Page 115 of 1 Last Shot

The girl nods. "It is. And I'd like to sign up for your unlimited option. I'm a big fan of martial arts, I've always wanted to learn. And now that…" She swallows and adjusts the bag strap on her shoulder. "I'm just really excited to get started."

"Great, let's get you signed up then," Jax says with a smile, before leading her toward the front desk.

"I'd like to take a look at your waiver of liability, too, please," she says as she starts to follow him.

I catch Jax's look of surprise. This girl barely looks old enough to read a syllabus, let alone a legal waiver. But he nods and says, "Of course."

"Jax, can you take a look at the signups for—” Coach walks out of the office and stops when he sees them standing at the front desk. "Sorry, I didn't realize you were busy."

"This is the owner and our head coach, Coach Dominic," Jax says by way of introduction. He nods at the girl. "And this is Skylar. She's our newest student."

Coach nods stiffly, in that grumpy way that's his signature greeting. "Welcome to the gym, Skylar."

Skylar gives him a shy smile. "I know who you are," she admits. "I looked you up. I've seen all your fights."

Coach's eyes go wide at that. I know for a fact that he hates talking about himself, so I'm not surprised when he doesn't reply.

Skylar seems to sense that, because she glances back toward the fighters still spread out on the mat. "Actually, I looked all of you up. I wanted to see who I'd be learning from." She turns her attention back to Coach. "Is it bad if I tell you I chose you because you beat the owner of the other big MMA school in the city?"

Thatseems to crack Coach's mask. A grin appears on his face—that rivalry, and himwinningthat rivalry, is one of his favorite fights. Figures it would be the only thing to get him to react.

"I think that's a very smart reason to pick us," Coach says with a smirk.

"Okay so note to self, Skylar already knows all of our weaknesses," Lucy says with a laugh.

"Guess we're going to have to step up our game," Max agrees with a laugh of his own.

Jax sighs. "You guys are kind of killing my closing argument here."

Skylar chuckles. "I was sold before I walked in here, don't worry. Weaknesses and all."

Guess we’ve got a new student at the gym.

When Jax gets her started on paperwork, everyone's attention finally strays back to their own individual conversations. Mine snaps back to Isabella like a magnet.

"Ready to get out of here?" I ask, pressing a kiss to her neck. Her intoxicatingIsabellascent envelops me, reminding me that I want to get her home as quickly as possible.

"Mhmm," she hums, returning the kiss with one of her own. It takes everything in me not to deepen it right here, in front of everyone.

"Who knew not-so-angry man was so into PDA," Aiden comments from outside of our bubble.

I throw him a glare. "What did I say about that nickname?"

He grins shamelessly. "But I like it."

"Let's see if you like it after a three count in the cage," I growl.

"Ooh, I wanna see that," Dani says, lifting the camera up to her eye and aiming it at us.

I open my mouth for another threat, but freeze when I realize what I’m looking at.

"Are you… are youposing?"

Aiden very obviously flexes his abs in his girlfriend's direction. "If she's shooting, I'm posing."

I shake my head and sigh. "I can't handle you."

Aiden's smile is very obviously pleased. "Thank you."

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