Page 48 of Tangled Rose

Me:Never when it’s actually important.

When Coach Hall appears, she gives me a soft smile and lets us into her office, closing the door firmly behind us. “Have a seat, please, Lyla.”

I wet my lips, then open my mouth to apologize, “I’m—”

She holds a hand up, effectively stopping me. “You have nothing to be sorry for, if that’s what you were going to say. Now I get why the video came from your coach and not your parents.”

“Parent.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I don’t know who my dad is.” I feel like throwing up. “I don’t usually tell people that.”

She exhales sharply through her nose. “Okay. Lyla, I need you to be perfectly straight with me.” She hesitates, looking up at the ceiling for a second, trying to gather her thoughts as she leans back in her chair.

“Does your mother know anything about your gymnastics?”

I give her a small smile. “Not much. She actually wasn’t fully aware I was here. She’s… out there.” Slight lie. She had no fucking clue.

“So I noticed. Okay. Your life is your private business, and I’m not here to poke and prod you for information. I do want you to know that if you need help, you can come to me. Your practice leo and T-shirt are covered. Don’t worry about the fee when it’s mentioned at practice.”

I suck in a breath and clamp down on my trembling lip. I nod. “Thank you.”

“Oh, and Lyla, if she didn’t know you were here…” She pauses to shake her head, like she can’t believe it. “How’d Mandy find her info?”

I look her directly in the eye. “Mandy doesn’t like me much, so I’m pretty sure she did it to hurt me.”

Coach Hall grits her teeth. “Got it. Good to know. Okay. You can go.”

I stand up and grab my bag.

“Oh, and Lyla? If you’re serious about those skills you mentioned, we’ll work them. I’m ready if you are.”

What she’s saying is everything I’ve wanted to hear and sudden emotion wells up, making my throat feel raw. “Gymnastics is my ticket to freedom. I will do anything you tell me to. Anything you ask.”

Coming out of her office, I look at my phone for the time, then shoot a quick text to Max, as it’s only four.

Me:Can you still come get me?

Max:Sure. Max’s taxi at your service.

Max:Be there in ten.

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