Fighting for Her

Riley kept her hand steady as she swung her brush around a curve, forming the letter "S" in pink. The music flooded her ears and kept her in an upbeat mood. She had a lot to look forward to, Anna's bachelorette and wedding, Tommy's tournament... But there was still something looming over her, like an ominous cloud. She pushed the thought out and away from her mind.

She hummed along, keeping her thoughts busy with other things.

But when our fingers interlock, can't deny, can't deny you're worth it...

The next few letters were easy. She swiped the "arah" with smooth, fluid strokes. Next came the "L". The letter in cursive always gave her problems. She dabbed the brush in pink paint, and held her breath before she put the brush to the toy chest. She stopped for a moment, and turned her head to the doorway. Her ominous cloud.

"Tess." Riley stood up and took the headphones out of her ears.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." Tess smiled sweetly as she stood by the doorway with Max.

"Its okay." She smiled back and nodded to Max who walked back into the storefront after the gesture.

"I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time." Tess looked around the shop and back at Riley who was donned in an apron and covered in paint.

Riley walked over to the sink and washed her hands, letting the water rinse the pink paint away.

"No, not at all. What's up?" Riley already knew, but had to ask anyway.

"I was hoping we could do..." She paused, unsure of her words, "...that thing tonight."

Riley fiddled with the straps on her apron. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it, speechless.

"I know its a lot to ask. But you have to understand, I feel like their relationship is estranged because of me." Tess spoke anxiously.

Riley sighed. "Tess..."

"Please Riley. From what Paddy tells me, Tommy will listen to you." She clasped her hands together, squeezing them tightly.

Riley knew it was true. Tommy would listen to her. But she just didn't feel right doing it the way Tess and Brendan wanted. "Maybe I should tell him."

"Brendan thinks he'll back out if he knows." Tess stared at Riley with pleading eyes.

She took in a deep breath and thought of Tommy. He had mentioned that he was going to contact his brother before they met up at the tournament. Maybe this was the right thing to do.

"Okay. Tonight."

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Riley couldn't focus. The "L" was painted, covered, repainted and recovered over a dozen times before Riley threw in the towel.

"Ugh!" She groaned. She washed her hands again and threw her apron on the counter. It was going to be a long night.

"Okay..." Anna said after watching Riley burst into the office. "Where you goin' there missy?"

"I just need some air." She grabbed her coat and left the shop. It was cold and there was still plenty of snow on the ground. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and yanked her beanie down and walked. She passed the little bakery that she made Tommy try macaroons in and smiled. Everything was going to be fine. She hoped.

She reached the gym, frozen from the cold air. The parking lot was full and Riley was partially glad she didn't drive there. She walked in and immediately felt the cold start to thaw off as the warmth from the gym cloaked her.

"Hey Riley!" Fenroy looked up from his computer and smiled.

"Hey Fen." She unraveled the scarf from her neck and let it hang lose by her side. "Been crazy in here?"

"Psh, yeah. Every day it gets crazier and crazier." He turned and peered through the black fence. "They just keep comin'."

"Gotta be good for business, though." She too looked through the fence at the crowd gathering around the ring. Two guys were sparring with each other, keeping the crowd entertained.

"Yeah, def." He averted his gaze from the gym, back to the computer screen as Riley walked past the desk and into the gym. She got a couple of nods from guys who were usually at the gym whenever she came to watch Tommy. She headed straight to his usual corner, where he was beating a bag up. She marveled at him, his broad back tense and his white shirt clinging to his body.

Tommy took a last swing at the giant bag before stopping at the sound of Riley's dragging feet. He turned and saw her face, red by the blistering cold wind.

His bright blue eyes crinkled at the sides from his smile. "Hi beautiful."

She smiled wide and ran into him with a tight hug. He was warm and she never wanted to let go.

"Shit, Ri. You're freezing!" He covered the back of her head and the small of her back with his hands, trying to get her warm.

"I walked here." She muffled into his chest.

"From the shop?" He pulled back and looked at her nod her head up and down. "You're crazy."

She shrugged. "I wanted to walk." She slid her scarf off and shimmied out of her coat and jacket.

He chuckled and shook his head. "I thought you were painting a toy box today?"

"I was. But I just needed to take a break." She looked over to the ring which was still surrounded by a crowd. She wondered how big the crowd would be at the tournament.

Tommy unstrapped his gloves and stuck them into his bag. "I still have to make my way over to the steel yard to finish my day. Wanna come?" He slipped into his grey sweatshirt and flipped his cap on.

"Sure. Then we can go back to my place." She lifted her eyebrows up and down playfully. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. She loved how affectionate he was, even in front of his peers. But it was probably because if any of them gave him any grief he could easily knock them out.

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Riley squealed as Tommy carried her over his shoulder through the apartment door. He laughed at her feeble attempt to get out of his grasp.

"This is so not part of your training!" She giggled, dropping her arms down his back, giving up the fight.

"Sure it is." He lifted her so that he was carrying her in both arms and then curled her towards his chest.

"Oh my god!" She grabbed onto his shirt and gasped. "Don't drop me don't drop me don't drop me!" She repeated as he curled her a few more times before cradling her in his arms.

"Drop you? Like this?" He tossed her gently but caught her as soon as he let go. She slapped his arm playfully after she let out a screech.

"Thomas!" She flung her arms around his neck and held tightly.

He laughed, "I would never drop you, Ri." Tommy set her down gently. "Where's Anna?"

"At Noah's, I think." She sat on the couch and untied the strings on her boots. Tommy nodded and began walking into her bedroom. "Where are you going?" She pouted.

"Shower." He said as he began pulling his clothes off. He nodded his head, beckoning her to follow. She smiled and hopped up, darting behind him.

The water was hot, and the room steamy. Riley's back was to the wall as Tommy stood in front of her, with his hands pressed against the tile wall. He kissed her longingly, letting the water run against his back. She grabbed at his muscular back, holding tightly as his kisses moved faster.

She broke free to take a breath in and nuzzled her face next to his. He moved his hand slowly down her stomach, feeling her nails dig into his back. She moaned softly into his ear as he picked up his pace. She was in heaven, grabbing him by the back of his neck and pulling his face to hers. She stared into his blazing blue eyes and let out a final gasp. He wrapped his hands around her hips and pulled her forward, kissing her roughly. He turned off the water and lifted her out of the shower, carrying her out of the room with her legs wrapped around his waist.

They dripped all the way to the bed, leaving puddles of water on the hardwood floor in her bedroom. He laid her on the bed and climbed on top of her, kissing her neck and jawline, until kissing her behind the ear. She closed her eyes and breathed heavily.

"I love you." She breathed. She had never been so sure of anything in her life.

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She was shaking. Riley sat in the passenger side of the truck as Tommy drove to his house. He reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Are you cold?" He put his hand in front of the heater to make sure hot air was coming out. Riley quickly shook her head and smiled weakly.

"I'm fine." She squeaked. She cleared her throat and tried to act casual.

I am not fine. I'm freaking out.

They pulled in front of his dads house after what seemed like an hour, but really only fifteen minutes tops. She noticed a silver mini van parked across the street and wondered if that was their car. She was hyperventilating, or maybe it was all in her mind. Her chest hurt.

Oh my god... Is this what a panic attack feels like?

"Stop." She said to herself. Tommy was outside and walking around the passenger side of the truck. He opened the door for her and lifted an eyebrow in confusion.

"Stayin' in the truck?" He held out his hand for her to grab. She took it and hopped out, smiling again.

The walk up to the front door was at least a mile long, or so it seemed.

Am I sweating? It's like twenty degrees out.

Her feet were crunching the snow beneath them. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. She couldn't take it.

"Tommy, wait." Her voice was high pitched and shaky. He turned and gave her another confused look.

"What?" He pulled open the screen door and slid his key inside the lock. He waited for her to continue but she was at a loss for words. She just stood there with her mouth open. He chuckled and opened the door. "Such a weirdo." He said, still looking behind him.

She looked over his shoulder and saw the three of them, Paddy, Tess and Brendan sitting in the living room. Her face turned white, she felt like she was going to faint.

This was such a bad idea.

He saw the look in her eye, and turned to see everyone staring at him in the doorway. He walked inside slowly and kept a strong stare on his brother. Everyone was quiet. Riley closed the door behind her, spooking Tommy out of his trance.

He looked at her, then at Brendan again. Finally he spoke.

"What the fuck is this?"