Quicksilver Dreams(18)

                “I told you I wasn’t finished packing!” She raised her voice at him, which made my eyes round in shock. Powerful mischief was running amok! I even took a quick look around to see if anyone was witnessing this strange, unusual occurrence, but no one else in the apartment complex seemed to be braving L.A.’s midday summer heat.

                “Half your closet is in here already. Whatever you don’t have we’ll buy on the road.” Nick’s tone brooked no argument, and I waited for the counter Cyn explosion to bust out.

                It didn’t come, though I could almost hear the mental growl Cynthia was trying to breathe her way through in order to regain her infamous self-control. I wondered if she was going to make it without unloading all over this guy. It also made me wonder what had happened between them. The mystery loomed in my brain, because I’d never seen Cynthia as off-kilter as she’d been the last twenty-four hours. Was this Nick a good guy? Should I worry about her?

                And strangely enough, as though he heard my question, Nick paused as he walked by us and gave me a real smile that showed off his absolute gorgeousness. “I’ll take care of her. She’ll be in good hands. I promise.” He did one of those quick two-finger salutes and continued on while Cynthia watched him walk out through the security gate with a wistful expression that sort of told me all. She gave me another hug and ran back up to the apartment with a parting wave.

                “We’ll talk soon!”

                “Okay! Good luck! Keep me updated.”

                I knew there was something weird about all of the exchanges I’d participated in this morning, but with so much going on that was out of the norm, I forgot to think about it.

                Besides, the gym called to me, and I arrived in time to take the kickboxing class that always gives me a feeling of empowerment. I wasn’t just getting exercise, I was learning how to kick and punch really effectively. I could, potentially, kick some ass if the need arose, which made me feel large and in charge. Very important when you’ve felt helpless and at the mercy of others your whole life.

                At least that’s what Rico says to me every time I show up, that I’m learning how to defend myself. I think he’s got a little crush, so I imagine he’ll say whatever he thinks will get me coming back to his class. It must work though, because there I was, sweating like a pig, huffing and puffing and doing my best to use proper form while doing a roundhouse kick to the heavy bag.

                “Back to combinations: left jab, right cross, left hook. Left, right, hook! Left, right, hook! Now add an uppercut! Left jab, right cross, left hook, right uppercut!”

                “I can’t do this much longer,” an older lady who was seriously sucking air said from the heavy bag next to mine.

                “Hang in there!” I managed to spit out, still taking it out on the innocent bag.

                She was someone I recognized by face from the class. Though I never got her name, she was really inspiring to watch and cheer on. She had game.

                Of course, now too much time had gone by for me to ask her name without feeling totally stupid.

                “I’m trying to hang in there,” she gasped.

                “Ten more minutes,” I panted with burning lungs, but our talking brought Rico’s attention to us.

                “Keep your gloves up,” he barked at me over the sound of the music, and I tried, really, but my shoulder muscles were burning from the last forty minutes of class. Who knew you needed shoulder muscles to keep your arms working?