My parents hadn't shown up until this morning. Naturally.

My stomach fluttered at the thought of my mom coming to my first big qualifier meet. Not my dad, even though he'd been to less meets than Mom. I knew she was waiting for me to fail. My gut said she did because she never saw my dream as anything more than an expensive hobby, and that said more than anything else. Maybe Dad felt the same way, but he never openly stated it. He encouraged me and supported my hard work and dedication. Each slip up was an open door for my mom to criticize me, to insist I do something else with my spare time. I pictured her in the stands, glaring down at me, somewhere between uninterested and annoyed.

Anxiety seized my chest as a sharp pain tore through it. I closed my eyes and counted to ten, breathing deeply and slowly, just as Kova had shown me. Gymnastics was my life. It was my passion. My outlet. All you had to do was open your eyes and watch my heart speak for me.

I was going to show her that with my performance. Today was my day.

Swallowing away the worry, I opened my eyes and glanced around the gym. Chalk permeated the air. A springboard rebounded and feet slammed onto a dismount mat. Classical music blared on the speakers and the sound of the bars ricocheting echoed in the distance. The meet was in full swing.

There were three judges at every event. They sat at a long table, dressed in navy blue business attire with notepads and clipboards at their fingertips. Their beady eyes criticizing every little thing. With so much against me, I trained hard for this day. Blood and sweat. I pushed my body. My coaches pushed harder. Now I just had to allow my love for the sport to shine.

My team walked in a perfectly straight line toward vault. Chin up, shoulders back. World Cup was second on rotation. Which meant I had less than an hour until I competed.

We were dressed in matching black sweat suits with a leotard underneath. Of course, Kova would've picked black. It was the only color he ever saw and wore. Our leos were even black, but with swirls of peridot Swarovski crystals curving and swooping like ocean waves. Hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, not a flyaway in site. Jewelry was removed and sports bras hidden away.

Stepping up to the row of chairs that lined the gym wall, we spread out and took a seat. I began shuffling through my duffle bag for my gear when my wrist caught a sharp corner. I pulled back.

Brows scrunched together, I slid aside the extra leotard I carried with me and I drew in a breath as a hard surface appeared before me.

It was the notebook I'd given Kova. I'd forgotten he'd taken it that night.

My eyes widened and I hastily tried to block the view of my bag by flipping down the top and concealing the contents. My eyes skipped around the small group to see if anyone saw or heard anything, but they were oblivious. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. When I felt confident no one saw anything, I looked back at the little notebook. I wondered when Kova had the opportunity to sneak it in my bag, and why he'd changed his mind after adamantly telling me it was a stupid idea.

Instantly I became paranoid. Again, my eyes shifted from side to side without turning my head to see if anyone caught anything. My adrenaline spiked, my heart rate jumped.

He played this game better than me. I never even saw him slip it in.

My fingers stroked the thin, hard edge. I contemplated opening the notebook now instead of later. I wasn't worried someone would see me reading, I didn't think anyone would care, I worried there would be something that could mentally mess with me before the meet. That's what I feared the most.

I chewed my bottom lip, unsure how to fight the curiosity that bubbled inside me. Maybe I could just peek…

But instead I glanced away, fighting the urge, and caught Kova's pointed stare. Our eyes locked and all the air left my lungs. He openly watched me with a prudent gaze that simmered with thirst. The chain linking us tightened around my heart and drew me closer.

He gave me a subtle nod.

Kova wanted me to read what he wrote.

Shit.

My anxiety was flying high. This time when I glanced around at those surrounding me, I took note of their actions. When I believed no one would question me, I pretended to stretch out and leaned down. I made sure my bag shielded what I was about to do and flipped open the hardcover to the first page.

He didn't sign it. Didn't give himself away. He kept it discreet.

A silent sigh of relief rolled off my lips and my mouth curved into a fainthearted smile. This man. My chest was lighter and so was my fear. I closed the book shut. Then I grabbed the small bag I used to store pads and tampons in and quickly stuffed it in there. I zipped it up, then topped it with my clothes and closed my gym bag shut.

I sat on my knees and pulled on my wristbands. I recalled the words in my head, hearing his voice each time. He had taken a risk for me. Many risks. Way too many risks to count. My goal had been the same since the start and now it just took a little deviation.

I was going to do as he asked. I would take a risk for him and drop every fear I've ever had. I would be defiant. I would refuse to lose.

After my grips were on, I realized I hadn't taped my ankle to alleviate the pain. I should've done that step first since my grip was now limited, but my mind had been elsewhere. A disgruntled huff escaped me as I ripped back the Velcro with a scowl and dropped the wristbands to the floor. Just as I was about to wrap the sports tape around my foot to relieve the strain on my Achilles, Kova walked over and crouched down. He placed his palm out and waved his fingers for the tape without speaking a word. I slapped the roll of tape in his hand and gave him my foot, putting my weight on my arms behind me. I glanced away. Kova was better at wrapping up my Achilles anyway.

"You ready for today?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"You do not think you could be better?"

I huffed, shaking my head. I knew he wasn't goading me. "There's always room for improvement, Coach. You know this, but as of right now, I'm ready." I paused, then took a chance and debated quickly whether I wanted his answer or not. "Do you think I'm ready?"

He didn't lift his head, but the corner of his mouth curved up at my question. He took a moment to respond as he expertly wrapped up my injury.

Lowering his voice, he tipped his head up just enough for me to see his eyes. Damn those fucking eyes of his. They always got me.

"If I did not think you were ready, you would not be here. Trust me. You are more than ready."

Kova placed my foot on the floor, giving my ankle a gentle squeeze before he let go. His knees cracked as he stood to his full height, our gazes still connected. Reaching out with his hand, he helped me up. There was a stillness inside me amid the chaos surrounding us as we stared into one another's eyes. With Kova’s support, confidence roared through me. He changed my whole mind frame. I was a cub, and he was the lion who breathed strength into me.

A bashfulness came over me. I turned away, trying to hide the happiness I knew rushed from within. My cheeks burned, which didn't help the plum blush I applied earlier. His raspy chuckle caught my ears and when I turned back around, Kova had a full grin spread across his charismatic face. My heart nearly stopped. This wasn't just any old smile. This was a full-on, I'm so proud to call you mine, type smile.

And he did it in a place filled with cameras.

Be still my wild heart.

Kova cupped my shoulder and squeezed. "Everyone will be watching. Show them what you're made of, Adrianna."