Ch.22
Life was not fair, to her at least. For some people life seemed to dole out an over
abundance of fairness and good fortune. Andrea sat next to Emily as they watched the All- Around finals. She observed as the other girl seemed to be genuinely cheering for her two gym mates, and even Wendy a girl she barely knew.
Didnt the girl realize that just like Andrea, she had been passed over. With her skill level and the format of this competition, removal of the two per country rule, she would have easily made the finals. Instead she had been forced into the role of alternate, called upon to help save the day for her team, and then told to go sit down and cheer while others were chosen to shine. The girl jumped up again, screaming her love for Payson and Kelly. Andrea would never understand nor could she respect people like that.
It wasnt fair, she should be competing. Everything had gone according to plan. Those stupid girls had done exactly as she'd wanted them too. They'd gone out the night before a major competition and gotten caught sneaking back in with boys. She knew this because she just happened to be in the lobby when they returned. She was in such a fortuitous position when they returned, because she was the one who told Marty they were going out in the first place.
It was perfection. After the NGO found out about their flagrant rule breaking, due to an anonymous call to Marcus Mcgowan, the coaches would be forced to withdraw their names from contention. Since she placed ninth during qualifications she would be allowed to compete. As she said before, perfection.
She'd waited all day for the phonecall from Marty or Marcus saying the other two were out because of a rule infraction, and they were counting on her to bring it home, but no such call came. It was probably because the building got such bad reception, and she had a shitty carrier. No doubt they were looking for her, waiting or her. She put on her leo under her track suit and made her way to the arena.
Surely he would be waiting for her when she got there, but no, he hadnt even noticed her arrival. He'd been standing with another coach from Russia. She made her way over to them, he was probably talking about her Produnova. She smiled and tapped him on the shoulder, only to have him ask her why she was on the floor, and instruct her to go sit with the rest of the girls in their cheering section. It took a full minute for the truth to compute, she stood there in shock until Marty turned around again and gave her a quizzical look. Wendy offered her a sad shoulder shrug as she backed away, but she hadnt cared. She didnt want pity, she wanted her chance to shine.
Bitterness and jealousy swelled in her heart. As she made her way back through the entrance she passed Keeler and Parker who were standing by the door gossiping as if they didnt have a care in the world. They didnt notice her either. Hatred and envy hit her with such force that it physically hurt to breathe. She hated them each and every last one of them, and if it was the last thing that she did, she would take them all down, so help her God.
After all she had done, after all she'd given she was still being overlooked in favor of others. Now, halfway through the competition they stood laughing in between Marty and Sasha. It was like nothing had even happened, all was forgiven because the were the golden girls, the chosen ones. Had she not orchestrated the entire incident, and been there to witness the fall out, she would have never known anything out of the ordinary had happened last night.
Hell Keeler even had a boy in her room! By all rights they should have been withdrawn from the competition. Anyone else would have been benched. But, the rules didnt apply to them, they never had. Some people were special, but it was never her. Even after she proved her worth, she could land the hardest vault in the world. She was the only person currently competing who could land that vault. Still it did not make her special enough. They had no idea the things she'd done, the pieces of her self, her soul, that she'd freely given to become great in this sport. One day they would know, one day she would make them see. Everyone would one day know and remember the name Andrea Conway.
She didnt look up again during the entire competition, but if the enormous amount of noise her fellow Americans were making was any indication, the delightful duo was doing quite well. She couldn't care less. As the days competition ended and all three of her teammates received their medals she didnt stand and clap, for the American sweep, instead she plotted. She may have lost this battle but it was just an opening salvo. The war had begun and she would win it no matter the cost to her or any one who got in her way.
"A toast to the most successful and talented womens gymnastics team of all time -in my most humble unbiased opinion- team USA. You ladies rock." Austin threw his glass back. As the people around him cheered his sentiments, before wandering off to mingle.
"I think it is customary to toast with something other than the contents of a keg." Kelly admonished leaning up against the bar."And maybe you should have purchased actual food instead of relying on the contents of your mini bar."
Austin smiled broadly, "But that is not nearly as much fun." He refilled the glass and dangled it in front of Kelly. "Come on, drink up, have some m&m's the competition is over, this has officially become just a vacation."
"Until tomorrow morning when we head back to real life." Her reply was sullen, and she wished it wasnt. Something about Greece was just so magical everyone seemed different, happier here. She was actually dreading going home.
Austin stood up and extended his hand in a chivalrous flourish. "But until then, I demand you enjoy the lavish victory party I am throwing in your honor. In case you havent heard my party planning skills are legendary. As host I also demand that you feast from the table of victory and drink from the keg of glory." He bowed in an exaggerated manner.
Kelly tapped her chin and looked around the room in mock appraisal. "Lets see the contents of a mini bar, a hastily procured keg of mystery alcohol, eight girls, three of whom are underage. Nicky, who is about as exciting as watching paint dry, and Max, who I am about 82% sure is batting for the other team. This, is what you have assembled for your lavish victory party in my honor. Wow I am overwhelmed."
"You, Kelly Denae Parker, are a hard woman to please," He made a cursory glance around the room, "But perhaps you are right."
Kelly lifted her chin, "I'm always right."
"I am humbled in the presence of your greatness." She flushed as he smiled down at her. That was the other thing. She felt like somehow this trip had changed their relationship. Where before their banter and teasing had always had a playful feel to it. These past couple of days, weeks really, they started playing a new game and there was an undercurrent of...desire. It was as though they were standing at a precipice waiting to see who would jump first. She had decided it would be him.
His voice in her ear shook her from her thoughts. It was heavy with promise and tainted with temptation,"Let's get out of here and let the kids enjoy their party."
"Thought it was my party." She hated the breathless quality her voice had taken.
He leaned down and allowed his lips to brush her ear, "According to you I can do better."
She pulled back and looked him in the eye. "Dont tease me Austin."
He met her gaze steadily. "I'm not teasing, I'm tempting, and rest assured I'm no ordinary temptation."
She held her hand out to him, flashing him a devilish grin that helped her earn the moniker of Satan. "Show and prove."
He slid his hand into hers locking their fingers tightly, "My pleasure." He led her to the door but it slammed open before he could reach it.
Lauren rushed into the room. Her eyes sweeping back and forth frantically, she looked truly relieved when they landed on Austin. She came over and stood in front of Kelly as though she did not exist. "Austin I need to talk to you now, it's Kaylie."
"Enough all ready." Payson laughed. She threw the blankets aside, and tried to escape Sasha's fingers as he attempted to tickle her.
"Admit it."
"No way."
"Say it."
"Never." She screamed again as he found a sensitive spot behind her left knee.
"Take it back." He pinned her arms over her head, and bit her lightly on the nape of her neck.
"Nope."
"We can do this all night."
Payson smirked and rolled her hips suggestively against his, "No complaints here."
"Is that what you want?" He mimicked her gesture before pushing her harder into the bed stifling her movement. "None for you until you take it back."
She pouted. "Fine."
"Fine what?"
"Fine. Thirty one is not middle aged."
"And.."
"No way you promised me pudding and you brought me bread with raisins."
"That is the very definition of pudding. Broaden your mind."
"I ate it didnt I? Raisins and all." She pouted and watched his face soften.
"Alright I will concede the point."
She smiled broadly, and rolled on top of him. "Good. Now can we get back to the all night part."
"Eager arent we." Sasha found himself equally excited as she leaned down to kiss him only to stop due to a loud pounding on the other side of her door.
She decided to ignore it until Kelly voice rang out. "I have no idea what you're doing... Well actually I do but I'm choosing to ignore it... However it would be in your best interests, especially those of self preservation, to open the door now. Because in about five minutes Lauren Tanner is going to knock on this door, and while I will admit, there is some part of me, that would be thoroughly amused to watch you explain your flustered demeanour while you know who hides in a closet or under the bed-"
Payson stuck her arm out in the door and yanked Kelly inside.
"Took you long enough! I thought I was going to have to start naming names." She looked around the room. "Where is Sasha? Is he really under the bed?"
"Way to keep a secret Parker. What is wrong with you shouting in the hallway and no he is in the bathroom."
"Does he know that I know?" The brunette stage whispered.
"Well he does now."
Sasha emerged from the bathroom, "Yes Kelly I am aware. Your thinly veiled jokes from earlier today fooled no one, nor have you and Payson mastered the art of whispering. There will be a conversation. For now please have a seat, and explain yourself."
Kelly gulped nervously, some of her earlier bravado leaving her at the sight of a bare chested, yet stony faced Sasha Belov. She felt a phantom soreness in her limbs from the punishments she was sure he was envisioning for both of them.
She moved to sit on the bed but did a double take after she saw the mussed linens, scrunching up her nose and muttering, "Ew." Payson snorted.
She moved to the chair but stopped short when Payson muttered,"That's not much better." The blond outright laughed at Kelly's scandalized expression. He at least had the grace to blush.
"Good lord people show so restraint. I think I'll stand." She shifted uneasily trying not to make eye contact with either of them.
They stood in silence for almost a minute. Before Sasha awkwardly spoke again. "You came to tell us something."
"I'm getting to it. Right now I assessing the damage that one minute in a room alone with the two of you has done to my fragile mental state and delicate sensibilities. I might never recover."
"You're young, you'll recover." Payson deadpanned.
"Or I'll have more years to suffer with the horrors of what I have witnessed here."
"Get on with it or you're going to witness a lot more." Payson ground out.
"Yeah yeah, it's Kaylie."
Payson's expression tensed. "Kaylie, what happened is she alright?"
She passed out at the gym and she in the hospital. Turns out she was faking her recovery, using water, quarters, and ankle weights to pass her weigh ins."
Payson sprang into action picking up her suitcase and placing it on the bed. "We have to leave now! We have to make sure she is ok."
Kelly placed her hand on the blondes arm. "We are already leaving in the morning. Everyone trying to change their flights tonight would only lead to confusion, and we would probably end up getting back later than if we just wait."
Paysons eyes were filled with tears, "But she is hurt, she needs us."
"And you'll be there for her, when we get back. We all will."
Payson hugged Kelly drawing strength from her friends if she and Kaylie didnt spend their time whispering about clothes and boys she was still her friend."You said Lauren was coming, I'm guessing she told you."
"Yeah she told me and Austin."
"Austin! Poor Austin. How did he take it, especially with all of that stuff with his sister?"
Kelly gave her a blank look. "What stuff with his sister?"
Payson bit her lip. "You have to ask him. It's not my place."
"Yeah well he is already gone."
She saw Kelly's dejected expression. And went to her side "She is his friend too. Remember what you said, 'he would do it for any of his friends'."
Kelly pulled away, her mask of disinterest firmly in place. "Like I care, I just came to let you know that Lauren is looking for both of you. I doubt you want her to find you together."
Sasha had been silent up until that moment. "Kelly is right. I should go and call Alex and Ronnie and see how they are doing." He leaned down instinctively to kiss Payson but stopped when he heard Kelly clear her throat. Payson however ignored her friend and closed the small distance between them.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning." Payson kissed him again, this time longer.
"Alright, keep it PG kids."
Sasha blushed again as he redressed before walking past her and out the door. "Good night, Kelly."
"Night night, coach."
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