Page 70 of Ruck Me Harder

My feet crash into the padded mat and I use every muscle within me to keep my balance. It takes everything I have, but with only the smallest step, I manage to stay on my feet.

I did it. I landed the vault.

Blood rushes through my veins and I hear the cheers of the crowd. The noise hits me like a punch to the face. Before, I was able to block it out and focus. Now, it’s all I can hear.

“Great job, man,” Brody says, giving me a fist bump as I rejoin the team.

“Good one,” Tommy adds in with a bump of his own.

“Thanks.”

I cut the tape off my wrists as we watch Dylan do his vault.

When my score comes up, Coach Ross claps me on the back. “Good job,” he says, pride in his voice.

Gymnastics scores consist of two numbers: difficulty and execution. Execution counts down from a ten, whereas difficulty is open-ended. In the current code of points, it’s one of the most difficult, but because of that, it’s awarded one of the highest starting values.

My score is currently second in the competition. Out of twenty-four teams and five gymnasts apiece, I’m second.

Fuck. I’ll take that.

Shaking out my wrists, I try to breathe and bleed off the adrenaline coursing through my system.

And that’s when I spot her in the crowd.

Vivienne.

She’s holding a poster board sign that says stick the landing and I’ll nail you and has a smile stretching from ear to ear. She’s here.

All of my aches and pains fade away. All the noise dims.

She’s here. She flew halfway around the world to be here. For me.

My sister is standing beside her, but I barely register her presence.

“You can’t be here,” the security guard barks, holding them back. “The floor is for athletes only.”

Grabbing a folding chair from our team’s section, I drag it over to the barricade, then hop up. We’re almost level now.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi.” She bites her lip. “I hope it’s okay I’m here.”

My mouth goes dry. “Very okay.”

“I missed you,” she says quietly.

My heart gives a painful thump.

“I love you.”

Her eyes go wide. “What?”

“I love you,” I repeat. “I’m so fucking glad that you’re here.”

Reaching for her, I pull her as close as I can before I kiss her. I’m perched precariously on the edge of the chair, my weight balanced on the barricade. If I fall and break my leg, so be it. It’ll be worth it for this moment.

Viv kisses me back, her arms winding around my neck.