Seventeen Teagan
Seventeen
Teagan
“I kissed him,” I tell Lyric when she calls me two days later.
At first I wasn’t going to tell the Gems because I feel stupid for being weak, for allowing my body to take over my common sense.
Dominic hurt me badly in the past. It took me years and a lot of therapy to get over his desertion and the loss of my tennis career. My confidence was shaken to its very foundation. I had already felt unworthy of love because of my strained relationship with my father. Having Dominic leave only reinforced those feelings. But after a few weeks of having him back in my life, I’m falling under his spell.
“You kissed Dominic?” Lyric inquires. “When?”
“On Saturday.”
“And I’m just hearing about it? Why did you keep it a secret?”
“I was embarrassed. I didn’t want the Gems to know. I’m supposed to be the one who has it together.” Except when I don’t.
“Teagan…” I hear the censure in Lyric’s voice. “You don’t always have to be strong or put up a front with us. We love you and support you, regardless. Now tell me, how did this kiss with Dominic come about? I thought you were giving him a wide berth?”
“That was the plan, but he keeps coming to the country club. He senses I have a weak spot for him and he’s exploiting it.”
“C’mon, Teagan. I know how you can be when you’re determined, but maybe there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to avoid him.”
I suck in a deep breath. “I suppose you could have a point. I didn’t exactly shy away from playing tennis with him.”
“Teagan, being on the court is like foreplay for you and Dominic. I’m not surprised one thing led to another and you guys sucked face. You have a complicated past with Dominic. One that was never fully resolved. You were so keen to break up with him after your injury. You never found out what you could have been without tennis.”
“All we had was the sport.”
Lyric coughs loudly. “I call bullshit. You were madly in love with Dominic. It’s not surprising you’d have a soft spot where he’s concerned. I guess my question for you is, what comes next?”
“Nothing. I pushed him away and told him it was a mistake.”
“Was it?”
“Lyric! You remember how I was after our breakup. I was devastated.”
“I haven’t forgotten the pain you endured, especially when I couldn’t do anything for you. I was in San Francisco with my own struggles as a Black ballerina in a white ballet ensemble.”
“You did what you could. But I—I can’t go backward.”
“Then don’t,” Lyric states. “Go forward. You’re both different people than you were twelve years ago. You’ve changed. He could have changed too. Who knows, you might discover you have more in common than you ever did before.”
“Or I can find out he’s the exact same man he’s always been who will run when the going gets tough. I’m not sure I want to risk it.”
“Life is all about taking risks. I believe you told me that when I fell in front of thousands of people in that auditorium. You told me my life wasn’t over and I could make new dreams. You can too, Teagan. See where it goes with Dominic. I’m not saying you have to jump into the deep end of the pool with both feet, but take baby steps.”
“I’m afraid of getting hurt.”
“I get it, honey. I was scared too when Devon and I met in Aruba and then again when we restarted our relationship in Memphis. But I also know you’ve dated all these years but have never gotten serious with anyone.”
I hear what Lyric is saying, but I’m not sure I’m ready to jump off the cliff—because I doubt Dominic will catch me if I fall. All I can do is make the best out of the situation, be professional on and off the court until I pull Williams & Associates from the brink of disaster. Despite my mixed feelings about Dominic, I can’t afford to mess up this tournament for the country club. They need his star power and I need the leads I’m getting from spending time with the club members. Somehow, someway, I’ll push down this attraction that’s been unearthed after being buried over a decade.
I can do this, right?
I have to.
* * *
When Saturday and another committee meeting roll around, I’m ready. I’ve decided not to play today and come dressed casually in an off-the-shoulder palm-leaf maxi-dress with an empire waist. I’ve pumped up my hair with a bit of mousse and added light makeup, pink lip gloss and hoop earrings. I’m feeling good until I walk into the room and see the committee has a guest.
Dominic is chatting with Charity and Mitzi, who’re hanging on his every word.
“Good morning,” I say when I reach them.
There’s a chorus of good-mornings, but the only one I care about is Dominic. He’s eating me up with his eyes, like he wants to take me to the nearest broom closet, hike up my dress and have his way with me.
I swallow the lump in my voice. “I’m surprised to see you here,” I say, not bothering with pleasantries.
He doesn’t get to answer, because Charity jumps in. “Dominic has graciously agreed to volunteer on our committee. Can you believe that?”
My eyes laser focus on his, but all Dominic does is shrug and give me one of those dazzling smiles that show off his pearly-white teeth. Damn, even his teeth look good.
“That’s wonderful,” I respond, when I feel the exact opposite. I want him gone, not fluttering around me like a butterfly.
“I had a little free time,” Dominic says, “and figured this is a worthy cause.”
“We can use all the hands we can get,” Mitzi replies, patting Dominic’s arm. She’s shameless in getting a feel of his generous biceps. I mean, his serve can go one hundred sixty miles per hour, one of the fastest in the industry. Not many men can keep up with him, let alone fight it out over multiple sets.
Charity recognizes how tense I am because she pulls Mitzi away, leaving me glaring at Dominic.
“You’re looking absolutely ravishing today,” Dominic says.
My eyes narrow. “Don’t try and charm me, Dominic. I’m not one of these infatuated women.”
His expression turns flinty. “As I recall, you weren’t feeling that way last week. Matter of fact, you couldn’t get enough of me.”
“I would have hoped you’d be a gentleman and not bring it up.”
“I’m no gentleman,” he says with a smirk. “My presence will ensure you step up your game, so I think we should continue to practice together.”
Charity interrupts my reply by calling the meeting to order. I find a table with only one seat remaining and take it before Dominic can sit next to me. It doesn’t matter because I can smell the spice-and-cedar scent that’s synonymous with Dominic.
Charity goes over the last meeting’s minutes and, after getting approval, moves to the next agenda item. Fundraising is going well but is not as high as they would like. Dominic raises his hand and offers to reach out to several of his high-profile tennis colleagues for donations. Charity preens with satisfaction while I want to jump across the table and strangle him. Instead, I bite my lip until I taste blood.
Don’t let him get to you. I give myself a pep talk, but he’s being so solicitous, I want to scream. Then Charity’s next suggestion really makes me want to do just that.
“I was thinking. I know everyone loves to shine on the singles tournament, but wouldn’t it be fun if we included a doubles tournament?”
“That’s a great idea,” another committee member concurs, and soon everyone is agreeing.
“I know exactly who our first couple to sign up should be.” Charity plants her gaze on me conspiratorially. “Dominic and Teagan! You’ve both played professionally. It could be a big draw.”
I’m about to say Absolutely not when Dominic jumps in and says, “I’m in. How about you, Teagan?” He throws down the gauntlet knowing I have to pick it up to save face in front of all these women. “I’ll even train you myself,” he adds for good measure.
I can feel the color draining out of my face and my mouth feels like cotton so I don’t respond. Charity takes my silence as acceptance and continues talking as if I’ve already said yes. “That’s great, Dominic. Thank you so much for being a team player.”
I don’t hear the rest of the meeting. How am I supposed to keep Dominic at a distance if I have to play in a tournament with him? Dominic is responsible for this fiasco, and I will waste no time telling him so, once Charity concludes the meeting. Before the other women file out of the room, they tell me how lucky I am to work with a player of Dominic’s caliber. As if I don’t know. I’ve watched the ascension of his career from young upstart to seasoned veteran with seventeen Grand Slams under his belt.
“I suppose you’re happy with yourself,” I say, folding my arms across my bosom, glad the room is empty and I can speak freely.
“I’m not exactly upset if that’s what you’re asking. Perhaps we can finish what we started the other day.”
I shoot him a dirty glare. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Ha!” He throws back his head with a laugh. “Keep telling yourself that, Teagan.” He starts for the door, but I rush in front of him.
“I mean it, Dominic. The other day was an anomaly. It was…”
Dominic’s dark eyes meet mine. “Tell yourself whatever will make you feel good, but I know what it was.”
“And what was it?” I taunt.
“Lust. Passion. Heat. Everything we do well together, Teagan. And I look forward to a repeat.”
My breath hitches in my chest and I quickly move aside, allowing him to leave. All I hear as the door closes behind him is Dominic’s laughter.
Why is it so easy for him to look at what happened between us as lust and sex? It was much more complicated than that. Our history is layered with hurt and betrayal. I can’t not remember the past, but when I’m in his arms it all melts away.
If only life were that simple, but it’s not.