Page 16 of The Reluctant Hero

“I’m Asher Broussard. This is Muay Thai.”

“Just the man we need then,” Jessie smiles sweetly.

I seem to be the only one who feels the awkwardness as Mr. Broussard sets us up for warm-ups.

Muay Thai is a type offighting. That’s why they taped up. I’m soaking in sweat by the fourth punch, and we’re just starting. What happened to regular punching someone in the face and laughing? Why add the kicks?

I used to exercise every day in high school, but my hips are telling me those days are out of reach now. Still, this isa challenge, and I’m not backing down. I’m a Jefferson. Plus, maybe I can learn some new moves.

The regulars act as if it’s effortless, but it’s a lie. This will never be easy. Ten minutes in, I want a piece of cake and a nap. I flounder around, trying to watch what they’re doing so I can imitate it and do a horrible job. I don’t get this at all.

“Say yes to everything my ass, nacho guy,” I mutter with the last of my breath.

Luckily, my friends have all of the attention covered, so no one notices me flopping in the background. Mr. Broussard is helping them constantly while the rest look on with aggravation or amusement.

“Let me help,” a rough voice says charmingly, and the smiling blond walks over to Jessie to position her properly.

The redheaded guy helps Janine with a personal touch and whispers advice that she giggles at.

Mr. Broussard looks just as relieved as he does annoyed.

I glance around and get sneers in return. Jessie doesn’t let this stop her. She walks up to the tall, scowling man and starts imitating his moves and chatting.

It isn’t until my eyes pass him again that I realize where I know the gray-eyed guy from—the apartments and the blue-haired woman. I wonder what happened to her? The last I heard she left, and this guy wanted to get her deposit back. I hope he got it before the landlord disappeared. Thank God he bailed before he could make good on his promise to get the rent inotherways.

By the time the class is over, I’m so exhausted and coated in sweat that I don’t care about anyone anymore. I want off my feet and a giant glass of water. A nap. A million things that don’t include staying here.

My friends call out farewells as I shuffle to the door and I wave back, too out of breath to comment. Mr. Broussard said heput us through a cool-down routine, but it felt like more of the same. There’s absolutely nothing cool about me inanyaspect.

I’m not surprised when Janine calls and talks about how good Cade, the redhead she was all over in class, is in bed. Beth calls a few days later, talking about how big Jake, the blond guy, is. Like I want to hear all the details after the things I’ve seen in those pictures. Not that they know about it.

And here I thought for a second that they might be interested in me. Shows me. They’re interested in anything with the proper parts to sink into.

The following Saturday is the same. I spent Sunday crying about how sore I was, but by Monday, I felt better somehow. It was a great week of bland nothingness. Not a single letter or photo was in the mailbox, either. I’m turning over a new leaf. I’m no more ready for this than I was last weekend, but if it keeps the good luck coming, I’ll take it.

Janine and her crew aren’t waiting for me at the entrance this time. I could run, but it screams cowardice.

I’m a Jefferson. I won’t stop fighting.

They’re in the back and already fluttering all around the guys. I check my watch to make sure I’m not late. They look like they’ve been here for a while. I barely get a hello from them. They’re so focused on the two guys that are receptive to their easy going smiles and flirting. I’m stuck with the three that communicate with glares.

Everyone starts getting ready, and I fall to the back when I notice the blue-haired woman sitting casually in one of the metal chairs. She’s watching everything without an expression and taking pictures of her boyfriend while he exercises. It looks like she and her boyfriend are clones of each other. Neither one of them has much emotion and is intimidating as hell.

Her eyes trail to me and narrow as they meet mine. I give her a tight smile and a little hello nod. Her head tilts, andher brows furrow. It’s a tiny amount, but she seems like she’s thinking way too hard. I guess she doesn’t recognize me.

By the time we’re done again, I’m slumped with my hands on my shaky knees, trying to catch my breath.

“Why. Am I. Doing this?” I ask myself with heaving breaths. There’s no way this is worth a good mood or luck. Maybe the letters aren’t that bad.

“Doing ok?” Janine asks me with a giggle.

I straighten as best I can with my already aching muscles and take her in. The two guys are with her and eyeing me like I’m pond scum. They look like assholes up close.

I give her a lackluster thumbs-up, which makes her giggle. The guys laugh, too, but it’s more at me than with her.

“What made you think you could pull off a class like this?” The redhead asks with a snicker.

It makes my brow rise as I huff for air. What makes him think I want to stand here and listen to him speak?

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