A grumpy gym owner. A man with nowhere else to go. And a couch that was only supposed to be temporary.

Tiernan O'Rourke doesn't ask questions. He just hands Arlo a combination lock, a breakfast burrito, and keys to the gym — and pretends none of it means anything.

Arlo walked away from two years of control and cruelty with everything he owned on his back and nowhere to go. He knows what it costs to trust the wrong man. So why does Tiernan — steady, watchful, asking nothing — feel like the most dangerous risk he's ever taken?

Building O'Rourke's Corner MMA into a place where queer fighters can just be themselves has always been Tiernan's life mission. Finding someone to fight for was something he never expected.

Arlo needs to learn that safe is real. Tiernan needs to admit he'd burn the whole world down to keep it that way.

Everyone needs a good cornerman. Welcome to O'Rourke's.

Expect:

Hurt/Comfort | Grumpy Protector | Workplace Romance (Boss/employee)

| Found Family | Forced Proximity | Spicy slow burn | Always an HEA!

The first book in The Corner Series.