33. Tasha
CHAPTER 33
Tasha
“ O ne more time!”
We’d moved through our formal rotations on the warm-up mats, and now we were on deck. The music for the performing team had just begun, so we had just over two and a half minutes to run through our own two-and-a-half-minute routine.
I clapped my hands above my head to signal I wanted their eyes on me. “Listen up, team! Dance full-out, mark the baskets, partner stunts go up. We’re doing the pyramid. Make sure you’re not in Monty’s way for his tumbling passes. Everyone counts out loud. Set!”
The final run-through was a success. I high-fived Monty, who hadn’t even broken a sweat. “Nice work, partner.”
“Did you expect anything less?”
I swatted him. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
I made a face at him.
“Bring it in,” he called. “FireVolts on three!” We formed a crowded circle and pushed all our hands into the middle. “One, two, three?—”
“FireVolts!”
Our team was directed to line up, and we took our places, two by two, at the curtain.
Go time.
“Don’t you dare let me fall,” I whispered.
“Never.” He kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly.
I still couldn’t believe I was doing this. I hadn’t performed in front of an audience in years. I was confident Monty wouldn’t let me hit the floor, but what if I couldn’t hit my sequences? Or got stage fright? Or forgot the dance moves?
I didn’t have time to finish playing out all my anxious thoughts. The emcee announced our team, and we ran out. In the coaches’ spot, just below the stage, were Evan and Amelia.
Those little stinkers!
I didn’t have time to gel on that, either. “Set!” I shouted. The mat shook as we sprang into our starting positions.
The music began with a clip from “Everybody Groove,” followed by a medley of upbeat hip hop clips. I led the dance group as the first basket tosses launched. Monty and his tumblers did their thing around us, and then we moved into position for our first partner sequence. That was followed by more tumble runs, standing tumbling, and high-level stunting from the basket groups. I met Monty in our spot for the sequence we’d re-configured, then it was into the pyramid, down to the floor, and the big finish. The last section included Monty’s fifteen-second tumbling run, the final dance sequence, and our most high-level basket tosses.
The ending pose came too quick. We held for applause, then jumped up and started cheering for ourselves. No falls, and if this had been scored, we were confident there wouldn’t have been any deductions.
I ran to Monty and jumped into his arms. He caught me and held me up so I could kiss him, but I didn’t stop at his lips.
Nope.
I left bright red kissy prints all over his cheeks, chin, nose and forehead.
He carried me off the stage, laughing. Back behind the curtain, we were greeted by our conspiring team captains. They’d brought Nate and Taylor with them, probably for support because they were afraid of how I’d react.
Monty set me down, and I waved my finger in front of them. “That could have been a disaster of epic proportions. You sabotaged the whole team!”
Evan and Amelia just grinned at me, then looked at each other. “Sorry, Coach.”
“Let’s not be too harsh on them.” Monty was grinning, too. “They gave me a chance to remind everyone I’m still the best tumbler.”
I rolled my eyes. “Extra laps at our next practice, and I am officially putting you two in charge of the fundraising efforts for the Florida trip. When we qualify, of course.”
“Yes, Coach!”
“Now get out of my sight!” Evan and Amelia rushed away, and I turned on Nate. “Did you know about this?”
He held up his hands in defense. “I know nothing.”
Taylor grinned up at him. “He’s not mean enough to be party to something like this.” She patted his arm.
“Hmm.” I wasn’t convinced.
“You were amazing out there, Tasha.” Taylor beamed. “You and Monty should try out for Team USA. I know they’d love to have you both back. You’ve got the skills nailed down.”
I shook my head. “I’m good. I much prefer the coaching side of this sport. Besides, I have three?—”
“Jobs, we know,” Monty finished. “And I’ll be busy with the NHL playoffs. If Kingston keeps playing like he played Wednesday night, we’ve got a good chance to not just get to the final this season but to win it, too.”
“Yeah, I hope so! Because…” Taylor placed a finger over her lips and checked to make sure no one else was listening. “I really want a baby-in-the-cup picture!”
“You, too?” I asked, smiling. Straight-up baby fever right now in this town.
She nodded.
“Congratulations!” Monty hugged her.
“Shhh!” I placed a finger over my lips. “They may not want that public yet!”
“Sorry!” Monty apologized.
“It’s okay,” Taylor assured us. “I don’t think anyone heard us. Do you two have plans tonight? Brenna reserved the function room at Brewski’s to watch the Edge play Montana. It’s a big game for King. He’s never played against Alexei Kriz before. It’s going to be something.”
I looked up at Monty. “We could bring Nana.”
He grinned. “She’d love that.”
“Great!” Taylor looped her arm through Nate’s. “We’ll see you there.”
Once they were out of earshot, I turned to Monty. “And tomorrow…”
“Yeah?”
“I was thinking we could start packing up my apartment? ”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I booped his nose. “But only if the third-floor room between Nana’s and the turret library is available.”
He scratched at the back of his neck and feigned consideration. “I’ll have to check with the boss.”
I locked my gaze on his and looped my arms around his neck. “I love that turret room. Best place to think and relax. And I’d like to move in before Christmas. Her place is a magical wonderland in the winter.”
“It’ll be even more magical with you there.” He pressed his forehead to mine and pulled me closer.
“Double the magic,” I whispered, pressing the tip of my nose to his. “Monsha forever?”
“Monsha forever,” he promised, sweeping me off my feet with a kiss that made my toes tingle and my heart zingle.
Was zingle a word? I didn’t care. I was being kissed like a heroine in a love story.
My love story.
And what a tale it was.