Page 53 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
“Okay. Here goes.” Getting back in my stance, I made sure my fist was as tight as I could make it and then punched again. This time the bag started to swing. “I did it!”
“Good. Now do a jab,” he said, stepping up to demonstrate, “and then a hook with your right.”
He did it twice, once in slow motion and once in real time, so I could memorize the movement.
“Got it.” I threw my punches and smiled when they hit. This felt good. Really good. Like, I was going to buy one of these bags tomorrow and hang it in my garage, good.
“More?” Silas asked.
I nodded. “Yes, please.”
For the next hour, Silas showed me more punch combinations and a few elbow and knee techniques. By the time we were done, I was sweating, my knuckles were red and puffy, and the endorphins from the exercise had turned my mood around. Well, that and just being with Silas.
It was hard to believe I could be this happy after how my day had started and the drama at Wes’s grave. More proof that Silas was good for my soul. He always knew what I needed, even when I didn’t.
“Thank you. I needed this.”
“You’re welcome.” He walked over to a mini fridge and pulled out two waters. After tossing me mine, he opened his own and tipped it up to his lips. As he gulped it down, I stared at his corded throat and bobbing Adam’s apple. The sweat on his skin glistened and his damp T-shirt clung to his chest.
Holy hell.
Everything about this man was sexy. Everything.
What I wouldn’t give for him to want me back.
Before Silas could catch me staring, I snapped out of my trance and opened my water, taking a few long swallows and letting the cold chill spread down my throat.
“More?” Silas asked, going to the fridge for another water.
“No, thanks. I’m good.” I waited for him to take another long drink before asking, “Did you learn all of that in the army?”
“Yeah. Me and some of the guys in my squad started boxing as a way to keep in shape. I set this up when I got home so I had a place to go when I needed to burn off some steam.”
“Does that happen a lot, you needing to burn off steam?”
He shrugged. “Depends on the day. Lately I’ve been so dog-tired by the time I’m done working, I just go home and crash.”
“Still no luck in hiring some help, huh?”
He shook his head and walked over to a tool bench, jumping up to sit on its top. “Nope. No help, and Dad’s in charge, so that means I’m fucked.”
“He’s in charge? I thought you were running this place together.”
He scoffed. “So did I, but since Dad doesn’t listen to a damn thing I say, it sure doesn’t feel like we’re in this together.”
“I’m sorry.” I hated to hear him sound so bitter.
His eyes softened. “Don’t be. I shouldn’t be piling my shit on you anyway.”
“I don’t mind.” I walked over to a stack of tires and took a seat. “Tell me. I want to know.”
Silas
Damn, she was easy to talk to. I had forgotten that.
I didn’t open up to just anyone, only those I trusted, and since that list of people could fit on a sticky note, I kept a lot of things to myself.
But Lis?
