ALEXANDER
The sharp thud of fist against padded glove echoed through the training room as Cole’s punch connected with my guard. I absorbed the impact easily, but my counter came a beat too late.
Cole stepped back, eyes narrowing. “You’re distracted.”
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. “I’m fine.”
He scoffed and bounced lightly on his feet. “You’ve been ‘fine’ for the past five minutes, and I’ve landed more hits in that time than I usually do in twenty. So, of course, I believe you.”
I lifted my gloves again, but my stance lacked its usual edge. We circled once more, trading jabs. His fist clipped my shoulder—another mistake I wouldn’t normally make.
“Alright,” Cole said, dropping his guard and backing off. “That’s enough.”
I frowned. “We’re not done.”
“Oh, we are,” he replied. “Becau
