Chapter Sixteen
Amber
Amber arrived at the Lighthouse Martial Arts Academy. She was beyond excited to see her old friend. She and Lo had been friends since middle school, but over the years, life had gotten in the way. Then Lo had gotten married and Amber went off to college. She was so happy for her friend though. Lo found love in the arms of a huge man named Kameron, but everyone just called him K. He was a member of the Henchmen too, but rarely came to the clubhouse.
Lo, like Amber, had a rough childhood, but she rose above it and became a Woman Kick Boxing Champion and then opened her studio. She also taught self-defense classes to battered woman, helping them learn to protect themselves. Lo gave back to the community that turned its back on them as kids. That’s the type of woman she was, and one of the many reasons she was Amber’s best friend. Her heart was huge.
A hand on her lower back brought Amber out of her own thoughts. “You ready to go inside?”
“Yeah. Sorry, I was just thinking about everything Lo has accomplished. How far we have come since we were dirty kids running the same streets.”
“A lot has changed since back then, huh?” Diesel asked.
“Yeah it has.” She smiled.
“Come on,” he said, holding the door open for her. “After you, Beautiful,” Diesel said with a flirtation smile.
Amber walked through the door and was immediately wrapped in a warm hug. Lo had been waiting for her.
“Oh my God!” Lo shrieked, “I have missed you so much!”
Amber felt, more than heard, Lo’s gasp and knew her friend finally saw her face. The bruises had barely begun to heal. She really didn’t want to have this conversation right now, and honestly, there wasn’t any time for it. Lo would be starting a class soon.
“I’ve missed you too,” Amber smiled. She really had missed her friend. She didn’t know how much until that very second.
“Class is about to start but we definitely need to have dinner and catch up,” Lo said.
“Absolutely!” Amber couldn’t wait. She was excited about the class and about spending time with her old friend.
Class was crazy, but Amber assisted Lo, showing some of the women a few of the basics. How to balance on the balls of your feet, how to make a fist and throw a punch without breaking a thumb. The class seemed to fly by, but she was happy and finally felt like she was starting to gain some control of her life. She was beginning to think that maybe she should help out around here more often. The class was fun, she had gotten a great workout in, but most importantly it helped to clear her head.
“So what did you think?” Lo asked after class was dismissed and everyone had gone.
“That was freaking awesome! I can’t wait until the next one.”
Lo hugged Amber tight and sighed. Amber knew that sound, the conversation was about to turn heavy. “Am, what happened? Your face honey. Please tell me...” Lo asked quietly in her ear.
Amber pulled away and wrapped her arms around herself. She hated lying, so she told Lo the truth, all of it. The abuse, the incident at the apartment where Zander was shot, and how she had to have Devin come to the rescue. She poured her heart out. For a woman so used to taking care of herself, the need to call her big brother for help irked her more than it should. It was definitely a hit to Amber’s ego.
“Okay Love. Here’s what we are going to do. Come back tomorrow at nine in the morning. K and I will make sure the ring is free for you,” Lo said.
“Oh you don’t have to do that...” Amber started, but was interrupted.
“Nonsense. You are the closest person I have to a sister. I know how much your independence means to you. Your self-reliance. But Amber, don’t beat yourself up over it. There aren’t many women who can handle themselves against a grown man, especially an enraged one. And you did. Got a few bumps and bruises, but it could have been a lot worse,” Lo stated. Amber couldn’t help but smile at her. She loved this woman something fierce.
“Okay, nine in the morning. I’ll be here,” she conceded.
“Awesome! Maybe you and I can even spar.” Lo winked. Amber couldn’t help but nod and smile. She and Lo hadn’t sparred together in years!
“Just like old-times.” Giving her friend another hug, she walked over to where Diesel was waiting for her.
“You looked great, Doll,” he praised.
“Thanks! It felt great,” she said with the huge smile still on her face. “Can you bring me back at nine tomorrow? K and Lo are going to give me access to the boxing ring,” Amber told him, barely controlling the excitement in her voice.
“Sure babe, but have you asked Sledge?” Diesel prompted.
“No, but he set this up, so I am sure he won’t mind.” Sledge knew why Amber needed this. So, she was certain he would approve of Diesel, or one of the other guys, bringing her back in the morning.
Life was improving, Amber thought to herself as she walked out of Lighthouse Academy. But she felt a twinge in her heart when her mind thought of Zander. What could have changed between last night and this morning? Maybe she could talk to him this evening. Go to his room and find out what was wrong... the thought of not having him in her life, at least as a friend, caused her heart hurt.