Burnout (The Holland Brothers Book 1)

The next night when I get to the gym, Avery smiles and waves from the balance beam.

I shuck off my shoes and walk over to her. “Hey.”

She hops down close to me, putting her hands on my shoulders for balance. “Hi.”

Her gaze darts to my lips like maybe she’s thinking about kissing me right here. Same. It’s all I’ve thought about since I left her dorm.

“I thought we could work on adding a twist to your backflip,” she says, eyes lit up with excitement.

“I can’t stay.” I give her an apologetic grin. “I forgot Flynn has a basketball game tonight. I have just enough time to go home and shower before it starts.”

My eyes rake over her. Today’s leotard is black and all I can think about is her tight body underneath.

“You could have texted.”

“I could have, but then I couldn’t have done this.” I drop my mouth to hers in a soft, quick kiss. It’s not the kiss I’ve been imagining all day, but the gym is full of people.

Avery smiles as I pull back, then she looks around, takes my hand and says, “Come with me.”

Her little legs move so fast, I don’t have time to think about where she’s taking me. At the back of the gym there’s another room, more like a closet. The light is on and I have just enough time to look around at all the equipment to determine it’s a storage closet before her arms drape over my shoulders and she’s up on her tiptoes pressing her lips to mine.

Neither of us wastes any time. I drag her flush against me and kiss her like I’ve been thinking about since yesterday morning. Only I’m not fucking her while I’m doing it. This will have to do for now.

“I think I’m addicted to this mouth,” I say, sucking on her bottom lip. My hands roam up and down her sides from her hips to the curve of her breasts.

The sliver of restraint I’m holding on to is the only way I’m capable of pulling back before I’ve stripped her out of her little spandex outfit and made her come.

She smiles happily, then giggles as her gaze drops to my chest. “Oops.”

I glance down at my shirt, which is now covered in chalk. “I’m heading home to shower anyway.”

I adjust my hard dick. “That’s going to be harder to deal with.”

“Did you just pun?” Her smile grows wider.

“I gotta go. See you tomorrow.”

“All right, but I’m going to be twice as bossy to make up for you flaking tonight.”

I step away with a wink. “I look forward to it.”

The next day I go to The Tipsy Rose to grab lunch. Brogan is standing behind the bar, leaning against it, with a textbook in front of him. He glances up when I take a seat.

“I just put your turkey burger down on the grill.”

I arch a brow in question. “Tracking my location again?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I have notifications turned on for all of you. If you get within five miles of this place, I know it.”

I chuckle. “How is that different from tracking my location?”

“Do you want me to spit in your food?” he asks as he pours a water and places it in front of me.

“No lunch rush today?” I glance around. There’s a couple of guys sitting at a table watching bowling on TV and one other at the bar picking around a plate of fries.

“Slow day.” His phone pings and he pulls it out and stares at it so long I get bored waiting and start watching the TV behind the bar. Sports highlights. Football updates, hockey predictions, and a new coach for a college basketball team. My stomach drops when they switch to discussing motocross—specifically the Thorne team changes.

“Hey,” Brogan says. “That gymnast that’s helping you. What’s her name again?”

I glance away from the TV and blink a few times before his question registers. “Avery.”

“Avery Oliver?” He turns his phone around to show me a video of some sort. I see that Ken doll Tristan before it finally pans to a clear shot of Avery.

“What the hell is this?”

“Media day.”

“Why do you have a video of it?”

“They’re livestreaming it.”

I continue to stare at him.

“The girls are hot. A buddy follows the team social media page and sent it to me.”

“And you’re just creepily gawking at it?”

He rolls his eyes. “They’re doing interviews, asking questions, showing some behind-the-scenes shit.”

“That’s like saying you get porn magazines for the articles.”

“Nobody gets porno mags anymore.”

I grit my teeth. Not the point, but before I can argue with him, another customer comes into the bar.

Brogan hands me his phone like he’s throwing down a silent gauntlet, daring me to peek and not enjoy myself. What an idiot. I pick it up and watch as the camera girl with a bubbly voice goes down the line and asks each person their meet day breakfast. I’m already bored, but I hold out to hear Avery’s answer.

When it gets to the girl in front of her, Avery is half in frame, enough I can get a good look at her. Her hair is down instead of pulled back into a ponytail or bun like she does at practice. Her leotard is a blue shiny material. Long sleeves, but cut up high on her thighs, showing off her toned legs. She has her phone in one hand and holds it up like she’s scrolling it to kill time.

The camera moves over to her and she smiles, but it doesn’t make her face light up like normal and she looks nervous.

“Meet day breakfast?” The girl repeats the question.

“Oh, umm…an omelet with toast and a banana.”

I’m not surprised by her answer, but it’s her expression that I can’t stop thinking about even as the camera moves away.

I set Brogan’s phone on the bar and pull out my own.

Me

You look nervous.

Avery

Uhh…Hi. Stalk much?

Me

I’m at the bar grabbing lunch and my brother was watching. Apparently the gymnastics team is “hot.”

Avery

You disagree?

Me

Blue just became my new favorite color. Media day?

Avery

Yep. Photos, interviews, more cheesy questions. I’ll be sure to let our team manager know the views we’re getting are creepy dudes checking us out.

Me

I doubt she’ll be surprised by that. I take it you’re not a fan of photos?

I glance back up at Brogan’s phone still streaming. It’s panned now to show someone being photographed. She’s standing in front of a white backdrop with lights all around. She does jumps and poses as flashes go off quickly.

Avery

No, that part isn’t so bad.

Me

Knowing creepy dudes (aka me and Brogan) are watching ruin it for you?

Avery

lol, no. I’ll be sure to stick my boobs and butt out next time I’m on camera just for you.

I chuckle to myself, but despite her joking tone I can’t shake the sense that there’s something about today that she’s dreading.

Me

I appreciate that. Maybe just text me that though instead of doing it on a public video. You really will have creepy dudes hitting you up.

Avery

You mean others like you?

Me

Exactly.

She sends a photo a second later. One shoulder pushed forward, head angled to the side and her chest pushed out dramatically. She is gorgeous even when she’s mocking me.

Me

Ah perfect. Send more. I’ll see if I can sell them to my brother. #gymnasticschicksarehot

I’m smiling at my phone, but still wondering why she doesn’t like media day. I thought girls loved getting dressed up and having photos taken.

Avery

Such a sweetheart.

Me

That’s me.

Me

So, what’s the issue with media day? Why do you look like you want to be anywhere else?

Avery

I don’t look like that.

Me

You do. It’s the same look you get on your face when Ken doll speaks.

I expect her to deny it.

Avery

I hate doing interviews.

Interesting.

Me

Why?

She doesn’t strike me as someone who would get nervous talking to people, especially about gymnastics.

Avery

It’s always the same questions. “How’s your knee?” “Are you going to be ready to compete at the start of the season?” “Will this season be better than last?” And it’s not just what they ask, but what they don’t ask. Everyone wants to know if the Olympics was a fluke or if I can compete at that level all the time.

The paragraph of text surprises me. I read over it a couple of times. I didn’t expect her to answer so honestly, but I read the genuine fear in her words. She wants to prove herself. I get that.

Me

Those interview questions are bullshit, so give them a bullshit answer. “My knee has never been better.” “I’m ready now. I can’t wait to compete.” “I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Avery

Lie?

Me

Eh. A stretch of confidence. You’re manifesting that shit.

Avery

Is that what you do in interviews?

Me

No. I usually say dumb shit I regret.

Avery

Like that your teammate should go back to the amateurs?

I laugh then wince at the thought of her watching that clip. I said that seconds before I shoved Link.

Me

Now who is stalking who? I’m flattered.

Avery

Don’t be. It was the first hit when I searched your name.

Me

Was the second my sex tape?

She types, then the bubbles go away.

Me

Kidding.

Me

You’re going to show them what a badass you are when you start competing again, but for now hold your head up high and tell them whatever you want. Don’t let them make you doubt yourself.

Avery

Me

Is that your way of blowing off my advice?

Avery

No. I’m repeating your words over and over in my head. I am a badass.

Me

Damn straight.

She goes quiet and I keep watching the live footage. People are commenting and an idea hits me. It’s Brogan’s account so what do I care. I smile as I type the words and hit send.

A second later the girl behind the camera reads it out loud, stepping closer to Avery. “Brogan Six says Avery Oliver is his favorite gymnast of all time and says he can’t wait to watch you dominate this season. Oh, and several people are agreeing. You’re a fan favorite.”

Avery flushes and looks at the camera with a confused expression. The camera girl moves on and then a text pops up on my phone.

Avery

Thank you for that. Or thank your brother.

Me

You’re welcome, princess.

When they interview her twenty minutes later and the first question is, “Is your knee ready for the season?” she looks straight at the camera, smiles so big no one else could tell it’s contrived, and says, “It’s never been better.”