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“What, no kale?”

“Kale?” she asked. “Who eats kale?”

“I mean, I assumed you did.” I gestured to her physique. Those muscles weren’t cut without a lot of work and a certain diet.

“Ew, I hate kale. Spinach is better.” She pointed and there were bags of spinach in the cart as well.

This was a ridiculous interaction, but I didn’t know how to end it, short of literally running away.

“Well, good to know,” I said, and threw all three bags of flavored chips into my cart. “See you tomorrow.” I pushed my cart away as fast as I could, determined to get the last word.

“Bye, Kiri,” she called after me, and I almost stumbled and fell face first into my cart. She couldn’t let me have even one. Echo always had to win.

Seven

“Okay, that wasn’t asbad as I thought it was going to be.” Which was really the kindest thing I could say after the second full out that we taped the next day.

The stunts were a complete mess after having to replace Mack, and at least two of my flyers were wiping away tears and trying not to let anyone see.

“Hey, it’s going to be an adjustment.” I had to pep them up. A lot of them were looking pretty defeated.

I was about to launch into what I hoped would be a rousing speech that would inspire each and every one of them as the music swelled and they all got up and hugged, when Cam walked in, looking more frazzled than usual.

This was not a sports movie.

“Hey, what can I do for you?” I asked her, stepping aside and leaving the inspirational speeching to Dom.

“Just wanted to let you know mats will be here tomorrow and I’m going to make sure they will be ready for you before practice. No more sharing.”

Thank fuck. We could finally work on sprucing up our tumbling, which was probably going to look pretty sad at first since the squad was a little rusty.

“Awesome, thank you. Everything else okay?”

“Yup, fine.” She gave me a tight smile that was clearly fake.

“Lay it on me,” I said. I didn’t really have the time, but Cam regularly stuck her neck out for me and my program. She was also kind and hot, which was a level just below mean and hot on my attraction scale.