with concern. I was on the floor, knee bent as I unwrapped the ACE bandage from my ankle. My Achilles had flared up earlier from Kova's merciless conditioning. I'd pushed past the pain. It was nothing I couldn't handle, but he had sensed it and told me to wrap it up, then handed me an anti-inflammatory. My eyes had lit up at the sight of the little orange pills in his palm. I didn't argue. Within an hour, it helped dull the pain.
"I'm fine," I responded on autopilot. And I was.
Kova crouched down and got on his knees. He tapped the side of my thigh for me to roll onto my stomach. He began to massage my calves, working his way up to my thighs to work out the lactic acid. God it felt good when he dug deep with his knuckles and pushed in a circle.
"I want you to eat something full of high protein when you get home. Add some whole grains into the mix and green vegetables. Make sure to ice that leg of yours. Actually, I would like you to take an ice bath. That would benefit you more."
I groaned under my breath. An ice bath was the last thing on earth I wanted after the workout I just had. Talk about suffering even more.
"I'll just ice it. Thanks for the suggestion though."
"Adrianna, I do not speak just to hear the sound of my voice. I am trying to inform you how much you are going to ache tomorrow and little things, like an ice bath, will help immensely. It will help your Achilles as well and bring down the intense trauma your body endured today."
I barely had the strength to drive home, let alone buy ice.
Kova moved on to my other leg and repeated the motions. An ice bath would be the best solution, but there was no way I could do it again. I didn't want to. Memories assaulted me like it happened yesterday and I squeezed my eyes shut. It was horrific, like thousands and thousands of tiny needles repeatedly stabbing my entire body for what seemed like an eternity. All I could focus on was the chunks of ice and the slow ticking of the timer counting down until I could get out.
I moaned as Kova made his way to my shoulder blades and groaned in the back of my throat as his hands worked magic on my sore back and neck. I could fall asleep to this. It was getting late and I needed to get moving, but the mere thought of standing exhausted me even more.
"I know how well ice baths work, Hayden helped me last time. And for the record, I detest them."
"Nobody likes them."
"I don't want to sit in an ice bath ever again."
Kova's hands stopped and I turned over to look at him and sat up. He scowled at me. "Then do not come in and train like a beast if you cannot handle the aftermath. That is being negligent, not to mention, plain old stupid on your part. Now, get up."
My eyes lowered as Kova stood. I said nothing. I didn't move.
I didn't like his tone.
He shifted on his feet, clearly annoyed with me. "Those little tears happening in your muscles right now that you cannot see, they need the cold water therapy. If not, you are going to be swollen and useless tomorrow." He paused. "And you will be here tomorrow regardless."
I rolled my eyes. I had a headache. "I know that. I wouldn’t dream of skipping."
With swift speed, Kova leaned down and slipped his hand under my arm and pulled me up. The world spun around me, I was instantly dizzy from being forced to stand.
Gripping my arm tight, Kova leaned down in my face. "I am not putting up with this defiant, childish behavior. You said you would do anything I said and would hire all the best people to help you recover. Remember? You continue like this and I will lock you out from coming in on your days off. I am trying to help you. Stop fighting me on every little thing, Adrianna. It is like you wake up and write up a checklist of things to do and say to get under my skin to infuriate me. Remember your place."
Kova was way off base, that wasn't what I intended at all. I yanked my arm back, but he had a firm grip on me. I had my reasons as to