thin. Everything I do for you, to your body, has a reason. Sometimes I think you are too naive to see it right now."
I sat up. I tried not to take offense to that because he didn't take me in jest when I meant it that way. "No, I'm not. You misund—"
"Just shut up, take what I give you." His voice was angry and brash. "And fucking say thank you when I am done."
My jaw dropped. "I do take it," I bit out. "When do I not?"
The energy in the room shifted, and the aggravated energy emitting off him could be felt within a five-mile radius.
"Have you ever once said thank you to me? After all the times you have demanded from me, have you ever once said thank you?"
I pulled back and mused over his words. My forehead creased as I struggled to think. Moments flashed through my head like a camera taking pictures. Conversations, practices, moments when we were alone. Realization dawned on me. I swallowed, ashamed I'd never thanked him.
"That is what I thought. Instead you mock my training methods." He let out a harsh laugh. "Guess what, sweetheart? I got my medals already. I have traveled to international meets. I have been World Champion, and I have been to the Olympics. I have accomplished everything I wanted to—with the help from a coach ten times worse than me. You, however, have none of that. And the road you keep traveling down, you never will."
Kova looked down at his hands and brushed off the excess chalk. His head bobbed with an arrogant, puckered mouth.
Giving me his back, he coolly walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?" I asked in an elevated tone.
"We are done here," he said flatly.
"No, we're not. We have thirty minutes left."
Kova spun around. A gut-wrenching smile slid across his face. "If you will excuse me, I am going to devote my time to someone who truly wants it. My girlfriend."
"You're an asshole."
"Tell me something I do not know," he retorted, leaving the therapy room.
"See! Contractions would be useful there!" I yelled. I heard him grunt, but he never came back.
That night while sitting in the bathtub—a steaming hot bathtub I might add—I reflected over my conversation with Kova and how we left the gym. Truthfully, it was all I could think about since I got home. I was sick to my stomach because he was completely right. I came across as unappreciative and that was the last thing I'd ever want him to think. I wasn't. Aside from all the bullshit outside the gym, I was more than grateful for all the effort he put in. I demanded so much and he gave it to me when he didn't have to.
I felt awful for never once saying thank you. I felt the right thing to do was shoot Kova a text message.
I'm so sorry I upset you earlier. You were right. I've never thanked you for all that you’ve done for me. Thank you. I really do appreciate it more than words could ever express.
Surprisingly, he responded.
Coach: XX
Eighteen
Walking from room to room, I double checked everything before I left my condo for the weekend.
I wouldn't be gone long—the meet was in Pennsylvania and we'd be back early Sunday afternoon.
I switched the light off and shut the door behind me and locked it. I glanced at my watch as I made my way downstairs to the parking lot. The girls’ team was meeting up at Kova's house, and from there, Katja would drive us to the airport where we'd meet the boys' team before we boarded the flight.
Throwing my carry-on bag into the backseat, I climbed in my truck and started the ignition. Within seconds, I hit the main road.
The closer I got to Kova's house, the more my stomach swirled nervously into tight little knots. Things between us were tense this past week. I tried to show my gratitude often, but Kova was strictly business and told me that if I wanted to show my thanks that I needed to practice like I meant it. I figured he thought I was trying too hard and it was showing. I was, and I wasn't. I just wanted to make sure he knew I was thankful, but instead it made him distant. With the way he'd acted, I had to wonder if Katja, or anyone, ever showed him gratitude. We were good in public, but I also felt like he was going out of his