I’ve never even considered the idea of having kids.
It doesn’t repulse me or make me want to run in the other direction. So, I’ll take that as a good sign.
“Here’s how I want you to hit that bag,” Ben says, raising his gloved fists and aiming a jab at the bag. “One, two, one-two. Don’t be afraid to hit it hard, it can’t feel a thing.”
We spend a while learning to punch, and the form we should use. My breathing is even and a little fast, but I’m not gasping.
There’s a difference between an asthma attack and exercise.
Suddenly, Nate’s in the ring with us, moving from girl to girl, straightening each of our backs, helping with form.
When he reaches Jules, he simply crosses his arms over his chest, grins, and watches.
“Don’t make me wipe that smile off your face, ace,” Jules says, making Nate chuckle.
“It’s been a while since we sparred in the ring,” Nate says. “We should probably give it another go. What do you say?”
“I say any time, any place,” Jules replies, her voice sure and breezy. “I kicked your ass once, I can do it again.”
Nate leans in. “Let’s not forget who pinned who, Julianne.”
He kisses her cheek and walks away, leaving my dear cousin with flushed cheeks, and not from the workout.
“Focus,” I remind Jules. “Don’t think about the hot dude you’re married to.”
“Hard not to,” Jules mutters and hits her bag extra hard.
By the end of the class, I’m sweaty, panting, and my arms feel like rubber bands, but I’m not struggling to breathe like a fish out of water, and I consider that a huge win.
“You totally killed it,” Nic says, offering me a high-five as we leave the ring.
“Told you,” Nate says with a wide smile. Which is huge coming from Nate, who’s always so intense. “You can exercise just fine. You need to find what works for you, and know your limits.”
“It felt great,” I say and nod as Nate helps me out of the gloves. “Thanks.”
“Come by anytime,” he offers.
“It’s kind of out of the way, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Now, lunch,” Joy says. “Because I worked up a hell of an appetite.”
Joy recently had a baby, as well, but she looks fantastic.
“How did you manage to do that kick?” Meg asks me. “You got your leg up really high.”
We just stepped out into the parking lot. I pass my bag to Nic and do a super amazing roundhouse kick, but my toe snags on the curb, and down I go. My shoulder slams into said curb, and I see stars as pain pings up my neck and down my arm.
“Oh, God.”
“Stasia!” Jules kneels next to me. “What hurts?”
“Everything,” I mutter. “That’s what I get for showing off my Bruce Lee moves.”
I try to get up, but my left arm won’t move, and it’s aching like a bitch.
“I’m calling an ambulance,” Nic says immediately.
“I don’t need an ambulance.” I manage to sit on the curb. “I just wrenched my shoulder.”
“It’s dislocated, honey,” Joy says. “You need an ER.”
“You’re a doctor,” I say, eyeing Joy.
“I’m a veterinarian,” she replies with a laugh. “And you’re not a golden retriever.”
“What good is all that schooling if you can’t put my shoulder back in place?” I wince, not sure what to do. “I’m pretty sure it’s just sprained.”
“Yeah, that’s why you’re holding it like that,” Nic says, shaking her head.
“Meg? You’re a nurse.”
“I work with kids who have cancer,” Meg replies. “I’m not in orthopedics. Come on, get in the car, we’ll take you.”
“Be careful,” Nic says, taking my good arm and helping me up. I hiss when the pain rockets through my body again.
“Jesus, this sprained shoulder hurts.”
“She’s in denial,” Jules says as she helps to put my seatbelt on. “Here, I found an extra jacket. We’ll brace it behind you.”
The girls get me as secure as possible, and my phone rings.
“I’ll get it,” Joy says, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “Hello?”
I hear the tinny voice say, “This is not Anastasia.”
“No, this is Joy. Hold, please.” She grins and holds the phone out to me. “It’s your sexy Irishman.”
“Oh, good.” I take the phone. “Hi, handsome.”
“And a hello to you. How was your class?”
“It was great. I totally kicked ass.” I moan when Nic hits a bump in the road.
“What’s wrong?” Kane asks.
“Oh, I fell after class, in the parking lot, and probably just sprained my shoulder.”
“It’s dislocated,” Joy says loud enough for Kane to hear.
“It’s probably just bruised,” I insist, not wanting to think about what it’s going to take to put my shoulder back in place. That does not sound fun to me at all.
“We’re taking her to the hospital,” Meg yells.
“Which hospital?” Kane asks.
“It’s nothing. Honestly, this is a waste of time and money. I’ll just call you when we’re done.”