“Oh no, how bad is it?” I cringe.
“No, it’s actually good. I’m shocked, that’s all.”
“You jerk.” I shove his shoulder playfully. Quentin spoon-feeds me a bite, and I nearly moan around the spoon. Itisgood.
“Did you talk to Anna today?” he asks.
“I actually did. We both cried and bitched together. It felt very therapeutic in a way, you know?”
“Understandable. Nothing brings people together more than sharing a hatred for someone,” he says, and God, is he ever right.
“Exactly. Nina was able to get us a spot on the World of Women podcast, and we’re going to share our stories on that. They’ve gotover ten million followers, so I think our story will get heard around the world. And Coach Samuels will run into hiding.”
“I’m proud of you,” Quentin says earnestly. “It’s not an easy thing to speak up against men in your industry.”
“Thank you. It’s not, but it’s important for me. I want to compete again, and this is the only way. Coach Samuels was never going to let me back on the team, and they’re the best gym in the country. I need to go back there, just not with him.”
“So, once Coach Dickhead is gone and the baby’s here. What’s your plan? I’m asking so I can support you along the way.”
“Quentin, you just won the World Series. Shouldn’t you be getting ready to meet the guys at a club or something? We don’t need to talk about me right now,” I say, not wanting to turn his night into being about my crap.
He gives me a‘really?’look. “You know I’m exactly where I want to be. I celebrated in the locker room, and that’s all I wanted to do. Because being with you is the real prize anyways.”
“God, you’re cheesy.” I laugh.
“I’m serious, though, Teagan. This is important, and I want to be here for you. I’m done with my career, and now my job is to take care of the home. Which is you and our baby girl.”
His stability grounds me, the way he’s so sure of us and everything, it gives me the confidence boost I need.
“Well, the plan would be to rest, of course, until I’m cleared to train. I’m hoping to be back in the gym by early March. And the first qualifying competition is in July. If I place, I’ll have my spot back at the World Olympic Gymnastics Center, and if I keep placing at competitions after that, I’ll be set to go to the Olympics the following summer,” I say with so much hope in my voice.
I’ve never wanted it more, and I think it’s because now, it’s for me. And my girl. But for the first time, I’m included in my drive, for my reason to keep pushing.
“You’re going to come back better than ever. I know it,” he says knowingly.
“Fucking right I am.”
I smile to myself, knowing that somehow, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. And within the next seventy-two hours, Coach Samuels will be begging for mercy.
Let the fun begin.
Chapter 52
Teagan
Ibite down on the drawstring of my hoodie as Quentin and I sit on the couch with our laptop on the coffee table.
We’re waiting till the podcast goes live, which should be any second now. I know my life is going to blow up when it releases, but it’s for the best, I remind myself.
Yes, some people might have their own opinions, specifically idiotic men, and yet, it needs to happen. Like Anna said during our podcast, this is a call for justice to avoid this happening to the next gymnast. While she may be past her competing days, knowing she might help the next girl is what made her agree to this interview.
Quentin refreshes the page, and it changes. On the World of Women website, is the brand-new video with Anna and me.
We watch it together, even though I’m in it so I know what happens, and Quentin was behind the scenes that day.
Somewhere along the way, tears stream down my face. A mix of pride hits me because I’m proud that I did this. And the other part of the tears comes from sadness because I feel bad for myself and Anna. That we had to endure this. That there are probably so manywomen athletes out there who have dealt with some form of bullshit from men in power above them.
While I know us speaking out can’t change everything, I am hoping that it does some good for the world.
