Fiction: Lose Control - Summer/Sasha
I've been working on this for a couple of days now. I know that I'm the only one that will read it, but I wanted to share my new love with everyone. The show is Make It or Break It and it's on ABC Family. I've watched off and on since it started last summer but was never truly invested until a couple of weeks ago when it started back for the second half of the season. Most of the reason I became obsessed was Sasha and Summer. Their banter was funny and the chemistry was awesome but I didn't believe they would go there. I was so gloriously wrong! They did and are continuing to and it's making me giddy. So giddy I've done art, a video (and I'm looking for another song) and wrote a story. *grin* I really hope it you do read it, you like it. Please let me know!
Title: Lose Control
Chapter 1
Author: Jailynn
Show: Make It or Break It
Couple: Sasha Belov and Summer Von Horn
Rating: PG
Summary: They are complete opposites. He believes only in facts. She believes in God. He is stoic and she is giving. The one thing they have in common is that they both rely on control. The problem is when they are together, its very hard to hold on to it. Will they give in?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Oh man I wish it was...
Spoilers: If you've seen the kiss (or know about it), you're good. I'm not following the show...
Word count: 3990
=-=-=-=
Summer Von Horn bent her blonde head and tried to focus on the spread sheets and invoices in front of her. The tiny numbers started to blur in front of her blue eyes as she stared intently at them. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't concentrate on the work she had piling up on the left corner of her desk. The sounds of gymnasts' feet hitting the safety mats and springing boards filled the small office. She lifted her head and watched as Emily Kmetko stood on the beam in the middle of the Rocky Mountain gym, known simply as “the Rock”, ready to fold her body in ways Summer could only watch in awe of. She got up from her rolling desk chair, standing at the window and observed.
Emily paused for a moment her body stiff, yet somehow graceful, as she set her mind to the daring feat she was about to undertake. Her shoulders back, arching her spine, Emily pointed the toes of her left foot and then went into action. She twisted, jumped and flew into the air, landing perfectly on the four inches of wood beneath her. Summer tilted her head, blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, holding her breath, as the young woman ran down the beam, stopping a couple of feet from the end and flew into a twisting turn once again landing on her feet, only this time it was on the mat at the base of the beam. She extended her arms into the air, holding the pose for a few moments. Summer released the breath she had been holding. She didn't know how the mothers of these kids watched these young people, their babies, do such intense maneuvers so calmly.
She didn't have a kid at the Rock, well not one she gave birth to anyway, she was close to all of them and almost became a step-parent to one- Lauren Tanner, but each time Summer held her breath and prayed for the safety of the teens and kids on the floor. The prayers were more often since Payson Keeler broke her back during the National tryouts. Emily moved from the beam with a smile of satisfaction stirring on her face as she headed to the chalk tub. Summer was just about to turn away from the display of brilliance when a British voice barked at one of the gymnasts on the uneven bars. Her blue eyes narrowed at Sasha Belov, the brilliant coach and gymnasts Olympian. A young woman, named Christy Mitchell, jumped from the bars and clasped her hands together waiting to hear what she was doing wrong. His handsome face was stern, controlled, his stride to the offending gymnast was strong. He pointed up at the first bar, his gray shirt tightening across his shoulders and back to the curve of his nice butt, not that Summer was noticing that, and began to explain what was wrong with the girls form.
Sasha moved his hands while he talked, or barked, at the teen. Summer watched, her face pulling into a frown, at the way the young woman swayed and looked down every once in a while. She couldn't butt in, nor would she want to, with how he trained these Olympic hopefuls. She might not always agree with his tactics, but she has seen the love in him. He wanted them all to succeed, to be the best, to make their dreams come true. That was the reason she took this job to manage the Rock for him. Underneath all the snark and coldness beat a heart that cares for the young women and men he coaches. She sighed at how Christy quickly rubbed her eye when Sasha looked away, giving away how hurt she truly was. Summer had to clench her hands together to stop herself from rushing out the office door and taking the young woman into her arms. She turned away, tucking her bangs behind her right ear and sitting back down in the chair to read over the invoices once again.
The numbers finally started computing in her head when she heard the door open. Summer highlighted the total paid and placed it in the small stack next to her before looking up. Sasha flopped down in the chair opposite her, picking up one of the blue folders that held all the gymnast's information in it and a pen and began writing something in his messy, quick way. She watched his blue eyes follow the words he wrote and the way he itched the back of his neck when he stopped. Sasha really was gorgeous. Blonde hair that was spiky in that fashionable way, strong body from years of conditioning, a square jaw line that seemed made for nibbling-- Summer's eyes widened. She didn't mean that.
Quickly she hopped up from the office chair with the stack of paid invoices and headed to the filing cabinet. Her cheeks were burning. She hoped like heck that Sasha didn't notice. It would pique his interest too much, it would cause trouble. It would snap her control. And that was something she couldn't allow. Looking through all her color coded files, she started to feel flustered. She couldn't find the one for paid invoices. It was yellow with a blue clear tab and she couldn't find it. Her hands searched back and forth through all the folders finding everything but the one she needed. “Argh,” she let out a groan, sliding the top door shut with a forceful flick of her wrist.
“Need help,” Summer jumped, unnerved by his voice so close to her. His warm breath whispered against her ear, causing goosebumps to form on her skin. She made a quick move to get away from him, knocking her knee hard into the metal filing cabinet. “You okay?” His voice turned amused and that annoyed her.
She turned quickly, but carefully, her knee hurt like a witch and shook back her hair from her eyes. “Yes, I'm fine,” she curled the invoices in her hand and held them up. “I just can't seem to find the paid file.”
“You mean all your color coded madness isn't helping?” his cobalt eyes danced. She was momentarily sucked in then his words rang in her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. He was making fun of her. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Summer?”
“Did you need something or did you just come in here to push my buttons?”
“Is that what I'm doing?” His tone turned a little deeper. His eyes dropped to her lips like they did when he kissed her a week, three days- she looked up at the clock quickly- 11 hours ago. Not that she was keeping track or anything. She quickly crossed her arms in front of her, sending a clear “back off” signal. He backed away, adding space between them and giving her a chance to regain her wits. “This is my office you know. I can come in anytime I need or want to. And,” he sat back down in the chair, grabbing the folder he was writing in, “I needed to.”
Summer felt annoyed, flustered and embarrassed. Of course this was his office. She was only the stand in manager anyway. If and when Kim Keeler came back, she would be out of a job. She looked away from him and tucked her hair behind her ear again. Her control, the thing she always counted on, was slipping. Why? She was the one that said what happened between them was inappropriate. She straightened her back and walked to the roller seat in front of the desk. The sting in her knee reminding her with each bend what an idiot she was being. She placed the papers in front of her, smoothing out the wrinkles that were made when she curled her fingers around the edges. Taking a deep breath, Summer looked up, noticing Sasha watching her. She smiled a little sheepishly. “Sorry about that. I'm having one of those mornings and I shouldn't take it out on you.” Her smile relaxed into a more natural expression. “Thank you for your offer of help.”
He nodded, stoic again. His eyes return to the page he was looking at. “Is there something going on that is weighing on your mind?”
Her tongue felt thick in her mouth, she shook her head then noticed he still hadn't looked up. “No, nothing. Just been a morning that's all.” She followed his lead and went back to the papers in front of her, picking up her highlighter and hopefully her concentration.
“Because it seemed like you were a little uncomfortable over by the file cabinet,” his voice was too smooth, too cocky. She didn't like it.
Summer straightened her back further and shook her head again. “I'm just fine,” she lowered her voice and repeated, “just fine.”
A knock at the door drew both of their attentions from the work they were pretending, well she was pretending, to read. Lauren stood in the doorway, her long blonde hair twisted and braided on the top of her head. She rolled her lips together, looking between the two adults. Lauren was measuring something in her mind, Summer could read the signs. “Uh, Summer, can I talk to you?”
Summer looked at Sasha briefly, catching his eye, then she got up and smiling at Lauren and said, “Sure honey.” They walked out of the office and into the gym, where many athletes were still training, and out the front door. “So, what's up?”
Lauren bounced briefly on her feet, then steeled her resolve. In all the months Summer dated Lauren's father, she had come to know Lauren's mannerisms. This one meant she was about to confess something, or maybe push something a little too far. She was building the wall and the words in her head. Summer waited, inhaling the crisp Colorado air. She loved the mountain breeze. It was so clean and fresh. Lauren opened her mouth, bringing Summer's attention back on her.
“You need to get back together with my dad,” Lauren looked off to the side and Summer's eyes widened. “He's...he...I can't believe, he is... you really need to forgive him.”
“Lauren, I forgave your father ages ago, but,” Summer started, slightly uncomfortable with this topic. “I can't get back together with your dad.”
Hurt flashed in the young woman's eyes before quickly being swallowed, hidden like so many of her emotions do. “Why? What did he do that was so bad?” Lauren paused seemingly to change tactic, which sent a flood of relief through Summer. She really didn't want to get in to the reasons she couldn't go back to Steve Tanner. “He loved you.”
Summer sucked some air through her teeth into her lungs. That one hurt. A lot. Steve turned out not to be the one for her, but she did love him. Heck she thought she was going to marry him someday. And his daughter. She loved Lauren so much... “That isn't fair, Lauren.”
“Whatever,” Lauren turned her back on Summer, the wall between them growing larger by the second. Summer reached out and grabbed the teens shoulder gently.
“What's wrong,” Summer asked quietly. “You know that I loved your father, that I love you right?”
Lauren turned back to her pleading with her eyes. “Then give him another chance. For me, please?”
She hesitated, biting back her impulse to agree with the young woman's request because of that look. That would be the wrong thing to do and she tried so damn hard to do what was right. “I...I'll think about it,” Summer felt guilty just saying that and quickly added, “but I can't agree to anything. Especially if your dad is moving on with someone else...”
“He isn't,” the teen responded a little too quickly. “He misses you.”
Summer looked up in time to see Sasha move away from the window. She shivered. “Okay, I'll think about it.”
Lauren jumped and hugged her. “Thanks Summer,” then she ran back inside the Rock.
Summer stood outside and sighed. It felt wrong. Something felt terribly wrong with this whole situation. She nibbled on her bottom lip. So much for control. She sighed again and walked back into the gym.
=-=-=-=-=
Sasha watched the gymnasts with a critical eye. He noticed every flick of a hand, every pointed toe, every twist and every turn. He had to. If he missed something, well watching Payson fall and break her back... it resonated with him, much like Amelia did when she fell. Careless errors he should have caught. Careless errors that cost Payson the ability to continue with her dream of someday being on the Olympic team and Amelia her life. He shook those thoughts from his mind and focused on the women and men's lives he had in his hands right now.
“Emily, square your shoulders more on that final dismount.” The tall brunette nodded her understanding and walked back to the front of the bars to try again. She took a deep breath and then leaped up onto the lower bar to start the routine again. The door to the front of the gym opened and Lauren walked in, smiling brightly. He waited to see Summer enter after her, but was disappointed to see the door swing close with out her stepping through. Looking through the windows, he saw her chewing her bottom lip, standing by herself. He took a moment to study her. Her legs were mostly bare in a black pencil line skirt that ended just above her knees, her light, pale pink long sleeved shirt was pulling across her upper body, showing him the curves that she possessed, her long blonde hair floated on the breeze and her face showed she was deep in thought. He wondered briefly about what she was thinking before shaking those thoughts from his head as well and focusing on Emily, who was squaring her shoulders on the dismount just like he told her. She raised her hands above her head and arched her back, a proud smile on her face. “Excellent,” he told her, satisfied, “did you feel more secure on the landing?”
“Yeah,” she grinned, “I did.”
“Good,” he started to walk away, “just keep practicing and then start working on the vault routines.”
She nodded again, going over to the shared chalk bucket. Just as he turned completely toward the door, Summer walked in. She still had that look of deep concentration on her face. She moved gracefully through all the bags and mats, heading back up to the office. She paused for a moment at the top of the stairs and looked out at the floor. Their blue eyes met and she gave him a halfhearted smile before continuing to the office. He watched her, enjoying the view of her body and the way she moved. Sasha would never admit it, mostly because of the embarrassment the action caused him, but kissing her was one of the most intense moments he's had with a woman in a long time. And that was sad, he thought bemusedly. With a small, amused smile he turned back to help Kaylie Cruz with her floor routine. He was determined that she would get her chance to shine. No matter who coached the National team, even if it was Marty. An old burning resentment seized him, weakening his control.
He rubbed the back of his neck and eased his annoyance to a simmer instead of a boil. He couldn't show weakness, he had to teach his gymnasts that all battles had to be fought on the floor and not with hot-heated-ness. No matter how much better a punch in the face felt at that moment. It wasn't the smart move and he was going to be smart. For these young people and himself. Sasha looked at his watch and clapped his hands together. “Great practice everyone. You can leave now or continue to train.”
A couple of the gymnasts breathe a sigh of visible relief, but no one ran to the door. Sasha smiled to himself. That was a good sign. It showed dedication. And dedication was something he admired. He took the steps up to his office two at a time and entered it quietly. Summer had the phone pressed between her ear and her shoulder while writing something on a piece of notebook paper. She looked confident and elegant. Her full lips pursed in thought then eased into a comfortable expression. Her perfect skin glowed, with only a hint of make-up on it. He wonder briefly to himself what she would look like without it. With her hair a mess from his hand, her lips kissed-bruised and her gorgeous blue eyes half lidded... Those thoughts were going to get him into trouble.
She paused in her writing and nodded her head, “Yes, I understand. When would you like to set up the a callback?” Another pause, Summer's mouth pulled into a tight line. “I don't think that would be possible.” Her back straightened in annoyance, it was a look he knew well having been on the receiving end many times before. He leaned on the inside of the door and enjoyed the show. It was even more amusing to see someone else get chewed out by the lovely Miss Von Horn than it was for him to be the chewie...for lack of a better word. “First of all, I don't appreciate the condescending tone. Second of all, I must speak to Coach Belov before I do anything. It is his gym after all and these are his gymnasts. And lastly,” she leaned forward in her chair. “I would remember that you are the one that wants something. There are plenty of publications that would love, and have already put in a request, to talk to these amazing gymnasts.” She sat back and grinned. “That sounds better. I'll talk with Coach Belov later today and get back with you around,” Summer looked up and noticed him for the first time. He shrugged his shoulders and she rolled her eyes, “I'll get back to you around four this afternoon. Coach Belov is extremely busy after all.” He smothered a laugh. She turned back to her paper and wrote down the number of the publication. “Alright Mr. Waters, I'll get back to you then. Bye.” She hung up the phone and he started clapping. Her head turned sharply in his direction.
He took a sit on the couch below the observation window and grinned. “It's nice to not be on the receiving end of your annoyance for once.” Summer smiled softly in spite of herself. He looked at the round black and white clock above her head, pondering if he should ask her what he has been wanting to know since Lauren burst through the office door earlier. Shrugging mentally he opened his mouth and let the question float out. “So what did Lauren want?”
Her eyes turned sharp and suspicious. “Why do you want to know?”
“Well,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “I'm only asking because if something is wrong I need to know. I don't want Lauren to be distracted and then get hurt because of it.” Summer's expression softened. “So,” he pushed.
She picked up a pen and bounced it between her fingers for something to do and avoided his eyes. Sasha's curiosity doubled. She licked her lips and he watched the action carefully. After a minute she took a deep breath and said, “It won't distracted her. And it's nothing serious,” she made eye contact with him finally, “just girl talk.”
“Girl talk,” he repeated doubtfully.
“Mm-hmm,” she nodded, avoiding his eyes again.
“From what I could see,” he stood up and walked around the shared desk, leaning his backside against it, “it seemed to be pretty serious for it just being 'girl talk'. What aren't you telling me?”
“Nothing,” her lie was obvious.
Sasha was torn between being amused by that and frustrated. “You don't lie very well.”
“I'm not lying,” she looked up at him but not in his eyes. Her focus was just to the right of his ear. “I just don't exactly think it's app-”
“Appropriate?” Sasha mocked. He couldn't help himself. He was really beginning to hate that word. “Is anything 'appropriate' in your world?”
“My world,” she asked in a deadly voice. One that had he been fearful, and perhaps a smarter man some would say, he would have known was meant to make him back off. But he wasn't a fearful man. He lived his life by pushing a little harder, just a little further than anyone else. That's how he got the gold medal. “What do you mean 'my world'?”
“I mean your world,” he waved his hand at all the color coded folders that were spread across the desk and perfectly organized office supplies. “You think keeping everything separate will make it less messy. You are so judgmental about things. And your favorite word is appropriate, but sometimes life isn't appropriate. You spend so much time preaching morality you don't live.”
Summer blinked back the hurt, but not before he saw it. Sasha wanted to snatch back his words. But he couldn't rewind the tape, the damage had been done. He really didn't know where that had all come from. Maybe it had been boiling since the kiss, since she stopped any chance for them. Maybe he just wanted to see her reaction... that's what he was expecting. He wasn't expecting her to be hurt. He anticipated the fire, the snarky come-back, the “kiss-my-arse” nature that he has come to know and really like. She looked down at her delicate hands clasped together on the desktop and took a deep breath. Standing up she looked at him with an expression of mild disdain.
“If you really must know,” Summer said, her voice thick. “Lauren wants me to get back together with her father. I think it's a foolish idea and I'm pretty sure he has already moved on, which might actually be why Lauren came to me, but I told her I would think about it. So see,” she shook back her blonde hair and crossed her arms over her chest. “It really was girl talk and really was none of your business.”
He felt duel emotions working inside him. Half of him still felt like a complete arse for the way he acted...actually that was probably more that just a half of him...and the other half was jealous that she would think about getting back together with Steve Tanner, when she wouldn't even entertain the idea of the two of them.
“Summer,” he reached out for her. She quickly sidestepped his touch and reached down to get her purse. “Summer, I'm sorry.”
“It's fine,” she responded in a tone that clearly said she wasn't fine with this. “I'm going to take the afternoon off. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Before he could say anything else, she walked swiftly and purposefully out the office door. He watched her get further away from him and wanted to call out to her. He almost did too, but the control he always demanded of the gymnasts he worked with stopped him. Control was going to be his downfall...one way or the other.
=-=-=-=
Title: Lose Control
Chapter 1
Author: Jailynn
Show: Make It or Break It
Couple: Sasha Belov and Summer Von Horn
Rating: PG
Summary: They are complete opposites. He believes only in facts. She believes in God. He is stoic and she is giving. The one thing they have in common is that they both rely on control. The problem is when they are together, its very hard to hold on to it. Will they give in?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Oh man I wish it was...
Spoilers: If you've seen the kiss (or know about it), you're good. I'm not following the show...
Word count: 3990
=-=-=-=
Summer Von Horn bent her blonde head and tried to focus on the spread sheets and invoices in front of her. The tiny numbers started to blur in front of her blue eyes as she stared intently at them. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't concentrate on the work she had piling up on the left corner of her desk. The sounds of gymnasts' feet hitting the safety mats and springing boards filled the small office. She lifted her head and watched as Emily Kmetko stood on the beam in the middle of the Rocky Mountain gym, known simply as “the Rock”, ready to fold her body in ways Summer could only watch in awe of. She got up from her rolling desk chair, standing at the window and observed.
Emily paused for a moment her body stiff, yet somehow graceful, as she set her mind to the daring feat she was about to undertake. Her shoulders back, arching her spine, Emily pointed the toes of her left foot and then went into action. She twisted, jumped and flew into the air, landing perfectly on the four inches of wood beneath her. Summer tilted her head, blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, holding her breath, as the young woman ran down the beam, stopping a couple of feet from the end and flew into a twisting turn once again landing on her feet, only this time it was on the mat at the base of the beam. She extended her arms into the air, holding the pose for a few moments. Summer released the breath she had been holding. She didn't know how the mothers of these kids watched these young people, their babies, do such intense maneuvers so calmly.
She didn't have a kid at the Rock, well not one she gave birth to anyway, she was close to all of them and almost became a step-parent to one- Lauren Tanner, but each time Summer held her breath and prayed for the safety of the teens and kids on the floor. The prayers were more often since Payson Keeler broke her back during the National tryouts. Emily moved from the beam with a smile of satisfaction stirring on her face as she headed to the chalk tub. Summer was just about to turn away from the display of brilliance when a British voice barked at one of the gymnasts on the uneven bars. Her blue eyes narrowed at Sasha Belov, the brilliant coach and gymnasts Olympian. A young woman, named Christy Mitchell, jumped from the bars and clasped her hands together waiting to hear what she was doing wrong. His handsome face was stern, controlled, his stride to the offending gymnast was strong. He pointed up at the first bar, his gray shirt tightening across his shoulders and back to the curve of his nice butt, not that Summer was noticing that, and began to explain what was wrong with the girls form.
Sasha moved his hands while he talked, or barked, at the teen. Summer watched, her face pulling into a frown, at the way the young woman swayed and looked down every once in a while. She couldn't butt in, nor would she want to, with how he trained these Olympic hopefuls. She might not always agree with his tactics, but she has seen the love in him. He wanted them all to succeed, to be the best, to make their dreams come true. That was the reason she took this job to manage the Rock for him. Underneath all the snark and coldness beat a heart that cares for the young women and men he coaches. She sighed at how Christy quickly rubbed her eye when Sasha looked away, giving away how hurt she truly was. Summer had to clench her hands together to stop herself from rushing out the office door and taking the young woman into her arms. She turned away, tucking her bangs behind her right ear and sitting back down in the chair to read over the invoices once again.
The numbers finally started computing in her head when she heard the door open. Summer highlighted the total paid and placed it in the small stack next to her before looking up. Sasha flopped down in the chair opposite her, picking up one of the blue folders that held all the gymnast's information in it and a pen and began writing something in his messy, quick way. She watched his blue eyes follow the words he wrote and the way he itched the back of his neck when he stopped. Sasha really was gorgeous. Blonde hair that was spiky in that fashionable way, strong body from years of conditioning, a square jaw line that seemed made for nibbling-- Summer's eyes widened. She didn't mean that.
Quickly she hopped up from the office chair with the stack of paid invoices and headed to the filing cabinet. Her cheeks were burning. She hoped like heck that Sasha didn't notice. It would pique his interest too much, it would cause trouble. It would snap her control. And that was something she couldn't allow. Looking through all her color coded files, she started to feel flustered. She couldn't find the one for paid invoices. It was yellow with a blue clear tab and she couldn't find it. Her hands searched back and forth through all the folders finding everything but the one she needed. “Argh,” she let out a groan, sliding the top door shut with a forceful flick of her wrist.
“Need help,” Summer jumped, unnerved by his voice so close to her. His warm breath whispered against her ear, causing goosebumps to form on her skin. She made a quick move to get away from him, knocking her knee hard into the metal filing cabinet. “You okay?” His voice turned amused and that annoyed her.
She turned quickly, but carefully, her knee hurt like a witch and shook back her hair from her eyes. “Yes, I'm fine,” she curled the invoices in her hand and held them up. “I just can't seem to find the paid file.”
“You mean all your color coded madness isn't helping?” his cobalt eyes danced. She was momentarily sucked in then his words rang in her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. He was making fun of her. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Summer?”
“Did you need something or did you just come in here to push my buttons?”
“Is that what I'm doing?” His tone turned a little deeper. His eyes dropped to her lips like they did when he kissed her a week, three days- she looked up at the clock quickly- 11 hours ago. Not that she was keeping track or anything. She quickly crossed her arms in front of her, sending a clear “back off” signal. He backed away, adding space between them and giving her a chance to regain her wits. “This is my office you know. I can come in anytime I need or want to. And,” he sat back down in the chair, grabbing the folder he was writing in, “I needed to.”
Summer felt annoyed, flustered and embarrassed. Of course this was his office. She was only the stand in manager anyway. If and when Kim Keeler came back, she would be out of a job. She looked away from him and tucked her hair behind her ear again. Her control, the thing she always counted on, was slipping. Why? She was the one that said what happened between them was inappropriate. She straightened her back and walked to the roller seat in front of the desk. The sting in her knee reminding her with each bend what an idiot she was being. She placed the papers in front of her, smoothing out the wrinkles that were made when she curled her fingers around the edges. Taking a deep breath, Summer looked up, noticing Sasha watching her. She smiled a little sheepishly. “Sorry about that. I'm having one of those mornings and I shouldn't take it out on you.” Her smile relaxed into a more natural expression. “Thank you for your offer of help.”
He nodded, stoic again. His eyes return to the page he was looking at. “Is there something going on that is weighing on your mind?”
Her tongue felt thick in her mouth, she shook her head then noticed he still hadn't looked up. “No, nothing. Just been a morning that's all.” She followed his lead and went back to the papers in front of her, picking up her highlighter and hopefully her concentration.
“Because it seemed like you were a little uncomfortable over by the file cabinet,” his voice was too smooth, too cocky. She didn't like it.
Summer straightened her back further and shook her head again. “I'm just fine,” she lowered her voice and repeated, “just fine.”
A knock at the door drew both of their attentions from the work they were pretending, well she was pretending, to read. Lauren stood in the doorway, her long blonde hair twisted and braided on the top of her head. She rolled her lips together, looking between the two adults. Lauren was measuring something in her mind, Summer could read the signs. “Uh, Summer, can I talk to you?”
Summer looked at Sasha briefly, catching his eye, then she got up and smiling at Lauren and said, “Sure honey.” They walked out of the office and into the gym, where many athletes were still training, and out the front door. “So, what's up?”
Lauren bounced briefly on her feet, then steeled her resolve. In all the months Summer dated Lauren's father, she had come to know Lauren's mannerisms. This one meant she was about to confess something, or maybe push something a little too far. She was building the wall and the words in her head. Summer waited, inhaling the crisp Colorado air. She loved the mountain breeze. It was so clean and fresh. Lauren opened her mouth, bringing Summer's attention back on her.
“You need to get back together with my dad,” Lauren looked off to the side and Summer's eyes widened. “He's...he...I can't believe, he is... you really need to forgive him.”
“Lauren, I forgave your father ages ago, but,” Summer started, slightly uncomfortable with this topic. “I can't get back together with your dad.”
Hurt flashed in the young woman's eyes before quickly being swallowed, hidden like so many of her emotions do. “Why? What did he do that was so bad?” Lauren paused seemingly to change tactic, which sent a flood of relief through Summer. She really didn't want to get in to the reasons she couldn't go back to Steve Tanner. “He loved you.”
Summer sucked some air through her teeth into her lungs. That one hurt. A lot. Steve turned out not to be the one for her, but she did love him. Heck she thought she was going to marry him someday. And his daughter. She loved Lauren so much... “That isn't fair, Lauren.”
“Whatever,” Lauren turned her back on Summer, the wall between them growing larger by the second. Summer reached out and grabbed the teens shoulder gently.
“What's wrong,” Summer asked quietly. “You know that I loved your father, that I love you right?”
Lauren turned back to her pleading with her eyes. “Then give him another chance. For me, please?”
She hesitated, biting back her impulse to agree with the young woman's request because of that look. That would be the wrong thing to do and she tried so damn hard to do what was right. “I...I'll think about it,” Summer felt guilty just saying that and quickly added, “but I can't agree to anything. Especially if your dad is moving on with someone else...”
“He isn't,” the teen responded a little too quickly. “He misses you.”
Summer looked up in time to see Sasha move away from the window. She shivered. “Okay, I'll think about it.”
Lauren jumped and hugged her. “Thanks Summer,” then she ran back inside the Rock.
Summer stood outside and sighed. It felt wrong. Something felt terribly wrong with this whole situation. She nibbled on her bottom lip. So much for control. She sighed again and walked back into the gym.
=-=-=-=-=
Sasha watched the gymnasts with a critical eye. He noticed every flick of a hand, every pointed toe, every twist and every turn. He had to. If he missed something, well watching Payson fall and break her back... it resonated with him, much like Amelia did when she fell. Careless errors he should have caught. Careless errors that cost Payson the ability to continue with her dream of someday being on the Olympic team and Amelia her life. He shook those thoughts from his mind and focused on the women and men's lives he had in his hands right now.
“Emily, square your shoulders more on that final dismount.” The tall brunette nodded her understanding and walked back to the front of the bars to try again. She took a deep breath and then leaped up onto the lower bar to start the routine again. The door to the front of the gym opened and Lauren walked in, smiling brightly. He waited to see Summer enter after her, but was disappointed to see the door swing close with out her stepping through. Looking through the windows, he saw her chewing her bottom lip, standing by herself. He took a moment to study her. Her legs were mostly bare in a black pencil line skirt that ended just above her knees, her light, pale pink long sleeved shirt was pulling across her upper body, showing him the curves that she possessed, her long blonde hair floated on the breeze and her face showed she was deep in thought. He wondered briefly about what she was thinking before shaking those thoughts from his head as well and focusing on Emily, who was squaring her shoulders on the dismount just like he told her. She raised her hands above her head and arched her back, a proud smile on her face. “Excellent,” he told her, satisfied, “did you feel more secure on the landing?”
“Yeah,” she grinned, “I did.”
“Good,” he started to walk away, “just keep practicing and then start working on the vault routines.”
She nodded again, going over to the shared chalk bucket. Just as he turned completely toward the door, Summer walked in. She still had that look of deep concentration on her face. She moved gracefully through all the bags and mats, heading back up to the office. She paused for a moment at the top of the stairs and looked out at the floor. Their blue eyes met and she gave him a halfhearted smile before continuing to the office. He watched her, enjoying the view of her body and the way she moved. Sasha would never admit it, mostly because of the embarrassment the action caused him, but kissing her was one of the most intense moments he's had with a woman in a long time. And that was sad, he thought bemusedly. With a small, amused smile he turned back to help Kaylie Cruz with her floor routine. He was determined that she would get her chance to shine. No matter who coached the National team, even if it was Marty. An old burning resentment seized him, weakening his control.
He rubbed the back of his neck and eased his annoyance to a simmer instead of a boil. He couldn't show weakness, he had to teach his gymnasts that all battles had to be fought on the floor and not with hot-heated-ness. No matter how much better a punch in the face felt at that moment. It wasn't the smart move and he was going to be smart. For these young people and himself. Sasha looked at his watch and clapped his hands together. “Great practice everyone. You can leave now or continue to train.”
A couple of the gymnasts breathe a sigh of visible relief, but no one ran to the door. Sasha smiled to himself. That was a good sign. It showed dedication. And dedication was something he admired. He took the steps up to his office two at a time and entered it quietly. Summer had the phone pressed between her ear and her shoulder while writing something on a piece of notebook paper. She looked confident and elegant. Her full lips pursed in thought then eased into a comfortable expression. Her perfect skin glowed, with only a hint of make-up on it. He wonder briefly to himself what she would look like without it. With her hair a mess from his hand, her lips kissed-bruised and her gorgeous blue eyes half lidded... Those thoughts were going to get him into trouble.
She paused in her writing and nodded her head, “Yes, I understand. When would you like to set up the a callback?” Another pause, Summer's mouth pulled into a tight line. “I don't think that would be possible.” Her back straightened in annoyance, it was a look he knew well having been on the receiving end many times before. He leaned on the inside of the door and enjoyed the show. It was even more amusing to see someone else get chewed out by the lovely Miss Von Horn than it was for him to be the chewie...for lack of a better word. “First of all, I don't appreciate the condescending tone. Second of all, I must speak to Coach Belov before I do anything. It is his gym after all and these are his gymnasts. And lastly,” she leaned forward in her chair. “I would remember that you are the one that wants something. There are plenty of publications that would love, and have already put in a request, to talk to these amazing gymnasts.” She sat back and grinned. “That sounds better. I'll talk with Coach Belov later today and get back with you around,” Summer looked up and noticed him for the first time. He shrugged his shoulders and she rolled her eyes, “I'll get back to you around four this afternoon. Coach Belov is extremely busy after all.” He smothered a laugh. She turned back to her paper and wrote down the number of the publication. “Alright Mr. Waters, I'll get back to you then. Bye.” She hung up the phone and he started clapping. Her head turned sharply in his direction.
He took a sit on the couch below the observation window and grinned. “It's nice to not be on the receiving end of your annoyance for once.” Summer smiled softly in spite of herself. He looked at the round black and white clock above her head, pondering if he should ask her what he has been wanting to know since Lauren burst through the office door earlier. Shrugging mentally he opened his mouth and let the question float out. “So what did Lauren want?”
Her eyes turned sharp and suspicious. “Why do you want to know?”
“Well,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “I'm only asking because if something is wrong I need to know. I don't want Lauren to be distracted and then get hurt because of it.” Summer's expression softened. “So,” he pushed.
She picked up a pen and bounced it between her fingers for something to do and avoided his eyes. Sasha's curiosity doubled. She licked her lips and he watched the action carefully. After a minute she took a deep breath and said, “It won't distracted her. And it's nothing serious,” she made eye contact with him finally, “just girl talk.”
“Girl talk,” he repeated doubtfully.
“Mm-hmm,” she nodded, avoiding his eyes again.
“From what I could see,” he stood up and walked around the shared desk, leaning his backside against it, “it seemed to be pretty serious for it just being 'girl talk'. What aren't you telling me?”
“Nothing,” her lie was obvious.
Sasha was torn between being amused by that and frustrated. “You don't lie very well.”
“I'm not lying,” she looked up at him but not in his eyes. Her focus was just to the right of his ear. “I just don't exactly think it's app-”
“Appropriate?” Sasha mocked. He couldn't help himself. He was really beginning to hate that word. “Is anything 'appropriate' in your world?”
“My world,” she asked in a deadly voice. One that had he been fearful, and perhaps a smarter man some would say, he would have known was meant to make him back off. But he wasn't a fearful man. He lived his life by pushing a little harder, just a little further than anyone else. That's how he got the gold medal. “What do you mean 'my world'?”
“I mean your world,” he waved his hand at all the color coded folders that were spread across the desk and perfectly organized office supplies. “You think keeping everything separate will make it less messy. You are so judgmental about things. And your favorite word is appropriate, but sometimes life isn't appropriate. You spend so much time preaching morality you don't live.”
Summer blinked back the hurt, but not before he saw it. Sasha wanted to snatch back his words. But he couldn't rewind the tape, the damage had been done. He really didn't know where that had all come from. Maybe it had been boiling since the kiss, since she stopped any chance for them. Maybe he just wanted to see her reaction... that's what he was expecting. He wasn't expecting her to be hurt. He anticipated the fire, the snarky come-back, the “kiss-my-arse” nature that he has come to know and really like. She looked down at her delicate hands clasped together on the desktop and took a deep breath. Standing up she looked at him with an expression of mild disdain.
“If you really must know,” Summer said, her voice thick. “Lauren wants me to get back together with her father. I think it's a foolish idea and I'm pretty sure he has already moved on, which might actually be why Lauren came to me, but I told her I would think about it. So see,” she shook back her blonde hair and crossed her arms over her chest. “It really was girl talk and really was none of your business.”
He felt duel emotions working inside him. Half of him still felt like a complete arse for the way he acted...actually that was probably more that just a half of him...and the other half was jealous that she would think about getting back together with Steve Tanner, when she wouldn't even entertain the idea of the two of them.
“Summer,” he reached out for her. She quickly sidestepped his touch and reached down to get her purse. “Summer, I'm sorry.”
“It's fine,” she responded in a tone that clearly said she wasn't fine with this. “I'm going to take the afternoon off. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Before he could say anything else, she walked swiftly and purposefully out the office door. He watched her get further away from him and wanted to call out to her. He almost did too, but the control he always demanded of the gymnasts he worked with stopped him. Control was going to be his downfall...one way or the other.
=-=-=-=