Page 51 of If I Didn’t Have You

I really hoped she was right, but after she left, all that hopefulness drained away until I was standing in the house all alone. His breakfast was still on the table, and his truck was still missing from his spot.

It would do me no good to think about our fight all day. After all, I had asked him to leave so I could have some space. So, I pulled on my workout clothes and headed into town. The girls all greeted me with a smile, but I heard the whispers and saw the sly looks behind my back.

Word had already spread that Ben was gone, and it wouldn’t be long before the whole town had something to say about it.

“Okay, today, we’re going to focus on breathing!” Blake called out from the front of the gym.

Her eyes lingered on me for a moment; a sad smile tilted her lips as if to say she understood.

Is that what this breathing was all about? Was she trying to tell me something?

I shook it off and pulled out my mat, getting into the first pose. To my surprise, River Ainsley joined her at the front of the room, taking over when Blake had to chase after Rosie.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s keep it going! Remember, focus on your breath, listen to your body’s limits, and stay present on the mat!”

“If I listened to my body’s limits, I wouldn’t be bending this way,” Lila Cross murmured.

I chuckled, going into the warrior pose as I tried to stay focused.

“Keep that inhale and exhale smooth! Remember not to hold your breath!”

It was easier said than done, but the more I did it, the easier it was to follow her instructions. I pushed last night from my mind and tried to remember why I was here.

For me.

This whole thing was about doing what I needed, and I wouldn’t allow my fight with Ben to interfere with the progress I’d made. And it worked. I made it through the whole routine without once thinking of anything but clearing my mind.

When the session was over, I chatted with the girls about what we were doing the rest of the day, and that’s when things went to shit. Not because anyone asked anything inappropriate, but because I turned around and Ben was in the ring with Deke.

“Oh shit,” I whispered, watching in horror as they circled each other.

“Does this have to do with last night?” Georgia hissed.

“I would guess so.”

“Ben can’t really be jealous of Deke. He’s got to be ten years younger than you!”

“I know that, and you know that, but apparently, Ben thinks he has something to prove.”

“Honey, I hate to point this out, but Ben is not in shape enough to walk around proving points to anyone.”

I shot her a withering look that died two seconds later. She was right, and if he went through with this, he was gonna get his ass beaten.

“He still knows how to throw a punch.”

“Deke is trained in boxing! Does he really think⁠—”

We both gasped, wincing as we pulled back in horror as Deke slammed his fist into Ben’s face and his head whipped to the side.

But to my surprise, Ben didn’t let it hold him back. He got back in a fighting stance and danced around the ring for a whole three seconds before he went on the attack. His fist slammed into Deke’s jaw, and then into his side.

I had to turn away before I saw blood flying. It was one thing when it was two people I didn’t know, but this was my husband, and I really didn’t want to see him injured in any way.

“Clara!” Georgia hissed, tugging on my sleeve.

“I can’t watch this.”

“But he’s actually really good!”