Page 64 of Rewind

Ethan took off his punch mitts and rubbed his forehead. “It’s okay babe, but I think we should head upstairs so I can get some ice because I think I’m about to develop a hell of a knot.”

Amina waved her hands in the air and raced around the gym like a chicken with her head cut off. “I didn’t mean to hit you so hard. What if you get a concussion? Honey, shouldn’t we go to the hospital?”

Ethan chuckled with so much force he bent over with laugher.

Amina stopped in her tracks. “What’s so funny? You can’t seriously be enjoying this. When we started training, I was worried that one of us would get hurt but I didn’t think it would be you!” She cried.

“I’m sorry.” Ethan straightened his stance and wiped a tear from the corner in his eye, but he couldn’t stop laughing. “It’s just that you look so adorable right now.”

“Ethan, you’re a neurosurgeon, you more than anyone knows the seriousness of a head injury.” She walked over to him, her eyes full of fear.

Seeing how deeply concerned Amina was about his potential condition sobered him up.

He pulled her into his arms and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Babe, I’ll be fine. I just need some ice. I know the signs of a concussion and other than a slight headache, I’m not experiencing any other symptoms.”

“But I hit you so hard. I think I’d rather work with the punching bag than doing that again.”

“Accidents happen. And I was a bit distracted by how adorable you were throwing those punches. It’s a reminder that I need to do more cardio outside of lifting weights. I haven’t boxed since my college days so this practice was good for me as well. And while using a punching bag is good practice, sparring with apartner will better help with your reflexes. A punching bag can’t swing back.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

Ethan laughed again. “I think I’ll survive, slugger.”

Amina gave him a light punch in the arm. “Don’t tease me. I was so worried.”

“You put some power in that hit but I turned my head just enough so the impact wouldn’t be as great. But I’m very proud of you. Remember when you’re throwing a punch, use your entire body weight. If you’re ever in a situation where you’re forced to fight, it’ll cause more damage to your opponent.”

Amina shivered. “I hope I don’t have to fight, but I’m glad you’re teaching me.”

“It’s my pleasure. I want you to feel safe and since you don’t feel comfortable owning a gun, this is the next best thing.”

Not long after they’d had lunch with his mother, Ethan could tell something was bothering Amina. When they were together, she would smile and talk as normal but she’d often get these far away looks in her eyes. Whenever he’d ask her if she was okay, Amina would say yes.

But then Ethan would be jolted awake in the middle of the night to Amina’s screams. After insisting she tell him what the matter was, she confided in him that she’d been having nightmares about the night she died.

Since she cut Mark out of her life, Ethan thought that would resolve her issues but apparently, she still had concerns.

It was then Ethan suggested that he teach her some boxing moves so that she could protect herself. He purchased Amina her own set of gloves and each night for the past two weeks, they would work out in his building’s gym. She was getting quite good, at it.

When they made it back to his condo, Amina headed straight for the shower.

“Would you like for me to join you?” he asked.

“If we were to shower together, you know we’d just get dirty all over again. Plus you need to get that ice pack. I see a knot in the center of your head.”

Ethan rubbed his forehead and felt a sizable bump. “Fair point. While you’re in there I can heat up some leftovers. We still have that Indian takeout.”

“Sounds good,” she called out as she went into the bathroom.

As Ethan was heating up the food his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw that it was his mother.

“Eomma, how are you tonight?”

“I’m fine. How’s Amina?””

“She’s doing well.”

“Is she around? Put her on the phone so I can say hello.”

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