Page 44 of Never Till Now

For the first time ever, I call in sick to work.

I wake as the sun is setting behind the skyscrapers and still feel in a slump. Lloyd’s words drained me with the basic fact of how I can’t let anyone in. Not that I’ve tried. My reasons are too good for anyone to argue with. In an act of desperation to prove him wrong, I change into my workout gear with a one-track mind. I need to immerse in cardio and show myself I do not want the man who increases my heart rate. Tonight, there will be no moments Lloyd spoke of. I will strictly focus on fitness.

There’s still slight daylight left, so my feet hit the pavement as I jog a few blocks to the gym. I sneak in the back of the packed class since they’ve already started the warm-up. I hope to go unnoticed, but my tall blonde ass tends to stick out in a crowd. Adam smirks at someone to my right causing anxiety to coil around my gut. I’m scared to let my eyes follow. We agreed to be casual, but side partners weren’t part of the deal. I follow the crowd doing jumping jacks and glance to see Kelsie hyperfocused ahead. Relief lifts the weight off my lungs when I realize that was why Adam was smiling. I wonder how the hell she has energy at the end of the day after solo parenting. As if she feels my eyes on her, she turns and waves, drawing my attention to her brother.

Adam finds me and a flash of question crosses his face. I give a faint smile and avert my eyes, waiting for further instructions. When it comes time to partner up, Kelsie flies to my side.

“Hey stranger.” She smiles and places her hands on her hips, taking a few deep breaths. “I told my brother if he makes us do those partner wheelbarrow things, then Mallory is spending the entire weekend with him.”

“I hate wheelbarrows too.” I laugh and glance down.

Unlike her father and brother, Kelsie is much shorter. Where her brother’s shoulders are broad, hers are delicate. Their brown hair and eyes are the Wheaton’s family signature. She also has killer curves that I’ve always wished for on my lanky, lean body. I mentally scold myself at the self-sabotaging thought because we all need to embrace the way we were made.

Adam pulls out boxing gloves and long pads with the handle. I’m excited to throw some punches. I wonder if Max told him I took his class the other day. My stomach flips with slight excitement thinking about showcasing my proper stance and punch to Adam.

Get a grip. Remember why you’re here, Lauren.

“I’m so ready to throw a few good punches.” Kelsie laughs. “Mallory has been nothing short of an attitude since she came home and my patience is running thin.”

“I imagine she doesn’t back down from many things.”

“I am adamant about her critical thinking and throwing out a good debate, but I didn’t expect her to throw me under a bus with logic at age seven.” She shakes her head as Adam walks over.

“Who’s watching the kids?” Adam asks, looking sexy as sin sporting a loose black tank and red basketball shorts.

“Mom was over, but the kids kept bugging Max to stay. So, he was guilt-tripped by Mallory to paint her nails and Mom said she was leaving shortly after me.”

“Max is.” Adam’s demeanor changes as he replies sharply and shakes his head. “That’s all you had to say. Women always elaborate on things that don’t need detail.”

“Right, I forgot how small the male brain is to process information,” Kelsie bites back and grabs us gloves.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” He spews my way as his jaw tics and his posture remains tense.

“Aren’t you?” I place my hands on my hips and nod to the rest of the class who have silently been watching us.

With a huff, he turns back to direct the class. “He’s been in a mood all day.” Kelsie sighs and starts throwing punches as I hold up the mat. “Something about an extra work project he now has to deal with.”

“The marketing?”

“He didn’t go into detail. There’s also something going on about the new Aspen location. He and my father keep arguing about it.” She takes a few more hits before Adam circles back around to us.

“If you’re going to be sassy, you can skip over us and move on to the next group.” I square my shoulders and look him dead in the eye.

“I am not sassy.” He takes the foam square from me and drops it. “Gloves on.” He holds up his hand.

“You’re not using a safety mat? That’s a little cocky.” The irritation in my voice proves his attitude is affecting mine.

I’m also ready to wipe the “I’ll show you cocky” smirk off his face.

“I haven’t needed one for students in this class yet.” He shrugs. “Haven’t you been watching the rest of the room?”

“I’ve been too busy hearing your childhood stories from Kelsie.” I taunt, watching his eyes narrow at his sister. “I’m kidding. I don’t care about your perfect childhood.” I am well aware part of that is my own jealousy because my childhood was traumatic.

I look at his open palms and take a step to the side to give me a clear shot of his arm. Positioning myself quickly, I throw all my weight into the hardest punch I can deliver. It wasn’t hard enough to knock him over of course. The man is a freaking marble statue, but it was enough to make him stumble with my unexpected force. Little did he know, I’ve been practicing daily in case I need to use it on the street.

His jaw tightens but his eyes light up, impressed. I know he’s fighting back a smirk because he wants to stay pissed for some damn reason. I narrow my eyes and point with my glove toward the mat.

“Pick up the damn mat so you’re not out of commission later.” My attitude takes him by surprise and his eyes darken with racy thoughts he can’t pursue in this moment.