Tuesday had arrived, meaning it was time for my first kickboxing session with the surly trainer. I was apprehensive about following through. My earlier bravado had faded, and I almost walked back home three times. With only five minutes until my session started, I forced myself to walk through Windy City Gym's doors. In the end, the thought of his smug look for not showing pushed me to enter. Something about his cocksure smile made me want to smack it off his face.
"Well, kitten, color me impressed. Here."
He tossed me some fingerless gloves, and I barely caught them before they hit the floor. Hiding my reddened cheeks, I hastily shoved my hands in and fastened the velcro. He had moved over to the punching bag, so I followed.
"It's Loren, not kitten," I bit out.
Surly looked at me oddly before grunting and turning back to his own gloves. He nodded at my hands when he was done, and I assumed he meant to start hitting. I looked from him to the bag, but he just kept standing behind it and holding it still. I framed myself up like I'd seen on TV. One foot slightly in front of the other, hands braced in the same stance, and I rocked back and forth on the balls of my feet. Okay, I could do this, I mentally chanted.
Taking a step, I moved my arm in the same direction to hit the bag. It had felt like a significant amount of energy, but when I made contact, it sounded more like a love tap. The sound was my only judge because as I moved to hit the bag, I'd closed my eyes before it landed.
When I opened them, Surly's smirk confirmed my fears. He expected me to be terrible and was testing me. Asshole.
"I thought you were supposed to teach me!"
"I need to see what level your skills are at first."
Why did that sound reasonable and entirely plausible but likely a bald-faced lie from his mouth? I ground my teeth together as I stared, daring him to smirk again with my eyes.
"Okay, fine, let me see how long you can run for. Laps around the gym."
Dropping my hands, I decided to trust the pushing he was doing. He was the teacher, and I didn't need to question him. This was his domain, and I needed to follow his lead. I took off running in a jog around the space. This, at least, I could do. I've been running my whole life in one way or another.
Thirty minutes in, and I was still running strong, much to the douche's surprise and eventual annoyance if the sighs and shuffling he was doing were anything to go by.
"Enough," he barked, "Clearly, you can run. Sit-ups, now."
He pointed his finger to where he was standing. I slowly walked toward him, but instead of stopping like I assumed he wanted, I walked over to the wall and grabbed my water bottle. Taking a long swallow, I drank it down before using my towel to wipe off the sweat on my face. Once I was done with those things, I walked over to the surly bear, whose face was definitely redder than a bear's, it was more like a crab. Guess he fit a crabby crab too. From the look on his face, I think he wanted to strangle me. This obstinate self of mine was kind of fun. Who knew pushing his buttons would feel so... freeing?
Dropping down, I got into a sit-up position and waited until he finally decided to spot me. Huffing as he dropped down, he grabbed my feet and leveled a deadly glare at me. Starting my sit-ups, I seemed to have surprised my surly crab bear with my ability to perform sit-ups. I was beginning to think he wanted me to suck at everything.
I might not be able to throw a punch, but I'd been athletic my whole life, and thanks to my recent barre obsession, I was fit. His assumption I was weak or lesser than pissed me off, and I sped up. Once I hit fifty, he let go of my legs, causing me to fall back unexpectedly. Glaring at him, I righted myself as I waited for his next command.
"Push-ups," he growled out now. His tone had gotten more and more pissed with each demand.
Oh, was Mr. Surly not happy? Was I making him look bad?
I mean, it was only to himself since no one else was in this gym, but still, it made me feel self assured he wasn't getting his way. He'd assumed one thing, and it had been wrong. And now, I was rubbing it in his face.
Making sure to do the full push-ups, I began my count out loud since he didn't, and when I hit twenty-five, panting and my arms shaking, he finally seemed happy at my distress.
"Enough," he commanded, turning and fucking walked out of the gym.
I collapsed onto the floor in a heap, feeling completely spent, but a broad grin spread across my face. I think this kickboxing class was going to be just what I needed.
* * *
"Have a good night,Loren. See you tomorrow," Daphne shouted as I left New Horizons Wednesday night.
The day had been relatively slow for a Wednesday. After class last night, I'd finally been able to sleep solidly for a full six hours! The extra sleep to my system had boosted me earlier in the day, but now, I was feeling the humdrum of everything as I headed home. That antsy feeling of panic was crawling under my skin, and I needed an outlet.
Making an impulsive decision, I pulled out my phone and ordered an Uber to take me to Climax. Something was calling me back there, and I hoped it would be the mysterious stranger. The Uber arrived a moment later, and the driver smiled at me as I got into the backseat. Music played softly as she headed toward the club.
Not wanting to go home first for fear I'd chicken out, I hoped my work outfit would suffice. Looking down, I took in my skinny black slacks and black Louboutin heels. They were both designer brands, even if on the professional end, and would give me some leeway. It was tamer than what I'd worn on my last incursion, but they should suffice, I hoped. Glancing at my grey collared shirt and burgundy blazer, I wasn't as confident I could get away with them. I'd stick out like a sore thumb if I walked in there like this. Hell, I doubt I'd even be let in this time looking like a librarian.
Panic started to set in and I was about to ask the driver to turn around when she spoke. "You have something under that top?"
Looking up, I saw her eyes in the rearview mirror regarding me. I slowly nodded, unsure I could use my words with the amount of anxiety coursing through my veins. This was weird, right? I should just go back home. This was why I didn't do impulsive things. I didn't have the stomach for it.