Lessons Learned

"What do you mean Kat has lost ten fighters?" I sighed and tucked the phone into my shoulder so I could pull my pants on,

"I mean there these fucking underground fight rings that don't seem to have any actual organization to them and they're letting underage kids fight in them. Have you heard anything about it?"

"I have actually. You remember Adam Crawford?"

"The kid from Oregon? Didn't he get kicked out of his gym in Philly?"

"He did indeed, I heard that he was doing time in Florida for assault like a year ago."

"Shit bro, for real?"

"Yupp, and I guess he's back and looking to stir some shit up."

"But why is he in the Burgh? As far as I know, he never fought here."

"He tried, Kat wouldn't let him in her gym. I don't know what he's trying to accomplish, but Hell is about to become his new home. There's a fight this weekend, wanna roll through and check it out?"

"Maybe, I'll let you know tomorrow, yeah?"

"Sounds good, later Trin."

"Bye Eric." I hit the end button and slid the phone in the back pocket of my jeans. Slipping my shoes on, I grabbed my bag and made my way out of the locker room, heading to Kat's office. I found her sitting at her desk, glaring rather harshly at the stack of paperwork in front of her.

"Ya know, glaring at the paper won't make it disappear." I remarked, dropping my bag and plopping down in the chair in front of the large oak desk that dominated the room. She looked up and smiled, wiping a tired hand down her face.

"I know, but I can try anyway. Geno left, said something about needing to go see his doctor. Did you manage to find anything out?"

"Mhm, apparently Adam Crawford is back in town and looking to start some drama." She groaned and dropped her head onto her desk,

"Are you kidding me? I thought that little rodent would've gotten shanked in prison for sure." She mumbled. I laughed and shook my head, leaning down to grab my bag off the floor,

"Apparently not. Alright, I gotta go home and pass the fuck out." Kat lifted her head and gave me a look,

"Are you gonna be ok to drive? Want me to give you a ride?"

"Naw, I'm good. I'll see you at home later?" She nodded and laid her head back down,

"Yupp, after I manage to fight this paperwork into submission."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I staggered tiredly through the door, dropping my stuff in the hall and stumbling up the stairs to my room. I kicked my shoes off, plugged my phone into the wall charger, and collapsed face down on my bed, fully clothed and unable to care.

I woke up with absolutely no idea what time it was, but held fast to a fucking furnace. Once I registered the heat, I recognized the weight of the arm draped around my waist and the pressure of the heavy body pressed against my back. I smiled and snuggled back into Evgeni's warmth, content to simply lay in the quiet. I felt him stirring behind me, and turned my head in time to see his eyelids flutter open, meeting his melted chocolate gaze. He smiled and blushed slightly,

"Sorry, I tried to wake you up for dinner and you tell me to stay." Oh god, whyyyy? I felt my face flame and buried my face in his chest,

"Sorry, I get really cuddly when I'm tired." I looked at the clock, eyes widening when I noticed it was after two in the afternoon,

"Why did you guys let me sleep for that long?"

"You were tired, need sleep." I nodded and stretched, rolling out of bed and padding over to my bathroom. I quickly washed my face and walked back into my room to find clean clothes, smiling at the hockey player currently lounging on my bed.

"Carnival in town, go with me?" I popped my head out of the closet and smiled widely at the red faced Russian,

"Evgeni Malkin, are you asking me out on a date?" He blushed harder and nodded, making me giggle slightly.

"I would love too, when do you want to go?" He shrugged and looked at his watch,

"Go get lunch, then go to Carnival? Hour to get ready?" I smiled and nodded,

"Sounds good!" He grinned and popped up, exiting my room quickly. Once the door was shut and I could no longer hear his footsteps, I squealed excitedly and dove across my bed for my phone, dialing my mom's number quickly,

"Hey dollface."

"MOM HE ASKED ME OUT WE'RE GETTING LUNCH AND GOING TO THE CARNIVAL OHMYGOD I AM SO EXCITED I COULD DIE." I screeched, laughing at her shriek of pain,

"That's amazing honey, now go get dressed and stop screaming in my ear." I stuck my tongue out at my phone and hung up without saying goodbye, running back into my closet to find something to wear. I grinned when I dug through the shelves and came up with my favorite pair of jeans and a Mario and Luigi t shirt, perfect for going on rides and playing games. I changed quickly and skipped back to my bathroom to do my hair and makeup. Skipping anything fancy and complicated, I straightened my hair and put on some eyeliner, mascara, and a tinted lip balm.

I love casual, seriously.

I slid my sneakers on, shoved some cash and my ID in a wristlet, and snagged my leather jacket off the back of my chair, bopping downstairs to grab a water bottle from the fridge.

"And she lives!" I whipped around at the sound of Kat's voice and placed my hand over my now racing heart,

"Jesus Kat, don't do that." She just laughed and snatched my water bottle, taking a swig before handing it back. I glared at her and capped the bottle before perching myself on the kitchen counter.

"So where are you going?" I grinned and died a little inside,

"To the carnival with Geno." Kat squealed and clapped her hands, then pulled me off the counter and forced me to twirl,

"Perfect outfit too, love the shirt."

"RIGHT?" I giggled and did a little happy dance, spinning in a circle and promptly running into a grinning Russian. I felt my face flare and hid my head in my hands, peeking through my fingers to look at Evgeni.

"Nice dance."