Execution (Off Balance 2)

"I see your point, but with coaching you in the nature that I am, it brings more responsibility on both our parts. For you not to properly take care of yourself afterward physically hurts me. You will cause more damage to your body in the end. Let me help."

When I didn’t immediately answer, he dropped his head and rubbed the scruff on his jaw.

I released a sigh of frustration, then tapped the underside of his bicep. I put my hand out when he looked up. He didn’t hesitate, he took my hand and stood, helping me up in the process.

"Would you like for me to turn around as you get in?"

I stared at the ice cubes sloshing back and forth. "I’m not taking my clothes off, so no, you don't have to."

I sat on the side of the tub and dipped my toes into the frigid water. A chill zipped up my spine. I pulled them out and huffed out a breath. I couldn't go slow, so I took a deep breath and braced myself. Squeezing Kova's hands, I counted to three, then I placed both feet in and sank down. I yelled out, gasping as the water came up to my neck and slipped over the ledge. A shiver tore through me and my teeth began chattering instantly. The urge to pee hit hard.

"Jesus H Christ! I hate this!"

Kova sat on the toilet lid and placed his elbows on his knees. He swiveled my way. "It is a little price we have to pay that will go a long way. Trust me."

I scowled at him. "Easy for you to say. You're not sitting in negative temperatures right now."

"Do not exaggerate. That is roughly ten degrees."

"Same shit, Kova," I spat. "How long do I need to be in here for?"

He glanced down at his watch. "I would say fifteen minutes will do just fine."

My eyes popped wide. I made it to eight minutes with Hayden. There was no way I would last that long. Fuck my life.

"While you are in there," he said, clasping his hands together, "I think now is a good time to talk to you about your future in gymnastics outside of the Olympics."

My eyebrows bunched together. "My future outside the Olympics? You already know what I want, Kova. I don't understand."

"Have you considered college yet?"

I pursed my lips together and pulled up my knees. My nipples were aching. "Well, no. I still have a few years ahead of me before that."

"Not necessarily. It is important you know your options. Have your parents not discussed this with you? You can continue your education as well as gymnastics."

"No." My lips were turning numb. "My mom thinks this is just a hobby to pass time. And my dad is wrapped up in his business. Neither of them have brought up college."

He observed me quietly for a moment. "Your brother is in college, yes? How did that happen?"

"Yes, but no one talked to him about it, not that I can remember anyway. He's at the University of Florida. He basically went where his

friends went."

Kova's forehead puckered and his mouth set in a hard line. "This is important for your career and something you should be aware of. Say you make a splash in the gym world and people start to recognize you. You make it to the World Championships or another international event and you place on the podium. From time to time, you will have the option to accept award money or endorsements. It is not a whole lot, but if you accept either one, you forfeit your eligibility to compete in college." He angled his body toward me. "It means you are going pro. But what happens if you go pro, and then, God forbid, you are injured before or after the Olympics? Your career as an Olympian is pretty much over; however, if you do not go pro, your career as a collegiate gymnast is not. I want you to be aware of that."

"But I want to go pro, Kova. I want to reach the highest level of this sport. I'm confused. I thought you understood that."

He shook his head. "You are misunderstanding me. I know what you want completely. I know it is to go to the Olympics, I just want you to think about college gymnastics too. You can still compete in college and go to the Olympics at the same time. It is accepting the prizes and endorsements that will change everything. Taking money means no collegiate gymnastics. Ever."

"So you are saying not to take prize money," I confirmed.

"I would never tell you what to do or what direction to take. I just want you to be informed."

Kova's cell phone rang and he slipped it out of his pocket. A slight sneer pulled at his mouth before he declined the call and put it back. It had to be Katja.

I looked at the chunks of ice in front of me and mused over what Kova said, thankful he was taking the time to explain this. I'd forgotten I was in the tub while having this discussion, and the moment I looked down at the water a shiver ripped through me. I squeezed my toes. I wasn't aware of this caveat in the sport. My head was as misty as the frosty air elevating around me. If I accepted a prize, I couldn't compete in college…

But the real question was, did I want to compete in college? I'd never given it a thought until now.