Page 49 of Out of Nowhere

Oh.That explained the old-fashioned name, as all the Sommerton’s had them. Dex had met Garfield’s younger twin brothers, Ambrose and Otto, as well as another sister, Ada, at a family gathering a few years ago. It also explained why his mother had chosen Penelope for him—her family was loaded.

“No, Mom left that part out,” Dex said.

“I visited Uncle Garfield and Aunt Bea in June while I was at a dog training seminar in Boulder. I saw a photo of you on the mantel at their house and asked Aunt Bea about you.” She flashed Dex another smile. “Like I said before, I think you’re very attractive.”

“I’m flattered,” Dex said.

“You know, it isn’t a good idea to close the door on other prospects. This girl may not be the one for you.”

“Right now, I’m happy with this relationship and am not looking for anyone else.”

“But we can be friends?”

“I’m not sure how plausible that would be since you live in Nettleton. That’s over an hour away, isn’t it?” Dex asked doubtfully.

“Oh, I get to Redding a lot because I have clients here. Didn’t your mother tell you that?”

Dex shook his head. His mother had told him very little.

“There’s a couple who have a Saint Bernard that I’m always having to re-train because they get lazy with the rules and undo everything I accomplished with him before. One of the vets here keeps my cards and gives them out, so someone’s always calling and asking me to come out and train their dog to behave. I’ll be back here for a new client next week.”

Penelope continued chatting amiably, and Dex was actually surprised that the encounter didn’t turn out to be as tedious as he’d feared. When they parted, Penelope said she’d text him sometime.

As he drove home, he decided he really needed to tell his mother he was gay sooner rather than later.

Back at the mansion, Dex changed into his Taekwondo uniform. When he got to the bottom floor, Seo-jun was waiting for him, also barefoot and in his Taekwondo uniform, although while Dex’s belt was blue, Seo-jun’s was black with five gold stripes embroidered on it.

“How’d it go?” Seo-jun asked.

“Better than I thought it would. She was nice, she understood and wants to be friends.” Dex didn’t add that Penelope seemed to be hoping his new relationship would tank and they could have more down the road.

“Friends?” Seo-jun asked doubtfully.

“She’s actually related to my mother’s husband. Mom had left that part out. Anyway, she’s okay. I’m glad we got it ironed out. It’s just underlined the need for me to tell mom I’m gay and seeing you, though.”

“Ready to practice?” Seo-jun stepped onto the mat.

Facing each other at attention stance, they both bowed low.

“Ap Chagi,” Seo-jun said, and Dex moved into fighting stance, with his weight on his back leg. Swiftly, he kicked out with his front leg, aiming with the ball of his foot at Seo-jun mid-chest, which Seo-jun avoided by shifting to the side. Dex’s adrenalinesurged as Seo-jun counter attacked, spinning his body in a roundhouse kick that aimed his shin at Dex’s head. “Dollyo Chagi,” he called out the move.

Dex managed to block the blow with his forearm before striking out with his right leg in an attempt to undercut Seo-jun that failed because Seo-jun anticipated it and quickly moved out of range.

Dex barely managed to step back before Seo-jun came at him with a powerful sidekick at his ribs with the heel of his foot.

“Yop Chagi.” Seo-jun shook his head. “You should have immediately lunged for my face or chest.”

Dex nodded, acknowledging his mistake. Moving back into attention stance, Seo-jun gave Dex another move: “Naeryo Chagi.”

Ax kick.

Dex had found this move challenging when he first tried it. He had to lift his leg above his head before bringing it down upon his opponent’s shoulder, which took a lot of balance to stay steady as he kicked high and chopped down forcefully with his leg. But he’d practiced the move again and again until he mastered it, and he was able to execute it perfectly for Seo-jun now. Seo-jun side-stepped, retaliating with a roundhouse kick that landed Dex on his ass on the mat.

Seo-jun lent him a hand up. “Good. Now, let’s spar.”

The next ten minutes were filled with the two men maintaining a defensive guard and balanced stance while moving around each other, seeking an opening to attack while, at the same time, being ready to countermove whatever came at them. Dex avoided Seo-jun’s powerful back kick, got in a punch that was blocked, then executed a perfect spinning hook kick, taking Seo-jun by surprise, which rarely happened. With a 360 degree turn and hooking motion of his leg, he made contact withthe top of Seo-jun’s head as he ducked too late, sending him sprawling onto his back on the mat.

“Are you okay?” Dex asked, standing over Seo-jun.

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