Page 140 of Desperate Pucker
“How are you doing now?” I ask.
Ryker hands her a tissue. She thanks him. “I’m a lot better now,” she says. “I teach gymnastics classes for toddlers. It’s so chaotic and fun.”
I chuckle. “Sounds like a blast.”
“I have a podcast too about what it was like growing up in competitive sports,” she says. “I’ve interviewed athletes from a bunch of different sports. If you ever want to be a guest on it, I’d love to have you. People would love to hear from you.”
For a moment, I think about what it would be like to be able to tell my side of what happened at the Olympics.
I smile at her. “Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely. If you don’t want to, totally fine. I get it.”
I write in her notebook and take a second to read it back.
To Libby—A beautiful and brave badass. You’re strong, capable, and worthy. You deserve all the good things in this world. I’m lucky to know you.
I hand Libby her notebook. When she reads my message, she starts to tear up again, but this time, she’s smiling.
I stand up and hug her.
“I wrote my phone number down too,” I say. “Text me so we can keep in touch, okay?”
“Definitely.”
She walks off, and I turn to Ryker, who pulls me into a hug.
“You okay?” he asks, softly.
I nod against his chest. “Yeah. Just a little emotional.”
“I’m so proud of you. You were amazing today.”
His whispered words land at the center of my chest, right where my heart is.
We pack up and head out of the athletic, making our way through the dwindling crowd.
I head across the building toward the back, where the parking lot is. When I turn the corner, I bump into someone.
“Shoot, sorry! Oh…” I trail off when I see Sergei’s surprised face.
For a second, we’re both frozen with shock as we stare at each other.
“Madeline. Hey.” His pale skin goes even more pale now that he’s looking at me.
My stomach churns. Of all the people in the world I could bump into, why did it have to be my cheating ex?
He clears his throat and looks off to the side. “So, um, I’m guessing you were here for the athlete event too?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool,” he says through a sigh. He tugs at the hem of the shirt he’s wearing and clenches his jaw. That’s his trademark “I’m annoyed and uncomfortable” body language.
We’re both quiet for a long moment. God, this is awkward.
He looks past my shoulder at Ryker standing behind me. His eyes go wide, like he’s just now realizing he’s there.
I glance at Ryker and notice the hard look in his eyes, boring a hole into Sergei’s head.
