I give him a fake smile, deciding to end this the way it started.
“Go fuck yourself.”
Chapter 1
Teagan
My life has been a whirlwind since I got kicked off the team two weeks ago. The makeshift story about my retirement the team went with had been enough to convince the press that I retired, along with my own personal post announcing my retirement to the world.
I declined to do any interviews, not wanting to speak on a topic that wasn’t even true. And my socials have been blowing up with compilation videos of my career and well wishes posts from my fans. I nearly turned my comments off because I can’t bear to see the influx of people thanking me or whatnot. Because it’s all bullshit.
I have no idea how the media have accepted my fake retirement so easily. I’m twenty-four, which is up for debate for being old in the gymnastics world, but I was crushing the competition.
It should seem odd that I retired so suddenly, and yet, there’s nothing.
There are a few things I’ve seen online with fans questioning the legitimacy of it. But for the most part, it’s quiet in that sense. And I think it has to do with the gym’s PR team covering their tracks.
Ever since I returned home to Detroit and announced my fake retirement, I’ve been in a slump.
Gymnastics has been the only thing I lived and breathed since I was five. What the hell am I supposed to do with myself all day without it?
I’ve been going to the gym and keeping up with my weight training so that I’ll be ready to rejoin the team. Despite how fucked up the situation is, I’d do anything to make it to the Olympics again, even if it means working with the scum of the earth known as my coaches. Sure, I could try to compete for another gymnastics house in the country, but Coach Samuels is my best and only chance at making it to the Olympics.
But once I’m home from my workout, I become a boring person. I don’tdoanything. It’s made me realize that I have no hobbies. Growing up, I never really had time for them. How am I twenty-four years old and have no idea what I even like to do outside of gymnastics?
My phone rings on my coffee table with my agent’s name on the screen. I was just about to get dinner started as my brother is coming over for our monthly get-together that we’ve been doing since he got traded over a year ago, but it’ll have to wait a few minutes.
“Talk to me, Nina,” I say, getting right to business as I pace between my living room and kitchen. I’ve been waiting for this call for two weeks. Once I told her what happened, she promised me she’d figure out a plan.
As much as she wants to tear Coach Samuels apart by going after him, she knows how much getting back on the team means to me.
“Oh, I’m good, thank you for asking. I’m glad you’re enjoying your time off,” she prattles on sarcastically.
“See, I didn’t even need to say that. You did it for me.”
“Always the smart-ass.” She chuckles. “Anyway, I have something that I think will help improve your image to the coaches and maybe get you back on the team sooner than later.”
My heart rate picks up. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
“Let me tell you what it is first,” she replies warily.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes, not that she can see.
“You become a trainer at the Elite Sports Academy.”
My shoulders deflate at her offer.
The ESA is the most prestigious sports training program in the United States, and although it’s what made me the gymnast that I am today and it’s where I met my best friends, spending my days with children is the last thing I want to do right now.
“Is there any other way?”
“You know I’d tell you if there were. Working with kids and returning the favor to the academy that made you who you are today is a heartwarming story that I think your coaches will enjoy since they’re upset with your attitude,” Nina explains.
God, I hate when she’s right. As much as this wouldn’t be my first option, part of me likes the idea of giving back to the place that gave me everything.
“What levels would I be coaching?” I ask with a resigned sigh.
“You’ll be coaching gymnastics at all levels. The academy mentioned that you’d be teaching the younger students in the morning and move to the older ones in the afternoon. The old coach is dealing with health problems in their family and needs to take a leave. So, the academy reached out to me yesterday after seeing your post. They wanted to know if you’d like to join their program as many retired athletes do.”
