Page 52 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

“Hey, you.” She tried quickly to conceal her pleasure at seeing Beth unexpectedly just in case Lily could still hear her.

“Mom, you need to stand closer,” Lily called, her voice muffled in the background.

“Okay.” Beth called, amused. “I should probably flip you around,” she murmured, with a smile.

“I’d be into that,” Jamie replied, her voice low, just for Beth.

The camera turned, and Jamie’s view shifted to Lily on the beam. She watched her run through the routine, flawless once again.

“It’s cute how focused you are,” Beth’s voice came through, reminding Jamie she was still watching her. Jamie smiled, feeling a rush of heat in her cheeks.

“I take providing feedback very seriously,” she murmured, as Lily stuck her landing and came running over.

“That felt great!” Lily beamed, practically bouncing. “You were totally right. I was getting in my head.”

“See? What did I tell you. Now, remember that this weekend. You’re going to do great.”

Beth leaned over Lily’s shoulder, and Jamie couldn’t help but notice how they looked so alike, down to each freckle and the way their eyes sparkled. A strange pang hit her, like she was staring at the life she’d once told herself she’d never have.

“Let’s let Jamie go, Lily. We need to get home,” Beth said, resting a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Okay, fine.” Lily sighed. “Bye, Jamie!”

“Bye, Jamie!” Beth echoed, her eyes meeting Jamie’s with a hint of mischief.

Jamie waved as they ended the call, and as she sat there, her phone still in her hand, a faint smile lingered on her lips.

She’d never thought of herself as someone who’d feel maternal, but now, maybe that was starting to change.

She pulled her laptop to her and, within minutes, booked herself a round trip to Austin, Texas, for the weekend.

She wanted to be there for Lily and realized nothing was stopping her.

Jamie felt a mix of exhilaration and fear as she confirmed the flight.

She was crossing a line, wasn’t she? It wasn’t only about coaching Lily anymore—it was about being there, fully, without reservation.

Maybe she didn’t know exactly what she was getting into, but she knew one thing: she didn’t want to hold back anymore.

For Lily, and maybe for herself, she wanted to see this through.

Excited chatter and the faint smell of popcorn swirled around Jamie as she navigated through the rows of seats in the crowded arena.

A rush of adrenaline tingled in her veins, an echo of a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years—like she was the one about to compete.

The last time she’d been in an arena like this was for her final competition, and the memories hit her all at once, sharp and a little sour.

But today wasn’t about her. Today was about Lily.

Beth 10:17 AM

Sarah and I are settled in the section to the right of the judge’s table, about halfway down row G. Can you see us in the live feed?

Jamie couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her as her fingers flew over the screen, typing a quick reply.

Jamie 10:18 AM

Got it. Let me zoom in a bit...

She took a steadying breath and started weaving through the aisles, following Beth’s directions. As she approached, her nerves ticked up and she hoped to God she wasn’t overstepping by being here. Today was just as much about showing up for Beth as it was for Lily.

Finally, Jamie spotted them. Beth was leaning forward, her blonde hair catching the arena lights as she scanned the floor below, hoping to glimpse Lily before the event started. Sarah was beside her, scrolling through her phone with a practiced calm that contrasted with Beth’s anxiety.

Jamie stopped just beside Beth and cleared her throat softly.

Beth turned, and her eyes went wide. A flash of shock and then pure, unguarded joy lit up her face.

For a moment, she stared, speechless. Then, as if it were a reflex she couldn’t control, she reached out, fingertips grazing Jamie’s arm as if to confirm she was real.

“Jamie? You’re here?” Beth’s voice was low as she scanned Jamie’s face, trying to make sense of how Jamie had come to be in front of her.

Jamie grinned, that warm rush flooding her senses in the way it always did around Beth. “Couldn’t miss this for Lily.” Her eyes glanced over to Sarah, who was still focused on her phone. “Or you.”

Beth’s mouth opened, but no words came. She looked at Jamie, then at her hand still resting on Jamie’s arm, and quickly pulled it back, cheeks coloring slightly. “You flew all the way out here?” she asked, disbelief attached to her question.

Jamie nodded, a little embarrassed but unable to stop smiling. “I booked the ticket right after I talked to you two the other night. It felt like the right thing to do.”

Before Beth could respond, another voice cut in.

“Jamie?” Sarah had looked up in surprise, and a quiet interest she could feel in the way Sarah’s eyes went from her to Beth and back. “What are you doing here?” Her tone wasn’t accusatory, simply curious.

Jamie offered a casual smile and shrugged lightly. “I came to see Lily’s big day. Wouldn’t miss it.”

Sarah looked at Beth, a silent question passing between them. “She surprised me, too. I had no idea she was coming,” Beth answered.

“Surprises all around.” Sarah’s tone—now amused, maybe even approving—made Jamie feel like she understood more than she was saying. “Here, I’ll scoot down.” Sarah stood and shifted over one seat, making room for Jamie.

Sarah gave Beth a brief, knowing smirk—one that Jamie didn’t miss. “Lily will be thrilled to see you. This will mean so much to her.”

Jamie sat beside Beth and felt Sarah’s eyes still on her, sharp and assessing.

She tried to appear calm, keeping her attention on the athletes warming up, but Sarah’s gaze was like a subtle pressure searching for some confirmation of what she might already suspect.

Jamie—no stranger to scrutiny—had spent most of her career under the critical eye of coaches and judges, but this felt different. This was personal.

Jamie’s hand inched closer to Beth’s on the armrest as the competitors began to warm up.

She wanted to reach out, give her hand a reassuring squeeze and let Beth know she was there, but she forced herself to hold back, painfully aware of Sarah’s presence on Beth’s other side.

For the time being, she would sit with the exquisite torture of feeling the warmth of Beth’s shoulder against hers.

She could do this. She could totally do this.

They watched Lily’s warm-ups. From where Jamie sat, Lily looked good—like she was relaxed and centered. Amanda was whispering something to Lily about her dismount, and Jamie fought the urge to text Amanda what she would say if she were the one down on the floor with Lily today.

When Lily finally walked out onto the floor for her first routine, she felt Beth go completely still beside her, fingers gripping the edge of her seat.

Jamie glanced at Beth, taking in the intensity of her expression—equal parts pride and fear.

She reached out instinctively, her hand hovering for a moment before she stopped herself.

Lily mounted the beam, her face calm. As she began her routine, Jamie couldn’t help but notice how every time Lily executed a particularly challenging move, Beth’s eyes squeezed shut, her body tensing beside Jamie.

Unable to resist, Jamie leaned in, her voice low and soothing. “She’s got this. I wouldn’t have set her up with anything she couldn’t handle. I promise.”

Beth opened her eyes, meeting Jamie’s, and managed a faint, grateful smile. “I know,” she murmured. “It’s just—it’s hard to watch sometimes.”

Sarah let laughed fondly from the other side of Beth. “She’s always been like this,” she said, nudging Beth’s arm. “Lily could be doing a simple cartwheel and Beth would still be holding her breath. I swear, she’s never had the stomach for sports.”

“Hey, that’s our baby girl out there!” Beth protested. “And she’s throwing herself through the air, flipping and spinning all sorts of ways.” She waved her hands around.

Jamie felt a pang in her chest as she watched the way Beth and Sarah shared a brief, understanding look that came only from years of deeply knowing each other.

Jamie admired it—envied it, even. She couldn’t help but wonder where she would fit into that unspoken dance choregraphed on shared history, but sitting here beside them, she felt oddly included, as if she were being allowed a glimpse into the life they’d built around Lily.

She glanced around the arena at the other parents leaning forward in their seats, holding their breaths, some clutching each other’s hands in shared anxiety.

It hit her in that moment how much was at stake for everyone here—not only for the athletes, but for the families who had supported them.

This was a new perspective for Jamie; she saw the competition not through an athlete’s eyes but through a family member’s, making everything feel different. Heavier. More real.

When Lily stuck her landing, the crowd erupted into applause. Jamie’s hands shot up, clapping enthusiastically alongside Beth and Sarah, both of whom were beaming. Beth’s eyes shone, pride radiating from her, and Jamie felt a lump in her throat as she watched her.

She wanted to reach out, wrap her arms around Beth and whisper how incredible her daughter was, but she held back, acutely aware of Sarah’s presence and the complexity of this moment.

Instead, she turned back to the arena, clapping as hard as possible, hoping Beth could somehow feel her support without words.

Once Lily finished the rest of her events, scoring high across the board, the three of them made their way through the crowd toward the athletes’ area.

They finally spotted Lily, who was practically bouncing with excitement, her face flushed and glowing.

Her eyes went wide with surprise as soon as they landed on Jamie.