you your capability.” He paused. “This, Adrianna, is your chance to leave. I can rip up these papers and you all can go home.”
I looked at Konstantin and realized two things: I was about to get my ass handed to me, and he didn’t use contractions.
Okay, so I was still a little obsessed with what came out of his mouth. I couldn’t help it, that accent was sexy as hell.
I stared at Konstantin with confidence. He met my gaze. With all the passion and drive that breathed through my veins for my love of gymnastics, I poured it into my next sentence.
“I’m not leaving.”
The wicked smile that slid across his face nearly knocked the wind out of me.
“Well, that wraps up all the necessary formalities. If you would like, I can show you around the gym now.”
K onstantin opened the door leading into the impressive gym. We followed close behind, taking in every square inch around us. I couldn’t stop the unsteady leaps in my stomach from the adrenaline pumping through my blood.
It reminded me of walking into home period on the first day of school. I hadn’t had this feeling in quite some time since I’d been homeschooled for the past year, but I remembered it like it was yesterday. Everyone hated the first day.
Gymnasts on the nearby apparatus glanced up, surveying us from head to toe. Mom didn’t miss a beat in her three-inch Christian Louboutin heels while my dad strutted around like he owned the place. And here I was in dark denim shorts, a baby doll shirt, and sandals, feeling every bit as relaxed as the Floridian I was.
Konstantin showed us all the parts of the gym, including the rooms in the back that I was curious about. I assumed they were for strength training, but they were actually used for various dance classes and stretching techniques.
“Holly, watch yourself on that dismount. Remember, even the smallest step is a tenth of a deduction. Girls, I would like you to meet Adrianna. She is a level ten, but plans to test for elite. She will be your new teammate here.”
He made his way over to the uneven bars and introduced the girls. “This is Reagan and Sarah.” He nodded his head at each of the girls, arms crossed firmly against his chest. “They are senior gymnasts and have been training in the elite program for a couple of years. If you have any questions about what goes on here, I am sure they will be more than happy to help.” Motioning to another girl, he said, “This is Holly. She has been with World Cup since she was a child, her twin brother is also training here.”
“She’ll be training with us?” Reagan scoffed.
“That is what I said,” he said sternly.
The ugly glower on Reagan’s pinched face fueled a fire inside of me. It was hard not to stare at her. Her features bunched together, giving her an overly dramatic expression. Just because I wasn’t in the elite program yet didn’t mean I couldn’t train with them. Gyms all over the world had mixed classes, and most gymnasts benefited by watching the technique of their teammates while on an apparatus.
I could see her definitely being a problem. Living amongst the wealthy had shown me how to view the true colors of people quickly, no one could pull off bitchy better than blue bloods, and I had been conditioned by some of the best.
“Coach, why isn’t she training with her level then?”
Coach? Coach!
“You’re the coach! My coach?”
“Adrianna!” my mother gasped, mortified over my outburst.
“Last time I checked. Who did you think I was?”
The girls on the team snickered. Warmth climbed my chest and hit my cheeks and ears over my outburst.
“You mean you didn’t know, Adrianna,” Mom said, adding fuel to the fire. How convenient of her to pay attention now.
Lifting one shoulder, I said candidly, “He’s dressed for a business meeting, not prepared to be covered full of chalk for the next eight hours. How’s he going to spot in those clothes and dress shoes? I assumed...” I trailed off,
I looked at Konstantin and realized two things: I was about to get my ass handed to me, and he didn’t use contractions.
Okay, so I was still a little obsessed with what came out of his mouth. I couldn’t help it, that accent was sexy as hell.
I stared at Konstantin with confidence. He met my gaze. With all the passion and drive that breathed through my veins for my love of gymnastics, I poured it into my next sentence.
“I’m not leaving.”
The wicked smile that slid across his face nearly knocked the wind out of me.
“Well, that wraps up all the necessary formalities. If you would like, I can show you around the gym now.”
K onstantin opened the door leading into the impressive gym. We followed close behind, taking in every square inch around us. I couldn’t stop the unsteady leaps in my stomach from the adrenaline pumping through my blood.
It reminded me of walking into home period on the first day of school. I hadn’t had this feeling in quite some time since I’d been homeschooled for the past year, but I remembered it like it was yesterday. Everyone hated the first day.
Gymnasts on the nearby apparatus glanced up, surveying us from head to toe. Mom didn’t miss a beat in her three-inch Christian Louboutin heels while my dad strutted around like he owned the place. And here I was in dark denim shorts, a baby doll shirt, and sandals, feeling every bit as relaxed as the Floridian I was.
Konstantin showed us all the parts of the gym, including the rooms in the back that I was curious about. I assumed they were for strength training, but they were actually used for various dance classes and stretching techniques.
“Holly, watch yourself on that dismount. Remember, even the smallest step is a tenth of a deduction. Girls, I would like you to meet Adrianna. She is a level ten, but plans to test for elite. She will be your new teammate here.”
He made his way over to the uneven bars and introduced the girls. “This is Reagan and Sarah.” He nodded his head at each of the girls, arms crossed firmly against his chest. “They are senior gymnasts and have been training in the elite program for a couple of years. If you have any questions about what goes on here, I am sure they will be more than happy to help.” Motioning to another girl, he said, “This is Holly. She has been with World Cup since she was a child, her twin brother is also training here.”
“She’ll be training with us?” Reagan scoffed.
“That is what I said,” he said sternly.
The ugly glower on Reagan’s pinched face fueled a fire inside of me. It was hard not to stare at her. Her features bunched together, giving her an overly dramatic expression. Just because I wasn’t in the elite program yet didn’t mean I couldn’t train with them. Gyms all over the world had mixed classes, and most gymnasts benefited by watching the technique of their teammates while on an apparatus.
I could see her definitely being a problem. Living amongst the wealthy had shown me how to view the true colors of people quickly, no one could pull off bitchy better than blue bloods, and I had been conditioned by some of the best.
“Coach, why isn’t she training with her level then?”
Coach? Coach!
“You’re the coach! My coach?”
“Adrianna!” my mother gasped, mortified over my outburst.
“Last time I checked. Who did you think I was?”
The girls on the team snickered. Warmth climbed my chest and hit my cheeks and ears over my outburst.
“You mean you didn’t know, Adrianna,” Mom said, adding fuel to the fire. How convenient of her to pay attention now.
Lifting one shoulder, I said candidly, “He’s dressed for a business meeting, not prepared to be covered full of chalk for the next eight hours. How’s he going to spot in those clothes and dress shoes? I assumed...” I trailed off,
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