Dismount (Off Balance 5)

"I'm so proud of you. This is by far the best day of my life. Well, the best day since you and your brother were born."

Giggling, I glanced to my right and caught sight of Sophia. She wore a bittersweet expression that made my heart hurt a little. I stepped onto the next chair and reached for her. She embraced me immediately and I felt the same thing with her as I did when I hugged my dad. Her back was vibrating with feelings.

"Congratulations, Adrianna," she said ever so softly. "I'm sorry for crying," she said, and I laughed lightly.

"It's okay. Thank you," I said in return, smiling sweetly.

I used the back of my hand to wipe under my eyes. I was sure my mascara was leaking everywhere but I didn't really care. Sophia straightened her back while Dad stepped closer to her side. He wrapped an arm around her petite shoulders, pulling her to him. She went willingly. I watched with a gentle smile as they looked at each other like honored parents. Their eyes glistened and my heart felt the longing between them. Sophia closed her eyes as Dad leaned in to kiss her temple. It was so sweet that I stared at them, unable to look away.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Madeline walk over to us and speak to Kova. Behind her, the confetti still floated like something out of a fairy tale. Kova stepped back and gave Madeline a deep nod, then turned to me. She strode away with a clipboard secured to her side.

"We have to go. You are required to take team photos and do an interview with the news station."

I glanced at Dad and Sophia. "I have to go—"

"Go," he said with a nod of his chin. "We'll see you guys for dinner tonight."

I was momentarily caught off guard. Dad answered my questioning gaze.

His eyes glistened with love despite everything. "Dinner with you and your coaches. Both of them."

My nostrils flared as I fought to keep the tears at bay. Flattening my lips, my jaw trembled as my vision blurred. I was overcome with heartfelt gratitude. He didn't have to do that. Dad was extending an olive branch and I respected the hell out of him for that. My heart was pounding so hard. I was relieved this wasn't as tense as I thought it might be. I gave Dad one last goodbye hug, then I climbed down from the chair and turned around and met Kova's emotive gaze.

"Adrianna will be back later," Kova said to Dad.

My eyes widened. That caught me by surprise. I hadn't seen them exchange more than two words since we flew here.

"She has obligations for the team that must be met before she leaves tomorrow," Kova added.

Dad's expression gave nothing away. I knew it wasn't easy for him to speak to Kova, let alone look at him, but he was, and he was doing it for me.

Agreeing, Dad smiled and applauded me one last time.

"Let us go."

Kova opened his palm up to me and I took it without another thought. We walked through the flurry of confetti together toward the double doors with smiles etched on our faces.

There was no turmoil, no heartache, no secrets.

It was just us, together, living my dream.

Twenty-Two

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The interview ended up being a lot of fun.

We giggled and smiled the entire time. Our coaches watched nearby but they spoke amongst themselves. I was sure none of us even made sense half the time when we responded to the questions, but the reporters went along with it anyway. There was a blanket of euphoria in the air. Nothing could ruin the biggest moment in the world for me.

Once we were finished, we were ushered into a room for hair and makeup and given new matching leotards. A photographer came in and we were staged and prepped, taking what had to be hundreds of team pictures to use for promo. We tried acting serious and tough, but we were really laughing and giggling the whole time.

There were butterflies in my stomach. My heart was filled with so much joy that I couldn't stop smiling. Happiness was an understatement and I was sure anyone could see that within a five-mile radius. I wasn't the only one who felt this way either. Each of us wore matching expressions and had shaky fingers. We shined and glowed and laughed like we'd been best friends since we were toddlers.

This was, without a doubt, the best day of my life. I never wanted it to end.

Now I was back in my hotel room repacking my belongings to drop them off in Dad's suite before dinner. I still couldn't get over the fact that my dad was going to have dinner with both of my coaches. He was doing it for me, but I was curious to see how he'd be able to sit there without wanting to strangle Kova.

My cell phone rang, and I smiled to myself and quickly zipped up my bag. I walked to the dresser where my phone was charging. I assumed it was Avery, but when I picked up my phone, I saw a name I hadn't seen in a really long time.