Hammered (Blue Bay Crew #3)- Cathryn Fox Page 0,50

the gym kept me out of trouble.” I give her a wink. “Mostly. Now I want to give back by teaching these kids about grappling, wrestling, jiu jitsu. Lots of different techniques and lots of exercises for strength building. I tell them to find what they do best, then that will grow into what they do most, and that’s when they develop a passion.”

“That’s a great philosophy,” she says, and then laughs. “Oh my God, the fire pole is still here.”

“Yeah, it’s great for core strength exercises. I’m probably going to have one installed in my new place.”

“You’re right. It’s great for core strength. Remember the movie where I played the stripper?”

“Ah, no, not really, but now I’m going to go find it and watch it.”

She laughs. “Maybe instead I’ll give you and up close and personal view of my moves.”

I put my mouth near her ear. “You can’t say things like that to me in public,” I tell her. She laughs and pushes me away as the kids keep casting glances our way, the buzz of excitement in the air.

“Hey kids, this is Haven Roberts. She’s going to be joining us this morning for a few lessons.” I take in the freshly scrubbed face of the kids, six boys and four girls, varying in age from fourteen to seventeen, Liam being the oldest. The kid is strong, and has great potential. I’m super proud of his commitment to the sport.

The kids all excitedly say hello, and some of the older boys puff out their chests as she takes a spot on the mats. We spend the next half hour doing some exercise and stretches and because Haven is here today, we do some self-defense moves. I watch her carefully, and like how she lets her guard down with me. I’ve seen her different roles before, but I have to say, I like her best when she’s just being herself.

By the time we’re done, I’m a hot sweaty mess and in need of a shower. Haven however, looks refreshed, a soft pink tinge in her cheeks.

“Will you be coming back, Haven?” Cora asks as she stares up at Haven hopefully.

“You bet,” Haven says.

“I want to be a movie star like you when I grow up,” Cora tells her.

Haven smiles. “I think you’d be a wonderful actress,” she tells Cora, and Cora beams. “Why don’t you come by the set, and I can show you around?”

“Really?” Cora says. “That would be amazing.”

I gather up the skipping ropes as the kids surround her, and Liam gives me a hand to put the mats away. “Are you two…you know,” he says with a grin.

I shake my head. “We’re friends and I’m helping her with something.”

Liam lets loose a laugh. “I just bet you are.”

“Hey,” I say. “Respect, all the time, for women and for yourself, remember.”

“Right, Coach,” he says and nods.

I glance over his shoulder to see Amber. “Can I come too?” she asks. Haven laughs as all the kids all chime in, asking if they too can join the tour.

She holds her hands up. “How about this? I find a time when we’re not shooting, and I can bring you all for a visit. You can even all see the sets that Tyler and his family are building.”

As I hear her talking about family and watch the kids bounce in excitement, an idea forms in the back of my mind. These kids are all like family to me, so maybe I can give Haven a piece of her childhood that she missed out on.

12

Haven

After a long day on the set, with Tyler staying close by as he and his brothers work on erecting a make-shift bakery, things have shut down for the night, and everyone is headed to Winchester’s for a bite to eat. My trailer arrived late this afternoon, and while I’m happy to have some of my things, what I’ve realized in the last couple of days since arriving in Blue Bay is that I don’t need much to take me from day to day. A warm bed, and a hotter man in it beside me will suffice, thank you very much.

Tyler almost seems like a different person today. Last night, walking back into that cabin brought a lot of painful memories. While we might not really know each other, I’m just glad I was by his side, able to help him move forward. I hate that he spent so many years with that tearing him up inside. He had