“Yeah? Well, you’re about to hate mornings as much as I do in about five minutes. Meet me downstairs.” I turned and headed up the stairs to change into a pair of shorts and T-shirt.
****
Kay
“Ouch! Goddammit!” I yelled as my back slammed against the mat for probably the fiftieth time that morning. “I thought you were supposed to be teaching me self-defense!” I growled, standing up. I chose to brush off and fix my clothing rather than stare at Josh. A very thin sheen of sweat had formed over his pecs and abs, visible only because he’d chosen to remove the T-shirt he’d first come down the stairs wearing.
“I am teaching you. Man up!” he taunted, doing that damn boxer shuffle thing he first taught me as part of this lesson. The move was supposed to keep a person light on their feet to easily move out of the way or dodge a punch.
Harder to hit a moving target,he’d said.
“I’m not a man,” I countered, rolling my eyes. “And I’m hungry,” I practically whined. The truth was I was hating how helpless all of this was making me feel. Josh was extremely strong and fast as hell. Though I felt safe with him, it just reminded me of how helpless I was against a real opponent, or in my past.
“Come back to me.”
I blinked. “Wh-what was that?” I looked at Josh’s emeralds staring intently at me.
“You zoned out.” He paused, continuing to watch me.
I shook my head. “Yeah, just thinking about the million and one things I need to take care of at work today. New patients, updating records, etc. I’m sure you understand how busy work can get.” I ran a hand through my hair, hating the feel of my roots frizzing up. Even with the sweat-wicking headband I’d donned, it was still a task to keep my hair straight while working out.
“Indeed, I do,” Josh responded to my work comment. “Let’s go over one basic defense move before we close this out. Come here.” He didn’t wait for me to move, instead pulling me closer to him by the waist.
My legs went willingly.
“The elbow,” he stated, slapping his right hand against his left elbow, “is one of the strongest and quickest defense moves. And you don’t have to aim it at someone’s head to make is effective. Most guys try to make the biggest impact by landing a punch to the face. It’s the knockout move most widely shown in movies and shit. But it’s bullshit. A well executed elbow to the ribs can turn an entire fight around, if not end it altogether.”
I listened intently and followed along when he demonstrated how to complete an elbow strike. We practiced over and over, Josh reminding me constantly not to use my forearm but my elbow. After I don’t know how many rounds on the punching bag, striking elbow after elbow, he held up hand pads. I then practiced uppercut elbows with him for a while.
By the time we were done, I’d worked up a good sweat but I didn’t feel as defeated as I had in the beginning. Something began to shift inside of me.
“We’ll always end on a high note.”
His voice felt like it surrounded me on all sides. But instead of feeling trapped it warmed me from the inside out. Making me feel … safe. I hadn’t felt safe in a long time.
“I appreciate this,” I finally got out, turning to stare at him. I stumbled a little when I caught his dark eyes already on me. But strong arms came out, holding me upright. “Thanks.” I sounded breathless. “So,” I began, squirming out of his arms, “when did you learn to fight like this?”
He handed me a bottle of water that he’d brought down earlier. “Here and there,” he stated casually. “Still hungry?”
“Starving. I’ll cook,” I offered. “I had a few groceries delivered last night after you went out. Scrambled tofu okay?” I questioned, tossed over my shoulder as we ascended the stairs.
“You trying to fucking kill me?” he practically snarled.
A giggle fell from my lips. “You’ll like it. Trust me,” I encouraged.
He narrowed his eyes on me once we reached the kitchen.
“Trust isn’t something I dole out easily.”
Why did that feel like a warning?
“Nor should you,” I countered. “But since I’m already living in your house …”
He nodded. “Touche. I’m going to go shower.”
“Breakfast will be ready by the time you’re done.”
I watched his backside as he strode off in the direction of the stairs. My eyes were glued to him. I quickly had to remind myself of the promise I’d made to him the night before. I wasn’t about to ruin our rekindled friendship by letting some minor attraction get in the way. I was no longer a twenty-one-year-old kid. We were adults now. We were friends, or at least becoming friends again. I wouldn’t mess that up.
