Page 17 of The Reluctant Hero

“Oh, stop, Cade.” Janine gently taps his arm with a smile. “She needs some self-confidence.”

We’re telling everyone now? I feel so special. By special, I mean ready to punch her in the face. If only I could lift my arms.

“Why not try the bikes?” The blond says with a wide grin. “You wouldn’t have to move around as much.”

“Excuseme?” I gape at him in astonishment. Who the hell does he think he is? He can ride a bike with no seat right next to his ‘helpful’ advice.

“Just a suggestion,” he offers and backs away with his hands raised.

I’ll tell him what he can do with hissuggestion.

“You’re doing great,” Janine says with a painful smack on my shoulder and a smirk. She walks away, whispering with the redhead.

After that, I keep going back out of pride and stubbornness. I even start exercising during the week so I can make a better showing. Screw those guys. I can do this just as well as a stick-figure woman. They can kiss my ass. My anger only gets me so far, though. I still can’t get the moves right. It’s really starting to piss me off.

One day, I catch Mr. Broussard in his office before class and knock on his door. I feel nervous, like a student asking for the principal's attention when I don’t want it at all.

The tall guy is chatting with him and they both look irritated at the interruption.

“Yes?” He says in a cold, flat tone.

“Hi, I’m in your class?” I point out hesitantly. I’m not sure he’s even noticed with all the flirting going on and his constant need to separate people. The class is starting to feel like an orgy could break out any minute.

“I’m aware.” His tone gets darker, and his lip turns up in a sneer.

“Right,” I frown at the reaction. I’m starting to think everyone in class would look better with black eyes. “I was wondering if you did any one-on-one sessions. I’m not getting-”

“He doesn’t, fuck off,” the tall man snaps out with an intensity that makes me step back.

“Whoa,” I hold up two hands to keep him at bay, even though he hasn’t moved. I know I’m ready for violence, but what’shisproblem?

“We moved the class to Saturday because of shit like this. Why don’t you and your friends get the fuck out of this class and let us actually get some exercise in?”

“Max,” Mr. Broussard mutters, but not seriously. He’s not trying to stop him. Just tone him down a little.

“Right,” my eyes narrow on them balefully. These assholes just activated bitch mode like they sucker-punched the button.

I walk away and wait with my arms crossed for everyone to join me. Screw these people.

The blue-haired woman is in her usual chair, watching me with narrowed eyes. I jerk my chin in her direction in a hello. She gives me the same confused look she always does and sits back to watch the ridiculous class play out.

I bet she’s here to remind her boyfriend she’s always watching. It's not a bad call, even if he doesn’t acknowledge her. He’s the only one who’s managed to scare Janine and her crew away with any efficiency.

I don’t say anything as they all come in and get ready. My tongue might as well be pierced with how many times I bight it.

It’s to the point that none of my friends acknowledge me anymore. This class takes a lot of effort, and they got put on the back burner. They’re busy, barely working out and getting fondled by guys. All of the men here are egotistical assholes, what’s the appeal there?

I know they’re all single and looking for a good time, but this is a little ridiculous. It’s like Mr. Broussard is purposely not helping anyone anymore. He leaves them to their boyfriends and teaches Max and the scary guy.

I’m seriously considering finding a gym closer to the apartments. I don’t like pulling the plug, but this seems like a waste of time for anything productive.

“You haven’t given up yet?” Cade asks as he watches me slip my shoes on to leave.

I’ve gotten very familiar with the two guy’s names over the weeks. The descriptive gossip has made me even less likely to ever give a shit about them.

He should give up on his teeth because he’sthis closeto losing them.

“You really should be doing something else,” Jake says with a boyish smile. It’s malicious around the edges, making me glare.

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