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We went through six more tactical moves to help them with simple self-defense. This class wasn’t to certify them in anything, but to give them a basic knowledge of what they could do to keep themselves safe. Luckily, we made it through the afternoon with no injuries, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
At the end of the afternoon, we brought them up one by one and tested each of them with the seven things we’d taught them. None of them were in any particular order, and sometimes, we’d barely break between holds to keep them on their toes. Some of the more athletic members really went for that, and it almost became a sparring match.
That’s when I called Lexi up to me. There was a sparkle in her eye, and after watching her the last two hours, I had no doubt she had extensive training.
“Bring it on,” she said softly to me as she paused in front of me. We stared at each other for a moment, and then I lunged toward her, grabbing her arm. She did exactly what I thought she would do, and with a couple of moves, had me on the floor, facedown, with a knee in the back. Everyone began to clap as she helped me up.
“What level?” I asked her.
“Second,” she said just as I twisted her around and had my arm around her throat. At this point, everyone was watching us, and while she struggled slightly with my height, she used her smaller frame to her advantage and brought me down to her level as she hunched her back and then tossed me right over her shoulder. Another second later, I was again face-first into the mat.
“Style?” I asked her as she helped me to my feet.
“Tae Kwon Do,” she commented as I went for her waist. One arm wrapped tightly around it as I covered her mouth with my other and lifted her off her feet. I knew what was coming, and I shifted my face before I could get the headbutt that she automatically wanted to send my way. She again rounded her back, her feet coming in front of her, to throw me off-balance, and it worked. We were on the ground, and while she wasn’t free, she wasn’t giving up. I had her under me, and she paused, staring up at me.
“Don’t tell me you’re giving up,” I said.
“Never,” she replied right before she did a hip tilt and threw me off. She was on her feet and dashing into the group a moment later as I rolled to my feet.
Everyone looked quite impressed, including her boss. I watched his gaze slip up her body and back down as he shook his head and laughed.
“Obviously, most of you aren’t trained as a second-degree black belt, like Ms. Miller is,” I said to the group. “But you have the basic knowledge of what to do. I suggest that you continue to practice that. The more you practice, the more ingrained it becomes into your head, and the easier it is to do without thinking.”
Trevor spoke next. “Right now, you all know the basics, but Alex is right, if you keep practicing, it will soon become second nature, and you won’t have to stop and think about it. Ms. Miller, how many years did you train?”
“Six,” she said.
“And how long did it take for you to become comfortable enough to do things without having to think about them?”
“Well, I guess it would take weeks. We’d learn new techniques and practice them for hours. Some come easier than others, but you’re right that the more you do it, the easier your muscles remember what to do.”
“How long has it been since you trained?” Trevor asked her.
“Five years,” she said, and her gaze flitted to mine and away.
Trevor didn’t catch it, but I saw the change in her demeanor. What had happened to cause her to stop? It was evident that she was good, and I had a feeling that she enjoyed it. File that little tidbit under a topic for another day.
We finished the day up with a little more discussion about safety and then told them that we looked forward to tomorrow when we’d go over some other safety procedures, including emergency medicine and firearms.
I didn’t miss the spark that came into her eyes when I said that, and I was looking forward to seeing what she was capable of doing tomorrow.
As the class gathered their things, Ralph came over to me. “You were kind of rough with Alexandra.”
I stared at him. “No rougher than she was with me, sir.”
“That might be true, but she’s not the one going overseas.”
I faced him. “You’re right, she’s not, but you brought her to this class to show her what we were teaching. It was obvious that she knew what she was doing, and she is quite capable of taking care of herself. I don’t think she needs you to protect her.”
His lips pursed. “She doesn’t need you either. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her.”
I laughed. “There wasn’t a man in here that wasn’t watching her.”
“You are not the right kind of man for her.”
“And you are?” I snapped back.
“She deserves better than a violent man. Remember who is paying your salary for this.” He turned and walked away.
What an ass, I thought to myself as he joined her and put his hand on her lower back to guide her from the room.
“Dude, if he says something to Jake, you’re gonna get an earful,” Trevor said quietly beside me.
“Whatever,” I replied dismissively.
“Jake told you to stay away from her.”
I turned to Trevor. “Too late, man. I already have it bad for that woman, and I know she feels the same. We spent the weekend together, and I woke up in her bed this morning.”
“Oh, shit!” He started laughing and clapped me on the shoulder. “Have fun explaining that one to Screamer.”
