Page 99 of Salto

He paused, his expression telling me he didn't quite believe me.

“Really, I’m fine,” I assured him.

After a moment, he relented and gestured toward the house.

“Let’s go.”

We walked up the driveway and through the back gate.

The backyard was even more beautiful than the front. It was a literal oasis. There were palm trees dotting the yard, expertly trimmed hedges, perfectly placed pavers, and a sparkling pool with waterfalls cascading over massive rock features. Everything was lit by blue-hued LEDs and sparkling fairy lights strung across the yard.

There were the most amazing spreads of food on tables set out on the grass lawn, with additional tables for guests to sit at. The place was packed. Most of the Vanta athletes were under eighteen, so there were a surprising number of parents in attendance.

The smell of barbecue, chlorine, and a hint of ocean breeze overtook my senses, and I had to admit it was positively mouthwatering.

“Wow, your uncle really knows how to throw a party,” I said, still taking it all in.

“Yes, he does,” Rove agreed, and I followed him through the crowd over to where Vanta was grilling steaks on the barbecue.

“Rove, there you are.” Vanta looked up when we walked over to him. He appeared a little less intimidating in this setting, but still pretty intense for simply grilling steaks.

“Smells good,” Rove said, reaching up to pat his uncle on the shoulder.

Vanta glanced over at me and gave a polite nod. “Scarlet, good to see you. I heard you qualified. Congratulations.”

I couldn’t help but be transported back to the day he called me into his office. I knew some part of him had been hoping I wouldn't qualify.

I tried not to shy away from his intense gaze, but I could still feel the scrutiny radiating off him.

“Good to see you too, Coach,” I said.

Thankfully, his attention quickly turned back to Rove.

“Can you help me grab a cookie sheet from inside, Rove?” He gestured to the house behind him. “I forgot to grab one to put these on.”

“Uh, sure,” Rove said, glancing at me briefly. “Get some food. There’s plenty,” he encouraged me.

I nodded, swallowing the urge to ask him not to leave me there alone.

Rove looked back at me one last time before heading inside.

I slipped away deeper into the party, too shy to meet anyone's eyes for longer than a few seconds. I gave a few timid smiles and zeroed in on an empty table where I could hopefully blend in without having to do much socializing.

I did notice Sloane and Eva across the yard near the pool with some other male gymnasts, but they didn't seem to notice me, and talking to them wasn't on my list of priorities tonight.

I snatched a roll from one of the food tables, along with a soda, then slipped into one of the empty folding chairs, trying to look like I wasn’t absolutely strung out. I wished so badly that Laney and Mia were with me. This type of thing was better with friends.

“You’re Scarlet, right?”

I looked up, not expecting someone to approach me.

It was one of the guys I'd seen by the pool. He was pretty tall for a gymnast. Broad shoulders, dark brown hair cut super short, and a neatly trimmed beard.

His smile was easy and relaxed.

“Yeah, I’m Scarlet Hale,” I confirmed.

“Thought so,” he said. “I’m Dean.”