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"Thanks, Dad." He pulled back and wore a huge smile. "You know, it's kind of funny that I rarely see you in Florida, yet you fly to Scotland to watch me?"
"This is a big moment. Of course I had to be here and I'm so glad I was. How many medals did you walk away with?"
I smiled bigger, still shocked I’d won even one medal despite everything. "Four. Three gold and one bronze." Naturally the bronze was in beam, but I didn't care. At this point in my life, any medal was better than no medal at all.
Kova walked up to us and placed a cup in front of me. "Coffee," was all he said, and I took it, smiling up at him, so thankful he’d remembered. I sipped it immediately and sighed.
"Konstantin."
I paused mid-sip at the enunciation of his name. I thought I caught a stiffness in my dad’s tone.
"Frank. It is good to see you, my friend."
"Likewise."
"Adrianna did magnificent today," Kova said proudly. He was positively beaming, and for a second, I wondered if this was what Holly had been talking about.
"She did. I'm very proud."
"A few university coaches pulled me aside to ask about her future, if she had plans to compete in college. I was not sure if you guys had spoken about that or not."
My eyes widened in excitement. "Really? Who?"
He glanced down. "I cannot say, but there is interest. Do you remember when we talked about prizes and I did not recommend accepting them?" he asked, and I nodded, gripping my cup. The heat felt good in my hand. "If you had accepted, I would not have been approached and there would be no interest."
"Is there interest from anyone I should be concerned about?" Dad asked stiffly. His eyes were fixated on Kova like he was trying to get a psychic reading on him. All three of us stood in awkward silence for a moment.
"Well, I was not going to say anything just yet, but I did overhear the committee speaking and Adrianna's name was mentioned."
Now, I knew this was a lie. He wouldn't have heard them talking freely, because it never would have happened. The committee was very private and spoke behind closed doors, not out in the public. Kova was trying to cover up and brush off Dad's question like he was totally oblivious. I knew instantly to play along.
I gasped obnoxiously loud and bounced on my toes. "No way! You heard my name?" I said, and Kova nodded. I looked at my dad to gauge hi
s reaction. "Dad! This is so exciting! I wish Xavier was here with us now," I said eagerly then leaned into his side for a half hug.
He wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me tight to him in an overprotective manner. My heart thumped against my ribs so hard it was beginning to feel painful.
Clearing his throat, Dad said, "This is fantastic news. Thank you, Konstantin. If it is okay with you, I'd like to have dinner with my daughter. I won't keep her late. I know she has to compete again tomorrow. In fact, after dinner when Adrianna goes back to her room, you can stop by for a drink."
I almost choked on my coffee. That was no invitation, but a demand. Kova had to be dense to miss it.
"Of course," Kova said with a pleasant smile on his face. "I look forward to catching up with you. We have a lot to speak about. I would like to know where you stand about college for her so I can be prepared when I am asked again."
My chest couldn’t take anymore tension. I jumped in. "Dad, if we're going to dinner, let's get going. I'm frozen and I haven't eaten all day."
Kova stopped me. "Why have you not eaten?" he asked, looking at me with apprehension.
"I can't train, let alone compete on a full stomach. It has to be completely empty."
"You did not eat one thing today?" Kova glanced at his watch then at Frank before he looked at me again. "We have been here for seven hours, not counting the time since you woke up, and you had nothing at all?"
"No. Just a little water this morning."
Now that I thought about it, the medicine was probably what messed with my stomach this morning and why I felt so nauseous. Some of the pills were supposed to be taken with food and they hadn't been.
"That is very dangerous, Adrianna. That is why you had a headache all day. You need to eat something before you step foot on the floor tomorrow."
"You had a headache?" Dad added, his voice panic-stricken. Color drained from his face. "What else? Anything else bothering you?"
