Semi-Edited!

Song above is....(Kissed You) Goodnight by Gloriana (this song is everything. Watch the music video because it is fits this chapter so freaking well! Trust me you will want to watch it at the end of the chapter) 

Happy Reading! :)

Alex

"The guy is big but unrefined." Noah said as he taped up my hands. Tugging at them to make sure they were secure. It was a thing we did every single fight since I first started.

Once my hands were taped I finished stretching my arms and neck. Mentally running through all the moves I knew, almost like I was imagining the fight.

"So are you going to tell us about you and Riley?" Derek suddenly asked, breaking my concentration.

"There is no Riley and me." I grunted.

"That's the biggest lie I've ever heard." Derek scoffed from his spot on the couch in the small room we were in.

"I told her about my parents." I said after a minute, fiddling with the tape on my hands.

"How did she take it?" Nico asked.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Someone called me right after." I sent a look at Noah. His call came at the worse time possible. I was seconds away from kissing Riley. Yes it may have been bad timing on my part as well, having just told her about my parents. But I was about to kiss her after all this time. And she looked like she wanted to kiss me too.

"Don't worry, the next time you see her everything will be fine." Noah waved me off.

The thought of Riley leaving after what I told her made me clench my fists. Right now was not the time to be thinking of that. I had a fight to go do and I didn't need to be distracted. Riley was too big of a distraction.

"Do we know what the girls are up to?" Derek asked.

"Lex texted me and said they are hanging out at Liv's."

"Don't worry you'll see your girl after the fight." Noah teased.

"Olivia isn't my girl." I watched as Derek's head snapped up from his phone, sending Noah a glare.

"I didn't say Olivia's name. You did." Noah knew what he was doing as he smirked at Derek.

"Er...well she isn't my girl." He grumbled.

"Dude, why haven't you asked her out yet?" Noah asked, leaning against the door facing Derek. I kept my gaze on Derek waiting for his response. The poor guy has been in love with Olivia since I can remember.

Everyone in a ten mile radius knows he likes her. The same goes for Olivia. She has liked him just as long. But the pair is so freaking oblivious. Olivia has no clue the reason guys don't ask her out is because they've been threatened by Derek not to even look in her direction.

Derek has marked her as his yet she has no clue. And Derek is so hung up on Olivia that he doesn't notice the line of girls that line up to get his attention. In his eyes Olivia is it. No on else exists but her.

"Because I don't want to." All three of us sighed at him. We've been trying for ages to get him to just ask Olivia out but he never does.

"Stop being a chicken shit and do it." Nico grunted.

"She'll say yes." Noah rolled his eyes.

"Grow some balls." I added.

"Oh like you have room to talk." Derek snapped. "You've liked Riley for ages and still haven't asked her out."

"That's because she doesn't like me that way. Olivia does to you."

"Bullshit. Everyone with eyes can see the way Riley looks at you." It was Derek's turn to roll his eyes at me.

"You both need to man up and ask them out." Nico butted in. Like its that easy. I wanted to reply but didn't.

A second later the door to the room opened and a head popped in.

"Kinley, you're up next." As soon as the door shut I felt the calm settle over me. As soon as I'm told I'm next any sort of nerves I had disappeared.

"We'll head out and find some spots. You got this." Noah, Nico and Derek stood up giving me a nod before leaving me alone in the room.

I paced around the room, bouncing on my toes and relaxing the tension in my shoulders. I could go out to see the other fight happening and maybe see my opponent but it wasn't something I did.

I'd rather stay in here until they get me. A huge chunk of fighting is mental, not physical. You wouldn't think seeing your opponent beforehand could psych you out, but it can. If what I've heard about my opponent tonight is true, then the guy is easily twice my size. But that doesn't mean anything. Size doesn't matter when it comes to street fighting.

Ten minutes passed before the door to my room opened once again. The same guy from before stuck his head in letting me know it was time. Rolling my shoulders I took one last deep breath before leaving the room.

The minutes that passed as I left the room and entered the ring were a blur; like they usually were. I heard the crowd all around me yelling but soon those too faded out into silence.

I kept my gaze straight ahead at the guy I would be fighting. What I heard was right, the guy was huge, bigger than I was. The lip curl the guy sent me almost had me rolling my eyes. Acting tough gets you no where.

With one last deep breath, the fight started and I was finally in my element. Following my opponent, Grant, we circled one another. While he was just trying to intimidate me, I was following his movements with watchful eyes.

Keeping a close eye could be enough to make you win or lose the fight. If you don't you may miss the way they don't put as much pressure on their right left. That their right shoulder is hunched in a bit, leaving their left more vulnerable.

It didn't take long for Grant to make the first move. No big surprise. I never make the first move, not if I can help it. Better to make them lose their patience first.

When the hit came towards me I easily ducked out of the way, keeping light on my toes. The more your opponent swings the faster they tire out, elevating you with plenty of energy at the end.

The two of us continued like this for a few more minutes. Him aiming for my face only for me to move away. I lead him all around the ring, making sure to keep my front to his.

For one split second I glanced over Grant's shoulder, knowing the boys would be standing right there as usual. But as soon as I looked over I immediately met a different pair of eyes.

Riley?

Those green eyes I have come to know in the last few weeks were staring right back at me. Riley was here. Here of all places. Watching me fight. I didn't have to look to know Olivia and Lexi were here as well. Who else would bring Riley here.

Multiple feelings washed over me in a split second; surprise, happiness, before anger finally set in.

From the corner of my eye I noticed a fist coming towards my face but my body didn't react in time. Grant's fist his my cheek, my head snapping to the side and my feet stumbling slightly.

Out of all the yells in the room I heard one person scream my name.

"ALEX!"

Gaining my footing back, my head whipped back towards Riley. The pain in my cheek disappearing at the sight of her. Noah had his arm wrapped around her middle, holding her back from coming towards the ring. Her face looked pale and her beautiful eyes were wide.

The look on her face was the reason I never wanted her to be here. She didn't need to see this. She was too good for a place like that. And a part of me that never wanted to admit it, was afraid as soon as she saw me like this her idea of me would change.

"WATCH OUT!" Riley screamed once more. Her voice seemed to snap me back and I managed to turn and duck in time to miss another hit to the face.

More than ready for this fight to end and to get Riley out of here, I clenched my jaw before launching at Grant. The anger brewing inside of me helped make this quick.

Faster than Grant thought I'd be, I stalked towards him before throwing a right hook to his face. When the first hit knocked him unsteadily on his feet, I used that to send one more hit to his temple. Successfully knocked him out and down.

The huge guy fell to the ground with a thud and the crowd went silent. It took all of two seconds before the yelling and cheering started once again. Normally the cheering would radiate through me at the end of a fight but this time it only made me turn back around to face Riley.

I watched as the crowd surged around her but thankfully Noah had a good grip on her and kept her steady. I knew the others were doing the same to the girls. I bet they were just as pissed as I was that they came without us knowing.

If I had known they were bringing Riley I would have made Noah take her to the room immediately, and away from all these people. Who knew what would happen to them in a crowd like this. I knew the men here. Knew what they were capable of. My girl does not belong in a place like this. I hope that Noah and the others got to them before anyone else did.

The announcer called my name out as the winner but I didn't give two shits. Shaking off his hands I made my way to the edge of the ring to leave. I kept my gaze on Riley as I climbed out of the ring.

As I neared I felt my chest tighten. From here she looked fine but I needed to make sure myself. Riley wiggled in Noah's grip before he finally let her go as I reached them.

Riley face morphed from concern to anger in a split second. Before I could even breathe a word her hands came up and gripped my face, yanking me forward. Her strength surprising me.

"You are a fucking idiot." Was all she said before her lips slammed into mine.

I stood there in shock for a good ten seconds. My arms hanging loosely by my side before I finally knocked some sense into myself.

Bringing my arms up I gripped Riley waist and kissed her back.

FINALLY!

All this time I've wondered what Riley's lips felt like, what they'd taste like. I was finally experiencing it. And damn...it was everything I've wanted and more.

Pulling away from the kiss, I laid my forehead against hers breathing heavier than I probably ever have in my life. I inwardly grinned at how out of breath Riley was as well. At least I wasn't the only one affected by that kiss.

"I'm an idiot huh?" I breathed out, pulling back just enough to look down at her eyes. At the flushed look at on her face I felt my lips twitching upwards. Riley opened her mouth as if to say something but nothing came out.

A clearing of a throat cut our moment. Noah appeared behind Riley and made a motion with his head towards the room in the back. Realizing we were still standing in the middle of the crowd, I tightened my hold on Riley.

There were still a few more fights to go but I wanted to get Riley out of this crowd. I've seen the crowd enough times to know they can get really rowdy. Most are men who can be very very touchy.

"Come with me." Moving my hands off of her hips, I grabbed Riley's hand and pulled her close to me. The guys each sent me nods as I looked at them and we all fell into a line, Noah pushing a path through the crowds for us.

As we walked I felt hands patting my shoulders in congratulations but I was too focused on Riley to even care. I tried not to get too giddy at the feeling of her hand tightening around mine as we walked. Ahead of us Nico and Derek had tight grips on Lexi and Olivia.

As soon as we reached the room and had the door shut behind us, I had to take a deep breath so I didn't just right out say something. It would do me no good in lashing out.

I lead Riley over to the couch and as much as I didn't want to I let go of her hand, taking a step back. I could feel her and everyone else's eyes on me as I turned my back on them.

As much as I wanted to sit next to Riley and keep holding her hand I needed a moment. Just a moment to clear my head. The kiss seemed to put me in a slight fog and I needed a moment to think straight without the thought of Riley's lips.

Going into the bathroom away from everyones gaze, I braced my hands on the counter. I took in a few gulps of air to steady myself before looking directly at the mirror in front of me.

Because I was so focused on Riley I hadn't even realized the damage Grant's fist did to my face. To be honest I hadn't really felt it. Even now it was a dull throb despite the already swollen cheek and the cut near my eye.

I didn't exactly look the hottest with blood dripping down my face but apparently Riley hadn't minded when she kissed me. Then again maybe she was in the moment too.

One thought forced its way to the front of my mind making me grip harshly onto the counter.

What if Riley only kissed me because she was in the moment? She was so caught up in everything, maybe she only felt the need to because of the situation. Did she regret it?

The insecure thoughts sprang to mind, one after another. Each one worse than the last and making me think Riley may in fact regret kissing me.

Just as I felt like I was about to drown in my thoughts a soft hand on my arm jerked me back. My eyes had glazed over in the mirror but blinking they cleared to see Riley standing next to me, hand on my arm.

I stared at her through the mirror. My eyes running over her face before finally noticing what she was wearing. I clenched my jaw as I took in the black top that hugged Riley's upper body, a sliver of skin sticking out at the bottom. I could only see the top of the jeans she were wearing but I instantly knew they were just as snug as the top. Definitely Lexi's clothes. 

(Riley's outfit is the last one. I ended up changing it from last chapter cause I wanted an edgier vibe for Riley. Sorry if these annoy you)

While they were Lexi's clothes they kinda suited Riley. She had that good girl persona but dressed in all black she had that 'bad girl' vibe going. It was insanely hot.

"Lets get you cleaned up." Her soft voice jerked me out of my perverted thoughts. With a soft but firm tug on my forearm, Rile pulled me away from the sink and back into the room.

I followed behind her silently and when she pointed for me to take a seat on the couch I obeyed. Noah came forward with the first aid kit each room had and handed it to Riley.

Even though there were others in the room I only had eyes on Riley. All I could do was sit there as she squatted down in-between my legs and peered up at me. I had to stifle a groan as an image popped into mind. Now is not the fucking time. I inwardly hissed at my perverted self.

To distract myself from my dirty thoughts, I finally spoke.

"Is anyone going to explain why Riley, Olivia and Lexi are here?" My voice had come out harsh but one look at Riley I tried to calm myself down.

"Lexi was saying you guys were doing something and I wanted to see what it was." Riley spoke up first. I already knew she was going to try an take the blame for all of it. Clearing knowing none of us, especially me, were happy about them coming here; alone.

Riley avoided my gaze as she carefully wiped at the blood on my face.

"Is there a reason you brought this place up Lexi? You know none of us want you guys coming here."

"We are big girls Alex. We can take care of ourselves." Lexi spoke, sending a glare in my direction.

"Damn it Lexi." I slammed my hand down on the couch but instantly regretted it as I saw Riley flinch away.

Inwardly yelling at myself I brought my hands up and softly grabbed the sides of Riley's face, I tilted her head up to look at me. 

"I would never hurt you." I spoke so soft I doubted the others could hear us. Riley's beautiful green eyes flickered back and forth between my own eyes. Her hands rested on my knees as she looked up at me.

Brushing my thumbs across her cheeks I felt my chest tighten.

"This is not a safe place. The thought of you..." I trailed off, clenching my jaw. "I don't want you to get hurt." Without a second thought I leaned forward, pressing my lips to her forehead.

Pulling back I gazed into her eyes. Like always they were brimming with emotion.

"Next time call me. So I can be there." I couldn't ban her from doing things. That wasn't my place and nor would it ever be. But I had to make sure she was safe. "Okay?"

Riley nodded her head in response. Feeling like a small weight had been lifted off of my chest I made myself drop my hands from her face and lean back a bit. As soon as my hands came back to rest of the couch they itched to be touching her again.

It took Riley a moment before she got back to cleaning up my face.

"Where did you learn to clean cuts?" I asked, hoping to break the tension in the room.

"My brother. He would always come home from a soccer match with a cut or from some fight."

"You have a brother?" Derek asked surprised. Riley rarely talked about herself around everyone else, so it wasn't too surprising that the others didn't know. Riley liked to keep to herself most of the time.

"Guess who her brother is." Since I couldn't move from face from Riley patching me up, my eyes darted in Derek's direction.

"Who?"

"Trent Carson." I waited for it to sink in and I knew when it did when his eyes lit up.

"Trent Carson as in..."

"Yep."

"Trent Carson. Why do I know that name?" Noah spoke up.

"Literally the best soccer player on the West Coast! He was captain of the soccer team since he was a freshman and lead the team to the championships every single year."

Back in the day Derek and I were on the soccer team at school while Noah was at his school. During the off season all three of us were be on a separate league together. That all ended last year when my parents passed away and Noah's sister.

Since then neither of us has wanted to play soccer again. And Derek well, he didn't want to be on the team alone.

Our inner soccer geeks were coming out at the mention of Riley's brother. He was literally one of the best soccer players, which is why it is so shocking he didn't take any scholarships to play.

"How did we not know your brother was Trent Carson." Noah asked, shaking his head at himself.

"Where did he accept his scholarship? It would be awesome to see him again and pass the ball around." Derek suggested. Riley was quiet for a moment before she finally answered.

"He joined the Marines."

"Oh." Noah and Derek went silent. Probably having no clue on what to say to that.

Silence instantly took over the room.

Once again I turned all of my attention on Riley. Our eyes met as she softly dabbed ointment on my cut. I wanted to kiss her again. God did I want to kiss her again but I knew right now was not the time. We should probably talk about the kiss before I did it again, just in case she did regret it. I'd rather have Riley in my life as a friend than not at all.

That thought killed me but I knew couldn't handle not having her in my life anymore. Now that she was apart of it I wasn't going to let her go.