By six o’clock, Haley had drafted and recorded a rough demo of the song, and her stomach was now howling. She was downstairs and scoping out the fridge, when Bryce finally came out of the pool house and strode across the patio. He came into the kitchen carrying a gym bag.
“Everything is set up,” he said, without preamble. “Tomorrow, I’m also going to get you a new phone.”
“Did you find out who the stalker is yet?” Hayley asked.
Bryce shook his head. “Not exactly. But I think I’m close.”
“Do you think he’s from around here?”
“I can’t say that for sure, but my hunch tells me he’s from out of town. I cross-referenced the profile I created for him against the police database and came out empty. I’m expanding my search to other states. It’s just a matter of time before I get to him.”
“Then you’ll go back to New York,” Hayley said.
“I don’t wanna think about that now.” Bryce set his bag on the floor by the breakfast bar. “Ready to learn how to kick some butt?”
Hayley smiled, forgetting her grumbling stomach. “Let’s go.”
Bryce changed into gym clothes, then followed Hayley down into the basement. She led him to a large recording room that she’d converted into a fitness center with cardio equipment, free weights, and a hardwood floor for yoga. “We can move these weights out of the way,” she said. “These floor pads are pretty soft.”
“They better be if you’re going to throw me over your shoulder.” Bryce said.
“This should be fun.”
“Yeah, fun for you, not so much for me,” Bryce said, beckoning her over. “To start, I want to show you how to break out of holds when someone grabs you from behind. Stand here.” He waited for her to move in front of him.
“Now, say I’m an attacker, and I grab you like this.” Haley inhaled deeply as Bryce wrapped his arm around her from behind. “How would you break free?”
She struggled to move forward as he held her tightly against his chest. The last thing he wanted was to let go, but he wouldn’t admit it.
“And if someone grabs your arm this way,” he wrapped his wrist in her hand, “You can make them let go like this.” He demonstrated by twisting his arm upward, and pulling her forward to weaken the hold, making it easy to break free. “After this step, take my arm and and use the momentum from the forward movement to throw me over your shoulder, bending as you do so.”
“I wish I’d known that yesterday,” Hayley said.
“Don’t worry. After today, you’ll be able to make short work of any guy with unwanted advances.” He gripped her wrist. “Now, you try.”
Hayley followed Bryce’s instruction. He was now on the floor.
“Good,” Bryce said. “He wouldn’t have gotten anywhere if you’d done that to him in the club.”
“What if he uses more force to hold me down?” Hayley said.
“It doesn’t matter how strong he is. This will work.”
“What about…,” Hayley extended her hand and Bryce got up, “If he grabs me here.” She touched her waist.
“There’s a break for that too,” Bryce said. “Let me show you.” He stepped behind her again, his chin hovering at the crown of her head. He resisted the urge to lower his nose and nuzzle against her hair.
Bryce wrapped his arm around her waist and jerked her against his body. She was so much smaller than him, he could have lifted her with one arm. “You’re going to jab backwards,” he said. “Go for the kidney.” He pointed where she should aim on himself and demonstrated a blow with an elbow. “Try it.” He tightened his arm around her again. He wanted her to practice this break for the rest of the night.
Hayley pretended to gut punch him with her elbow. “Would that knock him backwards?” she asked. “You’re still holding on.”
“Oh, sorry,” Bryce said. “This would definitely do some damage and cause him to let go.” He dropped his arm, reluctantly.
Hayley turned to face him, her nose almost touching his chin. “And if he came from the front?”
Bryce’s body swelled, his mind fighting every urge to press her against him.
“He’d grab like this,” he said, wrapping her arm around his waist. He pulled her gently against him.
