Dismount (Off Balance 5)

"Like a wreck, honestly. Horrible. He looked like he hadn't slept in days."

"He probably hadn’t."

I told Avery about Kova and how it'd been preparing for the meet without him. I told her I felt as bad as he looked. She made a comment, concerned about how much time I spent thinking about him. I reminded her a gymnast needed her coach. The coach was the only person who understood an athlete's mind and where it goes during competition.

I didn't deny my attachment, I loved him, but I hoped she didn't confuse it for anything more than what it was. When the coach becomes all you know for nearly fifty hours a week times three hundred and sixty-five days a year, a connection is formed that's nearly impossible to break. He knows me better than anyone in the world.

"I'm seeing Kova tonight, but I kind of feel bad because of how much my dad is putting aside for him to be here."

Avery made a sound under her breath like she agreed. "I'm assuming he'll be back at practice. You could always talk then. I wouldn't risk it right now. It's not worth it, and tomorrow is a big day for you. Do you have an alibi in case anyone comes by your room and you're MIA?"

I chuckled. I hadn't thought of needing an alibi, but aside from that, Avery made a good point. I didn't want to risk anything. Even though Dad was putting everything to the side at the moment, it didn’t mean I wasn’t on thin ice with him. One wrong move and I knew he would take this away from me. I had to decide if it was worth risking everything I loved for him.

There was a light knock on the door. My brows drew together as I stood up from the small chair facing the window. No way would Kova blatantly come to my room like that, not when there were eyes and ears everywhere right now on the floor where all the gymnasts stayed together.

"Someone's at the door," I whispered into the phone. "Let me grab this and we'll talk tomorrow."

"Text me ASAP! I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting. Good luck! Love you!"

After thanking her, we hung up. I placed my cell down on the dresser then walked to the door to look through the peep hole. I was surprised to see Sophia standing on the other side.

When Dad had told me she wanted to come to the competition but wanted to make sure I was okay with it first, I'd been both stunned and secretly elated. It was nice to be supported by a mother who wanted to be there. I had to remind Dad this was a huge competition and they would likely be captured on camera in between rotations since I was competing. I thought he might be concerned to be seen with someone other than Joy. He insisted he wasn’t and that I shouldn't be either.

"Hey," I said when I opened the door.

She gave me a hesitant smile. "Hi. Do you mind if I come in?"

"Not at all." I shook my head, happy to see her.

I stepped aside and opened the door wider for her to enter, then shut it behind her and gestured to the little round table by the window.

She took a seat, placing an item wrapped in brown paper she brought with her on her lap. I took the opposite chair and regarded her. It was strange looking at someone who looked eerily similar to me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Aside from the fact I'm competing on less than half my kidney function and with a gimpy arm, and I'm dead tired, I'm honestly fine for the most part. I have a headache right now, and I'm feeling stiff since everything is settling for the night, but nothing new there."

I scratched the side of my head anxiously, wondering if there was a reason why she was here. A piece of hair got stuck around my fingernail when I pulled my hand away. I glanced down. There'd been so much hair surrounding the drain when I took a shower after I'd gotten back to the hotel room. I’d tried not to read too much into it. I lost hair all the time, but this time there had been clumps. I hadn't lost clumps before.

"I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to come here with you. It was incredible to be able to watch you. I’ve followed you over the years, and Frank always gave me updates, but witnessing it in person is something I can't begin to explain. You made it look so easy."

My eyes softened. I took that as a compliment. "I'm glad you're here. It's nice to have someone besides Dad who's supportive and actually wants to be part of this."

"I know things are probably a little strange right now with me suddenly in your life. If it's something you don't want, please just let me know. Frank insists you'll be okay with it, but I had to say it myself." One side of her mouth tugged up into a half smile. "I don't want to step on any toes or give unsolicited advice. That's the last thing I'd want. I'll do anything at your pace to be in your life."

There was no way to explain how much that meant to me. Every girl needed a mom, and the only one I’d ever known never wanted me. I didn't want to yell and scream "Yes, please, be in my life," but it was exactly how I felt.

"It was a shock at first." I laughed lightly. "I had no idea you guys were even talking, let alone seeing each other." I paused. "I kind of wished I'd known sooner, but then again, I guess things happen for a reason… I never would've guessed I had someone else out there." I began to ramble and needed a quick subject change. "So, why did you stop by? Something you wanted to talk about?"

Whatever it was, it had to be very important for her to sneak over here to talk to me. I wasn't supposed to have family in my room or talk to them before a competition.

Sophia sat up straighter. She had a small frame like I did and looked petite in the chair. She placed the wrapped item on the table and passed it to me.

My brows angled toward each other. "A gift?" I glanced up to meet her eyes. "You brought me a gift?"

"Yes. It's not much. It’s something I was given once and it helped me find my way. Go ahead and open it. I thought you may be able to use it."

I peeled back the brown craft paper to reveal a book. Holding the glossy cover, I flipped it open and glanced down the front, reading over the blurb.