I stand across from Kyan throwing punches at the pads he's holding up.  

"It's my one hundredth fight tomorrow night," he says.  

I lift both eyebrows as I stare at him. "I'm not sure whether to say well done, or offer commiserations on having been in that shithole for a hundred fights." 

He laughs. "Well done, ginge. Say well done."  

"Okay then,” I throw another punch and feel a drop of sweat roll down my back, “well done. Are we celebrating?" Pausing, I swipe at a piece of hair sticking to my neck.  

He grins. "Of course. We're going to the titty bar. I already told everyone you're coming." 

I shrug one shoulder. "You know I like a pair of average looking tits as much as the next girl." 

"That's the spirit. And…” a smirk dances over his lips. “I managed to get Finn to come." 

I fight a laugh. "Fuck me, you managed to get the troll to leave his cave?" 

"Yeah, well, he's a moody fucker but he's alright really." Is he though? I think that's half the problem with Larry and Kyan—even Finn. They all know they each have problems, but they brush it off, overlook it, and pretend it's okay. They did it with Brandon and look where it got them. Finn hides in his apartment and comes across super calm, but no one can want to remain that isolated and really be happy. Hell, anyone who wants to get the shit kicked out of them in a dirty basement has clearly got some shit to deal with. And it's the look in Finn’s eye sometimes, like he's got a nasty storm raging just below the surface, but he keeps it locked down so damn tight it can never get out. That calm, quiet, mysterious thing he's got going on, I know it's a front. I have to wonder, what's beneath that well practiced veneer? Who is Finn really?  

I shouldn't care, but I want to know. I can't help myself.  

"Abs next?" Kyan asks, his eyes flicking to my bare stomach.  

"Ugh! I hate it," I groan.  

"No pain no gain, treacle. You lose that hot body of yours and you're done for," he says, grinning. I punch him in the gut. "Mean,” he grunts.

"You're a cunt." 

Shrugging, he moves behind me. His hands span my waist as he lifts me. I hear the door open and shut just as I clamp my thighs around the heavy bag. Kyan releases me and I lean back until I'm upside down and Finn's scowling face comes into view. I wave before pulling myself up with a sit-up, my abs screaming.  

"I hate you," I tell Kyan. Down. Up. "You're a cunt." Down. Up. "An arsehole." 

He laughs. "If you threw less insults at me, you might get more done." 

"I don't want more done." Down. Up. "I just want to eat all the cake and stay hot." 

I drop down and pause for a second. Finn is now standing next to Kyan watching me with his arms folded over his chest. My gaze shifts to Kyan’s shirtless chest. I'll give it to the boy, he's got a body on him.  

"Less perving and more working, treacle," Kyan says, smiling. 

I roll my eyes. Down. Up. "Put a shirt on, you slut."  

"This is the only reason you train here.” He snorts. “Don't lie." 

"Finn, can you punch him please?"

"What are you doing here?" Finn asks.  

I roll my eyes and sit up, grabbing the strap at the top of the bag and dropping to the floor. My chest heaves as I drag in air. "Well, Finnley, I'm working out.”

"In my gym?" 

"In Larry's gym, with Kyan." I check my watch. "And you're a whole two hours early,” I say. “Did you shit the bed or something? I know how you love your routine." 

Kyan snorts. Finn glares as he yanks his shirt over his head, leaving his dark hair in disarray.  "I have a fight later,” Finn says, dropping his bag on the floor and bending over to pull out some wraps.  Finn hands them to Kyan and holds out his hands for Kyan to wrap them. As soon as his hands are wrapped, he’s shadow boxing. Kyan picks up the pads and holds them out. Finn hits them, decidedly harder than I did. I bite my lip as I watch the two of them. I watch the way every single muscle rolls and tenses, delivering raw power with each punch that Finn lands on the pads. That pub is a shithole but there's a reason I go and watch the fights. All that man is like a drug to my hormones.  

"Told you that's the only reason you come here," Kyan says. My gaze snaps from Finn's rippling abs to Kyan's face. "Careful, you'll chew your bottom lip off." A grin plays over his lips and I glare at him before giving him my middle finger. He shakes his head and turns his attention back to Finn who hasn't broken stride, or paid us the slightest bit of attention. 

"Yeah, well,” I sigh, “this does look like the start of a really fucking good gay porno."  

Now Finn looks at me with a scowl pulling his brows together. I laugh and pat his shoulder. His skin is sweaty and hot and I allow my fingers to linger longer than they should. Hey, can't blame a girl for getting her kicks where she can. "It's okay, Finnley, you'd be the top."  I smile.

"The fuck?" Kyan says, dropping his arms to his sides and yanking off the pads. "That's just not nice, ginge. What did I ever do to you?" 

I cup Kyan’s face and smoosh his cheeks together until he's pouting. "But you're just so pretty, princess." I flick his hair. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel..." He glares at me. He's too easy. 

"Are we training or not?" Finn snaps. 

"Calm yourself, Finn.” I say. “Now, I know you so love my delightful company, but I'm going. You can punch shit and grunt away." Nothing. "I swear to god, Finn, you are going to need Botox by the time you're thirty-five." I lean in, studying his face closer. His scowl deepens. I glance over my shoulder at Kyan. "Seriously, is he scowling at me, or his face just set like that? I can't tell." Kyan throws his head back on a laugh and grabs my hips. Finn’s gaze drops to Kyan’s hands on my hips and his lips press in a tight line.  

"Go, treacle." Kyan moves me to the side. "We have man shit to do." 

I pick up my hoody from the bench and tug it on, fastening the zip over my bare stomach. "At least she's fucking dressed now," Finn mumbles under his breath. 

"Aw, Finnley, you didn't appreciate an eyeful of the girls? Maybe you should be concerned about that bottom situation, Kyan," I tease. 

Kyan’s blonde eyebrows shoot up. "No shit." He looks at Finn and puts his hands on his hips. "The fuck is wrong with you? You never tell a girl she should put more clothes on." Shaking his head, he gives Finn a disappointed look. He points at me. "That shit is a good reason to come to the gym." 

I snort and scoop up my car keys and phone. "Have fun, boys,” I wave as I head out the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow for those average tits.”