Page 107 of The Sidekick

“She hasn’t been to class since last Tuesday,” I watch them carefully for any clues.

“No way,” Blaze scoffs. “She’s been going, right Shade? You’ve been dropping her off.”

Why is he dropping her off? Is he the reason she hasn’t been here?

“No, he stopped dragging her when she started relaxing about it,” Brody frowns. “And her car is fixed.”

He was forcing her to come? How?

“She told me Friday that the class is great,” Felix frowns as well.

“She wasn’t there Thursday or yesterday. I assumed she was ill,” I lie to prod a little.

My comment is made in a mild tone, but the four men act like a bomb has gone off, turning to face Shade warily as he sits perfectly still, staring down at his glove.

Brody shakes his head with a disappointed look. “Has she said anything, Shade?”

He doesn’t answer. He’s beginning to scowl as he slowly turns to look at me. I’ve never seen him express much emotion. This time, I’m getting the full effect of his anger. I’m choosing to take it as a good sign.

“She ran out when class was over. Some of the other women embarrassed her.” I don’t want to say why. I don’t need him alienating her from me. “I kicked them out, but she had already left.”

Shade stands and walks out without saying a word to any of us, throwing the gloves into their basket hard enough for them to bounce out.

The pool of silence he leaves behind confuses me.

“What’s he doing?” I can’t help the furious tone. Is he ignoring the situation?

“Oh, don’t worry,” Felix shakes his head as he glances around at the rest of the group. “She’ll be there tomorrow whether she likes it or not.”

They look at each other and start laughing. It sounds mocking. The mood has shifted now that Shade has gone, and they start joking with each other without a care.

I still haven’t told Max about these letters. Maybe I should. I don’t think he’ll understand, though. To him, it’s easy. I walk up and grab you, and it’s happily ever after.

I’m not Max. They broke the mold with him.

Chapter Forty-One

Tera

“Did you know I go to a gym?” Shade asks casually as I sip my smoothie. It was a long night at work, and I’ve just gotten home to stretch my legs out on the couch. He’s sitting at the bar section leading to the kitchen, facing away from me.

“No? It makes sense, though. Do you lift, big bro?” I tease.

“Sometimes,” I see him shrug from the corner of my eye. “Mostly, I go for the Muay Thai class.”

“What is that?” I try not to let out my giggle. It sounds like a dance class, and I can’t wait to hear this.

“A type of martial arts.” He spins around on the stool to face me with his plate in his hand. He looks irritated with me. I guess teasing him about his class was a no-no.

“Our instructor is normally a nice guy, really quiet.”

“You all go?” It’s not really a surprise, and yet it is. Don’t they need time away from each other? They all sound really codependent.

“Yes. He teaches a couple of classes there.”

“No. Do not set me up with someone. I’m not ready.” Especially if it’s someone from a gym. I’m already daydreaming about one instructor. I don’t need more. I frown and take another sip just to have something to do.

“That wasn’t my intention. At all. You know what he told me? Today, in fact.”

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