You're His Rival

Three

The next day at training, you stood at the edge of the mats, watching the sparring sessions that were going on. Your hands were in your hair, putting it up while you watched Logan and Kick spar.

You paced back and forth along the edge, keeping your eyes on the bodies colliding on the mat, "Faster, Logan. Kicks gonna go for your legs every time if you stay this slow." You called out to him, crouching down to watch them try for choke holds.

"Shit!" Logan grunted as his back hit the mat. Kick sweeping his leg just like you predicted.

"See?" You called out.

"You think you could do better?" Hesh nudged your arm.

"I couldn't do worse." You muttered, earning a laugh from him.

The gym doors opened and your eyes glanced over to see Keegan. You gave him a vexed look up and down quickly before turning your attention back to the spar. "You and I are up next, Hesh." You lightly punched him and he played like the impact had broken his arm.

Keegan paused momentarily, an odd sense of apprehension washing over him. But he shook it off, clearing his throat as he strode over to the sidelines next to you.

"Yeah, good luck, Hesh," he teased, a smirk gracing his lips as he watched Hesh dramatically nursing his arm. "With that punch, you'll need it."

Despite the light banter and the sporadic laughter echoing around the gym, his mind was a whirl of thoughts, his eyes periodically darting to you.

His annoyance from yesterday hadn't faded, but he masked his unease with his usual sarcasm and cockiness.

Keegan positioned himself along the wall close by, arms crossed over his chest. Every part of him was trained on you, watching your movements, your expressions.

He was searching for clues, for something that could explain your strange behavior. His gaze remained unwavering, his instincts sharp, ready to catch the tiniest slip.

It didn't take you long to have Hesh on the mat, putting him in an arm bar with his face and stomach on the mat, "How many times do I have to tell you and your brother to watch your fucking legs?" You grunted, pulling his arm harder to put more pressure on him.

Your eyes flashed to the female recruit Keegan had been with the previous night in the lounge and your eyes narrowed.

Keegan's eyes followed yours and understanding dawned on him, making his stomach churn. Fuck. How the hell was he supposed to fix jealousy?

You lost focus for a split second, just long enough for Hesh to break your hold and in a flash, you were pinned face down beneath him with his knee in your spine.

Keegan frowned as he watched you get pinned down, especially by Hesh. It was unlike you to lose focus, especially during a spar.

"That fuckin' hurt, y/n," Hesh grumbled, hopping up from you and extending a hand to help you up. He rotated his shoulder, stretching out the muscles that had taken the brunt of your arm bar.

"You'll live, Hesh." You grunted out. Ignoring the offered hand, you pushed yourself up and dusted off your sweaty gym gear, your frown not escaping Keegan's notice.

"Lost your focus there, huh?" Keegan called out loud enough for everyone to hear, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He pushed off the wall, striding closer to the mats.

"Try again with me? Or are you too busy daydreaming?" he challenged, motioning to the mat.

His words were casual, playful even, but his eyes were intense, piercing. He knew what he was doing, pushing your buttons, trying to get a reaction, to make you talk, even if that consisted of you screaming half of what needed to be said.