you got here because I was worried about you. Are you okay?"
My brows shot up. "Okay? No, Hayden, I'm far from being okay right now."
Hayden let out a sympathetic sigh. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and drew me in. His worry for my well-being was as strong as the hug he gave me. I laid my head on his firm chest and took a deep breath, surrendering to his warm embrace. I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed him in. Hayden was my solace, my comfort zone.
"Yeah, that probably wasn't the best question to ask you. Sorry about that, I'm just worried."
My face softened. I appreciated his compassion more than he knew.
"Thanks," I said, pulling back. I laced my arm through his and placed my hand on his bicep, loving the arc of curvature in his muscle. "Come on." I nodded toward the elevator.
A roar of thunder cracked behind us as we walked side by side. I stopped to glance over my shoulder through the tall, tinted, glass windows and listened as another round of thunder boomed outside. Lightning lit up the darkening sky and rain began to fall fast and hard. Hayden withdrew from me and draped his arm across my shoulders.
It was about to pour, and not only outside.
Once inside my condo, I placed my bag on the breakfast bar, then reached inside for my wallet. I rummaged through my extra leotards and gymnastics gear until I found it. Hayden took off his jacket and draped it on the cushioned seat of one of the barstools. Holding on to the high back chair, he twisted and turned his body while keeping his feet in place, and cracked about every bone in his spine. The sound ricocheted through my silent condo. I glanced up.
"Feel better?" I asked.
"Not in the slightest."
I held out my credit card to him. "Here, order us some dinner. I don't care what it is, I'm not picky, just get us something good. I need to take a quick shower." And wash Kova off me.
Hayden took the card in his hand. "Is this one of those black cards?" He flipped it over and tried to bend it.
"Yup. Do your worst to it—you won't break it. It's made of titanium."
His head popped up, his jaw slack. "You know you can buy, like, a Bentley on this card, right? I once read someone bought a thirty-million-dollar teacup with their black card." He paused, brows angled toward each other. "Who buys a teacup for thirty million? Teacups are so delicate and fragile. Could you imagine if it broke?" He snapped his fingers. "Thirty million down the drain, just like that."
I shrugged and shook my head. A light laugh escaped me.
"How did you get one?"
"My parents each have one and you can add one person to the account. So, my brother, Xavier, and I were added. I'm on my dad's, he's on my mom's."
"That's awesome."
"I'm going to jump in the shower, but I'll be quick," I said, heading for my bedroom.
"Need a hand?" Hayden shouted in jest and I laughed.
I grabbed some clothes and made my way into the bathroom. Once I cranked up the water and waited for it to heat, I removed my leotard and sweat pants. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. All the work I'd put in since coming to World Cup was beginning to pay off.
There wasn't an inch of fat on my body—not that there had been before—but where I used to just be thin, I was now toned, my muscles sculpted but with soft definition. Upper arms curved with new strength, my stomach had obvious abs, and my hips were profound with obliques. Turning around, I tilted my head to the side to get a better view. My ass was round and firm and high, with an arc that could rival a supermodel's. Steam fogged the mirror as my gaze fell to my legs. Thighs were noticeably larger, firmer, solid. Pliable, yet tender.
Pulling my hair tie out, my hair fell around me. The wine undertones laced perfectly with the rich brown waves. The curled ends tickled my breasts causing my nipples to pucker in response. I looked down. I was almost positive my breasts had grown too, but not by much. Maybe it was the muscle growth behind the fatty tissue that caused them to look bigger. Maybe it was my wishful thinking and my eyes playing tricks on me. Because what girl didn't want bigger boobs?