Page 162 of Salto

“What about Vanta? Doesn’t he need you?”

“You need me,” he said firmly. “Vanta is fine. Hana is with him.”

I didn't argue. I wouldn't say it out loud, but I absolutely needed him.

I let him help me to my feet.

The echo of cheers and music drifted down the locker room hall. Applause erupted somewhere in the distance as another routine finished.

Rove kept one arm around my waist as we made our way toward the back exit.

The taste of blood still coated my mouth. As we walked, I caught sight of Rove's shoulder and saw speckles of crimson staining the white fabric of his hoodie.

Every step sent another ache through my back, but it wasn't the pain that made my chest feel so heavy.

It was the thought that somewhere inside that arena, the selection committee for the National Team had watched me collapse.

Even though I’d finished my routine, I had no idea if my fall would hurt my chances of getting an invite onto the National Team. I could lose my shot at the Olympics, and it wouldn't be because I couldn’t do it.

It would be because they didn’t want to take a risk on me and my health.

A risk that only one person so far had been willing to take.

And now, judging by the guilt in his eyes, I couldn't help but wonder if he wished he hadn't.

CHAPTER 58

We took an Uber back to the hotel. I'd had ten missed calls from my mom by the time I was able to get back to her. Apparently, she'd seen the collapse on the livestream.

"Are you sure you're alright, honey?" I could hear that she'd been crying, and it killed me that I'd scared her.

"I just pushed a little too hard, Mom. I'm okay. I really am."

"Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?"

"No, I'm okay, Mom. I'll see a doctor the moment I get back to California. I'd much rather wait until I get home. Then you can come with me."

I hoped, if I told her I wanted her there, she'd relent. Thankfully, it did the trick.

"Okay, sweetie. Please rest, and make sure you call me if you need anything, even if it's the middle of the night."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too."

I hung up the phone and glanced over at Rove. He was looking out the window, his elbow resting on the door, his fist pressed against his lips.

Rove didn't say anything on the drive back. In the locker room, I think he'd been so concerned about my well-being that all he could focus on was whether I was hurt.

Now that the adrenaline had worn off, things had gotten quiet.

Really, really quiet.

I could feel a frigidness radiating from the other side of the car.

I had the growing suspicion that he might be angry with me.

I hadn't let him step in. He'd told me during the routine not to keep going, and I'd done it anyway.