I just wish she’d talk to me. Her only word to me, so far, has been my name. One word. That’s it. I’m getting desperate here. Maybe Joe’s right. If I pretend an injury, maybe she’d throw me a goddamn bone.
Desperate.
That’s how I feel.
The thing is, what’s my injury? Joe can’t very well punch me in a class like this. We’re not sparring with each other. It’s a high intensity kind of workout, but there’s no contact.
“Damn it,” I mutter to myself.
“What?” Joe says, moving closer to me. He’s sweating profusely. I wish he’d stay on his side of the bag.
“How am I supposed to get injured here?”
“I’ve been thinking about that.”
“And…” I’m getting irritated with him. He’s supposed to be the big thinker in our friendship. So far, he’s not proving his worth.
“What if I accidentally kick you in the nuts?”
“Accidentally?” And there’s no fucking way I’d ever let someone kick me in the nuts, accidentally or otherwise. “You’d nut me?” I seriously can’t believe he’s suggesting that.
“What?” He seems sincerely shocked at my response. “You want the girl, yeah?”
“Yes.” I hiss. “But I’d prefer my junk wasn’t destroyed in the process.” I mean, I have plans for my guys.
“Okay. Fine. Let me kick you in the back.”
“My back?” I guess that makes more sense.
“Yeah. We’re about to switch sides, so let me accidentally kick you in the back. You go down like a sack of potatoes, and she’ll run over to see if you’re okay.”
Yes, I know this scheme is stupid. Ridiculous, actually. I mean, who’d believe I’d let that happen? I’m pretty good at this shit. With a sigh, I nod. “Okay. When we switch.”
“Great.” Joe smirks, and I’m not sure I like it.
When the music changes, so does our exercise. Becklyn, in her mic, tells us all to repeat the last exercises but switch to our left side. I’m about to get into position when pain shoots through my right side. “Fuck!” I shout. I drop to my knees as I reach back awkwardly, grasping at my ribs. “You fucker.” I can’t even look up at Joe, it hurts too damn bad. “You fucking broke my ribs.”
“Lucky?” I glance up at Becklyn. Concern is written all over her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Your stupid motherfucking brother kicked me in the ribs.” I wince in pain. While I want to lie down flat on the mat, I fear I won’t be able to get back up.
“I’m sorry, man. It was an accident,” Joe says, sounding sincere… sort of.
“Let’s go, everybody. Nothing to see here,” Becklyn says into the mic. “Last round before we stretch. Get it done.” Pulling off her headset, she kneels in front of me. “What hurts?”
I’m panting now. “Ribs.”
I feel her hand touch my side gently. “Do you think they’re broken?”
“Maybe.” I also know if that’s the case, the only thing they’ll do for them is wrap them up tight.
“Can you get up?” she asks in a gently soothing voice.
My breathing is getting a little labored, which concerns me. Broken ribs easily puncture lungs, but I think it’s more pain than anything else that’s making me short of breath. “Yeah.” With her hands on my left arm, I’m able to push up to standing.
“You gonna live, man?” Joe snickers.
I glare at Joe. That fucker. “When I’m better, I’m going to kick your ass.”
