Ten Dominic
Ten
Dominic
T o keep myself in shape for the French Open coming up in a couple of months, I do the workout routine my coach created. A mix of agility work, cardio and strength exercises helps me maintain muscle and stamina for those long matches. It’s not easy staying strong and fit as I get older, but I try. I like running because it helps me clear my mind of anything that’s been troubling me, and lately I’ve been troubled.
By unsettled feelings in my career. Am I done with tennis? Do I need something more to fulfill me?
By my family. I don’t like the company Mama keeps or her outrageous spending habits.
By Teagan and her resurgence into my life.
I’ve always looked back on that period in my life fondly because it was one of the few moments that I allowed myself to be happy, to feel . My world didn’t revolve solely around a tennis ball or the racket in my hand. Instead, it was about me and Teagan allowing ourselves to have something for the two of us.
When it fell apart, I’ve always held a self-righteous belief that I did the right thing. Teagan’s father demanded I leave her alone and allow her to recover in privacy after the sports world turned on her. It was the safe thing to do, the easy thing. It allowed me to be off the hook while still pursuing my career.
Teagan blames me for leaving her—and maybe she’s justified—but she gave up on us too. She pushed me away, making my decision to listen to her father easier than fighting for her. Teagan didn’t believe in us, in me, that we could weather the storm. She’s quick to judge and blame me, but there were two of us in that relationship. We share equal blame for its failure.
I push myself to run harder and faster on the track, trying to beat my previous time. If I don’t continue striving to be the best, the players rising in the ranks will best me . Right now, my strength and endurance will help me keep winning. And don’t get me wrong, I like the public’s adoration and all the people screaming my name. However, none of it has ever brought me the same peace, the same joy, as when Teagan Williams told me she loved me the first time.
Damn, why do my thoughts keep coming back to this woman?
Maybe because I’d never been in love until I met her. Quite frankly, I’d never had the time. Like Teagan, I was a tennis prodigy and my life was all about the training. When I wasn’t in school, I was on the court with my coach, which meant my afternoons and weekends were pretty much taken up.
It’s no wonder when I laid eyes on the beautiful Black queen that is Teagan Williams, I was smitten. She was ferocious and fearless. She was blazing a name for herself, and I admired her. Admiration turned into respect, which turned into competition, which turned to lust. We shared a passion so electric, anyone standing in the room could feel it.
And the other day at Manuel’s, it was like nothing had changed. The energy between us was palpable.
I stop running and take a moment to catch my breath. I’m not perfect, never thought I was, but I stand behind my actions. Teagan can hate me as much as she wants. I’ll take the hit, but it won’t change the situation. We’ll be working together on this tournament for a charitable cause whether we like it or not.
Who knows how we’ll fare on and off the court? But I look forward to the challenge. She might try to deny it, but the chemistry between us didn’t fade with time.
* * *
“Bro, I’m so glad you’re here,” Justice states when I stop by to visit his bachelor pad in Scottsdale later that day.
With a tapered, closely cropped haircut, smooth dark brown skin, bushy eyebrows and full lips much like myself, Justice Fletcher has turned into a fine-looking young man. Once upon a time, he was much shorter than the average boys in his class, and I never thought he’d get any taller. Then in his sophomore year, he sprouted to five foot ten.
I’m immensely proud of everything Justice has accomplished. At twenty-nine years old, he doesn’t need my financial assistance. He’s working at a company handling investments and making six figures.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come by, but I wanted to talk to you about your prospectus and helping student athletes.”
Justice nods. “I see how hard it is for top high school and college athletes to get by. Their families spend tens of thousands of dollars per year for coaching, entry fees, equipment and clothing. I want to be able to help them reap some rewards in the form of endorsements.”
“For a small portion of the profit,” I add.
Justice nods. “It’s what other sports management companies do, except my focus will be junior and college athletes. I can help them build their brand, see their value and give them a vision for their future career.”
“I’m intrigued and would love to help you get your company off the ground.”
My brother’s eyes go wide. “You would?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I believe in you, Justice. You’ve always had a good head on your shoulders, from going to Howard University to getting your MBA from Wharton. I wish Ciera had the same, though it does look as if Bliss is following in her big brother’s footsteps.”
“Ciera wants to be the next big influencer. It takes time and a little blind luck to find a video that goes viral.”
“Exactly!” I point to Justice. “I’ve tried to get through to Ciera about school, but she’s adamant she won’t be attending college.”
“She has to blaze her own way, Dominic. We—” he points to me and him “—may not agree with her choices, but it’s ultimately her decision.”
“Yes, but I won’t foot the bill if she wants to do something so frivolous.”
“You’re cutting her and Mama off?”
“Not entirely, but I need to have some discussions with them on their spending. I work hard to provide for them, but at some point, I have to hold them accountable.”
“Sounds fair. Let me know when you intend to have that discussion with Mom because I intend to be far, far away.”
I laugh. “Definitely. When do you need the investment?”
“Soon. I have my eye on a location in Scottsdale, but I want to take another look. Now that we’ve got work out of the way,” Justice says, “what’s up with you? I’ve sensed a restlessness with you of late.”
“You have?” It’s very intuitive of Justice, but then again, we’re closer in age than my other siblings.
“You’ve had a tough couple of years after your second injury tore your rotator cuff.”
I nod. “I had to fight my way back to a number-one ranking.”
“I knew you would, Dom,” Justice replies. “Whenever you put your mind to something, you stop at nothing until you achieve it. It’s what I admire about you and why I’ve tried to emulate you.”
“You don’t have to be like me, Justice. Forge your own path. Whatever it is. There was a lot of pressure on me to succeed because it was our way out of poverty.”
“I know, Dom. We owe you a lot for the sacrifices and hard work you’ve put in. It’s why I’m shooting my shot with this new business venture, but I know you paid a cost.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s always been about the work for you, bro. You’ve never allowed yourself a world outside of tennis, to have a relationship. Over a decade ago you were with Teagan. I know we’ve been forbidden to ever mention her name, but I never saw you as happy as you were with her.”
I frown. Why would Justice bring up Teagan now? I haven’t spoken about her in years, but suddenly her name, her presence is everywhere in my life. “You wouldn’t know this, but recently I ran into Teagan at a tennis tournament fundraising event.”
Justice’s eyes grow large with surprise. “Wow, how’s that for a blast from the past!”
“Don’t I know it, and what’s worse is I’ll have to see her over the next couple of months while I prepare for this event.”
“Do you, though?” Justice inquires. “You’re Dominic Fletcher. You can go anywhere you want. Maybe there are still some things unresolved between you. Perhaps you need closure.”
“And when did my little brother become so insightful?” I ask, rubbing my goatee. Scott said the same thing.
“I won’t bill you for this therapy session,” Justice replies, “but next time…”
We both chuckle. But hearing another person offer the same advice gives me pause. Perhaps Teagan and I can rewrite the end of this tale and at the very least part ways amicably.
But knowing Teagan, the answer is probably no. Given she refused to meet with me or call so we could talk like grown-ass adults, that’s a hell no. And maybe that’s fair, but we’re going to be in each other’s orbit during this tournament.
She’d better buckle up and get used to my presence because I’m not going anywhere.
In fact, I’ll make sure she can’t ignore me.