Chapter 10
As Austin walked into the rock the next morning he felt the shift, something was different.
He turned and he saw Payson working on the beam with Sasha stood next to it, which was no different than normal but what was different was the atmosphere.
Where it had become the norm for her to be hard faced and closed off in Sasha's presence and Sasha would look like he was approaching a sleeping predator, today Payson was smiling, her eyes sparkled and she looked like the girl he'd first met, then he looked at Sasha, his posture was relaxed and comfortable and when he looked at Payson his eyes sparkled as well, they swirled with happiness and when she completed her new dismount successfully she hugged Sasha and there was a newness to it, Austin couldn't quite put his finger on it but there was something different, they hadn't just gotten back what they'd lost, they'd transitioned into something more.
This meant his time with Payson was over, at least the physical side of things anyway, but he knew this was for the best, they weren't in love, it was as clear as day to him that Sasha was the man she loved, and he wasn't really upset by the thought he was happy, if anyone deserved to be happy it was Payson, this was going to improve her gymnastics no end, he was curious as to how different their relationship was, were they sleeping together, no despite everything Payson didn't jump into bed without thought when it came to feelings, and after their first night he figured Sasha would take it slow, his best friend was happy and he was happy for her, now he just had to endure his pain alone, no not alone Payson wouldn't abandon him, but her own heart would heal and maybe he'd get lucky and Kaylie would see what she was missing.
Who was he kidding Payson and Sasha were written in the stars, the perfect match in every way, he and Kaylie not so much.
When Payson spotted him she looked at Sasha and he just nodded as she hurried over to him.
"Thank you Austin" she smiles throwing her arms around him.
He picks her up, "always Pay, you needed this, I'm glad it worked out, and I know with this things will need to change between us, since I'm pretty sure Sasha isn't going to be the kind of guy who wants the woman he loves sleeping with another man" he says.
"I'm still here for you Austin and I am still your friend, this only changes the more intimate physical side of things" she assures.
"I know Pay but I will be honest I am kind of going to miss the sex, question is how we going to convince the others that we're not together anymore?" he asks.
"We started out as friends we tell them we've just transition back, but nothing else has changed between us and we have enough drama to deal with" she says.
"I like that, and you're right about the drama, so can I stop hating Sasha now?" he asks.
"Yes you can stop hating him" she smiles.
"Good though like I said he hurts you again and I will find a way to destroy him, completely and utterly" smiles Austin.
"I know and I love you for it, genuinely though thanks Austin, I didn't realise how much I needed this" she says.
"Good thing I did then isn't it?" he asks.
"Yes it is, like I said Austin I'm still here for you and I still think you're the better choice for Kaylie, and maybe she'll come to her senses" offers Payson.
"It isn't going to be like you and Sasha Pay, you two are written in the stars your made for one another, Kaylie and I is going to be a bit more of a challenge" he sighs.
"Then fight for her, show her you're better for her, she isn't a total idiot, and I'll help, she isn't that nuts about Nicky she likes control, you challenge her, surprise her, you're the best thing for her Austin" assures Payson.
"Whatever you think I'm open to ideas and thanks Pay, nothing changes we're still winning all those gold medals" he smirks.
"Hell yes" she smiles.
They head over and begin their training and it's much more fruitful than the past few weeks.
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At lunch Sasha calls everyone together.
"Alright I've had a call from the NGO we'll be heading to France for the Invitational, male and female elites, be here for seven on Friday, if you're late we will leave without you, now go and get some lunch" he orders.
He catches Payson's eye and she smiles at him before catching up with Austin and walking out to get lunch.
He steps back into the office and sits down at his desk.
"Here I've got all the arrangements for the Invitational, and the NGO have picked their roommates" says Kim handing them over to him.
He flicks through.
Payson Keeler and Kaylie Cruz
Emily Kmetko and Lauren Tanner
Austin Tucker and Nicky Russo
Carter Anderson and Troy King
"Shit" swears Sasha.
"What's wrong?" asks Kim.
"Austin and Nicky have been paired together there's some tension between them at the moment" explains Sasha.
"Can we change it?" asks Kim.
"No not if Beals is involved. if I try she'll know there's a potential weakness, she'll capitalise on it and will definitely not allow the change" he sighs.
"I don't like that woman, ever since she convinced Payson to petition early" says Kim.
"You and me both I just don't like the woman she's got it in for the rock or rather for me" he sighs.
"Why?" asks Kim.
"She was around a bit before I was, she wasn't good enough to get to Worlds let alone the Olympics and it made her bitter, since she got into her position of power she feels the need to flaunt her authority, doesn't like people who question it and well we've done nothing but, the rock rebels after all, especially after the China meet, she has it in for them, sadly especially for Emily I think, she's a snob with a stick up her ass" explains Sasha.
"Sasha" gasps Kim.
"What it's true, one of my girl's beats Gengji Cho and she's still a bitch" replies Sasha.
"Sasha Belov you are a bad influence" chides Kim but with a smile.
He looks at her, you have no idea he thinks, god he felt guilty being around Kim, it was hard to look a woman who trusts you with her child, even after a huge scandal knowing you not only slept with said daughter, but also took her virginity, and are now actively engaging in a secret relationship with, in the eye.
"It's not like I say it in front of the girls, they've got their own reasons to resent the bitch" he says turning under the guise of sorting out paperwork so he doesn't have to keep looking at Kim.
He was also a little worried about Payson and Kaylie sharing a room because Payson was firmly on Austin's side, and she and Kaylie hadn't seemed hostile, on the same level as Nicky and Austin, she would still defend her friend, and Kaylie had been going on about Nicky for awhile, he just hoped it would work.
He manages to avoid anything to make him feel too guilty until the end of lunch when the gymnasts start to filter back in.
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The sound of Payson and Austin's voice's drift up to the office.
"I so won that" whines Austin.
"You cheated it doesn't count" replies Payson.
"A shady technicality" moans Austin.
"You still lost Austin, deal with it" laughs Payson.
"I'm going to get you back Pay, somehow I will avenge my honour" he says dramatically.
"If you had any in the first place" she giggles.
"Oh now you're totally going to pay" he says.
Kim and Sasha move to the window.
"No, no, no" warns Payson stepping away from Austin.
"You asked for it Pay" he smiles.
"This is completely unfair" pouts Payson.
"All's fair in love, war and gymnastics" he smirks.
"You've got to catch me first" laughs Payson as she keeps backing away from him before turning and making a dash for the girl's locker room.
Austin catches her and picking her up he throws her over his shoulder and turning walks back to the mat.
"Austin put me down" squeals Payson.
"As her ladyship commands" he says and drops her into the mats and then proceeds to tickle her.
"Austin stop this is cruel" she squeals with laughter.
"Admit I win" he orders.
"Never" laughs Payson.
"Admit it" he repeats.
"Okay I give, you win, just stop" she pleads.
Austin stops and steps back, "I am the champion" he says arms in the air as he nods like he's pleased with himself.
"I'm going to get you back for that Austin Tucker, sleep with one eye open" warns Payson as he pulls her to her feet.
"What you going to do Pay, smother me?" he teases.
"No but I may stick your hand in warm water, or stick whipped cream on your hand and tickle you with a feather" she warns.
"Ha I'd like to see you try, you're going to need to be a little more creative" chuckles Austin.
"Challenge accepted now I'm really going to make you pay, I was going to go easy but this, this is war" she says.
"Bring it on Keeler" he laughs.
"Consider it brought now can I start my practice or would you like to harass me some more?" she asks.
"I always love harassing you" he replies.
"Well stop if we want those gold medals we need to focus so get to work Tucker, the Olympics aren't going to win themselves, and wining them on a hang over was a fluke so get crunching Tucker" she says narrowing her eyes.
"Wow Sasha, your hair it's so much longer and oh my god I never used to see the attraction but now maybe a little" he teases.
"He's right she does sound like you" smiles Kim.
"What can I say" he replies.
Payson sticks her tongue out, "ha-ha Austin stop being a jackass" she says walking over to the beam.
"Oh the beam, fond memories, you still got the silver and orange leotard?" asks Austin.
"Maybe but your not seeing it, and I'm not going near floor with you" she warns.
"Cedar Payson, cedar" he smiles.
"Shut up, that was so not true just because I liked the smell, you're the cat freak anyways" she says.
"Hey you still rocked that routine, even if you do approach sexuality with military precision" he teases.
"I rocked Lo's beam thank you very much, without your cat idea by the way where did you even get that?" asks Payson.
"Experience" he replies.
"So gross why do I put up with you?" she asks.
"I'm insanely gorgeous and amazing company" he suggests.
"Nah not seeing it" she replies.
"Way to crush a guy Pay" he pouts.
"Sorry Austin I love you but, I'm not re-doing Lo's beam routine just for your benefit" she replies.
He leans closer, "what about for Sasha's?" he asks.
As he pulls back she narrows her eyes.
"Low blow" she says.
"I know" he smirks.
"Oh whatever Tucker, this is so not for your benefit though remember that" she warns.
"I'll try" he replies.
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"What are they talking about?" asks Sasha.
"While Darby was here she made them switch routines, and Payson had to do Lauren's, well you can imagine how unhappy that made Payson, but when she did do it was definitely something, not fun watching that many boys stare at your daughter" says Kim.
Now Sasha was intrigued.
"Come on Payson" calls Austin.
As she steps back ready to mount the beam her eyes flick up to the office to meet his and she gives him a small smile.
Then he knows he's probably going to enjoy this.
As Payson launches into the routine Sasha is absolutely captivated by it.
At various points her gaze locks with his and he finds it absolutely impossible to look away.
She dismounts and turns with a smile.
"Payson Keeler sex goddess inside the gym once again" smiles Austin walking over to her.
"Your so full of it, there you satisfied now will you leave me in peace?" asks Payson.
"I will my needs are sated, for now" he replies walking over to the parallel bars.
"Well that was a side of Payson I didn't expect" says Sasha.
"I know it shocked me when she did it the first time, but she's become so much more confident, I think it's a combination of you and Austin" smiles Kim.
"How so?" he asks.
"You helped her to get going with it and now Austin keeps bolstering it, he's been around so much over the last few weeks, and some nights she doesn't come home at all, but I can think of much worse people for her to spend time with" says Kim.
"So what do you think of it?" he asks trying to use Kim as a gauge.
"They're best friends, he helps out around the house, I don't think there's anything really strong between them though, I'm pretty sure they sleep together occasionally as well, but its better your first is with someone you trust and you care about, though its better if its with someone you love, sorry I shouldn't be talking about this, I'm going to go make sure the NGO didn't miss anything" says Kim walking back into the office.
Sasha leans against the door frame, maybe Kim would be okay with him and Payson they loved each other, oh yeah right, Kim was going to hate him, but Mark wow Mark Keeler was probably going to murder him, slowly and painfully, not many people had scared Sasha in his life but Mark Keeler was one of them when it came to his daughter.
Maybe it would be better if he stopped this before it went to far, who was he kidding he'd already slept with her, not really any lines left uncrossed then he focuses on her where she's practicing her beam routine, the flow and gracefulness of it, her artistry had seeped into her other routines not just her floor, her eyes come up to meet his and she gives him a bright smile, her eyes locking with him as if they're connected before she moved back into her routine, in that moment he knew he couldn't and wouldn't stop this, he loved her and he wouldn't hurt her again, he'd done it once and it had nearly crushed them both, he'd take whatever hits the Keeler's, the NGO, the media and whoever else wanted a piece of him but he wouldn't let her go, no matter what she was his and he wasn't giving her up, they'd make this work, because they understood each other and had a unique bond together they could get through anything.
A/N Sorry for the wait, I've been in the midst of revision, but then I watched the European Gymnastics Championships and inspiration struck, yay for Great Britain though we brought home some hardware.
Anyhow I hope this chapter worked, let me know, good or bad I really don't mind, so did you guys spot my little back it or break it slip, All's fair in love, war and gymnastics, I actually quite like that episode, anyhow I know the NGO wouldn't have likely chosen roommates but it is a set up for later drama, anyone want to guess what it'll be? Let me know in the comments.
So did you like Austin's perspective? I had fun with the Payson/Austin teasing, unconvetional but I just wanted to reaffirm, other than no more sex has their relationship altered, I love them too much for that, so Payson will eventually carry out her threat, any prank ideas for me, I need some better ideas so drop me a line. Also what did you think of Kim, how do you think she'll react when she finds out? Let me know thoughts and ideas so as always fair readers, review, fav and follow go on you know you want too :)