“Oh, no!” Paul whines loudly, moving Derek from the doorway. “Savi, really?”
“What?” I ask, seeing John coming back from his phone call.
Derek laughs on his way back out.
“You know what.” Paul gives me a look.
“Savi, you’re asking for trouble,” John mutters, taking a seat as he pulls out a protein bar. He downs it in two bites.
“I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman.” I throw another punch harder than I thought I could. “If I want to learn how to box, then it’s my right to do so.” I send two quick punches at Mario. “So, if you all don’t mind…”
John holds up his hands in surrender.
“Okay, so,” Mario eyes everyone, “what am I not getting here?”
“Nothing,” I mutter and throw another punch.
“You’re sparring with the boss’s girlfriend,” Paul says.
“Paul!” I shout. “What the hell?”
“Seriously?” Mario’s face drops.
“Seriously!” Cole says, standing inside the door. We all turn to face him.
Shit.
“Oh, sorry, Savi.” Mario shakes his head and starts removing his gloves.
“Savi, out of the ring.” Cole waves his hand at me.
“Why would I do that, exactly?” I ask, feeling my temper rise yet again.
“Savi,” he warns.
“It’s not against house rules for clients to use the gym,” I look around, “and I’m in the gym.”
“Oh, boy,” John mutters, grabbing his bag and moving toward Paul, who quickly follows him out. Mario steps out of the ring and runs to catch up. Great, now I’m alone with Cole.
Cole runs a frustrated hand through his hair as he walks toward me. “You’re right, Savannah, clients are welcome to use the gym.” He jumps up and ducks under the ropes. In two strides, he’s in front of me. “But as my girlfriend, I don’t want you sparring with anyone else in this house.”
“Cole,” I huff, removing my gloves and tossing them aside.
He hooks an arm around my waist and tugs me to him. I struggle with the fact that I long to be in his arms but am still hurt. “After last night—”
“I’m sorry, Savannah.” He cuts me off. “I didn’t give you a chance to explain yourself. I jumped to conclusions, and I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you did, but you also said some really hurtful things.” I retreat from his hold. “Honestly, I think we need to step back and take a breather. My head—”
“I’m not letting you go, no matter how hard you push me away. We had a fight, but couples do that—”
“Couples also trust one another,” I point out. “You obviously don’t trust me.”
He moves in front of me again. “I do. It’s just that yesterday was pretty awful, along with you running off. Then I find you downstairs with Derek. I took my whole day out on you. It was wrong, and I’m sorry, baby.” He leans forward to kiss my forehead. “Please say you forgive me.”
I sigh, wrapping my arms around his waist as he rests his cheek on my head. “I do.” We stay like that for a few minutes, both needing one other. “Can I still play in the ring?”
“No.”