"Make a schedule" he texted.

"For?"

It was 2:45am and I was at home now and in bed while Eli and I were texting. Kendall was asleep, probably because she had to get up early for work in the morning, so that meant I wasn't bombarded with questions.

"You wanna train or not?"

"When are your off days?" I wondered.

"Whenever I want them."

Of course they are.

"Can we do Mondays Wednesday's and Friday's in the afternoon before your fights?"

"I feel like this is a trick."

"Now why would I trick you?"

He was right. I was trying to workout beforehand that way he'd take me with him to the ring.

"Fine. You'll have me for an hour."

"Only an hour?"

"Damn baby how long do you want me then?"

I almost threw my phone across the room.

"An hour and a half at least."

"Alright. An hour and a half it is."

"Thank you."

"This starts tomorrow @5pm. Be ready."

"Yes sir."

I felt tingly and excited. Like a child. I regret having never been in some form of a relationship before. Everything now made me seem childish because I lacked experience. The closest guy I'd been to was Cameron, and that's just because he's been my brother's best friend since they were in sixth grade. What makes this worse is how much older Eli is than I am. Which probably makes my childishness stand out.

'What if he finds out I've never been with anyone and we stop talking...?'

____________________________________

I woke up at 9:30am and brushed my teeth then got ready for work.

When I got there I was given a job out of the usual.

I was told to bring some paperwork to Jonathan's house since he was out of the hospital but still unable to come into work.

I grabbed the folder and hopped into my car to head over there.

Jon had a really nice house which I couldn't be shocked about since he was such a prestigious bitch.

I knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

When the door opened, no one was there.

Then I looked down.

There sat Jon in a wheelchair.

"Umm, Hi." I began.

"Hello."

"I'm here to drop off some things," I stated and handed him the folder of papers. He took them.

"Thank you." he said and I nodded then began to walk away.

"Leyla." he called and I turned around.

"Yes?"

"I just want to say I'm sorry. I treated you terribly and on the night of your own birthday. I'm very sorry and I can understand if you don't accept my apology but I do mean it." He sounded sincere.

I gave a slight smile then started my walk again before a question came to mind.

"Hey, Jon?"

"Yea?"

"What happened? Were you in a car accident?"

"What? No. No, someone made me like this. I don't remember who since I was drunk off my ass but this wasn't an accident. I pulled over because I was still smart enough to know I shouldn't be drunk and behind the wheel then someone pulled over with me. Next thing I know I'm on a stretcher in excruciating pain and hearing sirens. The other car was gone." he explained. "I thought he pulled over to help me. I guess I was wrong." he laughed.

"I'm sorry that happened to you."

"Eh. It was well deserved. About time someone kicked my ass," he joked.

Our conversation ended and I was back in my car and heading back to work.

'I can't believe someone just kicked his ass for no reason.'

____________________________________

Work was over and I now had to head home to shower, change, and get ready to leave with Eli.

I showered and put on a grey sports bra and matching leggings then a large hoodie over it.

I walked to the kitchen and prepared a protein smoothie.

"Where are you going?" asked Ken.

"I'm working out with Eli." I answered.

"WHAT?! WHAT IS WITH ALL THE GOING OUT?! ARE YOU TWO DATING?! AND YOU HAVEN'T TOLD ME?! SOME BESTFRIEND YOU ARE! But I'm happy for you! You two are the CUTEST! OH MY GOD THE BABIES WILL BE BEAUTIFUL! DIBS ON GODMOTHER! AND MAID OF HONOR! HELL, FLOWER GIRL, TOO, WHY NOT?!"

"Can you calm down?!" I laughed. "We aren't dating. He's just training me to be able to fight. You know just as precaution. It's dangerous out here for women."

"Oh. That makes sense. Are you gonna be built like a bodybuilder?" she asked.

"What? No. I don't wanna be that strong."

"Outside." Eli texted.

"Okay it's time for me to go. I'll be back later." I said as I took my smoothie and walked to the door.

"How much later? Because you said that last night and didn't walk through that door until like 2:30 in the morning."

I just shrugged and opened the door.

"BE SAFE!" she shouted.

"Yes ma'am!"

I closed the door and walked to the car.

"Hi." I said as I got in.

"Hi." he replied. "I should really start charging you for gas money."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Yea?" he chuckled. "We'll see."

"You'll see when I hit you," I mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Hm? Nothing."

____________________________________

We pulled up to a large gym that didn't seem all too far away from the building that held the fight ring but it was in a much better part of town.

"This looks expensive." I accidentally said out loud.

"That's probably because it is," he said as he parked.

We got out of the car and he took his bag out of the backseat.

This gym was about twice, if not three times, the size of my gym. The walls were mostly windows and there were two floors.

We walked in and it smelled like earth and flowers. Also the receptionist was nicely dressed????

"Good afternoon, Mr. Matthews." she greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Kelsey." he replied. She gave me a nod and a smile.

I followed him up the stairs and saw multiple punching bags and a ring.

He sat down and I stood in front of him while analyzing my surroundings and he started getting himself situated.

"Is that what you're gonna wear?" he asked and I realized I still had my hoodie on.

"Oh." I stripped off the sweatshirt and tossed it on the bench.

I saw his eyes scan my body and I snapped my fingers at him.

"Hey, my eyes are up here." I said mocking him from last night.

He looked at me and huffed a laugh before fixing his shoe and standing up. He pulled his shirt off like yesterday and looked me dead in my eyes. "I know where your eyes are. Don't worry." he stated then walked away from me.

Knees≠working

"Question number one!" he began. His deep voice boomed through the gym. "Have you ever thrown a punch before?" he asked and I saw him strap two foam pads to his hands. "Yes." I answered.

He climbed into the ring.

"Come here." he commanded.

I crawled in like he did before me.

"Hit me." he said and put his hands up.

I put my fists up but couldn't stop snickering.

"Oh my god," he said in a frustrated tone and put his hands back down.

"No wait, I got it. I swear. Put 'em back up." I told him.

He put his hands back up.

I broke into a laughing fit and had to rest my hands on my knees.

I saw him throw his hands back down and heard a sigh.

"I'm so sorry." I said and stood back up straight, covering my mouth with my hands.

"Are you gonna take this seriously?" he asked.

I nodded and sucked my mouth in.

"We're gonna do this one more time. If you don't hit me I'm gonna hit you. You understand me?"

His tone was assertive so I knew he was serious. My smile faded and I got serious as well.

He put his hands back up and I put up my fists.

I threw a right jab at his left hand.

"Hm. Not bad. I expected worse." he stated.

"WHAT?! You think I'm weak?" I asked.

"I think you're cute. Cute things don't usually pack a punch," he stated.

I didn't know whether to feel insulted or butterflies in my stomach.