It was going to get me into trouble.
Corey always said that it would, and he was right. Those first few months when I had Eli, and Corey had gone back on tour, were a nightmare. I never knew when to keep my mouth shut.
I thought that I had control over it. Evidently, I didn’t.
“Sorry.” I ducked my head.
“Hey.” Evan came forward, his hand reached up. I tried my best not to flinch, but I couldn’t stop the natural reaction.
His hand stilled in the air, silence spread between us. I shuffled my feet on the spot, not knowing what to do or say.
“Come with me.” He spun around and waved his arm as he walked out of the kitchen. I stared at the empty space he left behind. “Come on!” he shouted through the kitchen door.
My legs shuffled forward and into the main part of the warehouse where Evan was rummaging through a small cupboard I’d never noticed before.
“Aha!” he shouted and lifted something in the air. He made his way to the training mats and stood in the middle.
“Come on.” He rolled his eyes, while pushing whatever he had found onto his hands.
I looked around, but nobody was here. It was just me and Evan. Where was everyone?
I didn’t want to make him mad so I moved toward him.
He held up both of his hands, covered with some sort of pads.
“Hit me,” he said.
“What?” I choked out.
He clapped the pads together and smiled.
“I don’t-”
“Go on.” He taunted “Just do it.”
I shook my head “No, I don’t want to.”
“If you’re gonna work here you’re gonna need to at least be able to throw a punch.”
“That-” He huffed at me and moved closer.
“Make a fist, thumb always on the outside.” I blew out a breath and did as he said, this was the most awkward thing that I had ever done. I’d never hit another person, I never wanted to. I knew what it felt like to be hit and I didn’t want anyone else to feel that pain.
“Now, hit the pads.” I rolled my eyes and hit the pad; just to satisfy him.
“Really? That’s all you got?” He chuckled.
My nostrils flared, that chuckle really got my back up. I hit the pad again, this time a little harder.
“That’s it,” he said and started to move in a circle. “Now with your left hand.”
I hit the pad again. Each time I hit it, I felt a little better, more confident.
“Woo! That one had some power behind it.” I smiled and hit the pad again. And again. And again.
I never knew I could feel this way. This strong.
“Okay, Okay!” He backed away, hands held up in the air. “I think that’s enough for today.” He smirked.