Page 5 of Starcrossed Colorado

My retriever mix perked up and looked at me, furry brows knitting like she knew what I was thinking.

“No, you’re right. That would be ridiculous. The keyboard will wait.” So would my music books and my suitcase full of clothes. I was wearing cutoff jean shorts, an old Nirvana hoodie, and sneakers. Good enough to get me where I was going.

I closed and locked up the car. Snapped Stella’s leash onto her collar. “And we’re off. Our new adventure awaits.”

THREE

Ashford

I had beenin some intense situations in my life. Like deployments to war zones. Teaching martial arts to a room of five-to-ten-year-olds didn’t rank at the top. But it wasn’t for the faint of heart either.

And yet, aside from any moment I got to spend with Maisie, this was the brightest part of my day. Teaching these wild hooligans to focus their intention. To be strong, but also peaceful. Ready for anything.

Lessons I still needed to practice myself.

I took the kids through today’s lesson. An older boy from the teenage class assisted me. It was all going fine until little Ollie Carmichael said, “Mr. Ashford, watch this!” And proceeded to jump in the air, kicking wildly. His foot caught me in the crotch.

Thankfully I was wearing a cup. Becausesafety first.

But still. Ow.

“You okay, sir?” my teenage assistant mumbled. Most of the kids had gone quiet. And the parents were probably watching in the lobby through the one-way glass.

“Sorry, Mr. Ashford.” Ollie looked terrified, but it had been an accident. Mayhem seemed to follow that kid.

I cleared my throat. “I’m good. Ollie, we need to go over the safety agreement. We can discuss it later with your mom. Let’s wrap things up, kids. Closing circle.”

The world had it out for me today. And it was so far from over.

When I dismissed the class, my brother was the first smirking face I saw in the lobby. He edged past the stream of children to reach me. “You all right?” Callum asked. “Looked like Ollie’s ready for his black-belt test. He almost took you down.”

“Almost doesn’t count, Uncle Cal,” Maisie chimed in as she dashed by.

I scratched my forehead with my middle finger. “I’m just peachy. Thanks.”

Callum snickered like the annoying little brother he would always be, even though he was only two years younger than myself. “And Ialmostfeel sorry for you.”

“You’re still taking Maisie after this, right?” I asked. “I have to check out that equipment I found on clearance.”

“’Course. I wouldn’t miss getting ice cream with my favorite niece. Andallthe toppings. We’re walking straight over after this.”

I decided not to complain about ice cream being a poor dinner choice. “I just can’t handle any more changes of plan today. I’ve reached my limit.”

“Ah.” Callum nodded sagely, hands in the pockets of his ripped jeans. “This about the music teacher?”

“How do you know about that?”

“Heard Dixie telling some of the moms.”

Wonderful. The news had hit the Silver Ridge mom network. By tomorrow, everyone in town would know I couldn’t afford my rent.

I spent a few minutes chatting with parents of my students. But soon, the space had cleared out, leaving only Callum, oursister Grace, and our friend Piper Carmichael, who was Ollie’s mom. Maisie and Ollie played with their little action figures by the window. Well, Maisie played, while Ollie was dancing like fire ants were crawling up his legs.

Secretly, I wondered why Maisie couldn’t have picked a sweet, quiet kid for a best friend instead.Kidding. Except not really.

Piper, who was almost as tall as me if you counted the blond bun atop her head, leaned in with a smile. “Sorry about my child today. Glad to see you’re walking upright.”

“I’m fine,” I grumbled.

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