Kova stepped up to his former partner so they were nose to nose. My heart stopped. The fury burning off him chilled me to the bone. I took a small step back. I'd seen him all shades of angry, but never like this.
"Let us get something straight, sobaka," he spat in Russian. I made a mental note to look that word up. "I got where I am today because of me, of the work I put in, and the work my girls put in. Not because of your piece of shit self. I taught you everything you know. Not the other way around. You got lucky because of me." He scoffed, jabbing a finger into the man’s chest. "For more than one reason, might I add. This is your only warning—stay the fuck away from me and my girls. I let you off once, but I will not do it again. I do not want to see you, smell you, or hear your name mentioned. I do not want you within a fifty-mile radius of me and my gymnasts. If we are at the same meet, you will keep your distance."
"Or what?" the guy rebutted. "What do you think you're going to do acting so tough and macho?"
"I am not acting, just defending those who cannot defend themselves against dogs like you. Do not fucking test me."
He laughed. The guy actually laughed, but Kova was eerily calm and said, "I have enough evidence to easily have you placed in solitary confinement. Funny thing about prison mates, they eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast."
His laugh died down immediately. His eye lids grew heavy then quickly shot to me. Kova looked over his shoulder and I froze. I'd heard everything. He didn't like that, but he didn't show it.
Without another word, the former coach at World Cup turned around and walked away.
"Coach." My voice was high-pitched. "What did he do?"
Kova scrubbed a hand down his face then looked above my head. He seemed so guilty all of a sudden. "Nothing that we need to discuss now. You need to get ready. I want you focused on your routine."
"I am ready and focused. Tell me."
"Another time."
"Please?"
Kova sighed deep. Lowering his voice, he said, "I caught him." My brows furrowed, and he continued shifting on his feet. "I caught him in a position he should not have ever been in. The dating rule began because of his actions."
My eyes popped. "Oh, my God. This is scandalous."
Face drawn, he didn't share my excitement. "No, Adrianna, it is not. I almost killed him. I know what you and I did goes against everything I believe in, and the code of ethics set forth by the gymnastics committee. I knew it was wrong, but I never preyed upon you." I frowned. No, he never had. "But that bastard preyed upon one of my gymnasts and couldn’t control himself."
Kova's eyes lifted over my head and I turned around to follow his gaze.
Holly.
I had tons of questions I wanted answers to, but now was not the time. I had to clear my head and get to my last event. Easier said than done after the bombshell Kova had just dropped on me.
I blocked out all the noise and focused on delivering a flawless floor routine. Ninety seconds later I stood next to Kova waiting for my score. We both turned toward each other, our faces mimicked each other's. Another medal to hang on my wall, all thanks to our teamwork.
On the plane ride home I couldn't stop thinking about Holly and that coach, coupled with the information Reagan had given me weeks ago on the track. I tried not to stare at Holly, but so many questions ran through my head. At the top was, what had Kova meant by that guy preying on her? Did he rape her? But if he did, why was there a no dating rule? That part didn't make sense. I couldn't flat out ask her, so I was left with more thoughts filling my head.
* * *
I'd forgotten I had my doctor's appointment early Monday morning and would be late to practice. Instead of texting, I called Kova as soon as I got on the road.
"Allo?"
"Hey, Coach, it's Adrianna."
"I know who it is. Why are you calling me? Is it to tell me you are missing practice?"
I chewed at my lip for a second, listening to a springboard rebound in the background.
"Um, I forgot I have a doctor's appointment this morning I need to go to, but I'll be at practice afterwards."
"What? What appointment? Are you sick? Why have you not told me about this?"
The noise faded behind him and a door shut. He must've walked to his office. I stayed on the right side of the road and looked for the highway.
"I guess I forgot."