Brightside | ✓

40 | edge of seventeen

It wasn't often that Eddie got to watch a boxing match versus fight in one. She always tried her best to see all of Rush's, but life didn't work out that way all the time. Further, it wasn't often Eddie got to watch Rush's fights with someone who wasn't Peter.

"Do you think Rush is going to win?"

"I hope so."

Axel chomped down on a nacho because, somehow, he could eat when his friend was about to try and defend his title once again. "I can't tell if that means you think he can or not."

"He's beaten Bo before."

"But...?"

"But it's boxing," Eddie said. She didn't like the way her leg bounced and she couldn't even blame the overpriced diet coke that Axel had bought her because she hadn't even touched it. "Nothing's guaranteed."

"It's Rush," Axel said.

"He's lost before," Eddie said. Even though she'd watched that belt win on pay-per-view, she'd also watched his toughest losses behind a paywall as well. "Shouldn't underestimate Bo."

Eddie caught sight of someone trying to get her attention from the other side of the ring as she stared into space. Unable to focus on even Axel beside her. Nerves were normal when she was boxing, but at least she could control what was happening. Watching Rush was different. She just had to watch it unravel and hope none of her friends got hurt along the way. Her eyes darted to the movement, meeting the eyes of Bo's boyfriend from the bar. Donny. He gave her a small wave. Raised his eyebrows and motioned to the ring. Shook his hands a little. The message was clear: what the fuck was his life watching his boyfriend get in a fight for money. Eddie contemplated sending Axel over and they could compare notes, but technically she hadn't fought anyone since they started dating. All she could off Donny was a small thumbs up. He gave her a smile in return and pressed his hands together in a silent thank you before he found his seat.

"You okay?" Axel asked.

"It doesn't get easier," Eddie said. "Feel like I should tell you that since I want you around for a while."

"Careful, Eds, that was almost romantic."

Eddie rolled her eyes. "You're so—ugh."

Axel laughed into another bite of nacho. Dropped a slice of black olive back in the tray for his trouble. "Care to expand?"

"I just—" Eddie sighed. "Rush is one of my best friends. And it's hard watching him fight, even when he wins. I know you've seen both of us fight before but... it might be different. I don't know. I—I just—I'm not going to stop fighting because of you. Not that you asked me to, or—or implied that you wanted me to. And today is about Rush. But."

Eddie looked across the ring again. Easily spotted Donny, front row. Bo's corner. Looking like he was about to throw up any meal he had managed to stomach before heading to the fight.

"I don't want you worried," Eddie said. "And I wanted to say that. I don't know if that helps. Or doesn't. You're under no obligation to ever watch a fight of mine, okay? If it makes you, you know, uncomfortable. Or whatever. Rush is my friend and I'm nervous, I can only imagine... us. What we are. I don't know. It's been on my mind. Was this a bad time to bring it up? I'm sorry."

Axel looked at her for a moment. Eyes darted across her features. He smiled halfway. Like he was trying not to but couldn't fight it. "You say that like I've never watched a fight while I had feelings for you."