How Do I Love Thee?

Breaking Rules 101

As I slowly woke up my hands automatically searched for what they thought should have been there. I felt the corners of my mouth pull down when I found only sheets. I sighed. How long did I really expect that to last?

I slid out of bed and squinted at the light coming in from my window. I grabbed panties, a bra, jeans, and a T from the dresser and put them on. As soon as I smelled coffee I headed to the kitchen. I heard people laughing and when I walked in Aaron, Ian, and Carolina were sitting around the island. Everyone quit talking when they saw me.

I walked to the coffee pot and fixed some and sat beside Carolina. We sat in silence, all of us staring into our coffee.

I sighed and looked up to see everyone staring at me. "Um look. About yesterday-"

Carolina placed a hand over my mouth before I could continue. "We have already decided that we aren't going to speak about it."

Aaron laughed. "Um I think you and Ian were the ones that decided that. I didn't agree to anything. Besides what she did was badass!" He raised his hand to give me a high five. I looked at him confused but raised my hand anyways so he could slap it. "I mean seriously! You killed a vamp on your own! How did you even do that?"

I looked down at the counter when everyone stared at me. I rubbed the back of my neck and laughed awkwardly. "I guess it was just a fight or flight kind of moment."

Carolina and Aaron started arguing about how we shouldn't talk about it and blah blah blah. I tried to tune them out which wasn't hard when I realized Ian was still looking at me with a smile plastered on his face. I felt blood rush to my face as my cheeks warmed. I quickly looked at Carolina.

"So, um, are we still training today?" I asked.

"Like you need it." Aaron scoffed and Carolina threw something that looked like a spoon at him. He caught it and threw it on the counter behind him. "Now that wasn't very nice. I was just stating the facts."

Carolina gave him a stern look that I assumed meant shut the hell up and then turned to me. "Of course we are. As soon as you finish up."

I hopped to my feet and dumped my coffee down the sink. "Done." I was just ready to get out from under the stare of Ian.

We all headed out the door and to the field. Everybody else was already there and every one of them stared at me when they realized I was there. I shrunk back as much as I could, trying not to get noticed.

Carolina cleared her throat and said, "You all know what to do, so come on. Get to it." She turned to me and patted my shoulder. "You can work with Keith today." She turned and hollered for someone. A big guy came walking towards us.

"Um Carolina. Are you sure that's a good idea?" To be honest I didn't think he was the best match for a 110 pound girl.

"Oh relax. After yesterday I'm sure you can take any of these chumps."

"So now I'm a chump, huh?" The man - Keith I assumed - was beside Carolina. He had a deep voice fit for a forty year old man no a twenty something year old. He stuck his hand towards me - his huge, could probably crush my head, hand. "I'm Keith."

I nervously gave him my hand, surprisingly he had a light grip. "Alex."

Carolina placed her hand on both of our shoulders. "Keith I want you to work with her today. Show her all the basics." Then she walked off.

He nodded towards me. "I heard about what you did yesterday. Pretty sweet if you ask me. You ready to get started?" He didn't wait for my response before he stripped down and changed like everyone else.