14.9
4.Jaime Pederson
14.7
5.Chelsea Cameron
13.1
It’s so rare to see my name above hers in any capacity that I let myself enjoy it for maybe a moment longer than I should. I smile at her and nod at the scores, and she rolls her eyes, but her smile matches mine. That’s good. That feels normal. It can only last a moment, though, because we’re headed to beam, and that needs all my attention.
“Okay, ladies: beam order is Jaime, Chelsea, Audrey, Sierra, and Emma.”
I grimace, unwrapping my grips and stretching out my wrists. I have work to do. Emma is fantastic on beam, and Sierra is good, but I can beat both of them if I hit my damn connections. My mount, a back handspring layout step-out onto the beam, connected in a series to two more layout step-outs, is a huge test right at the start of my routine. When I hit it, it’s one of the hardest combinations performed in the history of the sport; when I don’t, it’s a total mess.
Jaime and Chelsea hit their routines without a hitch, and Pauline’s setting up the springboard for me. I stand at the edge of the mats and push up onto my toes to prepare for my beam mount.
Inhale, then exhale before three strides forward into a round-off onto the springboard and then a layout step-out, landing one foot and then another onto the four-inch platform we’re expected to spin and tumble upon like it’s the floor.
My concentration on the event is usually unbroken until I’ve dismounted, but even through my laser focus I see the door to the gym swing open and a group of people pour through the entrance. Leading them is a woman in stiletto pumps with a perfectly shaped Afro. I recognize her immediately. It’s Tamara Jackson, the head of the United States Olympic Federation.
“That was lovely, Audrey,” she says as everyone stands still, gaping at her, “but please come down from the beam. This competition is over.”
chapter eight
Tamara Jackson, dressed in a white suit jacket and matching pencil skirt, is simultaneously more intimidating and confidence-inspiring than anyone I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
