"I don't like him." Maddox says for the umpteenth time.

"Yes, I know you've mentioned it before." I say sarcastically. "It was just a ride, I'm more worried about my keys. I can't believe I misplaced them."

"Where did you see them last?" he asks. I try to think but my phone rings. I teach into my bag and take out my phone.

"Finally." I say answering.

"Where have you been, mister?" I fake hysteria.

"Where do you think? I've been taking care of my brother, the one YOU left broken hearted... Alex remember him? You know the guy that's been there for you for the last two years, loved you for two years. Sorry, your right calling you should be my top priority."

"Chris, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, he's that bad? I'll come talk to him." I say, going to the door.

"Good, he needs to listen to someone. I've done everything I could, gave him every speech. Nothing is working. All he does is go to practice, games and the gym."

"Why didn't you call me sooner?" I ask looking for the Porsches car keys.

"I thought giving him time would help. But it's not helping, its just making it worse."

"Where are you at? I need the address." I say, finally finding the keys.

He tells me the address and I write it down. I feel Maddox standing behind me but I'll talk to him after I get off the phone.

"Okay, I'm on my way." I say hanging up.

"Where exactly are you going?" Maddox asks.

"To see Alex I guess he's not doing well. Chris needs help getting him to come around. I need to talk to him again." I say kissing his cheek and brushing past him.

He grabs my arm. "You already talked to him. He's probably doing this for attention."

"Maddox, he wouldn't do that. I'll be back soon." I say, pulling on my arm.

"I don't want you to go to him. He can deal with this on his own."

I look at him confused. "What? You think I'll leave you for Alex now. Maddox grow up. He's my friend I'll go to him when he needs me, no matter what. Now, let go of my arm." I demand my anger rising. Doing the smart thing he lets go of my arm and I walk to the elevator doors. I put my phone and the address in my purse and step onto the elevator. I see Maddox watching me from where I left him. His face hard.

I get to the car and drive to the address Chris have me. It's a house and it has a gate similar to Tyler's. I put in the code Chris texted me on my way here. I drive up the long driveway and park. Gathering my purse and texting Maddox that I made it safely, I exit the car and walk up to the front door. I knock as hard as I can and wait. I knock again after a few minutes. Finally, I hear the door starting to opening.

I gasp at Alex standing in front of me. He looks nothing like Alex. And he seems shocked to see me. His hair is getting shaggy something I've never seen on him and he's bigger then he is normally. Then I think of what Chris said all he's does is play baseball and workout. He has facial hair a little longer then the five o'clock shadow look. Twin black smudges under his eyes tell me he doesn't sleep well. I can't be what caused this. I step to him and hug him. His arms stay at his side's for a second before pulling me to him tightly.

"Why didn't you call me? What's wrong?" I ask into his chest. His arms tighten slightly.

I look up trying to see his face but his head is buried in my hair. "He called you, didn't he?" Alex asks taking a deep breath.

"Only after I called him twenty times. What the hell is going on?" I ask again. He takes a deep breath and steps back pulling me into the house.

"What did he say?" he asks me.

"He said you don't do anything but play baseball and go the the gym. It can't be because of me. I've never seen you like this, talk to me." I say practically begging.

"I can't." He says sadly. He shakes his head and starts walking away. I'm shocked at first but I start to follow him. I look around me. I've seen the pace before. It looks so familiar but I can't put my finger on it. It's beautiful. Every part is perfection. I follow Alex through to the kitchen where he goes to the refrigerator and gets a water for him and a cream soda for me. My favorite, I haven't had it in so long I feel my mouth water. I take the soda and take a greedy gulp.

"I could never understand how you could drink that stuff. It tastes like pure sugar." He says smirking.

"So, delicious. I haven't had one since I moved here. Why do you have it if you don't like it?" I ask confused.

He shrugs, "Old habits die hard. Or not at all, in my case." He adds quietly.

I take another drink and look around. This is my dream kitchen. I would know this kitchen anywhere. I remember picking out all my favorite rooms with Chris when he was taking a home furnishing and decor class. It clicks. The living room and paint colors and this kitchen where all apart of my dream house. I used sticky notes and wrote which room was which. All while Chris was doing his presentation for his class. I look back at Alex and he's staring at me.

"You know, don't you." He says running his hand through his hair. I don't day anything, but I nod my head for an answer.

"Would you like to see the rest of your house." He asks looking embarrassed.

"Why would you do this?" I ask stunned.

"Well, I guess because your dream became my dream. At least part of it."

"It's beautiful." I say looking around again. I walk to the double French doors to the backyard. My backyard, the harbor over the patio with foliage wrapped around the beams partially blocking the sun. The sitting area is perfect for the space. I look to the built in grill and brick pizza oven. He got everything right. How many hours did he study those pictures and my notes?

I feel him come stand by me. "This is my second favorite part of the house." He confesses, looking over the yard.

"What's your first?" I ask curiously.

He shakes his head. "You didn't need to come here just because of Chris. I'm fine."

"Yeah, you look fine." I say sarcastically.

He chuckles and runs his hand over his face. "What are you going to do? There's nothing you can do to make me feel any better."

"I can try. Is there anything I can do?" I ask desperately.

"No, Blondie there's nothing." He says sadly. I go sit at the island barstools and look at the clock on the wall by the pantry.

it's 8:00 already. I hear my phone at the moment chirp indicating a text. I reach for my purse.

"It's probably Chris. Where is he anyway?" I ask.

"He got his own place near Beverly hills." He says.

"Nice of him to tell me. I say looking at my text. it's from J.J.

DID YOU GET INTO ANOTHER FIGHT? WHY IS MADDOX FIGHTING TONIGHT?

My heart falls and I sink back into the stool. No, he wouldn't fight. He promised no more fighting. I text back J.J.

ARE YOU SURE??

YEAH, HE'S HERE. FIGHT STARTS SOON. WANT ME TO STOP HIM?

NO. LEAVE IT. THANKS FOR TELLING ME. XO

I throw my phone in my bag. What am I supposed to do? Tyler doesn't want to see me anymore. I guess I can call Chris. I pick my phone back up and call Chris. Of course he didn't answer.

"What's wrong?" Alex asks sitting next to me.

"Can I stay here tonight?" I ask my voice breaking and tears threatening.

"Yeah. Now tell we what happened."

"Maddox is fighting tonight." I explain.

He doesn't say anything, "What does that mean?"

"Maddox, he fights in an underground illegal fighting ring. He promised to stop. I don't want to be around it or our baby. But he's there fighting, right now. My cousin just texted me." I explain, hurt and feeling betrayed.

"I want to go, I have to see it." I say determinedly. I stand up.

"I'm coming too." He says.