I get Kit settled and before Jules is even halfway to the SUV we’re in we peel out, cackling as we do. Our laughter dies down a little, as what we learned at Church echoes through my mind again. My eyes flick to the rear view and my heart stutters before rage fills me as I think that there is someone out there wanting to buy, fuckingbuythe smiling little girl behind me.
“Breathe, brother. Ain't nothing gonna touch her,” Rider murmurs, giving me a look.
“It just fucking kills me,” I mumble back, so quietly I’m not even sure Rider heard me.
“I know, but I also know that you’ll protect them ‘til your last fucking breath. You’re a good man,” he gives me a crooked grin, clearing his throat and speaking louder, “for a ginger.”
“I’m a ginger!” Kit yells from the back.
“Nah, babygirl. You’re a sunrise.” Rider winks into the rear view mirror and Kit giggles.
I turn the radio up a little and we all sing along to another ginger as “Pink Pony Club” blasts through the speakers, the song just finishing as Rider pulls up to the gym.
Turning to Rider, I squint at him. “$10 that Niko has been hit 3 times in the balls.”
Rider stiffens as he climbs out of the SUV. “I bet twice.”
Getting out of the car, I move to the back seat, swing open the door and unbuckle Kit. “What do you think, Kit Kat? How many times has Niko been hit in the balls?”
Her little brow furrows and her tiny fingers unfurl one at a time as she does math in her head. “I say eight. One for each Ol Lady.”
“Dammit, that’s solid thinking right there.” Rider mutters to me as I nod. I think I’ve just lost $10 to a five year old.
We walk through the doors and I freeze. There, on the mats, auburn hair flying around her face, cheeks flushed and a huge grin on her face is Joy, looking like a fucking warrior.
“Holy shit,” I choke out and thank the gods that I used an inside voice.
“Wow, mommy looks like a super hero.”
“She sure does, sweetheart.”
I’m fucked. Truly and utterly fucked.
Joy
I’m doing it. Well, something similar to what Remy showed us anyway. So far I haven’t had to hit Niko, which I’m pleased about. Remy has us practicing punches in the air with the odd kick here and there. Some of the women who are a little more advanced, like Blanche, Vi, Ana, and Nat all take turns throwing Niko around and I have to admit, it seems less violent and scary than I first thought. Don’t get me wrong, I’d hate to have to do it in real life, but the way Niko pops up grinning and praising the women after every move does make me feel more at ease.
“You think you’re ready to punch more than air?” Remy calls out, grinning at me.
I look between the fist I’m holding up, and Niko. Sweet Niko who is giving up his Wednesday evening to let the Ol Ladies and me throw punches at him.
“Come on, Joy, you’ve got this,” he calls, waving me toward him.
The Ol Ladies all cheer and clap as I creep toward Niko, shaking my hands out. “You can do this Joy. You’re in a safe space, no one is going to ridicule you or make you feel small.”
“Go, Joy! Whoop his weak little ass!”
“Thanks Mom!” Niko calls back, rolling his eyes. He then gives me a wink and pops his mouth guard into his mouth, grinning so all I can see is black plastic with the DRMC logo on the front.
“You can do this, you can do this,” I chant as I reach arms length of Niko.
Balling my fist I pull it back and swing as hard as I can, hitting Niko square in the stomach. He lets out a huff of breath as the Ol Ladies, my friends, clap and cheer behind me.
“Again, Joy! This time do the combo you practiced,” Remy calls out as Jazz’s voice yells, “Get him, sista!”
Niko plants his feet, gives me a nod and braces himself. Taking a deep breath I hold my hands up to protect my face, stepping my right foot back so I’m angled toward Niko. My brows pull down as I concentrate on my moves. My right hand jabs out, hitting Niko just a little left of his nose, hitting the pads covering his cheek. Then quick as lightning my left hand curves around to hit Niko on the pad covering the right side of his face before I twist, raising my right leg up, and kicking it into the air. I’m a little shocked at the rush of air that leaves him before he stumbles to the ground. The adrenaline I was feeling when my punches landed rushes out of me, replaced by dread and fear that I’ve hurt such a sweet guy. My legs shake and I feel sick tomy stomach, my pulse in my ears until Niko raises his hand in the air, thumb up as he spits his mouthguard out.
I’m overwhelmed with a deafening roar from behind me and spin around to find the DRMC, but I only have eyes for Kit, who is bouncing on her toes, her little arms held high in the air as she cheers, “Go, mommy!”
