From down here, it’s like a whole different experience. The hundreds of banners hanging from the ceiling for each national and world title teams from NJA have won make more of an impression when you’re standing under them instead of seeing them closer to eye level.
“Mase?” Kay’s sweet voice has my attention snapping around to her, my neck cracking as I shift it from the ninety-degree angle I held it in to inspect the organization’s achievements.
“Hey, baby.” I stalk her way, my steps stuttering as the floor goes from a solid surface to the spring-loaded competition mat.
“What are you doing he—”
I pinch her chin and tilt her face to mine for a long, slow kiss. “I missed you,” I murmur against her mouth.
When she lets out a breathy “Oh-kay,” I know coming here instead of waiting was definitely the right thing to do.
#Chapter40
CasaNova87: How the hell do @NJA_Admirals make this look so easy? #IllStickToFootball #CheerFail
*video of Mason trying to lift Kay over his head in a full extension and dropping her (on her feet) with Kay laughing the whole time*
@QB1McQueen7: Your shoulder game is weak, bruh. You better up those weights if you can’t handle holding Short Stack over your head. #AshamedToCallYouMyBestFriend
CasaNova87: I swear @QB1McQueen7 you are the biggest shit-talker I know. But the proof is in the pudding…you failed too. #StopTalkingSmack
*video of Trav trying to do the same with Kay with the same failed result*
@QB1McQueen7: Whatever! Talk to the *hand emoji* #IMeantToDoThat
CheerGodJT: You’re BOTH idiots @CasaNova87 and @QB1McQueen7. Peep the t-shirt and take note of how the professionals do it, because if you break my bestie, we’re gonna have words. #GetYourPenAndPaperReady #ThisIsHowYouTellTheMenFromTheBoys
*slideshow of a picture of JT in an If cheerleading is so easy…why can’t you pick up girls? shirt and a video of JT and Kay stunting during a practice*
@TheGreatestGrayson37: Shit that’s some major shade you’re throwing #DoYouNeedACoat
@QB1McQueen7: We are TOTALLY having a beer next time you’re home #MyKindOfPeople
@CasaNova87: I have ZERO doubt why YOU are my girlfriend’s best friend #SurroundedBySmartasses
#Chapter41
The first few weeks back at NJA after the holiday break usually go one of two ways. Either it takes a few days for the teams to find their groove again, or it’s full steam ahead.
Luckily for us, the latter is the case this year. The NCA Nationals are just under two months away, and we’ve jumped right into tweaking our stunting, pyramid sequences, and tumbling passes to increase the difficulty level as much as possible while being able to hit zero (no drops or falls).
Things have been much easier since I was cleared by Dr. Nikols to resume regular activity. It’s not that I need to be able to demonstrate my ideas firsthand, but Coach Kris likes to call me her “secret weapon” because of my ability to jump right into a stunt group if needed. We’ve found it helps our athletes master things a lot quicker when I do, and until I’m too old to do so, you bet your basket toss I’m going to do my best to help keep NJA on top. Plus, keeping up my stunting and tumbling skills is an easy way for me to keep my ass in shape, both figuratively and literally.
My Admirals are spread out warming up as I confer with Coach Tim, the other full-timer besides Coach Kris. With a quick glance toward the latter’s office, I can see she’s still talking with Pops and T about tomorrow. Guess we should get practice started without her.
“You’re jumping in tonight, right?” Tim asks. He aged out of NJA two years before JT and me and now attends BTU, one of the other Division 1 universities in the state. They are more known for their hockey than their football. He was always one of my favorite teammates, and getting to coach with him is like a dream.
“Yup.” I bend lower into a split, finishing off my own stretches.
After filling the team in on what the plan is, Tim pulls the flyer out to stand with him at the edge of the mat and I take her place. Excitement sparkles in Livi’s dark eyes when I line up beside her and we wait for Tim to count us off.
“One, three, five, and seven.” Tim’s sure voice counts as we work through the stunt.
It’s during one of the transitions down into a handstand hold that I can feel a hand out of place, and when I spin around before the final trick, the spacing under me is a