Page 24 of Catalyst
Katie shrugs, her mistrust of a man stepping up for his child coming through loud and clear. We’ve been going to Chris’s self-defense class in Westlake for almost a year and have both fallen in love with the sport. I guess a guy who owns a gym in Sonoma is going to be taking over Chris’s classes until he comes back.
“Let’s go find a spot to warm up.” I guide us out to the mats we normally use for sparring. We start stretching as the most striking man comes toward our group. He has a full sleeve of tattoos on one arm, long brown hair tied back in a man bun, and muscles for days.
“Hot damn,” Katie whispers, making me snort.
“Hey, guys,” the tattooed man addresses the class. “I’m Dax Pierce, and I’m going to be filling in for Chris. I own The Warehouse over in Sonoma and have been teaching self-defense for the past four years. Usually, I only do one-on-one sessions, but I’m happy to fill in for Chris for a few weeks. Please let me know if any of you have special accommodations or preferences when it comes to touching or adjusting stances. I want to make sure everyone is comfortable with me as your instructor.”
“He can touch me any time he wants.”
“Katie! He’ll hear you,” I admonish.
“Psh, I’m sure he gets stuff like that all the time.”
“You should try and flirt with him. Of anyone here, you have the best shot at taking him home.”
Katie rolls her eyes so hard a teenager would be proud. “Just because I’m looking at the goods, doesn’t mean I want the goods.”
“Fair enough.” I sigh.
Dax gets the class started by going over the positions and goals of the session. Everyone pairs up to work on our skills while Dax adjusts and coaches as we go. Katie and I don’t talk much as we work out. It takes every ounce of our concentration to go through each move. It’s one of the many reasons we love the class.
By the time we’re done, we’re boneless and exhausted.
* * *
“Cheers.” Our glasses clink together before we take a drink of our margaritas. Katie’s small bungalow has become one of my favorite places in Westlake. She took an outdated mess and turned it into a cozy home for her and Cody. She’s done all the renovations herself since she bought it a few years ago. I don’t know how she’s found the time. Between being a kick-ass teacher and a single parent, I’m pretty sure she’s superwoman.
We picked him up from Sue’s house after class and got a pizza on the way home from the gym. Now, Katie and I are listening to him get ready for bed with their Australian Shepard. It’s hilarious listening to him tell Cash they’re only allowed to read two books tonight since they’re going to bed late.
I swear he’s the best kid I’ve ever met. He acts entirely too mature for his age for no other reason than that’s his personality. It’s only been Katie and Cody since he was born.
“Okay, Mom! We’re ready,” Cody yells from his room.
I grin at Katie as she gets off the couch to tuck him into bed. I listen to them murmur to each other as she reads a story and says good night.
My childhood looked nothing like Cody’s. My parents didn’t read us bedtime stories or give us their full attention when we needed it or even just wanted it. They did the bare minimum to take care of me and Stephanie. We were fed, clothed, and had all of our basic needs met. Beyond that, we were on our own. I’ll never understand how we made it out of the house without having more issues than we do.
I also don’t know how Stephanie can still stand to be around them. My guess is she needs the money more than I do. Although, when your parents don’t believe you were assaulted, it tends to put things into perspective. Money was no longer important in light of losing the support of people who should’ve been there for me.
“Where were we?” Katie asks, breezing back into the room a few minutes later.
“Right here.” I hold my glass up in the air and wait for her to grab her own. We toast our glasses again and take another healthy swig.
“Time to spill the deets on the fundraiser. I’m dying to know how it went. What’s Adam like without the suit on? Was it as glamorous as the movies?”
“He had a suit on. A tux, actually. And yes, the whole place was swanky and gorgeous.”
“Aaaaand?”
“Did you know Matthew went to school with the New York Raptors’ right winger, Desmond Areneto?”
“Who? I don’t care about that. You’re stalling. Tell me what happened!”
I just stare at her for a moment, making her wait in agony. She knows I’m going to tell her everything; it’s just a matter of when. “He told me he wanted to kiss me more than he wanted his next breath.”
Katie squeals, as if the moment happened to her instead of me. “Did you kiss? Are you together now? Did you swoon?”
“No, no, and of course, I swooned.”
