Chapter Seventeen
Savannah
I need to burn off some serious tension. Prepping dinner just isn’t cutting it. I head downstairs in my workout gear. My neon yellow-soled sneakers squeak as I hit the polished hallway leading to the gym. Abigail had done well buying the newest gym clothes. My black spandex capris have a matching yellow stripe up the side and pairs nicely with the black top that hits right about my belly button. I open the door and find Paul and Derek working with weights.
“Hey, Savi,” Paul calls out between reps. “Come to sweat?”
“That’s the plan.” While I try to decide what I want to start on, my eyes catch a door on the back wall. Remembering that Keith mentioned there was a boxing ring here somewhere, I go over and peek in the window. An instructor is showing John some moves. I slip inside, curious to learn more.
I watch as John lays a series of punches into the man’s glove.
He turns and does a kick in the air.
“Okay, good, but take five and try to get your mind clear. You seem off today.” The instructor tosses him a towel.
John glances up and sees me. “Oh, hey, Savi.”
“Hey. You don’t sound happy to see me.”
“Sorry. Interesting day. Has Cole found you?”
“Not since this morning. Why?”
“Just wondering,” John says as he downs some water. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d check out the ring.”
John’s phone rings, and he steps out to answer it.
“I’m Mario,” the instructor says, leaning on the ropes.
“Savannah.”
His eyes narrow. “You’ve never boxed before?”
“Nope.”
“You want to be able to say you have?”
“Sure.” I smile and take his hand, and he pulls me up and holds the ropes apart for me.
“Put these on.” He hands me a pair of red gloves. “First, you need to know the proper stance.” He tells me to put my right heel and left toe on the centerline because I’m right-handed. My weight should be even on both feet and my knees slightly bent. I’m told to keep my feet diagonal, more than a shoulder width apart, and raise my back heel slightly. Hands up, elbows down, eyes just above the tops of my gloves, keeping my chin tucked in.
“And breathe.” He grins. “Okay, I won’t go over the basic step drag right now because John will be back soon, but for now, let’s see how you toss a punch. Have a little fun.”
I smile at that. I shove my fist forward, meeting his glove.
“Good, but this time breathe out as you punch, and don’t flex your fist and arm until you hit your target.”
“Okay.” I nod, trying to remember everything. I go back to my stance and try again, this time remembering to breathe.
“Nice!” He grins. “Again.” After a few rounds of this, he starts doing it back, showing me a few blocking moves.
“What?” Derek says when he enters the room. “Mario got Savi in the ring?”
“Yup.” I toss a punch at Mario’s shoulder, but he blocks it at the last moment. “Better watch your back, Derek. I’m learning some mad skills over here.” I laugh, trying to avoid a punch, but get hit in the arm instead.
“Really?” he jokes. “Thanks for the warning.”