Page 82 of Salto

“And,” he said, a small, almost sad smile coming to his lips, “I think Rove chose you because he sees something in you that he sees in himself.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

His brow furrowed again, and he sighed. “I think Rove lost a part of himself these past two years. I just hope he’s not using you to fill it.”

Whoa.

That wasn’t what I was expecting.

I stood up slowly, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. “Well, I hope I can prove you wrong.”

“I hope you can, too.”

I walked out of Vanta’s office feeling the weight on my shoulders grow heavier.

Now that I knew exactly what Vanta thought—and exactly what he expected—the stakes felt higher than ever.

Tomorrow wasn't just about qualifying.

It was about proving I belonged here.

I just hoped I wouldn’t crumble beneath the pressure.

Or the pain.

CHAPTER 31

ROVE: I’ll meet you in the parking lot at 10.

It was Elite Qualifier day. Since I was the only gymnast left who still needed to qualify, Vanta and Hana had stayed behind to coach the rest of the team while Rove took me to the meet.

I came down from my tower, half expecting to see a motorcycle idling next to the curb, but Rove was nowhere in sight. Instead, movement caught my eye from across the lot.

His blond hair was a dead giveaway, and I found him opening the car door to a black Toyota Tacoma.

I started toward him, confusion furrowing my brow.

“You have a car?” I asked when I neared.

He looked up at the sound of my voice. “You thought I just rode a motorcycle everywhere?”

“Kinda, yeah,” I admitted sheepishly, heading for the passenger side.

He chuckled, took my bag from my shoulder, and tossed it into the bed.

“Hop in.”

I climbed into the passenger seat while he shut the tailgate and walked around to the driver's side.

A moment later, he started the truck, a basic pop song drifting through the speakers as we pulled away from the apartment complex.

It was a little strange, when I really thought about it, that my coach lived in the same building as me. But I was so grateful to have a place I could afford that I tried not to dwell on it.

I defaulted to looking out the window or fiddling with my phone. But I wasn’t the type to sit idly, especially before a meet this huge. It would be impossible for me to fully relax for the two-hour drive.

After about ten minutes of silence, trying to force myself not to say anything, I couldn't do it anymore.

I sighed dramatically and looked over at him.