Keeler K.O
Austin has a problem. He is a fixer. Not a mover maker shaker, nor a creator, a fixer. When he saw Payson Keeler standing outside that hotel in France, his mind stood up and took notice. When she failed to make the National team, it was decided. He would fix Payson Keeler. He would repair her broken gymnastics, and help stitch her cracked confidence back together.
The only thing was, Kaylie was broken too. There was no concrete evidence he could see or present. He was only working off of Sasha's suspicions and that wasn't enough. After Sasha talked to her parents and Kaylie failed to return to the gym the next day, he knew. Kaylie had an eating disorder and he wanted to help her. His sister was destroyed from one. It got so bad that at one point she couldn't even get out of bed she was so weak. It took months in the hospital and then a rehab facility to get her back to a healthy weight. Her mind… She would never be the strong gold medalist she hoped to be, but to him she was the strongest woman he knew because everyday she told herself 'Eating is okay'. She wouldn't listen to the little voice in her head telling her to purge, or to skip a meal. She would eat, she would be healthy, and she would live. And that makes her strong.
Kaylie needed help. He wanted to help her. He wanted to go to her house, talk to her parents, and be there when they found her a good facility and therapist. But the problem was Payson.
Payson is … Amazing. She is a strong and mature young woman who is beautiful inside and out. He wanted to help Kaylie, but he couldn't if it meant hurting Payson. He knew how much Kaylie was a sore subject to her. He knew she was still slightly bitter and hurt by the other girl. Payson had been at a low point. Kim had told him in secret that the doctors were saying that if Payson ever attempted gymnastics again, she would never walk. To go from being the next National Champion to a back brace and paralysis… Austin wasn't sure if he could have been as strong as Payson. But while she was bed-ridden, trying to comprehend the end of her dreams, Kaylie appeared and made her troubles seem more. That a little pressure was more important than not walking. That being team captain, a position previously held by Payson, was too hard and more important than Payson losing her dreams.
That's why, instead of knocking on Kaylie's front door, he was entering Sasha's office.
"Austin, I saw Payson leaving a couple of minutes ago, what are you still doing here?" Sasha didn't even look up from his paperwork when he spoke.
"I wanted to talk to you about Kaylie," he opened.
Sasha's pen stopped. Slowly and with a heavy sigh, the Romanian put the pen down and stared at him. "Austin, you can't be a hero to every girl in this gym."
"And I'm not trying to be," he defended himself. "Look, I know the reality of an eating disorder. I know how confusing, frustrating, and depressing it can be at the start. I'm not offering to go and hold Kaylie's hand, I just want you to pass on a message to Alex and Ronnie. If they have any questions, doubts, concerns about Kaylie's recovery, I'm willing to listen and help. I'm not going to go and confront Kaylie, or force myself to be by her side. I know I can't do that. But I can't just sit around and not do anything. My main focus will be my own gymnastics and helping Payson, but if Kaylie's parents ever need anything, I want to help them."
Sasha gave him a long look. "They called and yelled at me you know." He started. "They took her to the doctor, they weighed her, and it was concerning. It took hours of questioning, and a couple more tests before Kaylie cracked and admitted that she stopped eating. She had been dumping her food in a garbage bag and throwing it out, here at the gym, every day. They accused me of pressuring her too much. They said I should have never made her team captain, that it was too much work and pressure for a girl like Kaylie. They tried saying it was Payson's fault for getting hurt and forcing Kaylie into her old spot and for pressuring her simply by coming back to the gym."
Austin felt his hand clench into a fist. How dare they put any blame on Payson. He wanted to punch something, preferably Alex's face, but at the same time he knew they were upset and just lashing out, trying to find any and all excuses because they couldn't and didn't want to blame themselves.
"When they wound down, they thanked me. Ronnie started to cry, and they said they caught it in time before anything too damaging happened to Kaylie's body and health. I told them that they should be thanking you as well. I didn't tell them you knew, I said that I suspected one of the girls may be suffering from an eating disorder but I was going to wait. I apologized to them for hesitating, for wanting to take a step back and watch, but you told me if I had even the smallest of suspicions, that I needed to tell them. I lied. I assured them you didn't know it was Kaylie."
"I don't need thanks, or gratitude… I just need to know that she will be alright." He wasn't in this for a medal or a trophy saying 'You're great, Austin Tucker'. He was here because he wanted to stop someone from following in his sister's footsteps.
"She will be. In time. She won't be returning for awhile. Alex even assured me that he threw out the scale at home. They will be working through this as a family, and when she is cleared, then they will come talk to me about her returning."
He was glad. Kaylie had a strong support system. She would make it through this.
"So what did you tell Payson? I was under the impression that you had a standing date every day after practice?" Sasha needled him.
Austin couldn't help but grin. He was falling in love with the Keeler household. He knew they were having money troubles and despite that Kim never turned him away or complained about feeding him. He tried to help them out where he could. If some of their groceries magically replenished, Payson and Kim never said anything. If the electricity had been paid for a couple months in advanced, Kim didn't register the missing bill. When ever Payson had to stop for gas, he always offers to fill the tank and uses his credit card to pay. He couldn't pay off her medical bills, the Keelers would never accept that, but small things he could do.
"I told her that I needed to go see a jeweller about her engagement ring," he said with a smirk. It was a nice running joke they had going now. Whenever they were near Summer they would talk about their wedding. The tall blonde Christian was getting very upset with them.
"Oh? And what type of ring do you have in mind?" Sasha was teasing him.
Austin laughed. "Payson wants a simple rock, platinum band with a cushion cut diamond." She delivered that line so swiftly, he was sure that she put some thought into this before. "No embellishments, the diamond should be the only star of the show."
Sasha laughed. "Do you have a price range? I can't imagine a girl like Payson would like anything too expensive."
Austin couldn't help but shake his head. "You may think that, but I think that anything under 10 grand and I will be in the dog house the first year of marriage."
A very offended look developed on Sasha's face. "10 grand? I thought you loved the girl! 30 at least."
"30! 30!" Austin couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Might as well make it a 100 grand, weigh her down so she can't run away!"
Sasha barked out a laugh. "Now you're thinking!"
"I have that magazine interview in two days, I can bank that… and I can get my agent to set some other stuff up. I should have the funds ready in say… three weeks," Austin guessed. Maybe less depending on what Rich booked him. There was talks of a certain sports drink company looking his way. That would be a great sponsor.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Austin saw Sasha giving him a hard stare. "It's fun to joke Austin, but remember the rule."
"Don't propose on a holiday?" He tried.
Sasha glared. "Don't hurt her. But yes, never propose on a holiday. No one wants a life time commitment for Christmas."
The conversation wound down after that. Austin was quick to take his leave. He may have told Payson he needed to do something important, but he fully intended to still make it to the Keeler's for dinner. Kim had asked him to help with the BBQ . She admitted that she always left the grilling to Mark as she was hopeless with the thing, and Austin was happy to step in and fill in for the missing Keeler. Growing up, he never had a conventional family life. His parents liked to move, never settling. His mother was also very natural in her cooking. She liked to use a campfire, and cooked everything in one pot. It wasn't until he went to a friend's house for the first time that he got to eat a hot dog and mac and cheese. He had been amazed and hooked ever since.
Stepping outside the gym, Austin was surprised to see Payson waiting for him. "I thought I sent you home," he jokingly reprimanded her.
Payson rolled her eyes. "And how were you expecting to get home? I drove you here this morning."
She had a point. In his attempt to talk to Sasha alone he forgot that detail. "I would have taken a taxi home," he pointed out.
"And how would you pay?" She asked.
He was confused. He would use his either his credit card, or he thought he might have some cash in it. He paid cash for their lunch today, so he should have enough change to pay for a cab ride to the Keeler home…. Except he tossed his wallet in her gym bag earlier because he was too lazy to walk to the men's locker room... "Well you got me there."
Payson laughed and gestured towards her car. "Let's go then. Mom said if I don't get you there in 10 minutes she's going to try and light the BBQ herself."
Austin laughed at his own stupidity too. He could get used to Payson taking care of him. She did a great job. His house was clean and organized because of her. Entering the car, he was prepared for a nice relaxing ride, but it wasn't to be. He should have known he couldn't get anything by her.
"You don't have to lie to me you know," she started. "I know that you are worried about Kaylie. It's understandable… you don't talk about your family much but just knowing what your sister went through… I couldn't imagine Becca in that situation. It's too painful. But you did go through it… and now Kaylie is fighting her own demon. If you want to talk to Sasha about it or even if you just need someone to listen because the situation is bringing back bad memories for you… I'll listen."
Payson probably knew the whole time what he was up to. She probably knew from the moment she woke up this morning what he was going to do. She let him do things his way because in a situation where he had absolutely no control, he could at least control how he approached Sasha, and she let him have that. Let him attempt to lie to her so he could ease his own worries and anxieties.
Stopping her before she could start the car, he turned her face towards him and kissed her. He needed a little more comfort than her words could give him. A little more control over things in his life than he currently felt he had. He just needed Payson to be there with him.
She was shy at first, but she quickly leaned into him and gently started to kiss him back. Austin felt a dam burst instead him. He had been holding himself back from touching her too much. He knew she was beautiful. She was funny, and caring, she was lively and just… Payson. He knew he couldn't act on any of the desires that plagued him, but the addicting feeling of her lips against his… Austin couldn't hold back.
He grabbed her face between both his hands and deepened the kiss. She responded immediately. He explored her mouth, savoured the feeling of kissing temptation. Slowly, the kiss lost intensity until Austin had gathered his wits enough to tamper down his desire and pull away.
Leaning his forehead against her, Austin let out a slow sigh. "Thank you for…" What could he say in this situation? Thank you for letting me attack your face? Than you for being here and being the amazing person you are? Thank you for waiting even though I lied, but you knew I didn't have my wallet so you stayed? He wanted to thank her for everything, but the words were getting jumbled as they travelled from his mind to his mouth.
"Your welcome." Payson drew away first. It was… sad seeing Payson straighten her shirt and shift from being dishevelled to her normal well composed self. He would have liked to enjoy the sight for a little longer. "Now we should get going. We only have two minutes left before my mother tries to light that charcoal bucket."
Despite how hard she was trying to be composed, Austin could see the flush in her cheeks, and the small twitch her hand made towards her mouth before returning to the steering wheel.
"I didn't want our second kiss to be like this," he admitted. "I was going to fly you to Paris and kiss you on the top of the Eiffel Tower." Girls liked that romantic shit, right?
Her response was to start the car and shift so aggressively into drive that her hand flew off the gear knob and punched him in the gut.
No one ever said love was gentle.
But if they did then they never bothered to tell Payson.
o.O.o
The tapping was getting to him. He tried ignoring it for a while but if there was thing that the Keeler woman all possessed was a will that outlasted your own. Kim was waiting to say something but she wouldn't until she had his complete attention.
"Kim, did you confirm the new recruitment poster order?" he asked as he focussed on the paperwork in front of him. Why he had to fill in a monthly report for each gymnast was beyond him. NO body even read them!
"Yes."
"Good. Thank you." He went back to ignoring the woman. He thought very highly of Kim Keeler, but he would not give in.
The tapping started again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
"What do you want Kim?" he cracked.
"I want you to say it," She responded.
"I'm not going to say it." He denied the woman.
"It's not like I want to hear it Sasha, but it needs to be said," Kim argued with him.
"If you don't want to hear it, then why are you so insistent? You can just away Kim."
Kim let out a small huff. "If you say it now, then we can move on from his whole thing," she tried to reason with him. "Then we can talk about the most important part."
She did have a point. And they really did need to talk.
"Fine." She cracked him fully. "I told you so."
Much like he predicted, Austin had made his move on Payson before Worlds. Last week when he walked out of the gym to see the two kissing in a car, well, happiness wasn't the emotion going through him. He wanted to wrench the bloody door open and yank Austin away from her. It was only Kim's face floating in his mind telling him that he didn't completely control the girl's lives that stopped him. To him that meant he wasn't trying hard enough.
"Finally! I thought I would have to wait here all day for you to say it."
"I don't like it." He admitted. "Boys are distractions. Look at Kaylie, Lauren and Emily. They are highly disciplined elite gymnasts but they turn into cats in heat whenever the boy they like looks in their direction." Well, maybe it wasn't that bad, but their dramatics over everything made it seem that way.
"Cats in heat? Really Sasha? He won't distract her," Kim pointed out.
"I disagree. Look at them." Sasha glared out the office window. Kim rolled her eyes.
Payson and Austin were working together again. Austin was talking about something, probably his parallel bars routine going off his hand movements, and the fact that they were standing by the bars. Payson was nodding and saying something back. Austin nodded his head once then hopped on the bars to run through a movement.
"See! Payson should be working on her own bars, not his." It was situations like this that he missed Romania where the boys and girls trained in separate buildings 20 minutes away from each other.
Kim huffed and rolled her eyes at the same time. "They have been doing this exact same thing since Austin arrived and you didn't have a problem with it then."
"They weren't dating then!" He pointed out.
"I don't think they are currently either." Kim threw out. That was news to him.
"They aren't dating? But I told you that I saw them kissing." If Austin was just playing with Payson, he would kick his ass so hard that he would need to be air lifted back to whatever Texas town he came from.
"Sasha, kids don't need to be dating in order to kiss. Sometimes you just kiss someone with out a long-term commitment."
"Why are you not more upset?" He thought Kim would be lecturing Payson, or keeping a closer eye on her daughter when she was in the same room with Austin. Instead Kim was acting like this wasn't that big of a deal. How was this not a big deal!
"Why should I be? Payson knows what she wants. She wants London. Nothing, and no one will get in the way of her dream. If a broken back can't stop her from getting there, then no boy stands a chance. Austin is sweet and charming but he is not an impenetrable force that will keep Payson from achieving everything she wants. We both know that every sprain, every broken bone, every pinched muscle just pushes her further towards her dream… as her mother it both terrifies me and makes me so proud to see the type of daughter I raised. Maybe instead of always trying to control them and protect them from everything, you give them space and let them find their strength on their own Sasha."
He wasn't buying it. Even though she made some very valid points, Sasha knew that Kim wasn't normally this calm when it came t her daughters. "You should still be more upset… what's going on?"
Kim leaned back in her chair and sighed. "I admit… I wasn't too thrilled when you first told me. I may have called Mark and he was also upset. But he said something that really hit me. He was going on about bad boys and how they think with the wrong head all the time and how girls always fall for them. He said what if Payson ends up like Chloe Kmetko and becomes a teen mom."
Sasha grimaced. He would never look down on Chloe. She was a strong woman who tried to make the best of her situation every day. She was positive and always lightening the atmosphere where ever she went.
"I know it sounds bad but I'm glad Mark said that. It made me step back and actually see my daughter. I always wanted a normal daughter. One that obsessed over boys, and liked to hang out with friends. I wanted Payson to be more like Becca. I was always trying to encourage Payson to be more like her sister and that was wrong of me. When she asked to go to that kegger I was so happy. Payson was finally acting like the teenager I wanted her to be. Of course, she sent her own rules. She said she wasn't going to drink, that she would be home at a certain hour, and if I even thought she was dressing up to impress boys I was wrong. When I step back, take my desires away from the situation, you really see Payson for who she is. She's…"
"She's Payson." Sasha could see where Kim was coming from. From the minute, he met her, Sasha new that Payson wasn't a normal teenaged girl.
"Payson… When I think of Payson engaging in such… activities… I can't help but laugh. Payson would approach sex like she does a new technique in gymnastics."
Sasha smiled. "Researched to death with a complete knowledge of all technical aspects grilled into her mind. She would visualize it several times, break it down, and when she's confident she can perform it admirably then she will attempt it."
"Exactly! Can you imagine Austin trying to pressure her into sex?"
Sasha actually outright laughed this time. Austin's usual wink smile and compliment combination that had girl's knickers dropping faster than vault run, would not work on Payson.
"Alright, when you put it that way, I feel better about the situation." And he did, but only slightly.
"Now about my winnings from the bet…" He had an idea and as he proved before, he wasn't above abusing the situation.
o.O.o
Payson watched as Austin stood in the middle of her living room and cleared his throat.
"Welcome everyone! I have gathered you all here today-"
"My mom gathered everyone here," Payson pointed out.
"because you are the best Mario Kart players in the country." Austin tried to steamroll on. "We are hosting a week long tournament-"
"one evening and no more." Payson corrected.
"-to see who here is the best racer of us all. We will start by drawing numbers, choosing player numbers." Austin continued to talk, but Payson tuned him out.
She wasn't sure what happened to lead here as there were major pieces of the puzzle missing. At some point, Sash had convinced her mother to allow Marty over for dinner and make her famous chicken pot pie. Then Austin hearing that her old coach would be stopping by asked if Carter could join as well. So she had all her boys here, her mother was cooking while her father tried to taste test everything, Becca was hiding around the corner taking pictures of Austin for her friends, and Payson was dragged into an impromptu game night.
For the first time in a long time she felt happy. Even before her accident she never felt as content with her life as she did at this moment.
Joining back with reality, Payson grabbed a controller and was prepared to get physical.