“Tougher than they look, huh?” He grinned. “Wanna a beer after?” He was taunting me.
“I’m fine,” I seethed through clenched teeth.
“Who’s next?” Dad turned back to the group. “Nice job, Wendy.” He gave the woman who I think broke my foot a high five.
One by one, they all came up and took a turn. Well, all but one. There was a petite blonde woman who sat in the back near the corner. She kept her eyes glued on Dad and me, but wouldn’t come up and try any of the moves.
“You guys did a great job today. I’ll see you all next week, and we’ll work on using your elbow.” His eyes cut to mine and he winked again. I knew what that meant… I needed to use the gear or I’d be getting an elbow to the face.
The women filed out of the room, thanking Dad as they went. The blonde jumped into the middle of the group, and kept her head down. Her hair made a curtain around her face, hiding her from her surroundings. I couldn’t help but stare.
“Who’s that?” I sidled up beside Dad, my foot throbbing inside my shoe.
“Who’s who?” Dad stared at his clipboard.
“That girl.” I nodded as the last person stepped out of the room.
Dad looked up. “Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is no. These women are here for a reason, E. This isn’t a dating pool.” He shook his head.
“I know that,” I huffed. “I just asked what her name was. I don’t want to date her. I have enough problems right now. Why do you always think the worst of me?” I flung my arms out as I stepped back slightly.
“Because I know you, E. I may be retired, but I still have my hand in the pot. I hear the rumors. I know that most of them are true when it comes to you. These women are here because they trust me. I’m helping them protect themselves. You’re here to work off a debt to society… that’s it.” He started to walk away.
“So, I don’t even get a name?” I shouted.
“Nope.” Dad left the room, and I stood there staring.
ooooooooo
“You have fun today?” Caleb snickered when I approached the front desk.
“Yeah. Getting stomped on is real fun.” I rolled my eyes.
“Your dad used to let your sister beat me up regularly.” He laughed.
“What’s different now?” I tipped my head to the side and Caleb’s lips twisted. “I’m going to go hit the heavy bag. Tell my dad to come get me when the next class starts.” I waved as I turned to make the familiar walk to the back corner.
When I rounded the sparring ring, there she was. The blonde from the class. She’d removed her t-shirt and was wearing a light blue sports bra. She was bouncing on one leg as she kneed the bag with her other. Her hair was pulled back and it was then that I saw a greenish purple bruise on her shoulder. “Want some help?” I called out as I approached.
She froze and turned frightened eyes on me. “I can hold the bag for you, and you’ll get better contact,” I clarified.
“No thanks,” she replied meekly.
“Wait.” I attempted to reach for her to stop her, and she recoiled as if I was going to hit her. I pulled back as I stared at her. Her eyes met mine, and all I saw reflected back was fear. I’d never known anyone to be afraid of me, but this woman clearly was. “I’m sorry.” I held my hands up. “I’m Easton.”
“I have to go.” She grabbed her t-shirt from a nearby chair and ran as if she was being chased until she slipped out the front door. I just stood there watching her. I don’t know what it was, but something was telling me that she was important, and to not let this go.
I shook my head attempting to clear it, then grabbed my gloves and began pummeling the bag she’d just abandoned. I was angry, but not sure what my anger was directed at… Dad, the fact that this woman ran away, or maybe the knowledge that Mike had been leaving me messages since yesterday, and I’d yet to call him back. There was so much wrong in my life right now, and I just wanted to do something that was right.
Chapter 11
Easton
I’ve been avoiding Mike’s calls for a week now, and I think he finally gave up on me calling back. Dad warned me that ignoring him was a bad idea, but I seem to be full of bad ideas lately. This morning on our drive in, Dad tried to convince me that I just needed to rip the bandage off and be a man.
“You make that call, and then come in the back. We’re working on escapes again today.” Dad climbed out and left me sitting in the truck. I couldn’t wait to be driving again. Being chauffeured around like a kid was driving me crazy.
“Uh huh.” I rolled my eyes as I stared at my phone. When I glanced up, I froze. Mike was coming out of the gym. He was here. He stood in front of Dad’s truck and just stared at me. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or disappointed. I seem to be getting a lot of both lately.
I swallowed as I opened the door and climbed out. “Thought you might not have good service out here, so I just drove out to talk.” He crossed his arms over his chest. He was wearing jeans and a VitaBar polo.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve had a lot going on.” I ran a hand through my hair. “You wanna come inside?” I motioned to the door.
“We can talk out here.” He started walking over to his car. “Honestly, this won’t take long.” He opened the door, and grab some papers. “Seen you in the news a lot lately.” He nodded and pressed his lips together.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” I’ve been saying that a lot lately. I’m beginning to feel like a broken record. “I’m working things out, sir.”
“Easton, VitaBar has some strict polices when it comes to sponsorship. We don’t tolerate any negative press.” He cleared his throat. “I understand that people make mistakes, but in your contract, we were clear on our rules and expectations.”
“I know, sir, and I’m sorry.” I shifted on my feet. The sun was peeking out from behind the building and starting to shine in my eyes.
“We can’t represent someone who brings bad press. I don’t know what’s going on with that girl who’s been talking to reporters, but the drinking and driving nullified our agreement.” He handed me the folder he was holding. “This is the disillusion of our agreement.”
“Wait, can’t we talk about this?” I sounded desperate, but VitaBar was my main sponsor and without them, I’d been forking over a ton of money to keep fighting.
“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s done. You’re a good kid, Easton. You just need to get your head on straight.” He waved, and then climbed in his car, leaving me standing there.
I watched as he drove away. I was rooted in place, and even though I knew this was coming, it was still a shock. “Hey! We’re starting!” Dad yelled from the door.
I turned angry eyes on him. “I know!” I barked back.
Dad stepped outside and crossed his arms over his chest. “You made this mess, E. Now, fix it!” He glared at me and lifted his chin.
I stomped past him, and tossed the folder Mike had given me on the front desk when I walked in. Several people waved hello, but I ignored them as I made my way to the training room.
ooooooooo
“Change of plans today, ladies.” Dad smiled when he followed me inside. I don’t know how he changes moods as quick as he does. “I’d planned to work on escapes, but I think we’re going to do some offense today. Anyone wanna learn proper form for throwing a punch?” He grinned at the group. A few of the women looked confused, but others nodded.
“I know we’re supposed to get away when we’re attacked, but I’d like to learn how to hit back. My boyfriend was never worried about me hurting him.” A woman in a purple shirt frowned from the front row. I think she was the one who was so excited to stomp on my foot last week.
“Go get a blocking pad.” He directed me to the corner.
I turned to get the pad. I knew I could block these women, but Dad would demonstrate, and he might use more force just to teach me a lesson.
Once back at the center of the room, I held the giant foam square up, an
d braced my feet. “When you make a fist, you don’t want to tuck your thumb in. It’s a natural reaction, but if you hit hard enough, you could break it.” He held up his hand and showed how to make a fist. “Then, you want to lead from the shoulder out. You can rotate your hand if you need to, but use your shoulder for momentum and balance.” He lifted his arm, and swung at me in slow motion. His fist barely connected with the pad, and he kept his eyes on the group. “See how I’m keeping my arm straight?” They nodded. “Your end result will look like this.” He pulled back, and this time threw a real punch. When he connected with the pad, I rocked back, absorbing the punch. He winked at me and then turned back to the group. “Who wants to try?”
One by one, each member of the class came up and threw several punches. Most were light, but there were a few that had some force. Finally, the blonde who I’d seen at the heavy bags came up. When our eyes connected, I noticed a new bruise. This one was on her cheekbone. She gritted her teeth as she pulled back and braced her feet. When her fist came forward, she screamed in anger. Her fist connected and I took a step back to absorb the blow. Dad nodded and told her good job, but she wasn’t finished. She threw another punch, and then another, causing me to use both arms to brace the pad.
Dad’s eyes met mine and it was as if he was sending me a silent message to let her continue. She hit the pad five times before stopping. Her shoulders rose and fell as she panted and wiped at her eyes. Angry tears had started to fall, and she stomped her foot as if she was mad at the world. “Are you okay?” I whispered when she stopped. Another woman from the class came up and put her arm around her.
“I’m fine,” she snapped as she turned and left the room. Dad dismissed the class, and began cleaning up to prepare for the next.
“What was that about?” I tossed the pad in the corner.
“What do you mean?” Dad didn’t look at me as he wrote something on his clipboard.
“Something bad happened to her.” I motioned to where the blonde had escaped to.
“Probably, but that’s why I’m doing this,” Dad mumbled absentmindedly. Every woman who comes to my classes has fought a battle with a scumbag. Some are still fighting. I give them the skills to protect themselves. I can’t save them. They have to do that themselves.” He tossed the clipboard. “She rarely volunteers. The fact that she did that today, says she’s learning her worth. You have to give it time.” He walked away and left me there.
I rushed out into the gym hoping that she’d be over by the heavy bags like last time, but the blonde was nowhere in sight. “Did you see a woman rush out of here?” I ran up to the front desk where Caleb was talking to another patron.
“No.” He blew me off.
I looked around some more, rushed into the parking lot, and still found no trace of her. I didn’t even know this woman’s name, and I was already invested. I don’t why I cared so much, but something deep inside me was telling me to help her, to save her, to teach her.
ooooooooo
Hadleigh
Why did I do that? What am I trying to prove? I’ll never fight back. I’ll never be able to punch him when he hits me. The questions run through my head on repeat every time I come here. I don’t know why I come here. I’m kidding myself to think things will change. They never do, and week after week I keep coming back.
My heart was racing by the time I got to the park. I’d walked to the gym today. My apartment was just a few blocks away. I’ve thought about moving, but I know he’d find me. He tells me all the time that I’m too stupid to leave. No one would want me, and I’m weak.
He’s right about that. I am weak. I started taking classes at McKay’s because I’d heard that self-defense would make me feel powerful. So far, it just makes me mad. I go to class, I feel impowered, I come home and see Josh, and it all goes away. Last night I changed the TV station after he fell asleep. He woke up and smacked me in the face. He said it was my fault, and I shouldn’t have changed it. I’ve learned over the last year what I can and can’t do, but every once in a while, I forget and he has to remind me. We don’t live together, but he has a key to my place and he shows up all the time. I never feel safe at home.
He’s on a trip right now for work. He left this morning, and that alone made me go to class. I needed to hurt something, or someone. I needed to make another person feel the fear that I feel, but I can’t talk about it, especially with Easton or Wes. I’ve seen Easton on TV. The fact that he’s twice my size and beats people up for a living scares the shit out of me. What if I said the wrong thing, and he got mad at me? What would he do? Josh is right, I’m stupid and am going to get hurt. He protects me even if it does hurt sometimes.
I don’t know how long I’ve sat on this bench, but people are starting to file into the park. The sun is high in the sky and birds are chirping. Early spring is my favorite time of year, but it means warmer weather. It’s harder to cover the bruises when it’s warm out. I have to work extra hard to not do something stupid to make Josh mad.
I shook the thoughts out of my head as I stood from the bench. I needed to head home. I was tired and hungry. Josh would be calling me soon, and I needed to be there to talk. He always video calls when he’s traveling. If I’m not home, then he gets mad and I get punished when he gets home. I need to go home and be ready.
Chapter 12
Easton
Over the last week, every sponsor I’ve ever worked with has managed to break ties with me. I’ve gotten phone calls and emails basically telling me that until I get my head on straight, they want nothing to do with me. Amanda has been talking to reporters about the baby, but not me. I have no way to get in touch with her, so I’m really at a loss there. I mean, I don’t even know if I believe it’s mine. She has to know I’m back in Boston. I guess I could drive to New York once I get driving privileges back, but that would mean I believe her. I kinda just want to forget her. I want to forget the mess I’ve made and start over. Dad did it, why can’t I?
I woke up early this morning, made myself a protein shake, and now I’m beating the hell out of the heavy bag in Dad’s home gym. “You know, you could get some help if you went into town?” Mom shouted over the music from the door. She was standing there with a mug of coffee, sipping it.
“I finally got a day off. Why would I go in on a day off?” My brow furrowed.
“Someone once told me that it’s easier to hit the bag when someone’s holding it.” She smirked as her head tipped to the side. That was always my excuse as a teen when I wanted to work out at the gym.
“Yeah, yeah.” I rolled my eyes as sweat poured off my forehead.
“You’d have a spotter too.” She stepped inside.
“You could spot me.” I laughed as I moved to stand under the salmon ladder.
“Back in the day I could, not now,” she scoffed. “I’m not in shape like I was before kids.”
“You’ve always been a badass, Mom. You’re not weak by any means.” I grunted as I jumped up and gripped the bar. I adjusted my hands and then curled up and leapt for the second rung. Years ago, this exercise was the bane of my existence, now I glided to the top with ease.
Once I got to the last rung, I grabbed the rope to the side, and lowered myself down. I flexed my arms, and then moved to the treadmill. “You’re punishing yourself, why?” Mom moved closer.
“I’m an idiot. I let too many things and people get in my head. It’s taken a while for me to say this, but Dad was right.” I pushed a few buttons on the control panel and the machine came to life. “That’s the first time I’ve said it out loud.” I scowled as I glanced over at my mom.
“He doesn’t always want to be right, ya know. He loves you, and he loves this sport. You have no idea how proud he’s been of you. He just wants you to respect it the way he did. You know, you can always go back? He did. He crashed to the bottom, just like you, and he came back. He came back better.” She smiled as if she was watching a memory float through her head. “You can come back better too.” S
he patted my arm before turning and leaving me there.
I clicked a few buttons to pick up the speed, cranked the music louder, and began to lose myself in exhaustion.
ooooooooo
The next morning, I woke up early. I came downstairs to find Dad sipping his coffee. “Morning,” I murmured as I went to work fixing mine.
“Morning.” Dad shifted before glancing around.
“What?” I crinkled my eyes as I followed his gaze.
“I’m looking for my son.” He laughed. “You know… the one who’s been scowling for weeks? He used to live here.” His face was serious, and then he smiled. He smiled in a way I haven’t seen in years other than when he smiles at my mom. “Who’s this guy?”
“I’ve always been here.” I sighed. I fixed my coffee and came around to where he was standing. I had Dad by an inch in height, but he was much more muscular. Since I’d covered my arms in art, we looked even more alike. “I should have said this a long time ago, but I’m sorry.” I nodded as my eyes met his. “I was stupid and cruel, and you were right.” I blew out a deep breath. It was hard to admit, but I needed to say something. If I wanted his help, I needed to lay it all out there.
“You were, and I’d like to say that I wasn’t just like you at one time.” He smiled and then it dropped. “I know how badly you want this. I know how it feels to lose it all. I know you can get it back, and I know you’re good enough to be the best.” His lips curled up on one side. “I know you spent hours working out yesterday.” He chuckled. “Your mom can’t keep stuff from me.”
“Of course she’d tell you.” I rolled my eyes.
“Grab your stuff. We’ll set something up after class today.” He motioned to where my gear was piled by the front door.
“Okay.” I shrugged. We gathered our things, and left. It felt different this time. I don’t know if it was relief or hope, but something was different.
Broken Shadows (The Broken Series Second Generation Book 2) Page 8
