——
The Northeast Regional competition involved all the usual skates, and Adonis did an excellent job in his. When it came time to announce him, the announcers lingered on the fact that he would be representing their country in the Olympics. They should all be cheering for him seemed to be their message. He had transcended being a student at Bellford. Now he was anAmerican.
Adonis had never been one for overt displays of patriotism, but like many people, he made an exception for the Olympics and was proud of the chance to represent his country.
The other skaters didn’t seem to think of it the same way, and he was the recipient of more than a few dirty looks from his fellow competitors. He didn’t blame them. Some of the guys had been up against him for spots on Team USA.
He wondered how close any of them had gotten to the Olympics. Had he taken a spot from one of them?
He tried not to think about that. He had to focus on doing his best in the competition.
And he did.
When it came time for the results, he expected to get first. He’d scored well overall, especially in his short program, though he’d lost a few points again in his free skate. As with most previous competitions, the feedback had been about his control (too controlled, not free enough).
He placed second and took his place on the podium with a small amount of surprise, though he was still proud of himself.
Second, however, was not good enough for Anamária and Damien, especially Damien.
He found Adonis after the podium. He was red-faced and looked like he could spit. “Second place?” he cried. “What thefuckis that?”
Adonis took an involuntary step back, surprised by the sudden aggression. “I did well,” he said in his defense. “I was barely in second. Except for a few points in my free program, I would be in first.”
They were outside the locker rooms, with other skaters and their coaches nearby. Damien didn’t seem concerned about raising any eyebrows. “You should’ve gotten first,” he continued. “We’ve been over your free program again and again. What aren’t you getting?” He leaned closer. “I’ve done all of this work to get you ready for the Olympics, and you can’t get first in aregional college conference?” He shook his head. “You have to do better, Adonis.”
Adonis squared his shoulders. “I’m doing the best I can,” he said. “If you have any actual coaching comments, let’s hear them. But you don’t need to bully me.”
Damien scoffed. “Bully you? Please.”
“Everything okay?” Anamária approached from down the hallway, a curious expression on her face. Adonis wondered how much she’d overheard of their loud exchange, if anything.
“I was just congratulating Adonis on his placement,” Damien said tightly, clapping Adonis on the shoulder. He cut Adonis a glance that clearly challenged him to deny what Damien had claimed.
“Yeah,” Adonis said, “and then he was leaving.”
Damien stalked off.
Anamária squinted. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” Adonis said. He didn’t want to discuss Damien with his mother. She’d made it clear that she thought Adonis needed him.
“You’ve seemed distracted,” Anamária pressed. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you want to talk about?”
Law school, the Olympics, Bash. There was a list of things he mightneedto talk about. But he didn’twantto talk about them.
“I’m sure.”
Anamária hesitated. “I know that I might sometimes act more like your coach and manager than your mother, but I was your mother before I was either of those other things. I love you, and I’m here for you.”
The unexpected words threatened to make tears well in Adonis’s eyes. He refused to let them. It had been a long weekend at the competition, and he just wanted to get home.
“I love you, too,” he said. “I’m just tired and want to go home.”
——
Home meant Bash. When the charter bus dropped the team off at Bellford, Adonis said goodbye to his teammates and went straight to Bash’s apartment, instead of to his own.
He didn’t think about the conversation with Clarisse. Rather, hetriednot to think about it. There were too many confusing thoughts that would appear if he thought about it.
