The Thomas Flair - E.J. Russell Page 0,38

that doesn’t look suspicious at all. “Andrei. What are you doing here?”

“I’ll, um, leave you two to chat.” Sol had to turn sideways to edge past Andrei, who was blocking most of the hallway and didn’t bother to give an inch.

Instead, Andrei propped his fists on his hips, taking up even more airspace. “It is I who should ask what you are doing.”

“Let’s see.” Tony tapped his chin. “I’m about to take a piss. Then I’m returning to the table to join my teammates and finish dinner.” He wiggled his fingers. “After washing my hands, of course, because good hygiene is so very important.”

Andrei’s scowl was as familiar to Tony by now as his own face in the mirror. “You should be in the gym. You should not be wasting time, fraternizing with your competitors.”

“They’re not my competitors. They’re my team.” Tony stalked down the hall to go toe-to-toe with his coach. “That’s been the whole point of these last few months, remember?” He jerked a thumb at his chest. “Me hiring you—” He pointed at Andrei. “—with, you know, money, to get in shape to make the team.”

“This journey is not over. Being named to the team does not mean you will stay on it if you do not perform. Your mistakes at the trials—”

“I’m well aware of my mistakes, thanks. But here’s the thing.” He met Andrei’s glare with one of his own. “I’m the one who’ll be on the equipment, both in training and at the Games. You got me here, for which I thank you—and for which I’ve paid you. But you’re gonna have to let me do the rest on my own terms.”

Andrei grunted. “No matter what you think, Tony, you still need me. I’ve got you this far. I can get you to the medal stand. But not if you forget a very important point.” If Andrei’s laser glower were weaponized, it could have cut Tony in half. “In gymnastics, everyone is your competition, even those from your own country, those wearing the same colors as you. Because in gymnastics, nobody can help you once you’re on the apparatus all alone. Only your coach. Only your training.”

“And me. Don’t forget I’ll be doing the work,” Tony growled.

“Then see that you do it.” Andrei glanced over his shoulder in the direction Sol had gone. “And stay away from that one in particular. He’s dangerous.”

“You mean he’s good? My competition.” Tony loaded his voice with heavy sarcasm.

“He pulls your focus.”

“He’s my friend. He’s my teammate.”

Andrei studied him silently for a moment. “See that he remains no more than that.” He turned away. “I’ll see you in the gym tomorrow. Seven o’clock. Do not be late.”

Tony stared after Andrei for a full two minutes, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He wished he could completely dismiss Andrei’s comments, but he did have a point. Tony would never have gotten this far without him. But can I go any farther with him?

“Guess I’ll find out in the gym tomorrow.” He shoved the restroom door open. “At seven fucking o’clock.”

Of all the apparatus in the gym, Sol hated still rings the most. He didn’t have the upper body development that guys like Danny and Tony did, so the strength elements were always a challenge. Like now. This planche is going to kill me. But two seconds—the required hold time—wasn’t forever. It just feels like it. Then swing down and up and let go—two twists in layout and bam.

Hold it. Hold it. Ha! He pumped his fists at the stuck dismount, grinning as Tony whistled and clapped from the sidelines. “Hey, Sol,” he called. “Your lips were moving.”

Sol flipped him off, returning the grin. “Shut up. They were not.” He walked off the mat and grabbed his water bottle as Tony took his place under the rings.

Xiao nodded toward the spring floor as their next destination—never one to be overly sentimental, that was Xiao. But Sol had completed his routine without any major mistakes twice, and that was good enough for Xiao. He didn’t believe in the endless repetition that some coaches espoused. Coaches like Andrei Nicolescu, professional dickhead, for instance.

Sol took a swig of water, frowning as Andrei lifted Tony up to grasp the rings. Tony had been on rings already when Sol and Xiao had arrived. He’d alternated with Sol, which means he’d done at least two exercises, and now he was doing more? Yeah, Tony was strong, but still rings was a brutal apparatus. On the