Fighting for Her

With clenched teeth, Tommy stormed out of the ring and into the locker room. The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving just a couple guys to pick up Gorilla Man and drag him out of the ring. They flopped him on a chair, his head bobbing back and forth.

"That was so, oh my god... I don't even know... so crazy! Can you believe it?" Valerie didn't know whether she should be excited or horrified after seeing Tommy knock a grown man out in just under two minutes time.

Riley chuckled, "Awesome right?"

"Oh my god. I didn't think I could watch that. But I just couldn't take my eyes off of him." Valerie's eyes were wide, a smile spread across her lips.

Umm...

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Riley arched an eyebrow at Valerie who seemed suddenly preoccupied with her surroundings.

"Where did Tommy go?" Valerie's eyes scanned the room quickly.

Is she serious right now?

"Changing. Why?" Riley snapped at her but Valerie didn't seem to notice.

"Oh! There he is!" Tommy had a new number one fan, and her name was Valerie. "Tommy, that was amazing!" She gave it all she had, a million dollar smile, fake fluttering eyelashes and perfectly manicured hands clapping together.

With a quiet "thanks" and a confused look, Tommy walked right past her toward Riley.

Valerie's face fell into a pout as she watched Riley wrap her arms around him.

With her face next to his, Riley whispered, "I think I just found the president of your fan club."

She giggled as Tommy rolled his eyes.

"It's all your fault." He whispered back.

"Yes, its my fault that you're wicked hot." She smacked him on his butt and raised her eyebrows up and down.

"I'll have sex with you right in the middle of this gym. Don't tempt me." His face was close to hers, his eyes crinkling at the sides from a smile that played on his lips.

"Thomas Conlon!" Riley's jaw dropped and she let out a loud laugh.

He smiled playfully and kissed her. "You think I'm hot?"

"You're a creep." She slapped him lightly on the shoulder and smiled.

"So where to, now?" Valerie spoke up from behind them, clearing her throat to get their attention. "We still need favors."

There was no way Riley was going to subject herself to anymore talk of lavender and pearls, there would be enough of that at the shower. Plus it was bad enough that she wouldn't be able to see Tommy for the majority of the day tomorrow. She was feeling greedy and really didn't want to spend the rest of her day with a girl who was just going to try to flirt with her boyfriend.

Boyfriend... Riley smiled at the thought,

"Actually, Tommy has this thing and I'm going too... I totally forgot. And I think we might be late, actually. Yeah. So... I'll see you tonight?" Stammering, Riley swiftly grabbed Tommy by the hand and led him out the door, not turning to look back.

Once they reached the Oldsmobile, Riley yelled at the top of her lungs.

"I'M FREE!!!" She threw her head back and laughed maniacally.

"I feel so used." Tommy shook his head and grinned at Riley who was twirling around in circles. "Hey jerk, look sharp." Tommy pointed his chin towards the entrance of the gym.

Riley stopped twirling around to see Valerie walking out of Colts, head down, checking her phone.

"Shit. Let's go before she tries to explain the difference between organza and tulle again." Riley slid into the passenger seat, ducking her head down to hide.

"Some maid of honor you are. You should be ashamed." Tommy tsked at Riley, then winced as she punched him in the arm.

"So violent." He laughed at her pouting face.

"Anna doesn't even want this! She hates fancy parties. She likes tequila and karaoke, not freaking brunch at the Omni." Riley was sulking, leaning her head against the cold window.

"I know what you need." Tommy smirked and glanced over at Riley, raising his eyebrows up and down.

"What?" A smile curled on her lips.

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Riley had to admit, the Omni William Penn Hotel was gorgeous. The crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were huge and glistened as the sun shined through the windows of the banquet room.

Valerie really delivered with the decor, setting the ambiance just right.

"How amazing is this?" Valerie squealed as she scurried toward Riley and Anna.

"Its really great, Val. Thank you!" Anna was beaming. She looked beautiful in a pale pink dress. They hugged and Valerie took off to mingle with other guests. There were some friends from college, but mostly Anna's family.

"How ridiculous is this?" Anna nudged Riley with her elbow and took a sip of her mimosa.

"I think its rather dashing." Riley faked an English accent and giggled.

"Why didn't you stop her? This is too much." Anna frowned and picked up a raspberry scone. The tables were draped in organza and a perfect lavender bow was tied behind each chair. Photos of Anna at different ages were on each table. There was also a photo from New Year's Eve of the four of them. Henry's arm draped over an elated Anna and Tommy planting a kiss on Riley's cheek. She missed him and it had only been less than a day.

"It's nice, A. Just enjoy yourself. You deserve it." Riley hugged her best friend and excused herself.

"Oh god, don't be long. You can't leave me with these people." Anna whispered loudly to Riley who just laughed and exited the banquet room.

Pulling her phone out of her clutch, she dialed Tommy's number.

He answered on the second ring.

"Need me to save you already?" He laughed into the phone, skipping the hello.

"No. Its actually not bad. I just missed you." She sat on a padded bench in the hallway. Admiring the woodwork, she traced her fingers through the groves that swirled around the arm rest.

"I miss you too, Ri." His voice was so much deeper over the phone, it made her smile.

There was a pause between them. Riley opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, letting out a small sigh.

"What's wrong Ri." Tommy sensed she was a little anxious.

"Nothing. Its nothing. I should probably get back to Anna before she freaks." She laughed, covering up her nervousness.

"Okay. Come over tonight?"

"And break your father's rules?" Riley gasped jokingly and tsked back at him.

"Its okay, I'll sneak you in through the window." He laughed, wishing she was already there.

"So romantic, Mr. Conlon." She tugged at the hem of her blue dress.

"Alright go, I'll see you tonight."

"I can't wait." She smiled slowly, wishing she could build up the courage to say what she really wanted to say.

"You sure you're okay?" His voice was soft and patient, causing her to close her eyes and take a deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll see you soon." She slid her finger over the screen to end the call and dropped the phone in her lap. She leaned her head back against the wall and sighed.

"I love you Tommy." She said the words out loud, without a hitch. "See, what was so hard about that?"

________________________________

"Well that meeting was a fucking waste of my Saturday." He brought the cool glass of whiskey up to his lips and took a sip.

"Tell me about it. Next time we'll send Kyle to handle the account."

"I'm gonna hit the head, I'll be back." He slid the gold chiavari chair back and smoothed the pleats in his slacks. He picked up his phone and dialed the firm. As it rang, he saw her. Her hair pulled up, a flowy blue dress that showed her legs and nude high heels.

"Liam Tate & Company, this is Rebecca. How may I direct your call?"

What was she doing here? She looked beautiful.

"Hello?"

He ended the call and slid his phone in his pocket. He watched her as she spoke on the phone, smiling. He remembered when he used to make her smile like that too.

Who is she talking to? He wondered.

As he got closer he saw her hang up the phone and put her head against the wall.

"I love you Tommy."

"What the fuck?" He swore to himself. "Fucking bullshit."

His mind was racing. How could she love him? She barely knew him!

He could feel the desperation flowing through his veins.

He had to put an end to this.

He had to put an end to Tommy.