Page 111 of Salto

“Red,” he called to me as I exited the locker room. He beckoned me over with his hand.

It was unnervingly quiet as I walked over to him.

“What’s up?” I asked, shouldering my backpack. I was unable to meet his gaze fully.

“Follow me.”

When we stepped into the recovery room, my eyes landed on the cold-plunge tub almost instantly.

A large stainless-steel tub sat in the center of the room, a digital temperature display glowing on the sides.

The dread that consumed me upon seeing it was immediate.

I halted in my tracks, and Rove walked around me, moving to stand beside it. It was already full, the water gently circulating.

“I’m not doing it,” I said immediately. My nostrils flared, and I crossed my arms over my chest. I looked at the bath with so much disdain it was palpable.

Rove reached out to grasp the rim of the tub. “You don’t have an option, Red.”

“I can’t,” I said, more desperate now.

I looked at him, met his intense green eyes, and wished they’d relent. That he’d soften toward me.

I’d rather run laps until I passed out than sit in an ice bath.

“You’re inflamed. You didn’t catch that Jaeger today and I know it wasn’t because of your back pain.”

“How do you know that?” My eyes narrowed. He was too observant.

“Your shoulders always open in that skill,” he said matter-of-factly. “That only leaves one explanation.”

I gritted my teeth.

“You’re sore.”

He was right, of course, but I hated it.

“Rove,” I said, my voice barely a whisper now.

“You promised me. It’s just cold water. It’s not going to hurt you.”

“Says the man from Finland, where people take literal ice plunges!” I threw my hands up and glared openly at him.

His lip pulled up in a half-smirk, but it vanished before I could cherish it.

“I’ll help you.”

I walked over to the tub slowly, eyeing the water, and swallowed.

“I’ll tense up. It will be painful,” I said quietly. The dread was beginning to take over.

“You’re not supposed to tense up.”

“Tell that to my body,” I said dryly.

“Get in, Scarlet. I don’t have all night.”

I realized I wasn’t going to get out of this. Unless I wanted to give up everything I’d worked for, I would have to endure this freaking ice bath.