I took a seat on one of the benches along the sides while Carter went to change. He came out moments later in grey joggers and a black v-neck. He came over and sat next to me, leaning against the wall with me.

"If you get bored, you are more than welcome to go out and someplace else. You don't have to just sit here," he said.

"Why are you so convinced I'm going to get bored to death? Watching you is entertaining enough. Go on," I gestured.

He shook his head with a smile before standing up. Moments later, another guy walked in with a pair of gloves and bandages in hand. He greeted Carter before wrapping up his knuckles for him and tossing him the gloves. "Run through your warm-up routine one time, and then we'll teach you some more stuff today."

I take it he's the trainer. And he doesn't seem to be much older than us. He looked around the place, probably at the people he trained, before he saw me just sitting there. He seemed confused. That's fair, considering he's never seen me in this gym before. He didn't seem to act on his confusion and continued walking around the place teaching people while Carter did his routine and- oh my God.

"God really took his time with you," I mumbled while leaning my head against the wall, staring at him.

After his routine, he was drenched in sweat and flushed, as well as out of breath. "Ten minutes Carter, then you're up!" the guy called out.

Carter came and sat beside me, panting and drinking water. "Why do I do this to myself?" he huffed.

"Couldn't tell you," I shrugged.

He set his bottle down and pulled his shirt over his head.

Okay. God REALLY took his time with him.

So much time that I just kept staring.

"You can stop staring," he chuckled.

I blinked and snapped myself out of it, forcing myself to look up at his face. "Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly.

"Why? I check you out," he shrugged.

"You do?" I asked.

"All the time," he replied.

How does one react to that?

"Nobody refuses eye candy," he laughed.

"Eye candy? I cannot believe those words just came out of your mouth but yeah, eye candy it is," I chuckled.

"I'm tired," he whined.

"I know," I nodded.

"Carter, let's go."

"What? It hasn't even been ten minutes yet!" Carter whined.

"My clock runs differently. Who's this?" he asked while walking over, nodding at me.

"I'm Alex," I said. He simply nodded before walking away.

"God, I hate him. I'll see you in a bit," Carter said, pecking my lips before standing up and following. They went somewhere else before coming back and stepping into the ring in front of me.

This is scary just to watch.

The whole time, trainer guy barked orders, Carter followed throwing punches in the different ways he was supposed to. After a while, he showed him some new moves, it all looked really cool, I couldn't take my eyes off.

"Dude, okay. Time's up," Carter said while throwing his gloves off.

"Not yet," the trainer said before punching Carter in the abdomen.

He stumbled and fell back. "I have to get home and so does she, I'll come in next week. We're done for the day," Carter argued.

"I said, not yet," he replied, punching him again.

"Cut it out. What are you doing?"

Another punch. "Put the gloves back on," he demanded.

Carter sighed in defeat and pulled them back on, his eyes darting to me. I didn't have to get home so I shrugged. He raised his eyebrows at me and I shook my head. Before he could even turn to face the guy, he punched his jaw. Carter didn't even wince.

What are these guys made of?

"No distractions. That right there is a huge distraction," the guy said, glancing at me. I stared at him in disbelief.

That was rude. I don't like him.

"Well, she's here. So I guess I just have to learn to not get distracted," Carter replied before punching back, square in the jaw.

"See, now you're into it. Keep going."

Is pain like- not a thing for them? Or... They're sadists. That's my conclusion.

A lot of punches later, they were finally done. They both just sat down in there panting, sweating, red, tired. Other words that mean tired. Carter lay down and the trainer guy sat beside him.

"I'm never coming here again," Carter panted.

"I'll see you next week," he replied before crawling out and dropping his gloves on the bench beside. "Alex, wasn't it?" he asked, looking me up and down. I simply nodded, staring up at him. He smirked, just like Carter does. "I'm Zach," he winked before walking away.

Carter threw his gloves off and tossed them in the direction Zach went, aiming for the back of his head and only hitting one glove on it. "Motherfucker," he mumbled before getting out.

"Do you put up with him just because he's your trainer or..." I trailed off questioningly. I didn't like him. He seemed arrogant and cocky. Like Carter. Just not in a good way like him.

"Oh," Carter laughed humorlessly, "He's not just my trainer." I stared in confusion. "He's Clark's son."

My jaw fell to the ground. "He's what?" I asked.

"Yeah. I see him at family stuff all the time. He hasn't been showing up to anything lately. He's been busy running this place."

"Running it?"

"He owns it."

Wow. That's a lot of success for someone so young.

"Well, has he always been such a prick?" I mumbled.

"Pretty much," he nodded. I rolled my eyes while Carter stared at me. "You're probably the biggest distraction I've ever had. Jesus," he shook his head while unwrapping his knuckles.

"Well, just- I don't know- don't get distracted?" That came out like a question.

"Helpful," he said sarcastically. I shrugged while smiling. "I'll go shower and then drop you home, okay?"

"Okay," I nodded.

He kissed me before standing up and disappearing to, I'm assuming the locker room. I was sitting there, staring off into space when someone sat down beside me.

"You're a distraction." I looked to my right and saw Zach.

"And you're a prick. Call it even," I nodded.

He chuckled while nodding. "How'd you know Carter?" he questioned.

"We're friends," I answered.

"You kiss all your friends like that? I should get some friends," he smirked.

"Maybe you should. It'll kill the attitude," I smiled.

He nodded almost appreciatively. "Carter got his hands on a good one." I refused to answer him, it would be a waste. "Well, I'm sure you'll fit right into the family," he snickered.

"Have you always been such a dick?" I snapped.

"Pretty much," he nodded.

"What is your problem?" I huffed.

"My problem is that you distract him. And I don't just mean from boxing." I was confused. "That kid hasn't shut up about you since he met you in that cafe. And I don't just mean right now, I mean from four years ago."

"What?"

"Isn't that when you moved here? Four years ago? He's had eyes on you since you stepped foot into that cafe. And I know you like him, and he likes you. But he can't handle a relationship. He doesn't have the maturity he needs for that."

"Then he'll learn."

"Who's going to teach him? You? Can you put yourself through that?" he questioned. I stared as he stood up and grabbed his gloves. "Think about it. Is the heartbreak really worth it?" he asked before walking away.

I have never been this confused ever in my entire life. What heartbreak? Why does he think I'll be heartbroken? What?

"Hey." I snapped out of it and looked up to see Carter coming my way. "Let's go?" he asked.

"Yeah," I nodded while standing up.

He grabbed my hand as we headed downstairs and out. We stopped at the desk where he signed himself out.

"See you next week," Zach said while walking past us, his eyes trained on me before he finally turned to Carter.

"Bye," Carter said before pulling me out of there. He walked me home, his hand holding mine the entire time, my mind racing about Zach's words the entire time. "That's you," he said as we stopped in front of my house.

"Do you wanna come in?" I asked. He didn't say anything while he thought. "You can stay. The night," I said hesitantly.

"I don't think your mom would like that."

"I don't think that matters," I raised my eyebrows at him.

He smirked at me before resting his arms on my waist and pulling me in for a kiss. "Lead the way," he said after pulling away.

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