Execution (Off Balance 2)

Giving me his back, he coolly walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked in an elevated tone.

"We are done here," he said flatly.

"No, we're not. We have thirty minutes left."

Kova spun around. A gut-wrenching smile slid across his face. "If you will excuse me, I am going to devote my time to someone who truly wants it. My girlfriend."

"You're an asshole."

"Tell me something I do not know," he retorted, leaving the therapy room.

"See! Contractions would be useful there!" I yelled. I heard him grunt, but he never came back.

* * *

That night while sitting in the bathtub—a steaming hot bathtub I might add—I reflected over my conversation with Kova and how we left the gym. Truthfully, it was all I could think about since I got home. I was sick to my stomach because he was completely right. I came across as unappreciative and that was the last thing I'd ever want him to think. I wasn't. Aside from all the bullshit outside the gym, I was more than grateful for all the effort he put in. I demanded so much and he gave it to me when he didn't have to.

I felt awful for never once saying thank you. I felt the right thing to do was shoot Kova a text message.

Me: I'm so sorry I upset you earlier. You were right. I've never thanked you for all that you’ve done for me. Thank you. I really do appreciate it more than words could ever express.

Surprisingly, he responded.

Coach: XX

Chapter Eighteen

Walking from room to room, I double checked everything before I left my condo for the weekend. I wouldn't be gone long—the meet was in Pennsylvania and we'd be back early Sunday afternoon.

I switched the light off and shut the door behind me and locked it. I glanced at my watch as I made my way downstairs to the parking lot. The girls’ team was meeting up at Kova's house, and from there, Katja would drive us to the airport where we'd meet the boys' team before we boarded the flight.

Throwing my carry-on bag into the backseat, I climbed in my truck and started the ignition. Within seconds, I hit the main road.

The closer I got to Kova's house, the more my stomach swirled nervously into tight little knots. Things between us were tense this past week. I tried to show my gratitude often, but Kova was strictly business and told me that if I wanted to show my thanks that I needed to practice like I meant it. I figured he thought I was trying too hard and it was showing. I was, and I wasn't. I just wanted to make sure he knew I was thankful, but instead it made him distant. With the way he'd acted, I had to wonder if Katja, or anyone, ever showed him gratitude. We were good in public, but I also felt like he was going out of his way to ignore me. I stressed over how he'd act the next two days at the meet.

I still didn't know why I was going with the team. It was stupid.

I pulled into the driveway and parked my car near Hayden's. I took a minute to gather my wits and wipe my face clean of any emotion before I got out.

Katja opened the front door seconds later like she was waiting near it. My stomach plummeted. Kova’s guilt was rubbing off on me. I was insanely paranoid just looking at her face.

"Adrianna," she greeted, annoyingly drawing out the N’s in my name. She appeared utterly clueless with her megawatt smile on full blast, and while that was great and all, I couldn't help feeling like a horrible human being.

There was a black throne in hell with my name on it.

"You can put your bag here and go into the kitchen." She pointed to a cluster of bags near the door as I stepped inside. "You remember where it is, yes?"

"Yes."

She shut the door behind me. "Would you like some coffee?"

"I never say no to coffee."

Her face lit up and she clasped her hands in front of her stomach. "I offered the other girls coffee but they do not like it. I did not know what to say to that."

I laughed and the knot in my stomach eased a bit. "My mom got me hooked on it to help curb my appetite. I hated it at first sip, but once I found the right flavor, there was no going back."