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"You know, if you weren't such a bitch, maybe I would've invited you too." Her back straightened and I kept going. "Maybe not."
I completed one more tumbling pass before it was time to begin the next phase: seven hours of back breaking practice.
* * *
"Why are you making me go to the meet with you?" I asked, lying down on a therapy table in the back room. Today kicked my ass. I was past the brink of exhaustion. "I know what happens at them, I've been to plenty."
"You kissed Hayden." He seethed. Kova's mood took a drastic turn. We hadn't spoken about what happened at the New Year’s Eve party.
Kova walked over and lifted my ankle. Pressing my knee down to my chest with his hand on my upper thigh, he got close to my face. Déjà vu hit, and I catapulted back to when we first started private lessons and how our relationship began. I grunted, feeling a pull in my hip. Only his touch could push my body to the extreme.
"First you pull me from the meet because of Hayden, then you tell me it's actually because of you and the ravenous desire you have for me, now you're making me go because of him? You make no sense, Kova. None at all. You're more frustrating to figure out than a female."
Kova pulled back, a smirk tipping his lips. "Ravenous desire? No."
"Then what is it?"
He shrugged. "I want you to see it through my eyes. What you are up against. I thought it would be a good idea, truthfully."
"But I know what I'm up against," I retorted. It seemed pointless to go to the meet.
"Have you ever been just a spectator and not a competitor?"
I shook my head. "No, I actually haven't."
He dipped his chin and pressed deeper into me. His fingers gripped me with strength and professionalism.
"I want you to sit with me and listen to what I have to say. Listen to my critique." His inflection caused certain words to have more emphasis. "Watch the other athletes around you, focus on them. Remember, Ria, they are going to have the advantage of being much younger than you and with a lot more vigor. You are talented, and while I have faith in you, you need to see firsthand what you are up against."
Kova switched legs and my heart crumpled a little. I didn't like this idea. It felt a little like torment and taunting at what I should've had but had viciously been ripped from me. I should've been competing at this meet, but thanks to Kova and his asinine decision, I was forced to withdrawal.
"Breathe deep from in here," he placed a flat hand on my stomach and I jumped. Kova took a long, deep breath, his chest barely rising, and inhaled through his nose. I mimicked him, my eyes locked with his.
"Good. Now up," he ordered and gestured to the floor mat. "On your back. Hands by your side."
"Words I'm sure you love saying."
I slapped my mouth. The sarcasm flew from my lips without thought. I squeezed my eyes shut. Controlling my mouth around this man was my greatest challenge.
The corners of his mouth curled in an amusing smile. "Just because you and I have had a…liaison, I will let that one slide. But no more. Focus, Ria. Focus."
My jaw slackened, I gave him a droll stare. "A liaison? Good God, Kova, you need to take an English class and expand your vocabulary."
"When would you expect me to do that?" he asked. "Hmm? At midnight once I finish my office work? My free hours are spent working on your weaknesses and I am not even being compensated for it."
"You make me sound like a charity case."
"You are," he clipped, looking deep in my eyes. Talk about a punch to the gut. "That is exactly what you are. I am going out of my way to help and improve you, but only because I believe in you."
I glanced away. "That was cruel, Kova," I said quietly, laying on my back.
He was completely unaware of how hurtful his words could be. They crushed my heart, and while I knew it was his way of giving constructive criticism, they still caused damage in the end.
"You eat up my extra time. There is no room for anything else right now, especially since it is meet season."
I ignored that little jab and tried not to grind my teeth. "See, 'eat up' doesn't sound right."
"It does not matter to me, it is not relevant right now." Kova shook his head and dropped to his knees.
