Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Cracks in the Armor
Sunday mornings at the gym were usually quiet. That was why Ava liked them.
The old boxing gym on the east side of town wasn't exactly a high-end training facility, but it was the only place she could go to clear her head. The smell of sweat and old leather was comforting in a way she couldn't explain. It was the one place where no one expected her to smile, to be perfect, to be the cheerleader everyone thought she was.
She wrapped her hands with precision, tugging the fabric tight around her knuckles before stepping up to the heavy bag.
Left hook. Right jab. Uppercut.
Each hit sent vibrations up her arms, grounding her in the moment.
Here, she wasn't the girl with a past she didn't talk about. She wasn't the girl who had to plaster on a smile every day.
She was just Ava.
And then, of course, her peace was shattered.
"You know, I figured you had some secrets, Carter."
Ava froze mid-punch, her pulse spiking at the familiar voice. She turned slowly, already knowing who she would see.
Jaxon Reed stood near the entrance, arms crossed, his ever-present smirk tugging at his lips. He was wearing a hoodie and sweats, like he'd just come from a run, but there was something amused—and maybe a little impressed—in his expression.
She sighed, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Do you follow me now, Reed? Because that would be creepy."
He chuckled, stepping closer. "Relax. I run past this place all the time. Saw you through the window." He paused, tilting his head. "Didn't peg you for a boxer, though."
Ava shrugged, turning back to the bag. "People don't really know much about me."
"Yeah," he said, watching her carefully. "I'm starting to realize that."
She ignored him, landing another solid punch against the bag. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to acknowledge it.
"You any good?" he asked after a moment.
Ava huffed a laugh. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would, actually." He stepped around her, lifting his hands. "Show me."
She raised a brow. "You want me to hit you?"
Jaxon grinned. "Come on, Carter. Let's see what you got."
Ava hesitated. She wasn't stupid—she knew Jaxon was just messing with her. But part of her wanted to see how serious he was.
She adjusted her stance, rolling her shoulders before throwing a quick jab. He dodged easily, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Not bad," he admitted. "But I bet you can hit harder."
Something inside her flared at the challenge. She threw another punch, this time aiming for his ribs. He barely dodged, laughing as he stepped back.
"That all you got?"
Ava narrowed her eyes. Oh, he was playing with fire.
She shifted, throwing a quick combination—left jab, right cross. He blocked the first one but wasn't fast enough for the second. Her fist connected lightly with his side, and he let out a dramatic groan.
"Damn," he muttered. "Okay, maybe you do have some moves."
Ava smirked, dropping her fists. "Told you."
Jaxon exhaled, rubbing his side. "Remind me not to piss you off."
She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Too late."
He laughed, and for some reason, it made her stomach flip.
She didn't know what to do with Jaxon Reed.
He was cocky, charming, and way too persistent for his own good. But he also wasn't giving up on whatever this was between them.
And for the first time in a long time, Ava wasn't sure she wanted him to.