Page 25

CELINE

S weat rolls down my temple as I jab the heavy bag in front of me.

The room is quiet besides the occasional grunt from fellow boxers.

I’ve come to Vitality for as long as I can remember. Run by a retired female MMA fighter, it’s a female only gym tucked downtown. It’s a safe and supportive environment I love coming to.

Boxing has always been an outlet whenever I have too much on my mind. Usually after I visit my dad it’s one of the first stops I make. When I’m stuck on a case it also allows me to clear my head. There’s something about boxing that makes everything else in my life fade away.

Right now, I’m overflowing with frustration, confusion, and horror at what happened last night. Someone broke into my apartment, my safe space, and ransacked the place. Violated doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel. My chest is tight, my stomach coiled from the defilement.

With one last punch that leaves the bag swinging, I squat down to catch my breath.

“You okay, Celine?” Olivia, a regular I see often, asks.

I peer up and find her standing in front of me with a concerned look. I must seem possessed over here, absolutely pounding this bag like if I beat it hard enough whoever did this will feel it too.

“I’m all right.” I blow out a breath and attempt to wave her off.

“Are you sure? You’ve been going to town on that bag.” She gives a small smile, and I accept the hand she holds out to pull myself up.

“Lot going on in here.” I tap the side of my head and cringe at the amount of sweat I feel in my hair. A shower before I go is a must.

“Maybe class will help. We have a new instructor today and he’s hot . If you’re not too tired that is.” She claps and flits over to other girls that have started to filter in, not bothering to wait for my response.

There are rotating instructors and classes they teach within the gym. I try to hit them when I can, and today’s is focused on shadow boxing.

Jogging over to the back wall, I grab a quick sip from my water bottle and text Ava back.

She’d heard about the break-in this morning and immediately texted to make sure I was okay.

After reassuring her she didn’t need to take off work to be with me I said she could come over for a girl’s night in. Zav didn't mind and even encouraged it.

I zip my phone back in my bag and stretch my arms over my head for some relief before class. I hadn’t planned on joining but I still have some frustration I need to vent.

Footsteps echo in the room and girls start to murmur about something that’s gotten their attention.

The steps continue until I hear them stop just behind me. A heady, masculine scent fills my nostrils and now I can’t catch my breath for a different reason.

“Boo.” A familiar tenor sounds next to my ear.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.

I should’ve known him letting me leave the apartment alone was too good to be true. He resisted when I first brought it up, wary of the intruder stalking me, but then it was like a light bulb went off in his head and he agreed.

Now I see why.

“Fancy seeing you here.” I face a certain red-headed fiend. The girls are tittering near the classroom door, watching us.

“Did I mention boxing is one of my secret hobbies?” Zavier quirks a brow and I narrow my eyes.

“Everything seems to be a secret hobby with you.”

“What can I say”—Zav nips at my earlobe before I can stop him— “I’m a man of many talents.”

We walk together over to the classroom, and there’s no mistaking the gossip that’s circulating.

“Does she know him?”

“Is he her boyfriend?”

“I didn’t think she dated!”

“Let’s circle up everyone!” Zav claps his hands, and it doesn’t take much for him to become the center of attention. I can’t say I blame him. He is annoyingly gorgeous.

From there we run through various exercises during all of which Zav doesn’t stray far from me.

When I hold back during our sparring session, he tells me to let it all out.

Poor guy gets hammered by my fists but it’s exactly the cathartic release I need.

I suppose I shouldn’t feel too bad since he grins the entire time.

When class is over, Zav refuses to let me walk back to the apartment.

“There’s nothing wrong with my legs,” I protest.

His lips purse. “Get in the car, Celine.”

I don’t know what it is about his tone that has me listening. I slide the seatbelt across my body as he gets in the driver’s side. “Since you’re insisting on driving can I put in an order for Mexican food and pick it up before we go back?”

He hands me his phone and I take it, despite the fact I’m perfectly capable of using mine.

“What’s your passcode?” I ask when the phone prompts me.

“Zero, three, One, Three.”

I put in the numbers and search for the Mexican restaurant’s information. I stop before hitting the call button, my finger hovering above the screen.

“That’s weird. Your passcode is my birthday.”

He glances over at me, sliding his glasses up his nose. “Huh. Funny coincidence.”

I shake off the weirdness and call to place the order. Since it’s going to be twenty or so minutes before it’s ready, I have Zav drop me by Luna’s shop since it’s on the way and get some of her treats for later.

Once we have the food, we head straight back home and Zav pulls up to the elevator to let me off with the stuff before he goes to park, so we don’t have to carry it all the way over here.

While I wait for him to return, a text comes from Ava.

Ava: Be there in 10!

I’m excited to see her and have some much-needed girl time, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the nebula that is going to be her and Zav together.

“Stop touching it!” Ava slaps Zav’s hand as he reaches for his face mask once again.

We’re sprawled on the couch looking like we just stepped out of Phantom of the Opera with our white face masks. Zav insisted on participating in girl’s night and now is facing the consequences of his actions.

“It’s been five minutes,” he whines. “You’re telling me I need to wait longer to be pretty?”

“Beauty is pain and patience.” Ava folds her hands across her chest and settles back into the couch cushions. “Plus, you know you’re a pretty princess already, so shut up.”

“Aw, am I?” He bats his lashes at her, flashing her a winning smile.

They’ve been going back and forth since she arrived. It started with him sneaking a bite of her enchilada and her hangry self retaliating by making him do masks with us. Truth be told I think he enjoys it.

“Should we throw a movie on before I head home?” Ava asks.

“You know it.” I grin.

Between my boxing session and having Ava here, it’s been a welcome distraction, and I already feel much better about everything than I did when I woke up this morning.

Ava has made it a point not to bring up the break-in which I appreciate.

For now, I’m happy to stay ignorant and enjoy this time with my people.

The movie starts—an early 2000’s rom-com—and Zav hops up to stick some popcorn in the microwave. When it’s all popped he settles between us with a giant bowl for us all to share from.

“I think I like girl’s night,” he muses.

Ava pats his arm. “Oh, sweetie. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what girl’s night can be.”

He gives her a dopey grin. “I can’t wait for the next one.”