The Key to My Hart

Chapter 2

"Hiding in a broom closet?" Shenae sneered. "Really, how disgusting are you? I'm so glad my brother came to his senses before he became too entangled in your web." She spun on her heels and marched off.

I struggled to stand up, but Kaito latched his arms around me. "Let go. I'm going to rip out her tongue."

He flipped us over and pinned me to the ground with his legs before signing, "How about we take some of that aggression out by training?"

That made me pause. "What kind of training?" Training would be helpful if I was going out alone.

"The kind that will help you swing your bat again. Also some fighting and body building to help you gain strength." I loved Kaito's animated face when he signed. It was mesmerizing to watch.

"Fine. But I'm only agreeing because Dorothy would probably chop my head off for hurting a pathetic teenager with more angst than anyone I've ever met." I pushed him off and he smoothly rolled into a standing position. "Show off."

Kaito led me to the forgotten gym near our bedroom that I first found when Azrael was acting as my shadow. I almost wasn't surprised to find said Angel of Death already in there lifting weights with Rowan. Neither of them had a shirt on, and I might have started drooling.

They looked up as the door shut behind us. Rowan spotted Azrael as he bench pressed. "Don't you think cardio would be more useful than bulking up?" I called out.

They didn't even pause. I walked over to an open area with Kaito. There were three bats leaning against the wall. My original bat with nails protruding from it. The one we made while off base with barbed wire wrapped around it, and there was a new metal bat beside them.

Kaito picked up the metal bat and brought it to me. After taking the outstretched bat from him, I watched curiously as he dragged a BOB over to us and situated it in the middle of the open area. Kaito gestured to the punching dummy.

"You want me to hit the dummy?" I asked as I swung the bat, loosening up my arm. Rather than give me any sort of instructions, Kaito stepped out of the way.

I heaved a breath and stepped up, like I was at home plate. Trying to balance the bat over my right shoulder with one hand was unsteady and threw me off balance. I swung as hard as I could, and the bat flew out of my hand upon impact. My jaw clenched as I stomped over to retrieve the bat.

Back in place, I swung again with the same results. Rather than chasing after the bat, I turned to face Kaito. "What is the point of this? I thought you were going to show me a way to swing the bat without hurting my left wrist?"

"I am, but I wanted to see how you would approach the situation." He grinned.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You... you're teasing me, aren't you?"

"You seemed to need a good laugh. You also didn't wait for instructions. Just went at it." He tapped his chin.

"Not a laugh at my own expense. Also, I'm not laughing." I pointed to my face. "And I asked what you wanted me to do. You didn't say anything."

"Oh... maybe I was the one who needed the laugh." His eyes twinkled with mischief and humor.

My jaw slackened. This little imp. I prowled towards him but he darted out of the way, catching my arm and pivoting me in a circle before stepping in and pressing his body against mine. He leaned down towards my face, heat rose to my cheeks as my eyelids half closed watching him. Smirking, he stepped out of the embrace.

I felt myself pout as he sauntered towards BOB. Metal clanging across the room drew my attention to where Rowan turned away, hiding a smile. Azrael was blank faced and adding more weights to the bar, very nonchalant.