He lifted his hands. Good. I was ready to make good on my promise. Behind me, music started playing, and I flicked Ethan a dirty look. If he didn’t cut it out, his body was going to hit the floor.
I turned, shifted my balance, and began. Putting my fists up, I edged forward. At the last minute, I kicked out and connected with Carlos’ side and thigh in rapid succession. He tilted his head and studied me as I hopped back and guarded for his attack. Nothing came. Clever. He was learning my moves.
He wouldn’t learn much, though. I wasn’t going to keep this routine. I darted in and clipped his jaw with my damaged hand. He didn’t even try to block the swing. I wanted to follow up with a swing from the other side but wasn’t sure my wrist could take it. I would be a mess if I started to rely on my fists.
The music changed to violin pop. I grinned. Ethan was telling me to use my legs. He knew. Fine. I shifted my balance again and went for Carlos’ head. He let one kick through but blocked the next. My momentum didn’t stop. I twisted and kicked again.
When we were younger, Ethan recorded our fights so I could see how I moved. He compared it to a dancer. I compared it to a cat. Either way, I moved while in the air, looking for an opening and lashing out with feet, knees, or elbows.
Carlos started to block them all. His moves were different from Ethan’s. Softer somehow. It didn’t mean he was less of a fighter. He moved incredibly fast. There was something else to his touch each time we connected; it was like he was trying to maintain the contact, hold onto me.
Sweat trickled down my back, and I noticed a slight glisten on Carlos’ forehead. Good. The music changed again.
I moved faster, spinning and bending, dodging and striking. Carlos and I moved together. It was as if he could read my mind. He met each move and pushed for more with his dark gaze. Several times, I unintentionally left myself open and felt the drag of his fingers on my cheek or sides. Was he just playing with me?
My breathing shortened from the exertion, but I didn’t slow until Ethan called for a break. Someone had brought us water. Ethan handed me a glass. I knew better than to gulp it. But I took a healthy drink.
“Can I borrow that?” Carlos said from right behind me.
I turned and saw he was looking at Ethan’s phone.
“Sure.” Ethan handed it over, and Carlos walked away for a few moments. When he turned back, he tossed Ethan the phone.
“Play that.”
Ethan looked at the screen, frowned for a minute, then caught my gaze and grinned.
“Back in there, kitty cat.”
I gave him my glass and turned just in time to block a quick jab from Carlos. Why did that make me smile?
Music started behind me. It wasn’t a song I knew, but I listened to the words as Carlos and I went through the motions. The beat was perfect and the lyrics inviting. He wanted me to come with him to lose myself tonight. And I did.
The coiled tension that I hadn’t managed to fully exercise with Brick began to ease as I fought Carlos. The relief made me smile as I kicked yet again. Then, Carlos changed the game. His hands closed over my ankle and held me there. His thumb rubbed a slow circle on the exposed skin. Something ignited in me. It wasn’t anger. And it scared me.
I pulled myself from his hold; and without a word, I turned and left the barn. Though my steps were measured, I was all over the place in my head. What the hell had he been trying to do in there? He’d ruined a perfectly good spar, the best I’d had in a long time, by being touchy feely. Idiot. Hadn’t he listened to a word Ethan had said? I breathed deeply, just a normal, human cleansing breath, and focused on my surroundings.
Outside, the light was starting to fade. Across the yard, the three vehicles were still parked in front of a small house. Ethan and I were stuck with these people. We had no car to get away from them. And, honestly, unless they proved to be a threat like those other things chasing us, I was starting to think we might be better off with them on our side. Except for Carlos. He’d gotten under my skin in there.
I headed in the direction of the house, glad I’d landed a few shots in the beginning that would leave a mark. The feel of his fingers lingered on my ankle, and I began to doubt why he hadn’t landed any hits. Like Ethan, I had a feeling Carlos hadn’t wanted to. Something about that thought had my stomach flipping weirdly.
“Wait up,” Ethan said, jogging to catch up to me. “I thought it was a good fight. But you’re acting like it wasn’t. What’s going on?”
I rolled my shoulders. I was tense again, but not because of an overload.
“I don’t know. I’m drained.” In that regard, the fight with Carlos was the best match I’d ever had. But something about him bothered me. Probably the way my stomach was acting. Then again, I hadn’t eaten anything after emptying it.
“I think I just need some sleep and something to eat.”
“I’ll find the food. You see if you can find a shower. You need it.”
I snorted and shook my head at him.
“You love my stink.”