I chew my lip. Even though I never break my promises, I technicallycouldsay no. It’s not like he’s forcing me in handcuffs and dragging me to the boxing ring. My teeth stall on my lip at the idea of Brandon with handcuffs, and I hastily sidestepthatthought.
Best case scenario, I get to hit Brandon a lot.
Worst case scenario, he renders me translucent, and I become stupid enough to trust him again. Stupid enough to forget how unreliable he is. The memories of our whirlwind romance ending come together to form a small, familiar ache behind my sternum.
The one night I desperately needed him—the night my world came crashing down—he didn’t even care enough to show up. Didn’t care enough about me to even explain why afterward.
And it broke me.
I square my shoulders. College Kate was too naive, too trusting, toodesperate. I’m no longer that woman. I had to get over Brandon the hard way, but I did.
And I’m all the better for it.
“Fine. When do we start?” I ask.
“Tomorrow morning work?”
“Yeah. I’ll already be at the gym anyway, I have an early spin class.”
Brandon gives a low whistle that raises goosebumps along my neck. “Staying up lateandgetting up early? Howdoyou do it?”
“With caffeine and feminine rage.”
“Never a truer statement, Katie Cat.” He chuckles. “Do you realize this is the longest we’ve talked without you threatening to kill me?”
I snort. “No, I did, remember? Back when I thought this was a booty call?”
Brandon hums a vibration so low, it tickles my ear. “Ahhh. Yes. How could I forgetthat?”
Silence stretches between us, and I know I should hang up, but for some reason I can’t bring myself to end the call. So I stand, phone pinned between my ear and shoulder, and aimlessly wander.
“This call means nothing, you know,” I say, not sure why I feel the need to disclaim this. “It’s not like we’re going to be friends or anything.”
“Agreed,” he says. “The friend zone is a place that neither you or I would ever last long in, and you know it.”
I stop and swallow hard right as an undistinguishable voice drifts from behind Brandon’s words, and I realize he’s not alone.
“Uhh, Kate, I got to go.”
Comprehension drenches me in an ice bath. At the way he said those words, all rushed and breathy. Is he with another woman? I know Brandon is an incessant flirt, but never have I stopped to consider that he might have a girlfriend.
My tone is flat as I respond, “See you in the morning.”
I end the call feeling stupid, embarrassed, and voraciously excited that I’ll get to hit him tomorrow.
eleven
PRESENT DAY
KATE
Iopen my eyes and ease my butt back onto the seat of the spin bike. That last incline set was torture, and my heart is trying to escape my chest. From the front row, I watch the perky blonde instructor turn her mic back on and lower the blasting music.
“Fantastic class, ladies!” she chirps. I wonder if she’s on steroids since she’s not winded in the slightest. “Remember thatwe as womenare powerful, capable, and in control of our future!” she says.
Voices rise around me as we join in on the mantra and break out in cheers. The war cries of female empowerment wash over me like an electrical field, and I break into a sweaty grin. The effect is contagious, and it’s one of the reasons I love this class.
This is exactly what I needed before I’ll have to endure my first boxing lesson with Brandon. Cue the eye roll.
