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twenty-two
Callie
It sucked saying goodbye to Aviva, Nico, and Vance, but I’m thankful they were able to come. Not only did Aviva hire Jaylin to get the ball rolling on my adoption, but Nico is now trying to figure out if he wants to build a building or buy one for the facility I want to open.
I’m excited to spend winter break at home and get everything going. I have a lot of ideas, and I know Nico is thinking about a lot too, which, I assume, is why he was quiet when he left. Add in the fact that I fell on beam, and I’m sure he sensed my frustration. I hate falling. Thankfully, it was only an exhibition meet since our real season doesn’t start until after break. Still, it was nice to know we have the potential to win. We’ve just got to clean some stuff up.
It was incredible to have such a full house from our peers. With the Summer Olympics having just happened, gymnastics is the shiny sport right now, which is good for our program. The more involvement, the better in the long run. The Olympics brings people to us, but we keep them with our talent, is what Coach says. The team is also involved in so much on campus, and we all talk about our program nonstop, so everyone knew about our meet tonight. Still, it was a surprise, and I’m excited by the turnout. I just wish I hadn’t fallen on beam, of all things. Especially in front of Evan. Not that I think he thought I sucked. If anything, I could see the concern on his face.
He’s so sweet.
I’m a little embarrassed by how fast I ate. But one, I was starving, and two, I was ready to go with Evan. I hate lying to my teammates and telling them I’m meeting my family, but as I get into Evan’s car, I can’t feel too bad. I’m excited to see him, though his face shows annoyance.
“You didn’t let me open your door.”
I grin. “Be faster,” I tease, and he smirks back at me.
He takes off out of the parking lot, and I’m giddy, almost to the point of giggling. We chitchat about the meet and how well it went. Neither of us brings up beam, and I’m thankful for that. I think that’s why I’ve always seen myself with a fellow athlete; they get it when things don’t go well. They understand the disappointment and the frustration of not meeting the expectations you set for yourself. It’s really nice and is part of why it’s so easy for me to understand his struggles.
“I didn’t know that my family rode back with Owen on your family’s plane,” I say, tucking my hands under my butt.
“That’s what Owen told me last night. I’m glad. I’m sure they were comfortable,” he says, but I feel like he tensed up a bit. Maybe I’m overthinking that. Yet I can see the tic in his jaw.
“You okay?” I ask, and he looks over at me and nods.
“Of course.”
I send him a smile, and he takes my hand in his, kissing my palm. We lace our fingers together before he lays our hands on his thigh. When we turn down a dark dirt road, I perk my brow. “You taking me out here to kill me?”
He scoffs. “Are you into true crime?”
“Duh, isn’t everyone?”
He laughs. “Absolutely not, because some of us like to sleep.”
“I sleep great,” I say simply, and his face is so bright with laughter. “Where are we going?”
“My aunt owns a barn out here. My sister got married there, and I love it, wanted to show it off.”
“Cool.” I’m excited. It’s super dark and super rural out here. Trees are everywhere, but then we come to a clearing that has a huge, rustic barn. It’s hard to see because of how dark it is, but when the headlights hit it, I’m in awe. Along the side of the barn, a pair of names is painted in big white letters. “Grace and James?”
“My aunt and late uncle. He bought her all this when they first got together, and she’s turned it into a wedding venue.”
“Wow,” I whisper as we head around the barn and then down another dirt path. When we come to a dock over a huge lake, my mouth drops open. “She owns all this?”
“Yeah. It’s pretty awesome,” he says, parking and shutting off the car. “Stay here for a second.”
I nod as he gets out and holds up his phone with its flashlight on. He goes over to a box and then does something, at which point the whole dock is illuminated by string lights. “Oh my goodness,” I mutter as he shuts the box and then heads back to the car. Instead of getting in, as I assumed, he opens the back and grabs something before coming to open my door.
“I wasn’t slow that time,” he says, and I get out, grinning.
“Well, you did tell me to stay there.”
He flashes me a grin, and together we walk toward the end of the dock. It’s loud with the sounds of nature, bugs and frogs singing in the air. It’s a little chilly, but I can see the blankets he’s brought. He lays one out and squats down to turn the knob on a box.
“I brought a bug zapper,” he says when I give him a weird look. “I don’t like bugs.”
“Me either,” I agree as I lower myself down to the blanket and tuck my hands in my hoodie. He wraps a blanket around me and then scoots beside me, wrapping the blanket around himself. He puts another one over our legs and sighs.
“This is awesome,” I tell him, and he nods.
“It’s a great, clear night, even if it’s a little chilly.”
“Eh, it’s not bad when I’ve got you to cuddle with,” I say, waggling my brows at him. His laughter dances with the frogs’ ribbits before he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in closer. We lean back into the extra blankets he’s laid down and cuddle close to each other. We lie on our sides, and our eyes meet ever so perfectly. I reach out, running my fingers along his jaw to his neck before just holding him loosely. He tightens one hand at my waist, while his other hand plays in my hair. I can feel his bicep flex beneath my head as I gaze at him. I enjoy being so close to him.
“You did great tonight, Cal.”
Our legs tangle together as I sigh softly. “Thanks. I’m excited for the season to start.”
“It’s gonna be killer.”
“I just hope everyone who goes home trains like they’re supposed to.”
“Are you going home?” he asks, and I nod.
