it could have been worse. The only good thing you have working in your favor right now is that you do not have to train for anything new, we will just go a tad lighter."
"I don't want that," I shot back quickly. I knew he was going to say that by the look in his eyes. Kova cocked his head to the side and took me in. My heart raced as my emotions jumped all around like fraying sparks. I stood up and stepped to him so we were eye to eye.
"I'm not doing this song and dance with you again, Kova. I'm so close to getting what I want. I can taste it. I need to go hard and I'm going to do whatever it takes, so don't expect me to go light on myself. The moment is now." I swallowed hard, fighting the tears threatening to climb. "I only have right now," I said softly. "The time is now."
Kova’s face remained neutral. "I am trying to do the right thing for you. I want to push and make you work through the injury and pain and swelling and act like it is not even there, make you get up and brush it off any time I see you limp." He lifted his hand and brushed back a strand of hair and cupped it behind my ear. His voice lowered to a cracked whisper. "But I do not want to do that because I care about you, and if you injure yourself further, it would be catastrophic, for both of us." His eyes dropped to my mouth. "It is hard to fight you on wanting something so bad. I feel what you are feeling, that hunger inside of you that is never satisfied?" His eyes were soft when they met mine again. "I get it. You are so close yet so far that if you let go, even for a split second, you will feel like it is gone forever."
I nodded hastily, taking joy in the fact that he truly understood where I was coming from. I tried not to smile from ear to ear. This is why we clicked so well. He more than anyone understood my drive and determination. The need to succeed in the sport, not just because I wanted to be on top, but because I hungered for it, craved it.
"I was in your spot once," Kova continued. "I understand what you are dealing with. What we will do is hone in on tightening up a few things and some conditioning. No tumbling passes for now, or vault. Let us get you started on the treatment first so your Achilles can begin to heal as much as possible. You are there, Ria, your routines are solid." Kova paused. "You are there." Kova grabbed my biceps and gave me a little shake. My legs trembled, nearly giving out at finally hearing the words I’d prayed to hear since coming to World Cup. "Coming in first place at the meet was huge. All eyes are on you right now. And you know how I know that? Because I have already gotten call after call wondering about who you are and where you came from. Make no mistake, those little tears are extremely dangerous. We will be smart about it, but we are not stopping."
"You got calls about me?"
He nodded his head, hiding a grin.
"What did they say?" I asked excitedly.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with right now."
"Kova! Tell me!" I teetered on my toes anxiously. "Just give me something!"
"Just some colleagues asking about which meets you will be at. They were impressed with you and said they hoped to see you at nationals."
My eyes went wide. Nationals were meets I had to qualify for, and the most important ones. I had to be one of the top eight in my age division. No easy feat by any measure, but it still made me happy and gave me a ton of hope. A stupid grin split across my face. Nationals? I couldn't even imagine. I mean, I could, but for his friends to call about me and make that comment was exhilarating.
"Remember nationals is where the college coaches go to recruit," he stated.
I nodded hesitantly. It may have slipped my mind.
"Not to worry. We have a little time before that." He put a hand up before I could say another word. "I know college isn't on your mind, but I still want you to be well-informed of