Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) (3 page)

“Caitlin?” Kiaya says. She looks concerned as she snaps me back to reality.

No wonder she’s worried, I have tears in my eyes. Wiping them away and taking a deep breath, I say, “It’s nice having a friend again. I will open up to you one day. I promise.”

She gives me a small smile. “Ok, I will drop it, for now.” I’m glad she didn’t push it further.

The rest of the day is thankfully uneventful. I do get a nice view of Ethan when he gets into his truck in the late afternoon. That’s a big bonus.

Just before it’s time to close the shop, Kiaya says, “I have to admit, I hate exercise of any kind, and as a rule I must never partake in it, but I have the urge to come with you tonight.”

“What, why?”

“I would love to see you squirm again when you see Ethan; that was hilarious.”

“Ha-ha, you are such a comedian.” Her reply to this is just to grin back at me.

“Thanks for your help by the way.”

“No problem, anytime.”

“I was being sarcastic!”

“I know!” She really believes she’s funny.

“You just wait. You ever need some help, don’t come looking to me for it.”

Giving me a wink, she says, “You would never deny me help.”

“We will see.”

FOUR

Caitlin

I arrive home from work with barely an hour to eat and get changed before my class at the gym. It’s a lot of effort to cook for just one person, so my freezer is always stacked with an array of ready meals. It’s not that I can’t cook; I can. I’ve always gained immense enjoyment from cooking, but it’s not the same doing it for myself. After eating, I get changed into a pair of black leggings and a plain white baggy t-shirt, tie my hair in a high ponytail, and I’m good to go.

Arriving at the gym with a few minutes to spare, I walk through the double doors and make my way over to the reception area. There’s no one there, so I wait. After a couple of minutes tapping my fingers on the wooden desk impatiently, I hear footsteps. Turning around, Ethan appears looking hot, as usual. He’s wearing a tank top with his gym’s logo on it and a pair of shorts. I like the way his shorts sit low on his hips, but when my eyes roam lower, it’s only then I notice his leg. Where one should be, there’s a prosthetic instead. Staring hard, I realize he’s right in front of me.

Clearing his throat, Ethan remarks, “Not such a hottie now, huh?”

“What? Umm,” I stutter out my words, now realizing he knows the nickname I use for him. Damn, I must learn to whisper better. He folds his arms across his chest, narrows his eyes, and looks deep into me. He seems angry, and a little hurt all at the same time.
Oh no
, I begin to panic,
he must think I don’t like the fact he has a prosthetic
. That’s not the case at all. I’m shocked; to be honest, it took me by complete surprise. I’ve seen him a few times now, but he’s always wearing jeans, so I had no idea at all. He manages to cope with it brilliantly.

Pulling me from my thoughts, he asks, “Are you here for the kick boxing class with Roman?”

“Yes, that’s right.” His sudden change in topic puzzles me.

“Up the stairs, second door on the left.” He turns, stomping back up the stairs he’d just come from, so I follow him thinking he’s showing me the way. I need to walk fast to keep up with him, but when I stop at the second door, he continues without a word. I watch him reach the door at the end of the corridor. He goes through and slams it shut. The noise makes me jump. Shit. That did not go well at all; I really didn’t mean to offend him. I just get so tongue tied when around him. I will have to find Ethan after the class and apologize, I hope he doesn’t leave before I get a chance to try to explain myself.

“Hello.” I turn when hearing the greeting and peer inside the door where seven sets of eyes look back at me.
Great
. They just saw that little show.

“Hi,” I say, entering the large room and giving a nervous wave. It’s similar in decor to downstairs: brick walls with one wall being mirrored, wooden floors, and mats stacked to one side. Apart from that, there isn’t much else in here.

“Hi, I’m Roman, the instructor,” says the guy who walks up to me as I offer him my hand. This must be Ethan’s brother; they look very similar. They’re around the same height, but Roman’s hair is a much darker brown; it’s almost black. He’s wearing a tank top the same as Ethan but has on jogging pants instead. The six other people in the room are all young guys and no longer seem to be paying any attention to me, thankfully.  

“Hi, I’m Caitlin.”

“Ahhh Caitlin,” he says with a grin. “I hear you had a fall the other day. I hope you’re not too bruised?”

“Great, you have been talking to Ethan, who I’m going to guess is your brother?”

Laughing he states, “He is, and yes, we do that sometimes.”

“Of course you do…” I trail off at the end of the sentence. It’s becoming apparent these brothers seem to have a talent for making me feel embarrassed, and I say stupid things every time I come into contact with them.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to make fun of you.” He winks. “Shall we get started?” Roman begins to talk a bit about the sport then proceeds to pair us up. But as there’s an uneven number and being the only girl, I find myself being left without a partner. It’s just like being back at school. I never got picked then either. I feel uncomfortable and the odd one out. Not a great start.

“It’s ok, I can work with you,” Roman says, understanding my predicament.

“Well, as long as you promise not to give me any more bruises,” I remark, grinning back at him.

He laughs, “I’ll go easy on you.”

“You have that wrong. I promise to go easy on YOU,” I taunt.

Half an hour later, Roman narrows his eyes at me. “You’re not a beginner, are you?”

“Not really, but I haven’t trained in two years.”

“Well you wouldn’t know that; you’re really good.”

“Thanks!” I’m elated and loved every second of the last thirty or so minutes.

After the class wraps up, I thank Roman and agree to come again next week. Then I go downstairs in search of Ethan. I hate admitting I’m in the wrong; I mean, who doesn’t? But I do need to apologize. Let’s hope he doesn’t make me grovel too much. I just need to get this over with. Seeing Asher downstairs, I ask him if he knows where Ethan is. “Go back upstairs, he’s in his office. It’s the door at the end of the hall.” That’s the same door Ethan slammed earlier.

“Just go in, I’ll call up and let him know you’re coming.” His grin is as big as the Cheshire cat’s as he lifts the phone to his ear. It’s a bit strange, but I shake it off then make my way back up the stairs.

When I reach the door, I go straight in like Asher suggested but instantly freeze. In hindsight I should have knocked. Ethan sits at his desk, a topless woman before him. His startled eyes shoot up to mine as the topless lady swings her face to me and spits out, “Can’t you see we’re busy? Fuck off!”

I immediately look down needing to see anything but this scene playing out before me. “I’m sorry.” I stammer, while trying to escape out the door. Ethan orders the woman to get dressed, and then demands I come back. I turn to them, but my eyes remain fixed to the floor. Holding my hands up I state, “No, please, keep your clothes off; it’s fine. Sorry again.” I turn away and flee from the horrible scene. I can’t believe I just told that horrid woman to keep her clothes off!

Once I’m out the door, Ethan bellows my name and insists I come back. Do I go? Like hell I do! I take off running and manage the stairs without falling, thankfully. At least something is going my way tonight! At the reception desk, I see Asher with his hand over his mouth trying, but not succeeding, to stifle his laugher.

“Thanks a lot for that. What have I ever done to you?” I’m so angry with him right now, and to think I liked him. He can’t hold it in anymore and bursts into a fit of laughter. I do the only thing I can with everyone watching me, I hold my head high while walking out the door, and then run all the way home in tears.
Why am I bloody crying?

As I approach my apartment door a short time later, the phone ringing sounds through the door. Struggling with the key in the lock, I rush over to the phone before the caller hangs up. I’m relieved to hear Beth’s voice. Thank God, I really need my best friend right now.

“Hello.”

“Are you crying? What the hell is wrong? What’s happened? Oh my goodness, Stephen hasn’t found you, has he?”

What? Stephen, why is she asking about him? “Why do you think my tears are about Stephen? Please tell me you haven’t seen him?” She’s quiet for a while, and I begin to panic. My throat closes up, and I struggle for breath as panic courses through me.

“Look, there’s no need to worry, but he came over the other day. I told him I haven’t seen you in years. He looked like shit, probably not getting any sleep. Not that I feel sorry for him at all, the bastard. I think he believed me though, so don’t fret.”

“Don’t fret!” My voice raises a few octaves higher than before. “That’s easy for you to say.”

“I promise, if I hear from him again, I will let you know, ok?” I can hear the hope in her voice that I will calm down, so I take a deep breath and try to relax a little.

“Ok, deal. But please make sure you do. So if Stephen isn’t why you’re calling, what is it about? Not that I’m not glad to hear from you. I really am.”

“I have got my time off work!” she shrieks down the phone, nearly deafening me.

“What!” I exclaim. “When? I can’t wait to see you!”

“It will be in a few weeks, but I can only stay for a week. I’m sorry. I want to stay longer, but I’ve already used most of my holiday. I know it’s fallen through before, but the flight is booked, so it’s happening for real this time.”

“You have no idea how happy you have just made me. I was really having a crappy night.”

“Well, I’m glad about that, but not about you having a crappy night.” She chuckles. “That I made you happy.”

“Yes, I got what you meant.” I laugh.

“Come on, Caitlin, what got you so upset in the first place?” she asks me with a sigh.

“It’s just me being silly, really. That guy I told you about, I saw him at the gym tonight.”

“What, you mean Mr. Hottie?” she sings at me.

“Yes, that’s him. He owns the gym with his brother. It’s a long story, but I offended him so after the class I went to say sorry.”

“Hold on and back it up a minute. How did you offend him?”

“Umm, that’s really embarrassing.” I tell her about his prosthetic leg and my reaction to it.

“Shit!” She laughs. “I can see why that’s awkward.”

I ignore her delight at my situation. “Anyway, after class I went to his office to explain, but there was a bloody topless woman sitting on his desk!”

“So where was he then?” She seems puzzled.

“He was sitting in his chair in front of her!”

She laughs even harder. “Oh, you interrupted his lap dance. This is hilarious.”

“Shut up.” I’m glad she finds this funny.

“So why has that made you so upset?” 

“Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? I have no idea whatsoever.” And that’s the truth. I have no claim on this gorgeous guy, so why am I so bothered by it? There’s no way I want or need a relationship, so I should just keep my distance.

After discussing it further, I still come to no good reason why I feel this way. Beth, however, believes I should do the deed with him, as she puts it, and get him out of my system. That’s not happening...ever. I go to bed feeling a little better but still have a restless sleep.                                 

                                                 ***

Yet again, the bright sun awakens me the following morning. I drag my tired arse out of bed and get to work just in the nick of time. We get to mid-morning without any drama, thank goodness. Kiaya has been asking all morning about Ethan, wanting to know if I saw him last night. There is no way I’m telling her what really happened; I’ll never live it down, so I just said I didn’t. It’s much easier that way.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts by Ethan looking through the window at me. “Kiaya!” I holler, suddenly panicked.

“What! What’s wrong?” she says, coming out from the back room.

“Swap, please,” I say while rushing past her without waiting to hear her reply.

“Sure,” she agrees, looking baffled by my strange behavior. I enter the back room and breathe a sigh of relief. That’s a conversation I can do without right now.

“Hi.” Shit, that voice is not Len’s, and it’s definitely too deep for Kiaya. When I turn around, it’s my worst nightmare. Ok, well he is more of my best dream, but it doesn’t mean I need or want to talk to him right now.

“How the hell did you get back here?” I swear I didn’t mean to snap, honest. “You need to leave, please,” I say a little less hostile this time.

“Len said I could, and, no, I’m not going anywhere. We need to talk, Caitlin.” He’s stubborn, I will give him that.

Looking to the floor I rush out. “Ok look, I’m really sorry about how I reacted when I saw your leg. That’s why I came by your office. It was to explain and say sorry, and I don’t have a problem with it, honestly. It was just a shock because I hadn’t noticed it before. You cope really well. Then I started to wonder how it happened. I didn’t know if you were born like that or if it was an accident. I don’t like the thought you’d been hurt or going through pain.” I exhale a long breath then suddenly blurt out, “And you’re just as hot to me as before, if not more.” The last bit just seemed to slip out before I could stop it. Crap! I’m now rosy red, and he’s grinning, again.

“You’re really cute when you’re flustered.” That sexy smirk is long gone now, and we’re gazing at each other. I mean, what am I supposed to say to that?

It’s a few moments before Ethan talks again. “Look,” he says rubbing the top of his head. “I’m really sorry about what you saw in my office. You shouldn’t have seen that, and Nicola shouldn’t have spoken to you like that either.”

“No, I shouldn’t have barged in,” I admit.

He chuckles. “Well, that did kind of shock the hell out of me, but I spoke to Asher, and he explained what he did. He’s really sorry by the way. He thought it would help me to get Nicola out of my office. She’s a massive pain in my ass who won’t leave me alone. He had no idea she would be topless, and neither did I.” He’s looking down at the floor as if ashamed.