Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) Read Online Free

It’s not like he’s crouching behind this desk or anything. Do you see him around? He’s out. Anything else I can help you with?”
    She gives an over-exaggerated huff. “Well, just tell him I was looking for him.”
    “Will do,” Roman says, as I watch him salute her. I just barely manage to hold in my laugh.
    “Coast is clear, you coward,” he says to me as the door shuts.
    I cautiously peek over the countertop. I don’t trust my brother, but this time he’s right. She’s gone. I stand and stretch my limbs because they’re a little numb after being in such a tight space. “I owe you one.” Slapping him on his back, I walk up the stairs to my office. I need some peace and quiet to decide what to do next time I go to Betty’s.
     
     
     
                                                    ***
    Caitlin
    Half an hour later we’ve officially closed for the night, so I say my goodbyes to Kiaya, and then head off in the opposite direction. Next to my work there’s a large bricked building used as a gym. On the outside it’s not much to look at. The bricks are painted white, and there are two large frosted windows on either side of the double doors. The sign above the doors reads Kendricks’ Gym . I’ve been walking past it to get to work, and each time I considered going in to inquire about training again. Kickboxing had pretty much taken over my life before Stephen, but I had to give it up. I miss the workouts like crazy, and having a regular routine again would be nice.
    Before I have second thoughts, I walk through the double doors, and I’m pleasantly surprised by what I find. The reception area is to the left; the rest of the room is open. The right side is full of exercise equipment, treadmills, bikes, things like that. At the back is a boxing ring, and an area with some punching bags and speedballs. All the walls are exposed brick with an occasional wooden beam. 
    I make my way over to the reception desk where there’s a good looking guy with sandy blond hair long enough to curl around his ears. He looks more suited to a surfboard than a gym.
    “Hi, welcome to Kendricks’ Gym. I’m the manager. My name’s Asher; how can I help?”
    “Hi, I’m Caitlin Riley, and I work next door at Betty’s. I’ve been living here for a few months now and think it’s about time I enrolled back at a gym.”
    “Well, you’ve come to the right place then,” he says with a smile on his face. There’s something about this guy. I get shy with new people and situations, but Asher puts me at ease immediately. “What is it you’re interested in doing?” he questions.
    “I was wondering if you have kickboxing classes. I took some lessons back home a few years ago.”
    “Well, you’re in luck then. Roman, one of the owners, is starting a beginner’s class tomorrow night. It’s held upstairs if you’re interested.”
    I have a lot to learn, yet I’m far from a beginner. However, I’ll take anything right now, so I happily accept. After filling out the paper work, I say goodbye to Asher, agreeing to come back the following night.
    Finally, I make my way home, heave my weary body into my chair, and stare into space.  It’s so quiet here. It’s always the same when I come home at the end of the day, and I can’t help but feel lonely and really sad. Joining the gym will be good for me; I may even make some new friends. I decide to call Beth back in England because she’s my rock, my person, my bestie. Hearing her voice always makes me feel better.
    ”Hey,” I say once she answers.
    “Hi, Caitlin! I’ve missed you soooo much.”
    “Me too!” It’s great having free access to Beth again.
    “I’m glad you called. I know I’ve been promising for a while, but this time I mean it. I’m coming to visit you soon! Well, that’s if you still want me to come.”
    “WHAT?!” I scream. “Are you joking? Please don’t be joking. You’ve been talking about