Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 101335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“NCA Nationals is in five days; therefore, it’s going to be a long night ladies and gentlemen. Take five and call your parents. We aren’t leaving until we get it right!” Jace called out from the edge of the mat. He continued to stand rooted in the spot with his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest and his feet spread apart. When he heard the mumbled protest from some outspoken members of the team, he looked up, daring them to test his patience any further. He watched the cheerleaders for several seconds, contemplating his options. The young coaches for this team came to stand in front of him.
“We’ll get it. I promise.” One coach started to speak, but Jace lifted his hand to stop the flow of excuses.
“I want Tina, the front flyer, moved to the back. I want Autumn moved to center. Collin is no longer the point for the triple toe back. Move Robert there, instead. Nikki and Laureen need to swap places. I think if they switch positions it may help in some of the chaos running back and forth, also in some of the attitude I’m seeing while they’re performing. I also want Ally and Amanda’s group to show the team what a switch kick double basket toss should look like. Work them for about an hour more and then let them go. I’ll take their class tomorrow night myself.” Jace never paused for a response, but turned to the next team standing to the side, waiting to take center mat. With a motion of his hand, they moved forward to take their position.
While the new team took their spot on the floor, Jace looked around his gym. He moved his teams into this building a couple of months ago, and he was proud of this new facility. It still needed work, there was always room for improvement, but he ran six hundred ninety cheerleaders through here every week. Never turning anyone away, yet still winning something in every competition for the past ten years. The trophies were three rows deep and had been placed on shelves running around the top of the thirty thousand square foot building after the gym ran out of room in the trophy cases. Championship banners lined the walls and hung from every beam in the huge facility.
All six hundred ninety cheerleaders were in the gym today, watching this showcase. It was a mandatory practice. They sat and stood in every available space, either waiting for their team to perform, or once finished, there for moral support.
The team he had just called to the mat was his junior prep team, level six, the highest level achievable in cheerleading. They were his top junior team. The other nine junior teams in his gym sat in order behind him, quietly waiting for their turn on the mat. The transition took no more than three minutes, and the girls stood in position, ready and waiting. Their coaches looked nervous. Good. He lifted his eyes to the sound room once again.
The music blared overhead, signaling the girls to begin their routine. The coaches counted loudly, trying to help keep everyone synchronized. After they nailed the first round of stunts, the entire gym busted out cheering the girls on. They were flawless all the way through. Jace stood there watching in the same manner he’d observed his elite senior team before. Watching closely for the mistakes and catching them just as the judges would this weekend.
Haley placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned in from behind. His five foot two inch tall assistant lifted on her tiptoes, still only hitting about his shoulders, requiring him to bend his head slightly to the side as she whispered in his ear. “ESPN’s here. They’re setting up in your office. The video cameraman’s over in the corner. He looks like a dad. The reporter’s standing directly behind you in the viewing window of your office.” Jace kept his eyes trained on the routine in front of him and only straightened his head, not giving any indication he’d heard Haley.
Jace continued to stand in the exact same position as before, brawny arms crossed over an expansive chest, for several moments after the team finished their routine. The music ended, plunging the gym into silent hopeful tension. The girls stood, trying to catch their breath, obviously excited they’d nailed their three minutes of fast-moving tumbling, dancing, and stunting. But they needed to hear from Jace before they gave in to the excitement.
Jace just stood there, thinking over what he saw wrong. This team was close to perfect, or as close to perfect as they could get. They had been together since they were all about five years old. Now, at twelve, they were a well-oiled machine. Finally, Jace gave them a nod and a smile. The coaches and girls jumped up and down, screaming, running over to him. His bad, mean reputation fell short with this group of girls clinging all over him.
“Just because I nodded doesn’t mean you don’t continue to work the rest of the week. It needs to be perfect. Alesha, your counts were off on the triple toe back. Kennedy, your double needs tighter rotation. And for God’s sake, keep it clean. Point those toes. No bobbles and I saw some. You know who you are.” The girls listened, hugging each other, and him, while the camera’s captured the entire moment.
So much for trying to be a hard ass. Jace wedged his way from the group of excited giggling girls.
“Haley, watch the next team. I’ll be in my office,” Jace said, and for the first time, looked toward the window where the reporter stood. He gave a single nod of his head, lifting one finger, asking for an extra minute. She nodded back, smiling.
“Yes, sir! Ladies, next team on the mat please, pronto,” Haley called out, but Jace didn’t listen any further. He made his way through a back side door, which lead to his personal office space and the full bathroom that lay strategically hidden behind his office. The reporter waited just on the other side of the bathroom door. The music would drown out any noise he might make. He figured the reporter would still be standing at the floor to ceiling windows of his office, mesmerized by the teams’ practice session. Whether flying through the air or tumbling across the floor, his teams were some of the best in the world. They worked hard and it showed.