Page 17 of Game On
I laugh. “There are a few programs. Smaller, probably not quite like they are over here.”
“Well, I’ve been going to Skyline for a very long time. I’mnot saying this because I’m biased, but it’s probably the best gym in the entire state.”
“I believe you. Only the best for Gabi.”
She bops me affectionately on the nose before bouncing out of my room, her voice carrying back as she calls, “Be ready by three!”
The doors to Skyline swing open, and it’s like stepping into a whole new world—a vibrant, pulsing universe where everyone’s bound by the same relentless drive. The place is brimming with music, trainers squeaking on mats, and the distant thud of someone landing a stunt.
The gym is huge, with towering ceilings and space for what seems like hundreds. Across the expanse, a group of young girls are tumbling on the mats. To the right, there’s another blur of bodies, flipping through the air with a casual disregard for physics.
It’s magic, the kind that could easily make you forget everything outside these four walls.
I’m still standing there, mouth agape, when Gabi grabs my hand to tug me deeper into the fray. She’s like a kid showing off a secret clubhouse, and her excitement radiates to everyone around her. We barely manage to dodge a roaming tumble track, but once we’re through, we approach a group of people who appear to be our age.
“Guys, this is Ella, my new roomie,” Gabi says, sparking a series of grins and nods in my direction. “She’s on study abroad from Oxford, but she’ll be training at Whitland for the year. First time here.”
The group gathers around in a circle, and they all take their time to greet me, a mix of cheeky winks and quick-fire questions that feel like an initiation rite. I smile back at them, trying my best to take it all in.
There’s a boy with a swoop of dark hair and a roguish smile who introduces himself as Luke. Then there’s Sammy, all smooth grace and lean muscle as she flows between stretches, tossing me a dimpled grin.
The last to offer his name is Ash, his eyes flicking up to mine for only a moment before dropping again. His sandy-blond hair is tousled, as if he’s run his hands through it one too many times, and when he finally locks eyes with me again, there’s a playful challenge in his gaze.
“Heard a lot about you from Gabs already,” he says. “We’re expecting only the best.”
I give a nervous laugh. “You’re all on Whitland’s squad, too?”
“Yeah,” he says with a crooked smile. “No pressure.”
I force myself to look away, focusing back on the group at large. “So, how did you all get started here?” I ask.
They launch into their origin stories, childhood tales of tumbling in the backyard, flipping on the trampoline, begging parents for gymnastics lessons. Their voices layer over each other with enthusiasm.
Sammy mimes her first back handspring, nearly kicking Luke in the process, who exaggerates a dodge and retaliates by ruffling her hair. Gabi’s recounting her first competition at age eight when she notices what must be my unfocused stare.
She laughs, snapping her fingers. “Earth to Ella.”
I blink, shaking myself out of my daze. Ash is on the floor stretching now, spine curved in a deep back bend, the smooth expanse of his tan torso making my mouth water.
“Sorry, just taking it all in,” I say quickly. It’s kind of nice, really—being able to admire attractive men without worrying about getting too close.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to thechaossoon enough,” Sammy assures me.
As I move to join in the stretches, Gabi checks her watch, her face morphing into an expression of mock seriousness. “Duty calls. I’ve got to go teach the littles. They’ll start a mutiny if I’m late.”
I raise an eyebrow. “‘Littles’?”
“Yeah, pre-school tumbling. They’re adorable but terrifying,” she explains with a wide smile. “You can warm up with Ash. Luke will spot.” She nods to where Luke and Sammy are engrossed in conversation, heads bent, both of them laughing.
“Luke! Can you come spot for El?” Gabi calls out. He gives a thumbs-up and jogs over, still chuckling from whatever had amused him on Sammy’s phone.
I suppose that leaves me to put my faith in Ash. My stomach does a weird flip that I pointedly decide to ignore. He’s undeniably gorgeous, but like every other man I meet from now on, I’ve already put him in the off-limits category.
Ash stands, brushing off his hands, and gives me a shrug. “Ready to give this a shot?” he asks, his voice laced with provocation.
“Sure,” I say, amping up my confidence. “Full disclosure,I’ve mostly flown with two bases and a back spot, and co-ed stunting is fairly new to me.”
At Oxford, we had just one man on our team, which didn’t leave room for much experimentation. It’s always been two girls anchoring me, and I know I’ll need to catch up if I want to be ready for the start of term.
