Page 79 of Fight For Her
I turned to Zoey who looked like she was about to cry. “Come on, Zoey. Let’s get you dressed and out of here.”
“No.” Zoey pulled me to the side. “Kendahl, I’m fine. I want to finish the shoot.”
I searched her gaze. She looked conflicted. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do this.”
With a soft nod she said, “I’m sure. But maybe you should go.” She turned to Joseph who was pacing in front of a light tower as he cursed under his breath. “It would be for the best.”
I waited before nodding and turning to leave. I couldn’t stay to witness this anyway.I reached the exit with my fists clenched at my side, but before I left, I turned one more time. They were positioning Zoey on the bed again. Before I changed my mind and went into a full rage, I forced myself out and to the car.
I had Albert drop me at my apartment. There was no way I could go back to the office in the state I was in. After shedding my work clothes and getting into leggings and a sports bra I googled Krav Maga gyms in my area. I needed to release my pent-up anger in a healthy way otherwise I’d find the nearest bar and down a bunch of drinks. That had always been my mother’s stress reliever of choice, so I went for the opposite option.
I was in luck. Not only was there a gym, but it was only a fifteen-minute drive from my place. I called them to confirm my trial class, ordered an Uber, and before I knew it, I was enveloped by the familiar sounds of fists striking pads.
Mark and Dina’s gym could have fit inside of Krav Maga LA three times. The amount of space was intimidating. Not one person greeted me or even looked my way, and I didn’t know if I should be happy about that because I wasn’t in the mood for small talk or sad at how being here made me ache for my friends.
I found a place in the back of the room as the level one class started warming up with shadowboxing. With each stretch of muscle and small movement the peace I’d found when I first started Krav coursed through me.
The instructor was a guy so tall that I’d have to crane my neck back to look him in the eye. He called to a student in the front of the room to help him demo. I found myself searching for Coby in every man I saw even when I knew damn well he wasn’t there.
My mind wandered back to the first time Coby partnered with me in class. We had only been talking for a few weeks and had been on a date or two. Iliked him but could sense he wasn’t ready for anything serious.Mark and Shawn had demonstrated how to do a roundhouse kick and made the move look effortless. For me, it was a nightmare. My hips wouldn’t cooperate. At one point, I got so twisted up that I fell on my ass but instead of being embarrassed or resigned, I was pissed. I needed to perfect that kick. I was so focused on getting my starting form right that I didn’t realize Coby was behind me until his hands were around my hips.
I whipped my head around, about to cuss someone out, when I was met by eyes the color of steel and a smile so perfect my breath caught in my throat. “Coby…you made me jump. I was about to cuss you out.”
“Need some help?”
Mia was holding the pad for me and piped in. “She does.”I did, but it would be weird for Coby to help me. I glared at Mia but she shrugged.
Coby’s warm voice murmured directions into my ear as he adjusted my hips. With his chest pressed against my back, he guided me through the movement. The sound of his breathing being so close to my ear mixed with being held against his strong body had me feeling more at ease than I had since I started classes there. I remembered being turned on almost immediately, but I more so remembered the feeling of being safe and cared for, and that’s what I was missing in LA.
I thought joining a new gym would help me feel better. I had released some of my adrenaline from my shitty day, but I ended up leaving there feeling more alone than I had in weeks.How could I ask Coby to leave Mark and Dina’s gym for a place like this?
Chapter 40
Kendahl
WhenIcameintowork the next day, word had gotten around about the photoshoot. Every person I passed made themselves look busy as I walked by. Ever since I’d started, I’d get bombarded with messages and phone calls from the moment I walked in, but not today.
I let myself get settled in, stowing my purse and jacket and checking for any important emails. One had come in from Victor’s assistant early this morning.
From: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, Nov 15 at 7:02 AM
Subject: Meeting with Mr. Moss
Ms. Edwards,
I’ve scheduled you for a meeting in Mr. Moss’s office for 4:00 pm. Any appointments on your schedule for today have been shifted to other representatives.
Best,
Lindsay Barr
Personal Assistant
Stratestar Agency
