Page 66 of Salto

He leaned back, seeming to know I needed a break disguised as a conversation, even if it was just an extra minute to breathe.

I would take thirty seconds, honestly.

“It’s a little unnerving, but you get used to it,” he admitted with a chuckle. “I think Nikolai thinks if he reminds me enough, he might convince me to compete again.”

My eyes widened. “Could you? Compete again?” I thought he was retired for good. But if he could compete again, why wouldn’t he?

He shook his head. “You really want to get out of this, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I said simply. “We can talk about your grandmother for all I care. Just don’t make me do another Jaeger.”

“Unfortunately, my grandmother is dead,” he said dryly, moving into spotting position again, one hand settling at the small of my back.

I winced. “Okay, so maybe not that. But something else?” I asked hopefully.

“I know you're tired, Red.”

My jaw clenched, and I looked down at my hands.

“Last one,” he promised quietly.

I closed my eyes.

One more.

I could do one more.

I took a breath.

And did the skill again.

CHAPTER 25

When I walked in for my next morning session, the overhead lights were on. Last time, the main gym sat dark except for the glow from Vanta's office while Rove and I trained upstairs in the dance room.

My pace slowed, and my eyes scanned the apparatuses. It looked empty, but then I heard the faint squeak of a bar.

That's when I finally spotted movement on the men's high bar across the gym by the windows.

Rove.

He was doing a routine, wearing only sweatpants. No shirt.

I stopped in my tracks, unable to tear my eyes away.

I'd never seen him do gymnastics in real life.

He was doing giants. One after another, his form utterly impeccable.

A few moments later, he dismounted, throwing a double-twisting back and landing it without so much as a wobble.

I couldn't help it. My eyes drifted over him. The planes of his chest. His abdomen. The sleeve of tattoos covering his right arm.

He'd been hiding under hoodies every day, so I hadn't realized how strong he was. His biceps were the size of my thigh.

I blinked.

And blinked again.