Page 131 of Bookworm

Bo shook his head. "That makes no sense."

"Makes sense to me, Stryker." I smiled at him and pointedto my head. "I'm sweating. You're not. We need to make things equal somehow, and this is as good a way as any."

The drive over had beensilent except for the music playing softly on the radio.We'dtaken my car.Bo had seemed lost in his thoughts, and I was definitely in my own head.But there was so much more I wanted to know about him. Plus, if we were going to be working out, I desperately needed a distraction.

"So? Is it a deal?"

Bo stared at me.

I stared back.

Finally he said, "Yeah, but only after you complete a movecorrectly."

"Fine," I said while inside I was jumping up and down in victory. "What's the first move?"

"Well, the first thing we need to do is correct your punches," he said. "My six-year-olds have better form than you."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, so stand with your feet apart." He watched as I got into position. "Raise your handslike this"—I mimicked his pose—"and make two fists. Nice, you didn't tuck your thumb."

I rolled my eyes. "I read, Bo, and watch TV. I know not to tuck my thumb; it could get broken that way."

"Maybe you should be teaching me then?" he snarked.

"Next lesson, please, sensei. I'm getting bored."

Bo frowned. "Tighten your core."

"Huh?"

"Your…" With a sigh, Bo came closer and splayed his hand across my stomach. It clenched in response. "Stay strongin your core, anduse the energy from your legs to put power in your punch. Got it?"

What I got was a severe case of butterflies. They were fluttering around like crazy, originating from where Bo's hand touched, out into the rest of my body. And I had to admit it made me self-conscious, having him touch me there. A girl's stomach was not a place that typically inspired confidence. But dang if those butterflies didn't keep dancing around like a chorus line.

"Kent?" Bo said.

He was looking at me, expecting something. Whatdid he say again?

"Oh yeah," I said as he finally stepped back. "I've got it."

"Then let's go. Right punch."

Centering myself, I did what he said, trying to get power from my core and legs.

"Good. Now, left."

I punched.

"Four in a row."

Right, left, right, left.

"Good job. Did you feel the difference?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said with a true smile. "It felt awesome."

Bo nodded.

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