All My Girls: Pt. 01 - Tina

All My Girls

Chapter 1 - Tina

Author's Note: All characters are fictional, and those engaging in sexual act are all over 18.

* * * * * * * * * *

My wife of five years and I were already having problems when I told her I wanted to follow my dream. Actually quitting my accounting job and opening a martial arts studio was the proverbial last straw. We divorced. She got the house and most of the personal property, but I got to keep my car, retirement savings, and personal items. Most people would say I got screwed, but that settlement ensured she was entitled to nothing of mine in the future. Good riddance, I'd say.

If I'm being honest, I'm not sure I ever really loved her. The sex was good, but there was nothing Hallmark romcom or earth-shattering in our relationship. Our marriage was more of a foregone conclusion with our friends and family, since we dated for over a year in college, then two years more after graduation. We married because it was expected and divorced because it was needed.

In the end, though, I realized that I may have been the biggest contributor to the demise of our relationship. I work a lot. Long hours, extra days, laser focus on the task at hand, all to the point of ignoring everyone around me... including my wife. She didn't set out to cheat, but I can see how I drove her to it simply by not being available.

I'd like to say I learned my lesson, but the dissolution of several subsequent relationships indicated I had not.

With the financial help of my father, I was able to open a small dojo in a strip mall near an affluent San Diego suburb. The kind of place where the cafe to the left concocted exotic and expensive smoothies, and the one on my right offered bougie lotions and body sprays. The perfect location, and after five years, I became moderately successful. I paid back my dad, hired a few part-time instructors, expanded my offerings to morning yoga and Pilates classes, and was even able to recover from the economic crunch of COVID when so many other small businesses didn't.

I was living a pretty good life. I loved what I did, I was good at it, and I was making decent money. I dated a bit, keeping things casual with relationships, and rarely dated the same person for more than a few months, mostly due to my workaholic tendencies. I grew to be content in just sitting back and enjoying life.

Until Tina.

It all changed when Tina entered my life. Changed for the better. I never knew such happiness existed until I found her and all my girls.

But I get ahead of myself.

My name is Kevin Harper, 42 years old, short brown hair, athletic build, and this collection contains the stories of how I came to live with and love Tina and three other delectable creatures.

* * * * * * * * * *

I wandered about the Saturday morning youth class, observing my students as they practiced their techniques with and on each other. As a proper teacher, I stepped in to give correction when needed, then stood back to let one of the brown belts take over. No better way to learn than to teach someone else.

I kept glancing over to where Tina, my most recent black belt, was working with a sixteen-year-old boy with Down syndrome. And it wasn't just because she was an attractive, blond-haired, fair-skinned, muscle-toned, former cheerleader. Okay, again, if I'm being honest, it was a little because of that, but mostly it was because I wanted to make sure they were both okay. Jimmy could sometimes be difficult for certain instructors. Not because Jimmywasdifficult, but because many adults just don't know how to interact with let alone teach people with special needs.

Tina, however, had great patience with Jimmy, worked with him at his pace, and was a big factor in Jimmy's progress. Some people joked that any sixteen-year-old boy would work hard to impress the pretty college girl, but I knew it was because Tina had the patience and compassion required for the assignment.

I stood and watched the pair of them, standing on the edge of their mat, looking intimidating with my almost-six-foot, 220-pound frame. But they were unfazed. In spite of being barely over five feet tall, Tina was used to me by now, so she simply ignored me, and Jimmy seemed to be laser focused on Tina.

Maybe there was some truth to those comments about wanting to impress the college girl.

"Left hand up," Tina said, correcting Jimmy's guard. "Turn in. Good. And" punch. GOOD! Now, try again, by yourself. C'mon. You got this."

Jimmy smiled with pride at Tina's praise, then started the short technique over again from memory, something he had always struggled with, but self-defense training really helped his mobility and balance, which was the whole point in his case. He faltered only once, but Tina raised her eyebrow, making Jimmy chuckle as he remembered to raise his guard correctly, then finished the move. It was slow and choppy, but Tina's enthusiastic reaction was as energetic as if he just successfully completed a triple axel.

She bounced on her toes and clapped. "You did it, Jimmy! Way to go!"

Beaming, Jimmy clapped and cheered with her.

"Great job, Jimmy," I added, stepping forward to join the pair. I held out my hand for a fist bump, which Jimmy returned. I turned to Tina. "Can you talk to me after class?"

Tina's face flushed for a brief moment with an emotion I took to be apprehension then simply nodded. "Sure, Kevin."

No one likes to be called to the principal's office after class,I thought.

We weren't Cobra Kai, and our style of martial arts was more Chinese than Japanese, so 'sensei' wasn't appropriate, since it is a Japanese honorific. And 'sifu', which is more traditional in Kung Fu, didn't really apply to our style, either. So, I simply asked my students to call me by name. In spite of the more casual atmosphere, students still treated me and one another with respect. That was the first rule of my dojo.

I continued making my way around the studio, observing and instructing small groups when necessary. My eyes often returned to Tina and Jimmy, watching their interaction. Well, truth be told, I was watching her interaction with him, since I was considering her for an instructor position I had opened up. That's what I told myself as I looked at her.

Tina started classes with me when she was thirteen, and I had watched her grow from a 5'2" gawky teenager into a 5'2" strikingly pretty, former high school cheerleader. She took a couple of years off from lessons during high school because of her busy schedule, but started right back up again after graduation, studying hard and determined to earn her black belt. It took another three years, but she achieved that goal.

And in those years, she blossomed. Martial arts, tumbling, dance, cheer all instilled in her a natural poise, grace, and confidence on par with any of the great Hollywood actresses like Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn. But her personality remained fresh and grounded, ready with a laugh or smile, and always endearing. People just liked her, plain and simple.

Iliked her, I realized. She would be a good asset to the instructor team, and I knew she would be successful no matter where she went.

After a few more minutes, I closed the practice period, and the class. The students gathered their gear and headed out the door to where their parents waited.

Tina walked Jimmy to the door, shared a few words with his mother, gave Jimmy a big smile and a high-five, then came back in. Two other black belts, Hugo and Rob, who helped with the youth class were padding up for their weekly sparring match, so she and I had the rest of the studio to chat.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Tina asked apprehensively as she approached me, looking nervous. Like most martial artists, she hooked her thumbs into her belt and stood looking up at me with her deep, blue eyes, but at her height, she looked up at most people.

Even in a gi, the traditional uniform for martial arts, she looked good. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore very little makeup, but she had a natural beauty that most women envied. Her body was toned, lean, and strong, but still had great feminine curves. And judging how her gi bulged in the front, she had ample breasts. Since, I only saw her dressed for class, I rarely got to see her body, though her mother Melissa, my morning yoga and Pilates instructor, told me they were often mistaken for twins. And Melissa's body, which Ihadseen in workout clothes, turned heads.

No doubt Tina's was similar.

I kept a small office at the back of the studio. It wasn't much more than a closet to keep equipment, but it also had desk where I kept office-type stuff. One of these was an employment application, which I slid across my desk to Tina as she walked in.

Tina's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she took a seat opposite me.

"I watched you with Jimmy, today," I said gesturing to the form. "And every week for the past few months that you've worked with him. You're a good teacher. A natural. I would like you to teach the Sexual Assault Prevention class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings."

Her eyes widened in surprise and flashed with joy, lighting up her whole face. Her expression instantly switched from concerned anxiety to beaming happiness. "Me? Really?"

I smiled right along with her, her happiness infectious. She was one of those people who could change the whole room's atmosphere just by her presence. And it wasn't just that she was always cheerful, it was simply that she commanded attention. People naturally gravitated to her.

"Did Mom put you up to it?" she said accusingly, but with a huge smile.

"She may have mentioned something," I replied with a smirk.

Tina leaned back in her chair, returning my smirk and folding her arms under her full chest. "I see how it is. Conspiring against me. God, I was so scared when you said you wanted to talk to me. Almost as bad as my test."

"Because I'm so horrible?" I said, teasing.

"That," she replied, returning the joke, "and because of the kick." Part of the black belt test included the teacher kicking the student center-mass... hard. "I was freaking out."

"That's how it is for most people. I was terrified. My sensei damn near sent me through the back wall. But I was just a skinny eighteen-year-old kid then."

"Not skinny anymore," Tina said, cocking an eyebrow.

"You calling me fat?" I responded with mock indignation.

Giggling, Tina shook her head. "Shut up. You know you're hot." Realizing what she had just said, Tina's cheeks went red, and she looked away fidgeting with the papers in her hand. She deflected to a different subject. "Oooh, instructors get paid?"

"Lead instructors do," I replied, glad for the change in topic. "Part-time, though. It isn't much, but I try to make it worth your while."

"God, this is so lit," she said, continuing to peruse the stack of paper. "There are so many forms."

"I blame lawyers," I joked.

"Hey!" Tina retorted (using a lawyer-ish term), raising a warning finger, and grinning. At her black belt test last week, she told me she was getting ready to start her fourth year in a pre-law program at SDSU. "But it's true." She started flipping through the documents on the desk and sing-songed, "I'm so excited."

"You know what impressed me the most about your test?" I said, turning the conversation back to her. "You kept your feet. That was cool. Most people land on their ass."

"I had a good teacher."

"Thank you."

"I meant my cheer coach."

"Ouch." We laughed together again.

We sat joking and laughing with each other for a bit. It was the longest conversation we ever had, and certainly the most relaxed. Up to this point, the barrier of instructor-student always stood between us. Now... well, I was still her instructor, but as an employee and as one of my black belts--a rank I hold in high regard--a familiar equality emerged.

She was easy to talk to. Easy to laugh with. Andveryeasy to look at.

"Thank you again," she said standing and shaking my hand.

"No need to thank me, Tina," I replied, also standing and returning the handshake. "It's kind of my job. And you've earned it."

"Well... thank you anyway." She started gathering her bag and keys.

"You're welcome anyway," I replied.

"Any big plans for today?" she asked conversationally, though I noticed a certain nervous edge to her voice and the way she moved.

I shrugged, chalking it up as excitement for the job. "Not much. Got a few chores to do. Might go for a motorcycle ride. Not sure."

"Maybe I'll bring these by later," she said holding up the forms.

"No rush. It's a lot. Bring them on Tuesday. We'll have you shadow Rob a bit, then you'll take over in a couple of weeks."

She stood in front of my desk, bag over her shoulder, ready to go, but standing still, just staring at me, as if she had another question. After a few moments, she smiled, waved, and left.

The sun must have gone behind a cloud at that moment, because the studio seemed to grow darker as the door closed behind her. Gloomier.

Sitting at my desk, my mind went back to a conversation with Melissa two days ago. We had been talking about the job I just offered Tina and wanted to get Melissa's opinion about giving the job to her daughter. She readily agreed and thanked me for the years of coaching I'd given Tina.

"She did it all herself," I had replied. "I was just there to guide her."

"And now this opportunity," Melissa had added.

"Everyone deserves a chance," I had said.

"Sometimes someone gives you that chance, you know? Sometimes you're the one giving the chance to someone else. And sometimes, you just have totakethe chance when it comes knocking at your door."

I had no idea what Melissa meant by that. I mean... sure I gave Tina a chance. Gave Melissa a chance, too, for that matter. But those didn't just happen. Tina worked for it. Melissa had the training I was looking for. They were qualified. Maybe this was her way of thanking me for being the one to give them both a chance.

I shrugged the thought away. Looking at the clock, I realized it was about time for lunch and decided on a protein smoothie from the shop next door.

Tina was already in line when I walked in. She was still in her gi bottoms, but had shed the belt and blouse, leaving her in a tight, spandex tank top. Like I said, I hadn't seen her in any clothes but her gi and seeing her like this made my breath catch. I froze in the doorway, just staring.

She turned, saw me, smiled warmly, and gave me a friendly wave. Then, offering the couple in front of me to go ahead of her, she joined me in line.

"Great minds think alike," she said.

"Definitely," I said, returning her smile, and forcing myself not to look anywhere but her eyes. Good thing I've had years of training, discipline, and control, because it took considerable effort to not look at the slope of her breasts and examine just how much cleavage that tank top revealed.

"Have a usual?" she asked, nodding at the menu board and thankfully giving me something else to look at than her.

"Depending on my mood, I either get a Chunky Munky or a Beach Bum." I looked at her quizzically. "Why are you laughing?"

"Ever put rum in the Beach Bum?" she asked in conspiratorial whisper.

My turn to laugh. "Kind of defeats the healthy intent of the smoothie, but now that you say that, it would be very good with a splash of dark rum."

"Bacardi Gold," she added, smacking her lips like a French chef."Magnifique."

"I sense a trip to the liquor store in my near future," I said giving a heavy sigh like it would be such a burden.

"I may join you," she said, bumping my hip with hers. Or trying to. Our height difference made my hip inaccessible, so she bumped my upper thigh instead.

"How about you?" I asked. "What's your go-to?"

"Beach Bum, same as you. That's how I know about the rum."

"There's a story there."

"And I'll never tell. For the record, the Margarita Blender" doesnottaste good with tequila."

"Story there, too."

Tina began whistling with exaggerated nonchalance.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

We stepped up to the counter, and I was about to order for both of us, when Tina leaned over the partition and hugged the server on the other side. The position was awkward, and she had to stretch across the narrow counter, which put her pert ass on display. I tried not to notice the perfect swell off her back and smooth curve down to her thighs, and glanced away quickly, but not before Natalie, the server and assistant manager of the shop, noticed and smirked at me as she returned Tina's hug.

"Nat," Tina said with sympathy in her voice. "Oooh, I missed you. I'm sorry I haven't seen you in a couple days. I'm a horrible person." She broke the hug and regained her feet but kept hold of one of Natalie's hands. "You know, Kevin, right?"

Natalie nodded and asked me, "Beach Bum or Chunky Munky?" She smiled demurely at me and whispered to Tina so I could hear. "He's in here a lot."

"Cuz it's the best," Tina chimed in.

"Two Beach Bums, please Natalie," I ordered, pulling my credit card out of the back of my phone.

"You don't--" Tina tried to say, but I dismissed her protest with a wave.

"I got it," I said.

"Well, thank you, Boss," Tina said, beaming. Before I could forget myself in that smile, she turned back to Natalie. "I got a new job," she said. "I'm teaching the SAP class!"

"Yay." Nat replied. "That's the one you wanted."

"I know! I'm so excited!"

"Well, congrats, T," Natalie said as we turned to go. She flashed me a shy smile. "See you soon, Chunky Munky."

I turned and gave her a mock scowl. Natalie chucked silently and dropped her gaze, embarrassed and grinning as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Tina sat down at a table facing me, inviting me to join her. I hadn't intended to stay, but she seemed to take it as a matter of course, so I sat opposite, waiting for my drink.

"Chunky Munky," she said giggling. "Can we call you that in class?"

"Absolutely not," I said with an amused smile. "Only your mother calls me 'Boss', you know."

"I know, but I'm trying it out," and she flashed me one of her enthralling smiles.

I forced myself to look away and gestured with my head toward Natalie. "I didn't know you two were friends."

"Since seventh grade."

"Was she a cheerleader, too?"

Tina chuffed. "Nat? No. She's the bookish, quiet type, not the bounce around in front of a crowd."

"Like you?"

"Like me."

"Odd you're friends."

Tina shook her head and looked over at Natalie who was busy preparing our drinks. "We just clicked. Yeah, we're opposites, but... we've just been together."

Something in Tina's eye made me infer there might be something more to that statement than what was on the surface. I didn't pursue, though.

Instead, we sat in an awkward silence for a moment until Natalie brought out our drinks.

"How goes the search?" Tina asked her friend.

Natalie shrugged as she set our smoothies down. "Still looking for a place to live or a roommate, but everything is so expensive, you know? Especially around here."

"Which is why I'm still living at home," Tina said. "I'll keep an ear out for you."

With a glance back at the counter, Natalie sat down to join us at our table. "And if that wasn't bad enough, my landlord gave me until Wednesday to either renew the lease or get out. AND, my boss told me this morning he's selling this place, so I may not even have a job soon." Tears welled up in Natalie's eyes as she fidgeted with her fingers resting on the table.

Tina didn't hesitate but stood up to hug her friend. "God, Nat. That fucking sucks. "I'm sorry."