Thirteen Teagan
Thirteen
Teagan
I can’t believe Dominic said that.
He is trying to get a rise out of me and remind me of the passionate connection we shared. Of course, I haven’t forgotten. He was my first love, my first lover . I let down my guard and allowed him to see inside—to the Teagan who wanted to be loved.
Intellectually, I know my parents loved me, but my father never showed it. When my mother tried, my father told her not to coddle me. I’m raising a champion not a coward , he would say. He would have been happier if I’d been a boy, but instead he got a girl. When I wasn’t interested in baseball, softball or basketball, my father put me in tennis. He was thrilled when I took to the sport like a fish to water. I never imagined my love of the game would cause him to withhold his love entirely.
“Teagan, was that Dominic Fletcher?” Charity asks as she steps onto the court.
“One and the same.”
“Were you guys playing? How do you know each other?” Charity fires off questions.
“We knew each other when I played professionally,” I offer. I don’t want to say too much, but if she wanted to, she could look up the awful headlines online. More than once, I’ve searched for myself. None of the articles or video clips are flattering.
“And?” Charity’s shoulders go up in inquiry. “Was there something more? I mean, Dominic is one fine-ass looking man.”
A giggle escapes my lips. “Um, yeah, he is, but…”
“But what? You wouldn’t tap that if the opportunity presented itself?”
If she only knew. I not only tapped that, but his touch brought me to life and took my drab, beige world and made it fully Technicolor. Dominic showed me what passion looked like—how luxurious and powerful it could be. And I fell head over heels in love only to have it blow up in my face. But I’m not prepared to share that heartbreak with anyone who isn’t one of the Gems.
“I have to get going,” I say. “I have a showing later.”
“Has being a member of the club helped? Are you seeing improvement?”
I appreciate Charity showing interest. “In the velocity of clients, absolutely.” I nod. “Now it’s a matter of getting them to the finish line and closing the sale. Thank you for making those introductions.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Charity replies. “I’m glad I could help. We’ll talk soon.”
I rush off as quickly as I can because I don’t want to talk about Dominic. Though, our battle on the court was invigorating. Maybe having him around isn’t such a bad thing. Playing tennis again has reminded me of my love for the sport, and I could improve my game while helping the brokerage.
On the other hand, playing again with Dominic is risky. My competitive streak could lead me to reinjure my knee. Then there’s the close proximity to Dominic. I’m not immune to him. When he mentioned love nips, it took me back to a place, a day, where I pleaded with him to fuck me every conceivable way. He made me his, and I’ve never been the same since.
* * *
The next morning, I drive to Papago Park, not far from metropolitan Phoenix, for a long walk on the west side. Although the east trail has better views of the Sonoran Desert flora and fauna and the popular scenic view point of Hole in the Rock, I’d rather stay on a more accessible, paved pathway. It has a series of loops around the big and little butte that are great for walking.
I used to do a lot of sprints and running when I played tennis professionally, but after I injured my meniscus, my rehab doctor told me to do less impactful cardio. Walking became my thing, and I can easily complete several circuits of the Double Butte Loop in an hour.
Today, it’s a bit cool out with a high of sixty degrees. I’ve dressed in an African-print sports bra and leggings that fit me like a second skin, with a sweatshirt over them. Once I get warm, I can abandon the sweatshirt and tie it around my waist. I place my smartphone in the pocket of my leggings, insert my earbuds and I’m off.
I’m listening to my favorite workout playlist, which has a mix of current pop and R&B tunes, while maintaining my stride. I’m nearly done with two laps around the loop when I feel someone by my side.
Turning around, I give a start because Dominic is jogging beside me. I snatch my earbuds out and glance around. “What are…? How did you know where I’d be?” The impact of seeing him makes my skin flush and my heart beat erratically.
He shrugs. “I didn’t. I came out here to exercise, same as you, or rather run in my case. Since when did you start walking?”
“Since I ruptured my meniscus,” I respond hotly.
“I’m sorry, that was insensitive, I wasn’t thinking. And you don’t have a monopoly on the park—it has a great running path.”
“Well then, don’t let me keep you,” I reply.
A flash glitters in his eyes and his jaw tightens. “Are you afraid for me to join you, Teagan? Do I unnerve you that much?”
“Not in the slightest. But I’m walking not running. I imagine it’s beneath you.”
“The only thing I want beneath me is—” He cuts off his sentence, but I know exactly what he’d been about to say.
The only thing I want beneath me is you.
He used to say things like that when we were together to elicit a response, but I’m not giving him one. “Do whatever you want. I’m finishing my workout.” I immediately start walking briskly, but Dominic doesn’t take the hint. Instead of running, he joins me walking, matching my brisk stride.
I glance in his direction and see the stubborn determination on his face, which he wears when he’s intent on winning. He’s not going to win with me. I ignore the breadth of his shoulders in the tank top he’s wearing, the sexy goatee that makes him look like a dangerous predator.
“I imagine this must be pretty boring for you,” I say after minutes tick by with no conversation between us. “Running is high-octane.”
“I don’t mind walking if I have company,” Dominic replies.
Unwilling company , I want to add, but I don’t dare get caught up with tit for tat. The passion between us always sparked from pushing each other’s buttons. If I want to get through this walk, I have to act like he’s not here. But how can I do that when I feel his pulsing energy?
“How’s your family?” Dominic surprises me by asking, and I find myself pausing midstride. He does the same.
“Why do you want to know?”
He sighs and shakes his head. “I’m making conversation, Tee. Does everything have to be a battle?”
Yes! I want to respond like a petulant child. He wants to sweep our past under the rug like it never happened.
But I can’t forget. Our past had a lasting effect on me, from my career to my personal life to my relationships.
“They’re fine,” I finally answer his question. “And your mother and siblings? I imagine your brother and sisters are all grown up now or close to it.”
Dominic nods. “Yeah, Justice graduated with his MBA from Wharton and is working for a financial services company. Ciera is a senior in high school, but I’m afraid she’s more interested in TikTok than anything else. Bliss, she’s the all-around kid. She runs track and is smart as a whip.”
I can see how proud Dominic is of his siblings. When we were together, he talked about making enough money to take care of them. “I’m glad to see they’re finding their way in the world.”
“They are,” he responds. “I do my best to show up for them when my schedule permits. It’s not easy, but they’re a priority so I make the time.”
“I’m glad to see that hasn’t changed.”
He smiles and it’s like the sun shining. Dominic always had that effect, but I have to minimize it. I resume walking and he follows suit.
“So what have you been up to all these years?” he inquires. “I’ve always wondered.”
“I doubt that,” I reply sarcastically, “but if you must know, I became a real estate agent. I own my own brokerage and have a team of agents.”
His face splits into a grin. “That’s wonderful, Teagan. I’m glad to see you’ve become a success.”
“Not like you,” I mutter underneath my breath.
“What was that?” he asks.
“Oh, nothing.” I want to get back to my car, but Dominic doesn’t let up with the questions.
“And the Gems? What are they up to now? After we broke up, they all blocked me on social media.”
I can’t resist a knowing smirk. My girls will always show their solidarity.
Dominic continues, “I did manage, during my off time one year, to catch Lyric when she was a principal dancer for the San Francisco ballet company. She was breathtaking and so talented. I was saddened to hear about the fall ending her career.”
“I commiserated because I’d been where she was. I understood her pain and devastation.”
“And now? Is she better?”
I nod. “Lyric started her own ballet studio. Wynter is a big-time travel influencer, Shay has her own yoga and cycling studio, Egypt’s restaurant, Flame, is a huge hit in North Carolina and she’s thinking of expanding. And big news, Asia not only owns her own jewelry store, but she’s a mom to two-year-old Ryan.”
Dominic’s eyes grow large. “Get out. Of all the Gems, I would never have guessed it.”
“It was an unexpected surprise, but Asia is a great mom who happened to fall in love along the way.”
“You sound wistful, Teagan. Do you envy her?”
“Me?” I laugh wryly. “I wasn’t meant to procreate let alone live a normal life. It’s never been in the cards for me.”
“Why not?”
Because of you , I want to say. Because you ruined me for any other man. You made me believe in love, but as soon as the going got tough, you left. You weren’t in it for the long haul. You made me see how foolish I was to believe a man could complete me. I learned to depend on myself.
“Oh look,” I say, noticing we’ve come to the end of the trail. “I’ve completed my walk.” I tap my Apple watch to log my exercise. “I should get going.”
“So that’s it?” Dominic asks. “Our friendly ceasefire is over.”
I regard him warily. “Who ever said it stopped?”
Dominic leans toward me, crowding my personal space. I have to crane my neck to stare up at him. The connection between us is still there, burning bright. My eyes grow wide when his pupils flare and he bends toward me. The warm scent of his skin fills my nostrils, and I can feel long-forgotten desire build in the space between us. As he draws closer, my lips open in what, preparation for a kiss?
Is that really what I want?
Of course not. I can’t forget the hell I endured after this man left me and went on with his career. At the last moment, I turn my head and his kiss lands on my cheek. Immediately, I step away.
His dark gaze burns, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a hint of disappointment there, but just as quickly it’s gone and his expression is inscrutable.
“I have to go.”
I rush away as fast as my Nike sneakers can carry me. I don’t look back, but I can feel Dominic’s eyes on me, or rather on my ass. He was always a booty man. He might as well enjoy the view because he’s never getting another chance to touch me.