Page 108 of The Sidekick

“You’re no good at martial arts?” I ask. I’m so confused right now. Is this a cry for comfort? He’s usually so up-front about that.

“That you haven’t been to your yoga class for two weeks.”

“What?” I ask weakly.

He goes to Evergreen Gym. I want to facepalm at my complete idiocy. I’m still floating around without paying attention. But…

“It’s only been like one week.” When his eyebrows rise, I realize it was a trick, and I do facepalm this time. Busted.

“Where have you been going?” He asks suspiciously as his eyes narrow on me.

“H-how did he know?” I feel my shoulders rise up defensively as his displeasure washes over me.

“Because he teaches the class.” He says it calmly, but I know I’m in trouble.

How was I supposed to know they were buddies? Oh gosh, of course, they’re friends! I bet they hang out all the time. I bet Shade is the one that got me the membership there, not Blaze. He just didn’t want to take the credit so he wouldn’t have to listen to my groveling in thanks.

A silence falls between us. It’s so quiet I can hear myself swallow in dread.

“What happened?” He goes back to eating.

“I got embarrassed,” I admit, hanging my head in shame. “We did some advanced stuff, and the other women there thought I was showing off for attention, and I just-”I shrug, not knowing how to finish the sentence. Wait, I do know. “I don’t want anyone to see me.”

“Ok,” he says grimly. Just like that, he lets it go. I’m a lot surprised and a little suspicious. I’m used to the long arguments and snippy comments. Having him just drop it seems really weird.

I find out why the next day.

He offers to take me to lunch and tells me not to bother getting out of my pajamas. I pull a hoodie over my tank top so people think that I’m half slob instead of a complete one and slide on flip-flops. He’s in his anime lounge pants and a tank top, so I’m not suspicious at all. I’m convinced we’re going through the drive-through at the smoothie place right up until we pull into the parking lot of the gym.

“What are you doing?” I ask warily. I have a few guesses, and I’m praying none of them are right.

He doesn’t answer, reaching into the backseat to pull out two hidden yoga mats. He gets out and puts them both under his arm. I try to engage the lock before he can drag me out, but he didn’t close his door, so they pop right back open. He grabs my arm to yank me out. I stumble in my shoes as he pulls me around to close the door and marches me through the front doors and into the classroom.

The buzzing that had become familiar stops as we walk into the class. Shade takes a scowling look at the room and then continues dragging me to the back corner I prefer. My arch-nemesis knows me too well.

I should have known. He never goes anywhere dressed like this. Someone might see his obsession with anime and say something. Looks like he held on to a few anime things despite how much his boyfriends don’t like it. Good for him.

He’s trying to prove a point. That’s obvious.

He rolls out both of our mats as I glare at him with my fists clenched. I want to scream at him, but we’re in public, so laser eyes will have to do for now. I should consider myself lucky the twins aren’t here. There are a few minutes to go before class starts. They might show up. I stare at the clock on the far wall in dread.

When he slides his shoes off, he gives my feet a pointed look and settles onto his mat.

I want to refuse. I want to cry. I want to pull my hair out. All three options would get me noticed even more and possibly thrown out. I’m tempted to do all three just so I never have to see this place again.

There aren’t any squeals this time as the instructor walks in. Everyone seems confused about what to do with another guy in the room. Plus, Shade is handsome. Or he would be if he wasn’t such a total jerk! I should warn them all. It would be a public service.

“If everyone would take their places?” The calm voice tenses my shoulders, and I glance around guiltily. I’m the only one not on a mat. Shade is now standing, staring at me with a frown, along with a few concerned ladies.

I slip my shoes off and stomp onto the mat, fists clenched at my sides and eyes on the floor.

“I hope you fall. I want to see you land flat on your face and for your nose to break.” I mutter under my breath as the teacher leads them through a warm-up. I cross my arms and refuse to participate. “Ok, not break your nose, but I want it to be really painful and make you cry.”

“Tadasana,” the teacher’s voice is low and filled with a tone of warning.

I almost break. My body starts to move into position, raising my arms, but I catch myself in time. Shade stares at the people in front of him and then gets into the pose with a side glance that feels judgy. I turn my face away from him, chin high.

“Uttanasana,” the warning tone is becoming darker.

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