Page 23 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

“Oh.” No arguments there. Breck knew from experience that rib shots hurt.

Kai gestured for him to continue.

Breck threw another punch, swiveling his wrist like he’d been shown.

Kai blocked it. “Good. Again.”

Breck threw a second. “What’s the other reason?”

Kai blocked that, too. “It keeps your elbow from hyperextending. But it’s also just inherently a more painful.”

“Really?” That was surprising. Breck threw another.

Kai deflected that one as well. “As your fist connects, it pushes the punch deeper and twists the skin like a drill.”

“No shit?” Breck grinned. “That’s sick.”

Kai chuckled. “Yeah, now don’t forget to shout.”

Breck’s smile fell. “Shout?”

“When striking. To focus your energy. I went over this earlier with the class.”

“Oh… Right.” Breck glanced around. More eyes staring.

Shit...

Clearing his throat, he squared his shoulders, then launched his fist. “Ai-yah!” he belted.

“Good.” Kai nodded. “Now do a combination.”

Breck threw out a double, then a triple, then a high.

“Pull your opposite arm back harder,” Kai corrected. “Reactionary force. It should snap back just as sharply as your fist thrusts forward.”

Breck scowled, starting to sweat, but adjusted his motion.

“Rotate your fist, just like the other.”

“I did.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Breck ground his molars.

Kai eyed him. “Try again.”

Breck held his tongue. He’d rather be shooting hoops.

After several more minutes of the same, Kai stepped back and nodded. “Now you block.”

Breck exhaled—finally a reprieve—until he realized what that meant. Kai’s crazy-fast fists coming at him.

Pulse quickening, he wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. Assumed blocking stance. “Alright, Grandmaster. Let’s go.”

Kai’s lips curved infinitesimally, his midnight gaze glittering. He let one fly. “Ai-yah!”

His deep bark made Breck jump.

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