CHAPTER TWO
Nova Hart pivoted on her bare foot, throwing a hard, fast jab into Joaquin’s mitt. He barely managed to block it before she shifted and twisted her body into a lightning-quick roundhouse kick that knocked him off balance.
“Holy hell, Nova!” Joaquin, her friend and kickboxing trainer, barked out as he regained his footing and blocked her next strike. “Are you trying to kill me today or what?”
Nova smirked, the corners of her lips tugging upward.
She wore black spandex shorts that hugged her curves and a cropped lilac tank.
The fabric was darkened with sweat from the intense workout.
Her long, dark, curly hair was pulled back in a messy braid, though a few loose strands stuck to her forehead; she barely noticed.
She was too locked in, focused on her fists and feet hitting their targets.
“Maybe if you didn’t leave yourself wide open, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to strike,” she teased, sending another vicious kick toward his side.
He blocked it, barely. “Jesus, you’re fast,” Joaquin grunted, and then laughed.
Nova bounced lightly on her toes, feeling the burn in her legs and the satisfying tightness of exertion in her arms. Sweat clung to her skin. Her body moved like a machine—focused, powerful, and alive.
This was where she belonged, here in the kickboxing ring, where she could be herself. Not sitting behind some polished mahogany desk, buried in boring corporate contracts filled with legal jargon that nobody really understood, and where her father barked orders and expected obedience.
But here in the ring, with her gloves up and her blood pumping, she could fight back, even if it was only against a punching bag or Joaquin, and not yet against the man who kept trying to script her entire life.
She threw another jab, followed by a front kick.
Joaquin dropped his pads and threw his hands up in surrender as he backed away. “Alright, I concede. I can’t keep up with you today,” he panted and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
Nova pulled off her gloves with a triumphant grin and tossed them aside. “You tapped out faster than last time.”
“That’s because you’re a beast,” he said, ruffling his sweaty hair with his hand. “Remind me never to piss you off.”
They both chuckled as they made their way to the edge of the ring. Joaquin grabbed a towel and slung it around his neck. He shot her a sideways glance.
“So, have you decided if you’re going to accept your entry to Apex?”
Nova had hoped he wouldn’t bring that up. Ever since she received an invitation three weeks ago from the Apex Kickboxing League to participate in their national tournament, Joaquin had been hounding her about it.
“I don’t think I’m going to enter.”
“Why not? The league’s president personally invited you. This is your shot to show off your skills.”
She sighed. “I know, but I’m not really interested in competing. Plus, it’s the same weekend as Rick’s campaign event.”
Joaquin shook his head. “I guess that answers my next question,” he said, giving her a disapproving look.
“What question is that?” she asked.
“If you two were still together.”
She grabbed her water bottle and took a long sip before answering. “He’s still around.” Her voice sounded almost mechanical. “Why?”
“Just wondering. You haven’t mentioned him lately.”
Nova saw him wrinkle his nose, a sign he wasn’t impressed with her boyfriend, which wasn’t front-page news.
She quirked one of her eyebrows. “You’re not even trying to hide your distaste for him anymore, huh?”
“Why should I?” Joaquin shrugged, smirking. “He’s a douchebag in a nice suit. You deserve better.”
Nova rolled her eyes, but his words hit closer than she liked to admit. Joaquin had never liked Rick, and she knew why.
Under that successful, polished, and ambitious persona, Rick often came across as condescending and arrogant.
She blamed a lot of that on his upbringing.
Rick came from a very affluent family in Salt Lake City.
His father was the current governor, though his term would be ending at the end of the year.
But if the Montgomery family had their way, the legacy wouldn’t end there.
Rick had already announced his candidacy, fully intending to slide seamlessly into his father’s place and continue the family dynasty.
“You don’t have to like him,” she said, trying to keep her tone light, though it was a little more defensive than she intended.
“What do you really see in him, Nova?” Joaquin’s question was soft but probing as his eyes narrowed slightly.
She fell silent, her eyes drifting to the floor of the gym. What did she see in Rick?
Beyond the polished smile, expensive suits, successful legal career, and admittedly handsome face, there really wasn’t much else.
Somewhere along the way, she had convinced herself that they worked because they understood each other’s careers and ambitions, but now she wasn’t even sure that was true.
Rick thrived in the spotlight. He loved being the center of every room he walked into.
Nova had always been the opposite. She preferred staying out of the public eye, keeping her head down, and letting her work speak for itself.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized the only thing they had truly shared in common was that they were both lawyers.
However, even that felt hollow because she didn’t particularly enjoy corporate law.
Hell, she despised being a lawyer. She wanted to be doing something she enjoyed.
Something that made her feel alive. Her dream was to one day own a state-of-the-art kickboxing gym, where she could train those who share her passion.
She also wanted to teach women and girls self-defense so they would never feel powerless.
She had brought it up once to her father while she was still in college, but he shut her down immediately.
“Stop chasing childish fantasies, Nova. Your place is here, in this firm, carrying the family name, not wasting it on some sweaty little hobby. It would be an embarrassment to the family, not to mention what Rick and his family would think.”
Somehow or another, everything in her life always revolved around either her family’s name or Rick and his family.
Rick was another carefully chosen piece of her life. Her family and Rick’s family were longtime friends. The kind that spent holidays together, attended the same charity events, and vacationed together.
She had known Rick most of her life. He was five years older than her and had actually gone through school with her twin brothers, which meant he had existed on the edge of her world as one of Rob and Wallace’s friends for years.
They hadn’t really become close until after she graduated from law school and joined her father’s firm, where Rick was already building a successful career for himself.
The two of them started spending more time together between cases, firm events, and long hours at the office. About a year and a half later, they officially started dating, though looking back, Nova couldn’t ignore how much encouragement and subtle pressure had come from both their parents.
“I don’t know,” she finally muttered. “I think he’s what I’m supposed to want, you know? He’s successful, and my dad likes him.”
Joaquin didn’t say anything for a moment. His expression softened, like he understood more than she wished he did.
“But that’s not what you want, is it?”
Nova didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. Her silence spoke volumes.
“You don’t have to live their life, Nova. You’re an adult. You can make your own decisions.”
She swallowed hard and felt a slight pang of guilt at his words.
She had her own savings from working. It was enough to start over if she chose to.
But the thought of defying her father made her stomach hurt.
Her parents had always been insistent that she follow their path, so she had never really questioned it until recently.
“I get what you’re saying, but Rick—”
“Fuck, Rick! He only looks after himself. Just like your father. There are plenty of better men suited for you, Nova. Trust me. You’re beautiful, you’re brilliant, kind, and you light up every room you walk into.”
Nova felt a blush creeping up her neck and cheeks. She ducked her head with a laugh. “Stop, please.”
“I’m serious,” he said, his tone losing all teasing. “You shouldn’t settle for someone who doesn’t see how truly amazing you are.”
Nova felt a pang of emotion she wasn’t ready to deal with. “Even if I ditched Rick,” she said, half-joking, “I’m always working. I don’t have time to meet anyone else.”
Joaquin’s mouth flattened into a line. He looked almost annoyed. “It’s not just about Rick. You need to stop trying to please everyone else and look after yourself for once. Stop living your life for them and start living for you.”
Joaquin leaned against the weight rack, wiping the sweat from his brow as he gave her a pointed look. “Your father and mother got their claws in everything you do, Nova. They both try to run your life like you have no say over it.”
Nova clenched her fists, her jaw working as his words hit a little too close to home. He wasn’t wrong. Her family’s influence was everywhere, suffocating at times, like a net she could never quite break free from.
She had three other siblings. Sophia, the oldest by eight years, had always been the steady one.
She had escaped the pressure of their father’s expectations and built a life on the East Coast with her husband and two kids.
She was the only one Nova felt she could truly breathe around, even if most of that connection lived in late-night phone calls stretched across time zones.
Then there were her twin brothers, Rob and Wallace, five years older and inseparable in a way Nova had never quite fit into.
They were still in the Salt Lake City area and had built a successful construction business crafting luxury homes.
They were both married with families that seemed to slot perfectly into the life their father approved of.
Nova mostly saw them during holiday get-togethers.
“Maybe it’s time you stop letting the rest of them call the shots and consider making your own escape,” Joaquin said.
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed from her gym bag. She grabbed it and grimaced when she saw her dad’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Dad,” she answered.
“Nova,” her father’s brisk voice greeted her. “Rick left some paperwork at his place. I need you to swing by and pick it up before you come to Easter brunch.”
Nova’s stomach twisted with irritation. “You’re serious? You need it today?”
“Yes,” her father said without missing a beat. “Rick doesn’t arrive back in town until tomorrow afternoon, and I need to sign the papers and get them sent over to the client this evening via a courier. Just pick it up on your way.”
Nova pressed her fingers to her temple. “Fine. I’ll grab it.”
“Good. And your mother wanted me to remind you to arrive on time for brunch.”
He didn’t even give her a chance to respond and hung up without even a goodbye.
Nova sighed and shoved her phone back in her bag.
She didn’t even want to go to their place for Easter brunch.
Every year, her mom threw an elaborate Easter brunch for the family.
Her brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins would all be there.
Rick’s mom and dad would be there as well.
Rick was supposed to be there, but he had to fly out two days ago to meet with someone about his campaign.
“Let me guess,” Joaquin said, standing there with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. “Another demand from your royal highness?”
She let out a weak laugh. “Something like that.”
Joaquin stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. His arms felt strong and steady around her. God, too bad he was happily married, or Nova wouldn’t mind dating him.
“Think about what I said,” he murmured near her ear. “You deserve a hell of a lot more than the life they’ve boxed you into.”
Nova squeezed him back. “I will.”
He released her, and she grabbed her stuff and slung her bag over her shoulder.
“If you want to escape your family brunch, you know that you are always welcome at mine and Laney’s place.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
He grinned and waved as she turned and walked toward the exit. As she pushed through the gym’s heavy glass door into the cool Salt Lake City air, she replayed Joaquin’s words. Perhaps it was time to start listening to herself rather than to everyone else.
She had a lot to think about, not to mention a lot of planning to do if she was seriously thinking about making a clean break. But until she finalized any plan, she would continue to play the obedient daughter and girlfriend.