Balance (Off Balance 1)

Opening my locker, I pulled out my duffle bag and dropped it to the floor, shuffling around for my clothes. I was so upset with myself and wanted to cry. I was better than this, and I let things get in the way of training. I needed to be stronger and overcome my fears, but it was easier said than done. I was training in a sport that could literally paralyze me in one split second by not getting enough air in rotation or landing wrong. And I wasn’t at one hundred percent because of my leg. My landings were shit today. If my timing wasn’t absolutely perfect, the repercussions could be devastating. There was a reason gymnastics was considered one of the most dangerous sports. It was a risk to take, but my heart was all in. Even with days when I was at my worst, I would never give up.

Changing out of my leotard, I noticed little droplets of blood. Shit. It was a good thing I carried extra leos with me. I dressed quickly then shoved my bag back into the locker and slammed it shut as hard as I could muster. I should’ve done some stretching to cool my muscles, but I didn’t even care to.

Walking into one of the physical therapy rooms, I laid on the blue, plastic table and waited for Hayden. I looked forward to hanging out with him. Throwing an arm over my face, I closed my eyes, thinking about my vault.

“Adrianna…Adrianna, wake up.”

Opening my eyes, I was disoriented for a moment and confused at where I was. “Hayden?” my voice cracked. Jesus. It felt like I’d been asleep for hours.

He smiled down at me. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty. We’ve got tutoring.”

I groaned. “Did you kiss me to wake me up because I feel like I could sleep forever.”

His cheeks deepened in color. “I was about to.”

“Can I just skip and go home and sleep?” Hayden reached his hand out to help me sit up. I yawned and took it.

“Rough night?”

“If you only knew.”

“You look like shit.”

A smile tipped my lips. “Be still my heart,” I responded flippantly.

“Hey, I just call it like it is.”

“I can obviously tell.”

We stepped out of the locker room and made our way to the lobby. My brows cinched together when I heard Kova’s voice in the distance. The closer we got, the louder it became, and my heart stopped at the soft tone in his voice.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

I tried not to hold my breath as I listened to the response that met my ears.

“I came to surprise you for lunch.”

I knew that voice. Katja had one of the most singsong voices I’d ever heard, even with the thick Russian accent that accompanied it.

“You know I keep a schedule, Kat. You should have called me first.”

As we rounded the corner, he had her pulled in for a kiss. His fingers were threaded through her chestnut hair in a sensual, possessive lip lock. My stomach dropped at the sight. He never kissed me like that. He never looked at me with love in his eyes. He never embraced me so tenderly.

“What was that for?” she asked breathlessly as they pulled apart.

He tensed and irritably bit out, “Why do I need a reason to kiss you? Can I not kiss you when I want?”

“You do not,” she responded with flushed cheeks. “You know you can anytime.” She looked at him with hearts in her eyes. “I love you.”

I paled at her display of love, my stomach rolled in waves. Hayden was completely blasé to their affection, and luckily completely oblivious to my gut wrenching reaction, as he continued walking to the front door. It took all the strength I had to make my feet continue to move when all I really wanted to do was flop down on the floor and have a pity party.

I didn’t want it to bother me, but it did. Watching them in their private moment told me everything I needed to know, and showed me everything I would never have.

With Hayden’s keys jangling in his hand, they both turned their heads in our direction. Katja’s chin dipped, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

Hayden held the door open and I brushed against him walking outside. My eyes locked with Katja and then Kova, who held my gaze until I left.

“You okay?” Hayden asked at the sound of my expelled breath as the door shut behind us.