Out of Bounds (The Summer Games #2)(19)

“He’s worried about you. I’m worried about you. His health isn’t looking good and the longer you go without talking, the worse it will be.”

“His health isn’t my concern.”

He sighed heavily. “Erik, I raised you better than this. I’m afraid it might be too late for your father, but it’s not too late for you. If you become coldhearted at twenty-nine, where will you be at sixty?”

The girls caught my attention through the office window and I knew I should get out there and continue practice.

“I have to go, Farfar.”

He didn’t bother trying to argue; he knew it was a hopeless endeavor.

“Good luck with the team. I’ll call tomorrow.”

I stood and walked around my desk. “Tomorrow,” I confirmed.

After I hung up the phone, I grabbed a leotard from the gym store and walked out of my office.

Coaching gymnastics can be difficult because it’s both a team sport and an individual sport. These girls were set to fly to Rio to compete under their nation’s flag, but they were ultimately competing for themselves. Naturally, it would create some friction considering only two of them would have a chance to compete in the individual all-around competition, and only one would walk away with gold.

As I walked toward their group stretching on the floor, I tried to get a feel for their dynamic. June was stretching a few yards away from the other girls, separating herself as much as she could. Brie walked over to hand her an extra water bottle and June took it with a quiet “thanks”. Her kindness surprised me; out of anyone, she should have been annoyed with June for ratting her out. For all she knew, I wouldn’t have ever known they’d gone out if June hadn’t told me.

“Brie,” I called, drawing her attention away from June. “Come here.”

She turned and walked over, eyes narrowed at the material scrunched up in my hand.

“What’s that?” she asked.

I held it out for her to take. “Go change.”

She blushed. “It was a dare—”

“I don’t care. It’s distracting and you should know better.”

Her bright eyes slid up to mine. “Distracting for who?”

She was testing me.

“Team USA.”

She glanced away with a slight smile playing on her lips. “Should I come to practice with a paper bag over my head tomorrow?”

“I don’t really think you’re in a position to make jokes right now.”

“It’s a leotard with a tail on it. Big deal.” She turned to walk away and then thought better of it. “And about last night? We went out to get to know each other better and we were back home and in bed by midnight.”

I shook my head and leaned forward. “While you’re staying in my house, you’ll follow my rules. No going out. No partying.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Anything else, Coach?”

There it was again, the fire. I could never decide if I wanted to fan the flame or stamp it out. Instead, I brushed past her. “Go change.”

She laughed under her breath. “Right away sir.”





Chapter Eight


Brie





“Well that was a disaster,” I said, reclining on the couch. I’d showered and put on my comfiest pair of pajamas. Practice had kicked my ass and I knew I’d be paying the price tomorrow. Or in an hour.

“I think Erik liked your tail a little too much,” Molly said, handing me an extra ice pack and sliding down to sit at my side.

I dropped the pack onto my shoulder and closed my eyes, ignoring her statement.

“Agreed,” Lexi said, dropping onto the couch on the other side of me.

My first instinct was to argue with them, but I’d learned it wasn’t worth the effort. As far as I could tell, Erik was the same as he’d been the day before: distant and chilly. During practice, I’d finish a routine and glance over at him. I’d try to glean a sliver of emotion from his face, but he always wore the same unreadable expression. It wasn’t filled with kindness or hatred; no, the chill in his piercing blue eyes was somewhere in between, too confusing to pick apart. He’d blink, shake his head, and spout out a random recommendation. “Your feet were apart in that final pass…You nearly went out of bounds there at the end…Keep your legs straighter in the first double.”

I knew my routines weren’t perfect, but coaches usually mentioned at least one good thing I’d done before harping on everything I needed to fix. After thirteen years of gymnastics, I understood that I hungered for other people’s approval. I loved impressing my coaches. I blossomed under their praise, and after one day of working with Erik, I knew I’d have to adjust my standards. He wasn’t going to sugarcoat criticism. There’d be no thumbs up or smiles during practice, just cold, critical indifference.

I shivered at the thought.

“Ugh, I wish this stupid house had an oven,” I said, peeking my eyes open just to confirm one hadn’t magically appeared in the kitchen while we were away. “I really want to bake something.”

Molly laughed. “What is it with you and baking?”

I smiled and shrugged. “It’s my favorite thing to do. When I was younger, sometimes my mom couldn’t pick me up from practice right away because she was stuck at work. At first I’d wander over to wait at a bookstore near the gym. There was a bakery next door, and when I got bored or hungry I would inevitably end up drooling over the pastries in the display case.”