Lydia nodded and walked into the bathroom, leaning back against the closed bathroom door she clenched her eyes shut. These people were different from her and yet so familiar. She’d never been a boyfriend-stealing friend. Hell, she’d tried hard enough to keep everyone away after her best friend died. There was no amount of time that could erase the pain from not being able to save him. Lydia pushed off the doorframe with renewed determination. She needed to get the hell out of here and couldn’t do it until she knew what the hell she was doing.
She heard Brody and Marlaina talking in the other room while she changed but couldn’t make out their conversation. Lydia had no plans of finding a boyfriend while she was here. A relationship with any guy at the compound was out of the question, no matter how sexy several of them were. The thought of a one-night stand with Rick popped into her mind, making her second guess her decision.
Lydia changed into the black tank top and camos that Marlaina had brought her. The pants were a bit loose on her, but the belt helped to hold up the unfamiliar clothes. The tank top was snug and squished her breasts, making them appear bigger than she knew them to be. The top made her uncomfortable, but she’d work through her insecurities, just like she worked through everything else. She was here to train, after all, not to make a fashion statement. She really needed to make a point to get to town for some new clothes of her own, some that fit her.
Lydia pushed the door open, stepped out into the room, and glanced around looking for Marlaina to thank her again for the clothes, but she was nowhere to be found. Brody stood in the middle of the room. His stare ran down the length of her body and back up. He cleared his throat. “She left Red. Are you ready to get started?”
Lydia swallowed around the lump in her throat and nodded They spent the early morning well into the afternoon practicing on moving some of the smaller objects in the room. She hadn’t had control of any of the smaller objects, what made him think she could control a wooden stool was beyond her. When the stool hit him in the head it served him right. He had it coming. Brody walked over to the bench and patted the seat next to him. “I think we’re going about this all wrong.”
Lydia sat down on the bench but not where he’d suggested. She kept plenty of space between them. “I’ve seen the video of you tossing those men around like they were paper. I know what you’re capable of. We just need to figure out how to tap into it. Why don’t you tell me about some of your experiences and maybe we can figure this out.”
Lydia hadn’t ever opened up to anyone but her family about her gift. She’d learned the hard way that talking about it was never a good option.
“Why don’t you start with those men in the alley? What were you thinking?”
Lydia glanced down at the floor and started twisting her fingers together. What had she been thinking when she tossed those men like dolls? “I guess I was angry about what they were doing to that military guy. It was two against one, and they had weapons. So if I had to label it, I guess I was pissed.”
Brody scooted closer and patted her leg. “Tell me more.”
Lydia scooted farther away, making Brody’s hand drop. The energy in the air picked up, but if Brody noticed, he didn’t say a word.
“Just like yesterday with the doctor and when you blew the identification module?”
Lydia clenched her fingers tighter. “I guess you could say that.”
Brody leaned over and patted her leg once more before he stood. “Okay, we just need to figure out how to make you mad and how you can tap into that anger to let it work for you.” Brody walked back into the middle of the room, and Lydia followed behind. He took a step closer to her and cupped her cheek. “What makes you mad, Lydia?”
Lydia glanced down at the floor. She knew the answer to his question. “When someone hurts the people I care about.”
Brody put his finger below her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. His aqua blue gaze held hers. “What about this?”
The next few things happened in mere seconds. Lydia heard the click on the door at the same moment that Brody pressed his lips to hers and pulled her close. Kissing him was nothing like kissing Rick. No, this man just took what he wanted, and she’d be damned if she was just going to let him. She pushed against his chest, and he loosened his hold. Brody went flying through the air away and bounced off the padded walls onto his butt.
The jerk laughed.
Lydia turned to leave and stopped. Her heart fell into her stomach. Rick had not only witnessed her lose control but stood motionless in the doorway with his mouth hanging open. “The general said your time was up.”
Rick spied Brody on the floor, shook his head, and pulled the phone from his clip with a look of disgust on his face. He left without a word.
Just great. Lydia couldn’t believe her luck. Rick had walked in on Brody’s kiss. A kiss that Lydia hadn’t instigated or invited. If the man hadn’t been on his ass, she would have put him there. Brody jumped to his feet and advanced on her. He took her hand in his and squeezed. “Just what I thought.”
Lydia ripped her hand out of his clutches. “Don’t touch me.”