Chapter 4

"So what was that about Payson?" Kaylie asks me as I get near her

"Nothing he just wanted to talk about my routines" I reply jumping up onto the beam

"He could have talked about that out here" Lauren said from the beam beside me

"Well maybe he thinks you'll steal my routine" I say not even looking at her and I can hear her humph of her disagreeing

"I'm going to work on my bars."I said before walking away.

This is the sport, the lifestyle; you have your friends who at any time could stab you in the back. But I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. Visualizing my simple routine I chalk up. Saluting the imaginary judges then I jump and everything else in my mind is cleared away. Flip one, change bars. Flip two, change grip. Flip three, dismount to the ground.

3 months ago I would have laughed at such a simple routine but now I'm happy I am even able to do that. Smiling to myself I nod my head once.

Everyone has left the gym already and I'm still here big shocker but I love it here this is my everything. I can hear the glass door sliding open and I remain on the beam just working through some simple routines. I feel his presence behind me but I ignore him and keep concentrating.

"Payson….." the deep and incredibly sexy voice says from behind me but I ignore it and keep working "Payson?" he tries again

All I do is jump off the beam grab my bag and walk past him heading towards the door.

I suddenly feel a arm wrap around mine damn it there was only ten more feet towards the exit.

"Payson did I do something wrong?" Sasha asks I turn around and reply

"No Coach everything is fine see you tomorrow" I force a smile and turn around leaving him there but knowing Sasha he won't just take that as an answer

"What's wrong Draga?"

"What does that mean?" I ask as I stare into his eyes

"My love" One step towards me "My sweetheart" Another step and he keeps walking until he's right in front of me.

"Sasha can you just leave me alone I don't have time for this bullshit." I see shock on his face I don't know if it's from me swearing or how abrupt I'm being.

"Hey what do you mean bullshit?" He asks pure confusion

"We were kidding ourselves to think this could work I know Summer asked you out and honestly I don't think I wanna know your answer. Now I'm going to leave I'll see you tomorrow" I state as I turn away and walk out of the gym.

"Hey Payson have fun at the gym?" My mother asks as I throw myself into the kitchen chair.

"Of course she did she's a robot" said Becca I'm really tired of all this crap I'm not a robot but this is what I worked or my whole life and I'm not going to throw it away

"Becca I'm not a robot I love the sport and I'm pretty sick and tired of everyone judging me in case you haven't noticed I have it hard enough as it is" I get out of my chair turned to look at my mom and sisters shocked faces and say "I'm going to bed I'm not hungry" as I run to my room and slam my door I can hear my mothers muffled voice

"At least she learned something in high school"

I jump on my bed take out my phone and read my 20 texts surprisingly they are all from Sasha. All saying the same thing we need to talk, I'm sorry, it's not what you think.

I turn it off and fall asleep thinking of the man I love.