I groan, which only makes Nina chuckle.
“Do you really not like kids that much?”
“They’re okay for a bit, but I like it when they go back to their parents the best,” I mutter.
“Well, the good thing is that’s exactly what you’ll be doing,” she explains cheerfully.
“I still don’t love it.”
“It’s the best thing I can do to help you. And think of it this way… You get to spend your time doing what you love most,” she points out.
Sometimes I hate how well she knows me. Nina may be my agent, but she’s also become a friend over the years since we started working together.
“I guess…” I trail off, then abruptly ask, “Do you think I’d be allowed to use the equipment and train?”
“I’m surprised it took you this long to bring it up,” she says. “All coaches have full access to use the facility as needed.”
If I’m working mornings and afternoons, I could schedule specialized evening training sessions for myself. Working out to stay in shape is one thing, but being able to use gymnastics equipment is another.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
“I’ve already started the acceptance email,” Nina says matter-of-factly. “You’re to report to the Academy on Monday at eight in the morning. You’ll meet with Lisa Olson, who’s the head of the gymnastics program. She’ll have a contract for you to sign and explain everything you’ll need to know.”
“How long will I need to do this?” I ask as I make my way to the kitchen, open my fridge, and pull out the items needed to make dinner as my brother will be here soon.
“Until the end of the year.”
I’m about to protest that it’s too long when Nina cuts me off. “It’s just a few months of your life. You need to be seen doinggoodthings if you want them to take you back, remember? Unless you want to be inretirementforever.”
She says the word as if it personally offended her. The sentiment is shared, because nothing pisses me off more than the situation I’m currently in.
I ignore the thoughts swirling in my mind. “Thanks, Nina. I hope this works. I’ll do my best. I swear.”
While this may not be my ideal plan to get back on the team, I have to trust Nina. She’s had my best interest since we met when I was sixteen and she’s never led me astray.
“You will. You always do.” She reminds me of my ability to push through, then ends the call.
If there’s one thing about me that Idoknow, it’s that I never give up. And if I’m going to be a teacher, you can bet I’ll try my hardest to succeed.
Opening my playlist, I throw on “Cherry Waves” by Deftone and chop peppers, trying to ignore the worries prodding my brain.
I’ve never been around kids. I don’t know how to make connections with the students. I can be a drill sergeant no problem. It’s the other part I’m worried about. The human one.
I can’t think about it for too long, though, because there’s a knock at my door.
I set the knife down and make my way to the door, then open it to reveal sandy-colored hair and dark green eyes.
“You look awful,” my older brother sputters, eyebrows pinching together.
“I’ll send your compliments to the chef,” I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I step back and let him enter my condo.
“Getting into this place is like breaching a secret fortress every time. You would think they’d let me in with ease now,” he complains as he hangs his Detroit Panthers track jacket on the coat hanger.
“Would you rather I be somewhere less safe?”
I live in a two-story condo complex. It’s secured with extenuating questions to get inside. It allows celebrities to live withincity limits with protection for those who don’t want the commute of living in a gated community.
He huffs out a breath. “No, but you’re retired now. Why not move to my gated community? You can put roots down and figure out what’s next.”
