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Focusing on his eyes, I did as he instructed. He kept his word and eased up, but not as much as I would’ve liked.
“Inhale, exhale, Adrianna. Stop breathing like you are running for the first time in your life. You are not a fish out of water. It is not that bad.”
A burst of laughter came out of me. My eyes widened and I flattened my lips between my teeth so I wouldn’t laugh again, or smile, which only made it worse. Between his odd comments and heavy Russian accent, I couldn’t help but want to imitate him. Not to be mean, but because it sounded funny.
“I’m sorry for laughing,” I said, covering my mouth. “I don’t know why I found that funny.”
Just when I thought he was going to scold me for my outburst, Kova’s face relaxed and a flash of humor settled in his eyes. Shaking his head, there was a faint grin on his face.
“If you keep that kind of breathing up, it will only work against you in the future.”
“How do you feel now?”
Standing, I lifted my knee and pulled my leg up in a half circle in front of my hips. “I don’t know, I think I can tell my range is broader. My hips feel more open, if that makes sense.” And they did feel a bit looser, which was nice.
He nodded. “Good. That is what I want you to feel. Now go get ready for practice, I will see you over there.”
Kova patted my shoulder and then left. I quickly gathered my things and made my way to the locker room where I found Hayden.
“How’d it go?” he asked from the other side of the room.
“As good as it could possibly go, I guess. His methods are a little strange. ”
“What do you mean?”
“With his drills and stretches. He does things I’ve never seen or heard of in my life.”
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sp; Hayden smiled, his dimples showing as he looked in his duffle bag. “But he knows his shit.” Shutting his locker, he walked over to my side. “You want to go to Starbucks after practice? Grab a coffee? ”
I pursed my lips together. “My, Hayden Moore, I hardly know you. Are you asking me on a date?” I said in a heightened, sarcastic, southern belle voice. “‘Cause you know Mr. World Cup himself says that’s not allowed.”
Hayden cracked his knuckles as a smile slid across his face. He was pretty cute. “How about you buy your own coffee. That way it won’t come off as a date, because believe me, it’s not.”
I shut my locker door and turned toward him. “Sounds like a plan.”
“IS WORLD CUP everything you thought it’d be?” Hayden asked. It was early, only five in the afternoon, and we were finished with practice.
We grabbed our coffees, plus a sandwich for him, and made our way outside to one of the tables. I’d called Alfred and let him know I was going to get coffee with my new friend and that he would give me a ride home.
I chuckled, unsure how to answer his question. “Hard to say, it’s only been a few weeks. Ask me again in six months.”
Sitting down, he unwrapped his food and I could smell the delectable scent. My stomach grumbled. I was starving, but I also needed to watch my weight.
“Want half?” he asked.
I gave him a droll stare. “You know I can’t have that.”
“Sucks to be you,” he said playfully, popping a piece into his mouth.
Cupping my venti coffee, I took a sip of the dark roast I’d come to love. With just a splash of coconut milk, I was good to go.
“I’m curious,” he said swallowing. “How did you find out about World Cup?”
My eyes shot to the table. “My dad’s friends with Coach and gave him a call. They do business together sometimes.”
“Ah, that makes sense. So, honestly, what’d you think of Kova?”
