Grace put a hand to her cheek. “You punched her face?”
“After all I’ve told you, that’s what you’re focusing on? I did say it was an accident.”
“Well, good God, I had no idea that lesbian courtship was so brutal. You should’ve punched the nuts out of that squirrel girl’s jaw.” Grace grinned. “Punched her in the nuts, that’s funny—not exactly what I said, but you do get the meaning.”
“I need your mind off the nuts. I’ve had Jana and my common sense warning me away from Ryann, but when I’m with her, I’ll agree to almost anything.” Payton laid both hands on Grace’s kitchen table. “Here’s the kicker, she admitted that she’s very attracted to me. Her sister even suggested we do the friends with benefits thing, but we discussed it, and we’re going to get to know each other on a deeper level before it gets physical.”
Grace smiled and patted Payton on the hand as though she were five years old and had just told her about finger painting. “That’s adorable, dear. It’s not gonna work, but it’s downright precious.”
Payton’s face went blank. “What?”
“You want her, she wants you. Your minds will play tricks because there’s a big ol’ sexy carrot dangling in front of your faces. You’ll convince yourself that you adore everything about her because you want to sleep with her, and she’ll do the same.”
Payton sank back in her chair. “So what’re you saying?”
“I hope for your sake that the connection you feel is the exact same thing that happened to Myrna and Paul.”
Payton scrubbed at her face wondering if she should’ve talked to Jana first. She’d say taking it slow was a brilliant idea. Grace was making her feel kind of hopeless.
Something that sounded like a gunshot went off in the back of the house. Grace sipped her coffee as though she hadn’t heard it. “What the hell was that?” Payton asked.
“That was a signal that I got a message from one of the other players. To hell with knitting and cataloging birds, I’m killing zombies now. Sophie got me hooked on that game.” Grace sat up straighter with a proud smile. “My handle is Granny Slayer. I should’ve thought it out more because it really makes me sound like I kill grandmas. This morning, I took out a horde of the undead with just a grenade and a shotgun. That advanced me to another level where I got more weapons and ammo.” She sighed. “I’m thinking about setting up a stronghold on the top of a hotel with a couple of other humans now that I have a sniper rifle. I hope my new gaming chair arrives today, it’s supposed to be more supportive of my back.”
Payton stared at her in confusion. “I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time reconciling the woman who extolls the virtue of love at first sight with the one who calls herself Granny Slayer.”
“Right?” Grace said with a laugh. “I’m a piece of work, ain’t I?”
*******
Ryann rushed home from work, started dinner, and went to change her clothes. She was ready to learn more skills and tangle with Payton since that was the only way they were going to get physical for a while. She’d begun to think something was seriously wrong with her when at lunch the salt in her food made the cut on her lip sting, and that filled her with warmth because she thought of Payton.
She was also really proud of her bruise, which was only the size of a quarter, and the split in her lip was just a little red dot. She wore her injury like a badge of honor because it made her feel strong to say she’d taken a punch in a self-defense class. As Ryann picked out what she was going to wear, she wondered why she got such a thrill out of it. The realization began to dawn, and she stood still, clutching a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt to her chest.
At one time, everyone considered her so strong, physically and emotionally, but that perception had changed subtly over the years. At first, she wanted to blame Leigh because when they’d gotten together, Ryann realized that Leigh was more insecure than she’d let on. In the course of building her up, Ryann had taken a more submissive role, acting as though she needed Leigh to make decisions and be her protector. She’d seen Shelly do the same thing with Evan, pretending to be unable to even change a flat tire, when all the Seely girls had been taught to do that before the age of ten.
Ryann grabbed her phone and took her clothes into the bathroom. “Do you think I’m a sissy girl?” she asked when Shelly answered the phone.
“Well, you were afraid of the ferret when we thought it was a squirrel, but I’d consider that more wise than sissy.” Shelly breathed out heavily. “What’s this about?”
“It just occurred to me that we both were a lot tougher before we got into serious relationships. I changed, for sure, and I have to wonder if maybe that was what really killed me and Leigh.”
“Honey, people cheat for all kinds of reasons, but those who make a habit out of it like she did have some really deep issues that only they can fix. Is that where you’re at now—blaming yourself for her mistakes?”
“No. I just realized that I really did change, and I thought I was doing it for all the right reasons…maybe I was wrong. I used to be the go-to girl, everyone came to me when they needed help. Now it seems, I’m the one being nursed along. I don’t like it. I want to be me again.”
“Then be you. Now tell me what this is all about.”
Payton punched me in the face last night, and I really liked it. I’ve got a split on my lip and a bruise, and I feel like a million bucks.”
Shelly was silent for a moment, then said, “Oh, it happened in that class y’all are taking.”
“Yes, it was an accident.”
“Good, because I was just about to go find a bat. So you feel you shortchanged yourself and Leigh by being someone you’re really not. That’s fine, but just don’t start blaming yourself for her infidelities. Everybody makes mistakes, but she made a career out of it, so remember that.”
“Got it.”
“Feel better?”
“I do,” Ryann said with a happy sigh. “Thanks for the pep talk. I have to get dressed now, so I can go learn to kill.”
“About that…you’re not taking this class so you can kick Leigh’s ass, are you?”
“No, I want to be able to kick everybody’s ass.”
“That’s my girl. I may join you one day, but right now, I have to go plunge a toilet. Don’t be jealous, not everyone can live the glamorous life.”
“Good luck with that. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Shelly said with a laugh and hung up.
*******
Ryann was dressed and had dinner just about ready when Payton knocked on her door. She pranced over and threw it open, a big smile on her face. “I am a badass.”
“Yes, you are,” Payton agreed with a nod and winced at the bruise. “Is it sore?”
“A little, but everyone at school was impressed when they heard how I got it.” Ryann grabbed Payton by the arm and dragged her inside. “What hurts worse are my arms and back. I’m really hoping that tonight will work out some of the stiffness.” She stared at Payton’s solemn expression. “What’s wrong?”
“I have two confidants, Jana and my neighbor Grace. I told Grace this morning about our courtship plans, and she pooh-poohed them. She says what we’re doing isn’t gonna work.”
“Come sit down, I’m about to serve dinner. I want to hear all about this.”
Payton didn’t listen. She wandered around the kitchen until she found the glasses and plates. “Grace says since we’re already attracted to each other that basically subconsciously we’ll like whatever the other one does to get to the carrot. I find this disconcerting because we might fall into all of the same romantic traps. And you’re still dealing with your loss, so you’ve got all those emotions to contend with. So now I’m worried that we’re headed for disaster, and I really like you.”
Ryann turned the stove off and turned to Payton. “You’re an overthinker, aren’t you?”
“It’s overexposure to Jana, she’s rubbed off on me. I’m just thankful I didn’t make a pie chart.”
<
br /> “People have been pairing off since the dawn of humanity, it’s pretty simple. I like you, you like me, we’re going to see how that goes. Frankly, I think we’re off to a good start.” Ryann held her hand high, then lowered it to her waist. “I need you to bring all of the analyzing and worry from up there to here. Let’s just live a little and see how it goes. We haven’t even kissed yet.”
“Your mouth has to heal first. What if I gave you some sort of infection? You know, human mouths carry a lot of germs and—”
“Stop. You’re taking all of the romanticism out of it.” Ryann took one of the plates and spooned the shrimp and vegetables in a cream sauce onto it. “This looks fattening, but it’s lo-cal. I got the recipe from a woman I work with.”
Payton inhaled deeply and sighed. “It smells delicious. Thank you for feeding me.”
“I love to cook, and if it will entice you to continue taking the classes, I’ll do it before every one we go to.”
“I feel a deal coming on,” Payton said with a grin. “I might be persuaded to agree if you allow me to take you grocery shopping. That’s only fair.”
Ryann held out her hand. “Shake on it.”
*******
Payton and Ryann signed up for six months of lessons, but Ryann balked at the protective gear. “My brothers in there aren’t wearing goofy helmets, I don’t want to, either.”
“Do you like getting your bell rung?” Payton asked.
Keith intervened. “As you progress, the hits get harder. Right now, the class is working on technique. When they spar, they’re suited up in this gear.”
“All right, but I want the mouth guard that looks like fangs,” Ryann said petulantly.
“And you should wear them all the time.” Payton pretended to be interested in something else when Ryann poked her.
“I’m going to whip you down tonight.”
Payton threw back her head and laughed. “Bring it, baby.”
“Oh, I got the heat, you’re gonna feel the burn.”
Keith listened to them banter with a grin. “You two have been a couple for a while, haven’t you? I can always tell. I have a husband and wife that come to the late classes, and we have to pull them off of each other.”
Ryann clamped her lips together tightly and glanced at Payton, who rolled with the misconception. “Ten years this spring. We have a lot of aggression to work out,” she said, jerking a thumb at Ryann. “You ought to see our yard. She buys all kinds of lawn ornament crap. Her latest was a goofy birdbath that looks like a bunny.”
“She belches like a man. Don’t get me started on the rest.” Ryann shrugged when Payton glared at her. “I don’t have to shave my legs anymore because she burns the hair right off. Keith, are you married?”
“Not yet, but someday, I—”
“Don’t,” Ryann and Payton said in unison.
He stared at them both with an awkward smile. “I’m not really sure you should be sparring partners. I’ve tried to talk other couples out of it, but it’s your decision.”
“We’ll be fine,” Ryann said as she popped the kinks out of her neck. “What’s a little bloodletting between lovers?”
*******
Payton never struck Ryann as wimpy, but as she practiced deflecting a blow from Keith and knocking him to the ground, Ryann realized that she was pretty tough. Still, she didn’t like the idea of Payton helping Jana move Melanie out of her house. Ryann was seeing a side of Leigh she didn’t know existed and wondered if she’d really go after Payton if she got a chance. As Keith went flying, Ryann began to kind of worry for Leigh’s safety.
“Okay, you two practice on each other now and try to remember what it was like when you first fell in love,” Keith said before he walked away to assist other students.
Ryann grinned evilly. “Are we going to tell him we lied?”
“And spoil the fun?” Payton looked just as devious as Ryann did. “Show me some of that heat because I’m about to attack.”
As Payton moved on Ryann, she rushed in and mimicked slamming the heel of her hand into Payton’s nose and kneeing her in the crotch. Ryann put one leg behind Payton’s and shoved. She pumped her fist when Payton fell backward onto the mat.
When it was Payton’s turn to be on the defensive, she shoved her hands into Ryann’s armpits. “I found your weak spot,” she said with a laugh while Ryann writhed. “You never know when a tickle attack will come, so you better be prepared.”
“You broke the form,” Ryann said breathlessly and shoved Payton away. “Be serious.”
“Right.” Payton rolled her shoulders. “I’m rea—” Ryann dove and caught her around the thighs, sending her to the floor like a sack of rocks.
Keith appeared above them with a smile while they lay there laughing. “Enjoying your honeymoon?” Before either woman could answer, his expression morphed into something scary, and spit flew from his mouth when he yelled, “There’s no playing in my class. Fifty pushups now, both of you.”
Ryann sank down in her seat when Payton climbed in behind the wheel. “He’s mean.”
“Yeah, we got in trouble. I’d drive out of here really fast, but I can’t raise my arms to put them on the wheel…I’m not joking.”
Ryann squinted as sweat poured down into her eyes. “How many pushups did we do? I lost count.”
“Like two hundred because you started laughing like a jackass.”
“I was crying.”
Payton shook her head slowly. “I did belch just like a man. I thought I was gonna throw up.”
“I heard you, and that was when I started crying.”
Payton whimpered as she tried to contain her laughter.
“Don’t do that! He might see us, drag us out of this car, and make us do more pushups.”
“Can’t help it.” Payton clamped her lips together tightly and snorted. “I really have no strength left in my arms. Can you drive?”
“I can’t feel…my fingertips,” Ryann stammered and dissolved into laughter.
*******
It took Payton a little while, but she managed to get her hands on the wheel, even though they shook as she held it. She didn’t let go of it when she pulled into Ryann’s driveway for fear she wouldn’t be able to lift them again. Ryann made no move to get out.
“You okay?” Payton asked.
“No, I’m not. Do you mind if we skip tomorrow night?”
Payton breathed out a sigh of relief. “I was gonna ask you the same thing, but via text because I’m ashamed. We just paid a guy to hurt and humiliate us. Isn’t that why we signed up for this class, so we could avoid such things?”
“Carry me in the house.”
Payton started laughing again. “We’re gonna have to sleep in this car.”
Ryann groaned and opened the door, but it was a minute before she actually stood. “Thank you for a wonderful time. Please note the sarcasm.”
“I guess after this, asking you to dinner would be too sedate.”
Ryann leaned her head back in the car. “Saturday night?”
Payton nodded with a smile.
“I look forward to it. Good night, Payton,” Ryann said happily.
“Night,” Payton said as Ryann closed the door. She waited until Ryann was inside and a light came on before she backed out of the driveway. “I am so gonna kiss you Saturday night. You want to talk about heat, I’m bringing it, girl.” When the smack talk was done, she whimpered when she had to grab the gearshift.
Chapter 18
Jana chuckled. “So y’all skipped class Thursday and Friday night because you could barely move? You’ve been going to the gym and a couple hundred pushups kicked your ass?”
“We’d already done a hundred of the damn things in the warmup before class, and we planked, and we punched the shit out of a bag. Ryann almost didn’t go to work on Thursday.” Payton bent over and picked up a roll of tape from Melanie’s coffee table. “This is about all I can lift.”
“You better be shitting me.”
“I am.” Payton stretched out her back. “Thank God, y’all packed up everything already. So what’ve we got?”
“Boxes, a bed, a couple of book shelves, an entertainment center, kitchen furniture, and this sofa.”
“Fridge, washer, and dryer?”
“They stay with the house.”
“Damn, and I was so looking forward to being in traction.”
Jana moved close to Payton and spoke softly. “If Leigh comes home, you might get your wish. You better hide in this house if you see her drive up.”
“Don’t you remember the story I told you about the bully I dealt with when I was twelve?”
“You told me she beat your ass into the dirt.”
“Right,” Payton said with a nod. “I’d rather be beaten half senseless than cower. If she shows up, I’m not hiding anywhere.”
“Baby, less talking, we have to have the truck back by six.” Melanie waved. “Hi, Payton, thank you for helping us. We were supposed to have more people, but so far, they haven’t shown up.”
“Then I guess you know now who your true friends are.” Payton hoisted a box and carried it out to the truck. To her chagrin, Jana followed empty-handed. “When you walk out of the door, something should be in your arms. That’s how you move.”
“Well, I wanted to ask you about Ryann privately. Melanie didn’t ask her to help because she figured Ryann didn’t want to chance seeing Leigh. I kinda figured she’d come with you, though, since y’all are so close now.”
Payton grinned and gave Jana a sideways glance. “No, you want to know if I’ve slept with her, and the answer is no. We haven’t even kissed.”
“Look me in the eye and tell me that.”
Payton faced Jana and stared her in the eye. “We haven’t had sex. My lips have never touched hers. We discussed her coming today, but if Leigh was around, it would only cause drama.”
Jana smiled and laid a hand on Payton’s shoulder. “You’re taking it slow, I’m so proud of you.” Her smile was wry when she said, “I really miss hanging out with you.”
“I miss you, too, but it’s okay. You have a partner now, and I understand that. Between work, the gym, and Krav classes, I’ve been busy, too. Now let’s get to work before your petite flower kills us both.”
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