“Do you not want me to stay?”
I frowned. “Of course I want you to stay, but you were the one who stated she wanted space.”
She nodded. “I do…I just…” She swallowed. “Can I stay?”
I nodded, crawling back onto the bed and tugging her to my chest. “You can. I would love for you to stay.”
Chapter 20 - Jade
I stood on the side, stretching, watching as Brandon ran another group through their drill. I was trying to focus on myself, but my eyes kept looking back at him every few moments. He walked around, adjusting people’s stances and showing them how to punch or kick properly. He really was putting his heart into training, and it showed. Even when he was being strict, you could tell he was still being kind. He didn’t yell with anger, but rather with care.
“You’re staring,” Nora said, a smirk plastered on her face.
“No, I’m not,” I said, breaking my gaze away from him and pulling it back to my feet as I leaned forward to touch my toes. I could feel my face growing red, but I tried to shake it off.
“You’re such a terrible liar,” she laughed as she pulled herself up, reaching for the sky. “Your face is a dead giveaway.”
“I was not staring,” I grumbled back, trying to keep my composure. My eyes, however, flicked toward Brandon. They seemed to move on their own, and I couldn’t stop them.
He stopped next to two women who I knew were new to training. He was demonstrating how to stand and hold their shoulders properly. My eyes watched his hands, knowing what his fingers were capable of.
I felt my face grow hot, and a flush rolled over my entire body. Nora started to laugh louder, which caused people to look at us.
I elbowed her, throwing daggers her way. “Shut up. Stop laughing.”
She continued to laugh, covering her mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just so cute. I’ve never seen this side of you before. That longing and wanting look is new.”
“I don’t want him,” I whispered back, suddenly wishing I could disappear into a dark hole.
She snorted. “And I don’t want to enjoy a piece of cheesecake after this, but I do.”
I sighed heavily. “It’s not like that. We’re just getting along.”
Nora smiled. “You don’t have to be embarrassed that you like the man you’re married to. Come on, this is me.”
But how could I like someone who abandoned me? Sure, he had a reason, but he could have told me. We could have talked about things. Brandon didn’t just have to leave me behind. My heart wanted one thing, and my mind wanted another. I didn’t know which to listen to.
I glanced at Brandon, taking him in. He had grown a lot since he was a young man. His hair had darkened, and his skin was tanner. He had more muscle behind him and a sharper jawline. He wasn’t the guy who left me three years ago.
A whistle blew, and I knew the group was done with their training for the day, which meant it was our turn. Nora hopped on the balls of her feet, and we moved over to take a spot near the back. I smirked at her because I wasn’t the only person who was eager for training anymore. Both of us seemed to find it relaxing and something to look forward to.
I turned to the front of the group. I watched Brandon, and I could see that his shirt was soaked with sweat. My mind traveled back to the other night once more. My throat suddenly went dry, remembering how his body felt against mine. I couldstill remember how his hands felt against my hips, his graze over my stomach, and down.
“Jade.” Nora elbowed me, and I shook my head, confused. She made a face, pointing toward the front. “He’s taking attendance.”
I looked toward Brandon, who was holding a clipboard, a smirk plastered on his face. “Something on your mind?”
I felt my face grow hot, wondering if the ass was thinking about it as well. Probably not.
I shook my head. “Sorry, didn’t hear you.”
Brandon smirked, his eyes taunting me for a moment before he crossed me off the clipboard. He went on to another name, and I glanced at Nora, who gave me a smug expression. “Shut up,” I grumbled.
Training started with simple movement. We reviewed how to perform proper tucks and kicks. All things we had already done before, but Brandon wanted to see us actually use them as if someone were running at us. Nora and I took turns trying to attack each other. It wasn’t long before I was panting, questioning if Brandon was trying to just kill us all. He seemed to be pushing us even harder today, not letting any of us slide with doing anything half-assed.
“God damn,” Nora sighed heavily as we both leaned over, trying to catch our breath. We could hear other groups starting to grow tired around us. “This is going to be the death of me, I’m pretty sure my heart is going to burst…”
I nodded, unable to pull words out as I tried to take some deep breaths. I knew Brandon was doing this because of what was out there. I knew he was just trying to make us stronger, but it was exhausting.
