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I grimaced, fighting an eye roll. "Great. Sounds like loads of fun."
Kova looked up at me. "This is not your first rodeo, remember? You can do this."
A chuckle escaped my lips, I couldn't help it. Hearing Kova use my line was amusing since it came out of his Russian mouth so stiffly. Like he was testing out the word.
"What?" A soft smile tugged at his lips and I hated that it affected me. "Did I say it wrong?"
"No, it just sounds funny coming from you."
Kova stood and placed the paper down before making his way around the desk to stand in front of me. He dropped his hips to the top and leaned over. He clasped his hands in front of him and his voice dropped as he said, "We will get through this, I promise. It is bad, but it could have been worse. The only good thing you have working in your favor right now is that you do not have to train for anything new, we will just go a tad lighter."
"I don't want that," I shot back quickly. I knew he was going to say that by the look in his eyes. Kova cocked his head to the side and took me in. My heart raced as my emotions jumped all around like fraying sparks. I stood up and stepped to him so we were eye to eye.
"I'm not doing this song and dance with you again, Kova. I'm so close to getting what I want. I can taste it. I need to go hard and I'm going to do whatever it takes, so don't expect me to go light on myself. The moment is now." I swallowed hard, fighting the tears threatening to climb. "I only have right now," I said softly. "The time is now."
Kova’s face remained neutral. "I am trying to do the right thing for you. I want to push and make you work through the injury and pain and swelling and act like it is not even there, make you get up and brush it off any time I see you limp." He lifted his hand and brushed back a strand of hair and cupped it behind my ear. His voice lowered to a cracked whisper. "But I do not want to do that because I care about you, and if you injure yourself further, it would be catastrophic, for both of us." His eyes dropped to my mouth. "It is hard to fight you on wanting something so bad. I feel what you are feeling, that hunger inside of you that is never satisfied?" His eyes were soft when they met mine again. "I get it. You are so close yet so far that if you let go, even for a split second, you will feel like it is gone forever."
I nodded hastily, taking joy in the fact that he truly understood where I was coming from. I tried not to smile from ear to ear. This is why we clicked so well. He more than anyone understood my drive and determination. The need to succeed in the sport, not just because I wanted to be on top, but because I hungered for it, craved it.
"I was in your spot once," Kova continued. "I understand what you are dealing with. What we will do is hone in on tightening up a few things and some conditioning. No tumbling passes for now, or vault. Let us get you started on the treatment first so your Achilles can begin to heal as much as possible. You are there, Ria, your routines are solid." Kova paused. "You are there." Kova grabbed my biceps and gave me a little shake. My legs trembled, nearly giving out at finally hearing the words I’d prayed to hear since coming to World Cup. "Coming in first place at the meet was huge. All eyes are on you right now. And you know how I know that? Because I have already gotten call after call wondering about who you are and where you came from. Make no mistake, those little tears are extremely dangerous. We will be smart about it, but we are not stopping."
"You got calls about me?"
He nodded his head, hiding a grin.
"What did they say?" I asked excitedly.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with right now."
"Kova! Tell me!" I teetered on my toes anxiously. "Just give me something!"
"Just some colleagues asking about which meets you will be at. They were impressed with you and said they hoped to see you at nationals."
My eyes went wide. Nationals were meets I had to qualify for, and the most important ones. I had to be one of the top eight in my age division. No easy feat by any measure, but it still made me happy and gave me a ton of hope. A stupid grin split across my face. Nationals? I couldn't even imagine. I mean, I could, but for his friends to call about me and make that comment was exhilarating.
"You know nationals is where the college coaches go to recruit," he stated.
"No, I didn't know that."
"Not to worry. We have a little time before that." He put a hand up before I could say another word. "I know college isn't on your mind, but I still want you to be well-informed of all your opportunities as much as you can."
Without thinking, I threw my arms around his shoulders and dropped my face into the curve of his neck. His words filled my heart as I leaned in between his hips. Kova wrapped his arms around my lower back and held me snuggly to him. He sighed into my neck. His confidence in me filled me to epic proportions. I needed that, needed to feel like I could do anything, and that he had my back.
Tears poured from my eyes as I cried and thanked him repeatedly. His words were music to my ears. I was petrified and angry when I walked in here today, ready to go toe-to-toe. I feared this meeting would be déjà vu all over again and he’d tell me we'd have to downgrade my skills. But he surprised me in many ways. I had no idea anyone had taken interest in me since the competition.
Kova's hand ran in soothing circles on my back. He leaned his face against the side of my head and murmured, "You got this, Ria. Focus but be smart. I will be right there with you every step of the way." He gave me a little squeeze and dropped a soft peck to my temple. My body warmed and I began to catch my breath when I heard the door creak.
I froze, my heart stopped, and I sucked in a breath as Kova's hand stopped moving. His body hardened against mine and before we could move, the door flew open.
"What…what is going on here?"
I looked over my shoulder and met Katja’s vivid golden and peridot eyes. Fuck.
Kova pulled back. One of his hands slid to my hip and his thumb ran in small circles on my pelvis, only for me to feel and no one to see.
Katja’s eyes shifted rapidly from me to Kova, the accusation in her gaze strong enough to render me speechless. Oh God.
"Katja, what are you doing here?" Kova asked as he stood and put a little distance between us.
