Kelly Parker thought bronze medals were stupid. Most people, at least at first glance, couldn't tell if it was a bronze or a gold, especially if you weren't near the gold medal winner. She looked into the full-length mirror of her hotel room, the bronze All-Around medal hanging around her neck and bit her lip. Still, it was better than nothing.
She knew what her mother would say. Bronze wasn't the color champions wore. Bronze wasn't even first loser. Bronze shouldn't even exist. She shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to block Sheila's voice out her mind. Kelly knew the results of this all-around competition weren't life or death. Her upgraded vault was nearly ready and it was the first time she competed her floor routine since Nationals. She rocked the bars and the beam and tomorrow she would grab some more hardware to take home to her apartment.
First, however, there were NGO reps to greet and some sponsors to schmooze. MJ outlined a phenomenal sponsorship package for her and she was looking forward to meeting with several of them tonight.
Unzipping the garment bag, which hung in the room's closet she smirked at the dress. She planned on turning some heads tonight and hopefully managing to keep her mind off of one particular guy whose head was not allowed to turn.
Austin was a better friend than she imagined he was capable of being, to anyone, let alone her. Before they had Kaylie in common she considered him nothing more than an annoyance who happened to catch lightning in a bottle in Beijing. Now, he was someone she counted as a part of the surrogate family she was building and she didn't want to do anything to mess that up. Not even if her heart fluttered when he hugged the day before and especially not because she felt totally safe in his arms, even when she was freaking out about her mother. He belonged to Kaylie and she respected that, totally and completely. She just needed to find someone else and this dress was going to help her do it.
She reached up to take the dress from its hanger when someone pounded on her door. Kelly checked the peephole and quickly opened it. Standing at her threshold was a freshly showered Payson Keeler holding several shopping bags and a makeup case.
Kelly tilted her head curiously and stepped back to allow her room to walk in.
"I need your help," Payson said, biting her lip, obviously unsure of herself.
Raising a speculative brow, Kelly smiled. "With what?"
Payson huffed out a breath and looked her dead in the eye. "I need to look hot tonight, not pretty, not graceful, not all those things they always call me."
Kelly laughed and nodded. "You came to the right place." She turned into her room, finding her junior teammate digging through her suitcase. "Oh, Jessica. Payson's going to get ready in here tonight. Why don't you go to her room and get ready with Paige?" She left no room for argument and just moments later they had the room to themselves.
Twenty minutes later, she stood next to Payson holding large, dangly hoop earrings out to her. "They'll draw his eye to your neck. Whoever he is," Kelly said, raising an eyebrow at Payson.
Looking back at her through the mirror on the wall, Payson took them gratefully and sighed. "Kelly…"
"No, I get it," Kelly said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I get you can't tell me even though I just helped you look like this."
She gestured towards Payson whose outfit was totally uncharacteristically sexy, a pair of tight blue jeans paired with a sheer, white, oversized, off the shoulder blouse, layered atop a black sequined bra. Her midriff wasn't bare, but clearly visible and the gossamer like material over it made the look sexier than if the skin was totally exposed. Her hair was pulled up loosely held in a twist at the back of her head, soft strands framing her face.
"You don't think it's too much?" Payson asked, turning back towards her reflection.
Kelly shook her head. "No, you look hot, like you wanted and don't try to change the subject."
Payson sighed and bit her lip. "Look, I can't tell you. Nothing's happened, not really, and nothing probably will ever happen, but I just…I want him to…" she trailed off.
"You want him to see what he's missing," Kelly filled in the blank for her, having been there once and maybe, despite herself, she was there at that very moment.
"Is that horrible of me?" Payson asked, sitting down on KP's bed.
"Payson, you've got about a lifetime's of horrible saved up for whenever you want to use it and it still wouldn't draw even with the amount of good will you've put out. I mean every night that passes when you don't strangle Lauren Tanner in her sleep earns you like a billion 'can do whatever the hell she wants because she hasn't committed justifiable homicide' points."
Laughing, Payson stood and examined her reflection again. "Are you sure it's not too much?"
"You're going to knock his socks off."
Austin checked his phone quickly, standing in the elevator. He was a little late, but it wasn't his fault. His agent had him talking to a few Kobalt reps and he wasn't able to disentangle himself for a good twenty minutes. Then Max asked him to introduce him to the coach from All Olympia in Los Angeles, which took another half hour.
A cheerful ding echoed in the elevator as the doors slid open to the lobby. Quickly scanning around he found the two people he was searching for easily.
"Emily," he said, raising a hand in greeting. "Damon."
He approached the couple quickly, smiling as he saw their hands were joined together.
"Hey Austin," Emily said, her hand sliding from Damon as she stepped up to hug him. "It's so good to see you." He heard a hitch in her voice and Austin pulled back, full of concern, but Emily just shook her head. "It's nothing. It's these stupid hormones, I'm so emotional lately."
"Understatement," Damon said, but he was smiling. Emily swatted at him, but shot Austin a watery smile as well. He nodded towards Austin, which was big of him since the last time they saw each other Austin had just punched him in the gut.
"Young, good to see you. I'm sorry I couldn't find you guys before the competition started, but my agent had me with some sponsors." As the excuse fell from his lips it sounded weak, but he shrugged helplessly and they shook it off.
"No big deal," Emily said. "It was nice to just watch gymnastics again, smell the chalk, hear the pounding on the floor and the beam. Everyone looked so great." She sniffled again and Damon put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I'm just going to go to the bathroom for a second. I'll be right back."
Emily left, leaving Austin and Damon to stand there awkwardly for a moment.
Austin inhaled and let out a heavy breath before turning to the pizza guy cum rock star. "Listen, man. I'm sorry about the whole punching thing," he said. "Kaylie explained and I was out of line."
Damon shook it off quickly. "No, I was being an idiot. Kaylie was a good friend to me. Things were just so messed up with me and Em and all the crap I was going through with my record company, I never should have kissed her or dragged her into any of it."
Austin's breath left him, like he'd been punched in the gut. He cleared his throat harshly and then shook his head. "You and Kaylie kissed?" he asked.
Eyes growing wide, Damon's mouth dropped open silently. "Shit," he cursed. "I thought she would have told you. It was stupid and it meant absolutely nothing."
"Right," Austin said, reeling in the instinct to punch the other guy in the gut, again. He and Kaylie weren't together at the time, so it shouldn't bother him, but there was nothing he could do to banish the image of Kaylie and Damon kissing. It was probably right after Emily and Damon broke up, or maybe before that; Emily pregnant, desperately looking for a solution to her problems and suddenly her fleeing to Vegas made all the sense in the world.
"Anyway, Emily told me what you did, offering to help her out financially when you thought I was going to flake out on her," Damon said, "and I just wanted to say thank you. She didn't feel like she had any friends left at that point and your email, it made her realize that she did."
Austin shrugged. "I knew she'd never take the money, but look, if you guys need anything."
"Thanks man," Damon said, "but I finished my album and the record company loves it. Everything's good."
"Good," Austin said, still trying unsuccessfully to get rid of the image of his girlfriend and the father of Emily's baby kissing.
Emily appeared again, smiling brightly at him and he managed to cover his suddenly dark mood well enough.
"All better," Emily said, all traces of her tears gone. "So tell me everything, all the Rock drama.
Austin laughed, putting on a good enough front to fool both of them. "I have some advice for the party then," he said. "Stick close to Lauren tonight. It should be entertaining."
Sasha tugged at the knot of his tie, allowing the silk to choke him for a moment before he loosened it, taking off the wretched thing and tossing it across the room. He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and sighed at his reflection.
He was a bloody moron, the worst kind of fool. He swore to himself that he would fix the mess he made with Payson and he only made it worse. He had no idea what made him invite her into his room, he was operating on autopilot, simply following his instincts.
Her floor routine during the all-around competition today was the most breathtakingly beautiful expression he'd ever seen. He taught her to tell a story with her body, to pull the audience and force them to pay attention, but he never thought he would fall victim to her abilities and in such a horribly misguided way.
As soon as she said his name, he was lost to her. And he hadn't regained his senses until she was pressed into the wall, writhing against him, their teeth clashing, their bodies burning for each other.
"Damn it," Sasha cursed under his breath before rearing back and punching the wall roughly. Now he had to go to this ridiculous reception and mingle and pretend like everything was fine, when really all he wanted to do was fine a quiet corner with the girl he was desperately and hopelessly in love with and beg for her forgiveness.
A knock at his door drew him from his self-loathing and he opened it to find Summer waiting for him.
"It's time. We should get the girls and head downstairs," she said, checking her watch, though he was sure she already knew the time.
"Right," he said, pulling at the cuffs of his shirt.
"I already approved Lauren's dress, so you don't have to worry about that," Summer said, as they walked towards the girls' rooms down the hall.
"I wasn't," he said. "I don't care what they wear."
Summer stopped and looked at him with her eyes wide. "You should. They represent the Rock and their country."
Sasha groaned, a headache rapidly developing between his eyes. He pinched at the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "They represent themselves, they're all beautiful girls," he said, cutting himself off before his thoughts and his words began to mesh and dig him into even more trouble.
Doors around them began to open and the chatter of female voices reverberated in his ears, but a flash of blonde hair down the hallway caught his eye. She turned in his direction and let her eyes meet his for a fleeting moment, but it was enough. She was playing with him. He watched her laugh at something Kelly said, before she looked away and turned her back on him.
Sasha blinked rapidly trying to make sure he wasn't seeing things when Summer's gasp from beside him confirmed it.
The girls were all striding down the hallway towards the elevators and there was nothing Sasha could do except follow them. His eyes betraying his mind as they watched the sway of her hips, a little more pronounced tonight than usual, again, he assumed for his benefit.
Summer grabbed his arm and pulled him to a halt.
"Aren't you going to say anything to her?" she asked, clearly upset by Payson's outfit.
He raised a brow at her. "And what would you have me say to her?"
"That her outfit is completely inappropriate. Sasha…"
"Summer, if you want to go say something to her, go for it, but Payson's wardrobe choices aren't any of my business," he said.
"What would Kim think?" Summer shot at his back as he walked away from her.
What would Kim think? Payson would never wear something like that in front of her mother, but her mother wasn't here. He briefly considered letting Summer talk to Payson, the crueler part of him wondering, in her current frame of mind, where exactly Payson would tell Summer to shove her fashion advice, but he couldn't do that. This was his mess and he had to fix it.
"I'll talk to her."
Lauren stepped out of the elevator and immediately straightened her dress and hair in case any photographers or random people with their phones out and primed were in the area.
Kelly exited just behind her and scoffed. "Don't worry, Lauren, no one will be worried about what you look like after tonight."
Rolling her eyes, Lauren scoffed. "If you're talking about that ridiculous bet, it's off. You totally cheated, moving your auction slot like that. We agreed not to interfere with the auction and you're little bathroom break was a clear violation."
Kelly shook her head. "You're just bitter you lost. Kaylie, Pay, back me up here."
Payson shrugged. "She did get the higher bid, Lo."
"Please, you just want to see me humiliated, like you were after your stupid little kiss with your middle aged boyfriend."
"And on that note, I'm out of here," Payson said, glaring at Lauren and walking away.
"What is she even wearing? She looks ridiculous," Lauren said, as they watched Payson draw every male eye as she strode away from their group towards the ballroom entrance.
"She looks great," Kelly defended. "Unlike some people, Payson knows that less is more. Leaving something to the imagination is sexy." Lauren watched Kelly's eyes take in her outfit. It wasn't nearly as revealing as her dress from the auction, but Kelly's point was made, nonetheless.
Lauren pursed her lips and smirked, remembering a vital piece of information she had on KP. "Right, I'd really prefer if you didn't look at me like that, it freaks me out and spare me your little crush on Payson. I mean it would be okay if she swung that way, I guess, but after she went after Sasha, I'm nearly positive she's straight, sorry to burst your bubble."
Kelly's eyebrows shot up. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Are you claiming insanity to get out of the bet? Pathetic," she said.
"You don't want to mess with me, Parker," Lauren said, taking a step closer to the girl, her jaw clenching.
"Guys, c'mon, it's going to be a long night. Can't we just get along?" Kaylie said, literally standing between them.
"No," Lauren snapped. "You really want to do this now? Fine." She turned to Kaylie. "Do you want to know the real reason why I didn't talk to her after podium training?"
Kaylie's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Lo, what are you talking about?"
"I found her, after she ran off because her mom showed up. I found her, but she was already with someone else. She was with Austin," she said, pulling her phone out of her purse and pulling up the incriminating picture and shoving it under Kaylie's nose.
"Did I hear someone call my name?" Austin asked, approaching them with Emily and Damon in tow.
Kaylie whirled on him and said, "Is it true?"
Austin's smile slipped a little. "Is what true?"
"This," Kaylie said, grabbing the phone out of Lauren's hand, showing him the picture.
"What is that?" Austin asked, squinting at it.
"That's you and one of my friends," Kaylie bit out from between clenched teeth.
Lauren did her best to keep her face neutral, fighting the smile as she realized she'd have her best friend back and sooner rather than later.
Kaylie waited a second and then another. "Well?" she asked, looking at Austin and then back at Kelly.
"Kaylie, it's not what it looks like," Austin began to explain.
"At all," Kelly said. "I was upset, about my mother and I ran into Austin and I just, I needed someone and he was there."
Austin nodded. "That's all it was, Kaylie. She's my friend and she needed someone."
Taking a deep breath, Kaylie wanted desperately to believe them. "So there's nothing between you guys, you're just friends."
"Absolutely," they chorused together just a little too quickly. Kaylie's eyes narrowed and she looked up into Austin's and then down to meet Kelly's gaze.
"Please," Lauren scoffed from behind her. "I know what I saw. You too weren't just hugging. It was obviously more than that."
"Was it?" Kaylie pressed and felt a lump grow in her throat. "Was it more than that?"
Kelly broke eye contact first and drew Austin's eyes away from Kaylie . She shook her head. "Nothing happened," Kelly said, pressing her lips together and meeting her eye again.
"But you have feelings for my boyfriend?" Kaylie asked, shaking her head, though it wasn't a question and she didn't require an answer. The betrayal clawed at her heart. "I don't believe you. I trusted you. God, I asked him to let you stay at his place while you found a place to live. I can't believe this is happening to me, again."
"Kaylie," Kelly started again. "It's not like that. Things have been really hard and Austin's been there –"
"As a friend," Austin cut in. "Kaylie, nothing happened."
Kaylie felt something inside her snap, "But she isn't denying it. She has feelings for you. Who does that? Who feels that way about their friend's boyfriend?"
Austin's eyes narrowed. "I don't know, Kaylie, you tell me," he snapped back at her. "Who develops feelings for their friend's boyfriend?"
"What are you talking about?" Kaylie asked, though deep down she knew. She knew this would happen, since just before her beam routine and she caught sight of Emily and Damon in the stands. She knew that somehow everything would start to unravel.
"Why don't we ask Damon?" Austin said, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"Hey, let's leave me out of it," Damon said, raising his hands in defense.
Kaylie's anger faded a little a she looked over Austin's shoulders and saw Damon and Emily standing there hand in hand, a strong couple, despite the odds. Emily looked visibly upset and Kaylie felt her heart ache for a girl who she used to consider one of her closest friends, but whom she betrayed on a most basic level.
"Forget it," Austin said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm done." He stepped around her and walked away towards the crowd.
"Well, good, because so am I," Kaylie said to his retreating back, the ache in her chest growing, but covering it up with anger. She shook her head in disgust, at Austin, at Kelly and mostly at herself. She stormed away, Lauren at her side and kept her head high until they were out of earshot and that's when the first sob escaped her throat.
"Wow," Emily said, as she stood awkwardly in the elevator bay with Damon and Kelly Parker, who looked on the verge of tears. The former national and world champion's lip trembled and she took off in same direction as Austin, disappearing down a hallway.
"What exactly just happened?" Damon asked, his eyes wide. "Is that what Austin meant before about entertaining?"
"Uh, no I don't' think so." Emily shook her head and shrugged. "I have no idea and you know what's great?"
"What's that?" Damon asked.
"For the first time, it doesn't matter, not to us." Her hand fell protectively over the tiny bump in the line of her dress.
Damon smiled, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You wanna get out of here?" he asked.
"Let's just say hi to Payson and then yeah, I wanna get out of here," Emily said, holding out her hand, which Damon took, lacing his fingers between hers.
"You know, we are on the strip, all dressed up," Damon said, trailing off. He raised an eyebrow speculatively. "I could make an honest woman out of you."
Emily's heart clenched and she smiled brightly. "On second thought, I'll text Payson later. Let's get out of here."