. I lay the bag on my bed before grabbing some jeans and a t-shirt. I put those on then my tennis-shoes. I grab my bag again and head for the living room. I see my mom looking at her phone with sorrowful eyes.

"Hey mom, I'm gonna go to Tony and go out, I might be home late," I say. She nods her head.

"Alright, honey. Stay safe," she says turning back to her phone. I let out a sigh before going out the door to my car. I get in starting the car and head out.

----

I arrive at the gym and park my car. I get out opening the back door grabbing my bag slinging it over my shoulder. I head to the entrance and enter to get meet with the familiar scene. I look around to try and find Tony but don't see him anywhere. I sigh before heading for the office. I knock and hear a quick 'come in' before opening the door.

"Xander? Woah. What are you doing here? Haven't seen you in a while," Adrian says in disbelief. He is the owner of the gym. He trained Tony and I while we were coming here well, I know Tony still comes here.

"Hey Adrian, It has been a while hasn't it?" I question rubbing the back of my neck.

"Yeah, it has. What brings you here," He asks.

"Um, I'm gonna practice with Tony," I reply. He nods his head with a knowing look before leaning forwards with his fingers crossed.

"I see. Did something happen?" He asks with concern. I let out a long sigh.

"Uh, yeah, actually, my mom lost her nursing job," I answer. He's kind of like a father to me, he knows about the shit our family has been through and helps me when he can. He sort of the reason I was able to fight back against my father.

"I'm sorry that happened Xander. How has she been doing?" He questions with concerned features.

"I think she's just upset they let her go after how hard she works to get that job. I know she works her hardest at it so it's fucked up and I can't believe they did that to her," I say with slight irritation.

"Why did she lose her job?" He asked.

"Something about 'money'. It's complete bullshit,"

"That sucks man. Well, come to me if you need anything alright?" He says. I nod my head.

"Have you seen Tony?" I ask him.

"He already went back with Adam so he should be back there," He replies. I nod my head and go out the door. I walk towards the back to see Tony hitting a punching bag with Adam just sitting on his phone.

"Sup guys?"

"Oh, finally you're here," Adam exasperates. I roll my eyes and head to the locker room. I change into my shorts and tank top then start to wrap my hands. I walk back out to see Tony waiting for me.

"Ready man?" He asks.

"Yep," I say.

"Let's start with 45 sit-ups, yeah? Start off easy," Tony laughs.

"I can do more than that," I say sitting on the mat on the floor.

"Alright make it 70," he adds with an eye-roll before standing on the ends of my feet.

"That's more like it," I chuckle before starting.

----

After some sit-ups, push-ups and jumping jacks, I feel it's time for a break. I'm not as in shape as I use to be.

"Alright, quick break," I breath out, grabbing a water bottle, chugging the whole thing. I take a seat next to Adam who is still looking at his phone.

I lean over trying to look at his phone and see him pull it away.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"Just curious what you doing," I say.

"Nothing," He answers looking back to his phone. I lean close again.

"Dude you're all stinky, so back the fuck up," he chuckles, scooting over with a grimace on his face. I let out a laugh.

"Aww, I just want to show my best friend some love," I joke, outstretching my arms.

"If you do it I swear to fucking god I will beat you up," he says putting his hand out. I let out a laugh shaking my head as I put my arms back down.

After about 10 minutes of rest, we get up getting ready to practice the actual fighting part.

"Ready Xander?" Tony asks.

"Yeah," I say readying my stance. He holds of up the boxing pads and I begin punching them getting the feel of it all again.

"It's a little slower than before and you need to put some more power into it if you want to be ready for tonight. Are you sure you want to do tonight? We can practice more to get you ready for another day," Tony asks me.

"Yeah, I'll be ready," I say. He nods his head before I continue, pushing myself harder than before getting used to it again.

"Better," he says.

"Good," I reply flatly.

"Continue," he says. I let out a sigh before continuing again.

----

A couple hours later I feel like I've got my groove back, after how long I've been out.

"Great I think you'll be good for tonight. It's only novice fighters so you should be okay," Tony says as he grabs his bag.

"What time is it at?" I ask grabbing my bag as well.

"We have to be there by 9:30 but it starts at 10 and you're up first," He says heading for the shower room. I follow behind him and enter one of the stalls taking a shower. I put on my fresh underwear and my other pair of shorts and a tank top. I exit the washroom with my bag slung over my shoulder.

I head out the locker room and I start walking towards Adam but see him staring at something. I follow his line of sight to see what he is looking at and see a random guy working out. I look back at Adam to see he continues to stare at the guy. I head over to him.

"Who is that?" I ask startling him from his staring.

"W-What? Oh, nothing-I mean no one. I was lost in my thoughts," He laughs out waving his hand playing it off like it was nothing. I giving him a curious glance.

"Adam? What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing," he replies turning back to his phone. I look over at the guy and try to figure out if I have ever seen him before. I think he goes to out school or something.

"Do you know that guy?" I ask again trying to push him to talk. I hear him groan.

"He's no one! Now drop it, Xander, for fuck sakes," He states angrily. I stay shocked for a moment. I've never seen him this upset before.

"Hey, it's alright, calm down Adam. I'm just concerned," I say trying to calm the situation.

"Well, it's nothing, so fucking drop it," He snaps turning back to his phone again.

Tony walks out and he looks at us curiously. I shrug my shoulders before glancing at Adam.

"Tony, you know that guy over there?" I ask, as I point to who Adam was staring at.

"Uh, yeah that Travis. He plays football at our school. He comes her a lot," He says before readjusting his bag. I hear Adam grumble something under his breath.

"God, When can you learn to fucking drop the subject that doesn't mean anything!" Adam lashes out.

"Woah, Woah. Hey, I didn't sa-" Tony starts.

"Just shut up!" Adam yells bringing the attention of a few people around the room. He storms out the gym heading out the door.

"What was that about?" Tony asks me. I shrug my shoulders giving him a confused expression. I start heading out the door with Tony follows closely behind me. I exit out the door to see Adam walking towards Tony's car. I pick up the pace to walk with him.

"Has that guy been messing with you or something?" I ask.

"No! It's nothing!" He snaps at me.

"Adam, you can talk to us about anything, you know that right?" Tony says calmly.

Then it hits me and I practically facepalm. I turn to Tony giving him a look before turning back to Adam.

"Adam? Are you...gay?" I ask him softly. He turns his head towards me quickly with anger flaring in his eyes.

"I'm not a faggot!" He yells.

"Woah, Woah. Hey I didn't say-"

"Just leave it alone," he spits out. I've never seen him act this way before. He goes to the side trying to open the door.

"Unlock the damn car!" He yells trying to open the door.

"Adam, you know if you are, we would accept you right?" Tony states firmly.

"Yeah Adam, it doesn't change anything," I add.

I hear him sigh as he rests his head against the car as his shoulders begin to shake.

"Goddammit!" He screams kicking the tire of the car. I back up slightly.

"Adam it's okay," Tony says. He turns around with hurt and anger showing in his eyes.

"It's anything but okay!" He yells again gripping his hair in frustration.

"I'm supposed to be the perfect son that takes over the family business and put on a good face for the company, who has a wife and kids in the future, not the gay son!" he spits out shaking his head.

"No one is supposed to know! God, I'm so stupid," he says as he puts his hand on his forehead.

"Even from your best friends?" I ask. He scoffs, crossing his arms in a defensive stance.

"Adam, you don't need to hide something like that from us. You shouldn't have to torture yourself. You can't change how you feel or who you're attracted to," I say to him with sincerity.

He stays silent looking down at his feet. He puts his hands over his face shaking his head. He slides his hands down and looks up with a defeated expression.

"I'm gay," He says as tears fall from his face. I give him a huge smile before pulling him into a hug. Tony comes in making it a group hug.

"We are best friends Adam. We have been for so long that doesn't change our friendship. We are brothers, we are a family, no matter what other people say," Tony says.

"I'm s-sorry guys, that I didn't tell you. I just didn't want anything to change. I didn't want you guys to push me away because I'm gay," He says honestly. We pull away and I give him a smile.

"Adam, listen to us when we say. It doesn't change a thing. You're still Adam and always will be our best friend," Tony says a huge smile spreading on Adams' face.

"Do you parents know?" I ask. His face falls.

"No, they don't. They try setting me up with their friends' daughter, wanting me to have a 'perfect' little family. I don't think I could ever tell them," He says solemnly.

"Well, even so, we are here for you and always will be," Tony adds.

"Thank you, guys. I don't know what I would do without you guys,"

"You would probably still be a closeted gay," Tony jokes. Adam rolls his eyes as I start to laugh.

"Ha Ha Ha, very funny," Adam mumbles before turning back to the car.

"Can you unlock the door now so we can get going?" Adam says.

"Yeah Yeah, let's get going," Tony says unlocking his car. I get into mine starting it and following behind Tony as we head to our destination.