In Too Deep Read Online Free PDF

“In here.”

 
     
    Chapter 5

    The classroom is a big, empty room with some tumbling mats on the floor and it’s buzzing with all the first year students. I head straight for Logan in the center of the room. The instructor hasn’t shown up yet, so people are goofing off. The overhead lights are turned off, but the big windows let in plenty of natural light.
    “That was quite a show you put on,” Logan says, grinning at me. It takes me a second to remember that he and a group of guys stood watching my Zumba class. I slug him in the arm. He winces, but his smile doesn’t fade.
    Colt faces the class from the front of the room. “Alright guys, let’s get started.”
    Everyone falls quiet at once. I lean toward Logan and whisper, “Another second year as an instructor? Can’t this place afford teachers?”
    He shakes his head and whispers back, “Colt graduated last year He is the instructor.”
    “You have got to be kidding me,” I hiss.
    Logan’s eyes scrutinize me. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Colt’s charms already.”
    I’m taken aback for a moment, and tune everything out as I try to recover. Colt is a teacher here? He looks our age. But even as I think it, I realize it’s not entirely true. He’s taller than all the other guys in the class, and more filled out through the chest and shoulders. And he carries himself with just enough confidence and edge to make him stand out.
    But regardless, he’s an instructor here and h e definitely has something going on with Bria, who I know for certain is a student. Isn’t that against the rules? But then I remember Colt specifically saying he didn’t date first years. That’s messed up. Shouldn’t he have said, ‘I don’t date students ?’
    I blink the thought away and try to pay attention. It’s none of my business. Colt’s giving instructions and demonstrating a few blocking moves with an eager female volunteer. When he’s done explaining it, Logan turns to me. “Be my partner?”
    I nod.
    Logan and I each stake a defensive stance, with our hands up, guarding our faces, like Colt demonstrated. A second later, Logan’s holding my wrists firmly, then in a quick movement sweeps my legs out from under me. But instead of hitting the mat hard, like I expect, he eases me down gently. I’m lying on the mat, flat on my back wondering what the hell just happened.
    “Sorry.” He grins and offers me a hand. I let him pull me back up to standing.
    We spend the next few minutes with Logan helping me to learn how to take him down. At first I don’t think I’ll be strong enough, but then he shows me it isn’t about strength, but technique. Element of surprise and a few carefully placed body parts, like my foot behind his ankle and an elbow to the stomach. It sends him off balance and he’s on his knees in front of me. I use my foot to press his chest to the floor.
    Colt walks by just as Logan is getting back up to his feet. “Nicely done, Taylor,” he says as he passes by. His eyes don’t linger anywhere for long as he scans the class. He points out bad form, adjusting limbs and nods when he sees something he likes. Logan catches me watching Colt and looks at me quizzically.
     
    I snap my gaze away and focus on Logan, who’s brushing off his shorts.
    “S o what’s his story?” I nod toward Colt’s retreating back.
    “What do you mean?” Logan asks as he demonstrates the next move, a soft knee into my stomach. I fold into it and he uses my hunched position to get me on the ground again.
    I lay there for a second, catching my breath. “He’s really an instructor? He’s so young.”
    Logan bites his bottom lip and shakes his head at me. “Oh shit. Not you too. Another Colt Palmer devotee.”  He frowns disapprovingly, then pulls me to my feet. “He’s nineteen. He graduated from here last year and instead of doing field work, he became an instructor.” 
    “ Don’t worry,” I say. “I’m not a fan. He seems pretty sure of