Page 103 of Waiting to Lose
Kendra’s eyes drew into angry slits as she opened her mouth and spit into his hand. Rob strode to the garbage can in the corner to deposit it.
Kendra leaned in to Madi. “Damn, he’s got a hefty chip on his shoulder named ego.”
“You forgot the pain in his ass, named Kendra,” Madi whispered. “Please try to be nice to him.”
Kendra rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Now what?” she asked, feigning interest as he returned to them.
“Some women have an amazing gift of sixth sense,” he began. “If something doesn’t feel right, trust the voice in your head. Your intuition is extremely powerful. If it tells you to avoid a situation or person, trust it. Know that you have the right to defend yourself, but escape is always the best option. If you can run, run. If you can scream, yell like hell. Don’t ever leave the primary scene. You’re more likely to be hurt or killed if you go to a secondary location. So far so good?” he asked, glancing from Madi to Kendra.
Madi nodded. She felt a twinge of adrenaline shoot through her, a mix of fear and excitement at the same time.
“You need to know that, in order for this to work, you’ll need to practice. This needs to become instinctual. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be happy to practice with you until I feel comfortable that you’re prepared.”
“Wait a minute…” Kendra said. “Who said anything about this lasting weeks?”
“Learning takes practice. Were you able to play the piano the first time you tried?”
“Some might say yes, that I’m a natural.”
“So you think you’ll be a natural at this as well? That this just comes naturally for some people?”
“Probably,” Kendra said, placing her hands on her hips.
“Fine. If you can take me down, I’ll never say another word.”
“Oh, right. You probably weight ten times as much as I do and have ten times the training.”
“So?”
“So, let’s be more realistic. Show me a basic move, and I’ll master it,” Kendra replied, rubbing her hands together.
“You think you’ll be able to replicate it on your first try?”
“I’m a fast learner,” Kendra said with a grin.
“Okay. You’re choice. Do you want to come at me from the front or behind?”
Kendra laughed.
“What’s so funny now?” he asked with a sigh and a turn of his head.
“Usually that’s the question I’m asking the guy.”
Rob stared into her eyes before he took a step forward and pulled her away from Madi by the elbow.
Kendra huffed but allowed him to move her. Madi turned away from them, but she could still hear every word. She never realized just how good her ears were until recently.
Rob leaned in to make sure she heard him. “In my experience, the people who make jokes and play games do so to hide their fear. You are no exception to this rule. I see through you. I know deep down you’re afraid, and I get it. It’s your defense mechanism. But I don’t have a lot of time or patience for your bullshit, Kendra. Madi’s afraid that the same man who once tried to rape her may try again. If you are any kind of friend, you’ll stop your childish games and focus on the fact that learning these moves makes her feel safer. If you’d stop talking and start listening, you might be surprised to learn that I can and will teach you something youdon’talready know. Do you think you could manage to do that for her?”
Kendra glared into his eyes. “Yes. I would and will do anything for Madi, but for future reference, I’m not afraid of anything. And the next time you want me alone, you don’t need to pull me off like a caveman; you can simply ask. I might even let you whisper in my ear for fun.”
Madi glanced over her shoulder to see Rob purse his lips. “If you stop trying to act like you’ve got it all together, I’d be happy to whisper in your ear.”
Kendra huffed as a small grin spread across her face.
Rob turned immediately to Madi as he clapped his hands together. “Okay, let’s get started.”
