Eighteen Dominic
Eighteen
Dominic
M y decision to show up at the Phoenix Country Club’s Desert Smash tournament committee meeting was impulsive. I wanted to see Teagan again and push her buttons. I knew she would sweep what happened between us under the rug. I won’t.
She hates me for having left her all those years ago, for having the career she’s always wanted. And me, well, I’ve hung on to my anger toward her because she gave up on us too easily. Because she’s quick to believe the worst about me. I made a mistake listening to her father. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now she hates me for it.
Telling her won’t change things. It won’t take away the past. It is what it is. All we can do is move forward. I thought that’s what I was doing. I’ve been living my life, winning championships and Grand Slams, because it is what I was born to do. Yet I can’t deny that having Teagan back in my life, even in small ways like walking beside her on the trail or playing a match with her on the court, has lit a spark in me I haven’t felt in a long time.
I feel alive . Everything seems a little bigger and brighter. For a long while, I’ve been disenchanted with my life. Not that I don’t love the game—I do—but I’ve achieved everything I set out to do. I’ve broken records and established myself as the GOAT while my love life has languished, never moving forward with any woman because those women are not Teagan.
I came to the meeting to volunteer. I knew she wouldn’t be able to deny my entry or my existence. The tournament needs me. Could they find another tennis star? Sure, but not this late in the game. The Phoenix Desert Smash is less than two months away, which is to my advantage.
I suggested the idea for doubles to Charity before the meeting started and she loved it. Having Teagan as my partner means this excitement and exhilaration won’t go away. Maybe these feelings are what I need to prepare myself for the French Open at the end of May, and until then, I can allow myself this moment.
And if that includes having Teagan back in my bed, so be it. I want her. I know she wants me too, but she’s fighting it. Training with me will bring our attraction to the forefront, and she’ll have to face it, face me, head-on. I welcome it. There have been other women who’ve satisfied my needs, but there is something about Teagan that’s special, unique.
She spoke to my soul, and I’ve never let another woman get that close. I’m not sure I can let her get that close again because it hurt too much to lose her. After our breakup, I lost a couple of big matchups. My coach told me to get my head out of my ass.
But I felt Teagan’s pain. I knew she wanted to be in my position and I was sorry she wasn’t, but I shouldn’t be punished for the rest of my life for achieving the glory denied to her. What I can do is ensure the Phoenix Desert Smash tournament is a success, and if that means I get to spend time with Teagan in the process and fuck whatever this is out of my system, then I’m down. Right now, she’s like a fever in my blood, and it won’t break until she’s mine again in every way .
* * *
After the meeting, I don’t stick around. Instead, I drive to Bliss’s high school for one of her track meets. She’s fast and best at sprints, especially the one- and two-hundred-meter dashes. I can’t wait to see her in action. I don’t often get to make her meets because I’m on the road.
Justice texted me earlier that he, Mom and Ciera are already on-site. I park my Bentley Bentayga SUV beside Justice’s BMW X7 and hop out. I’m nearly to the bleachers when several fans approach me asking for an autograph. I scribble my name across journals, T-shirts and miscellaneous items people produce on the spur of the moment when they see a celebrity.
Eventually, I make it to the bleachers. Mom waves at me from the upper row and I climb the stairs. She wraps me in a hug when I arrive. “Dominic, I’m so glad you could make it. Bliss will be too.”
“If I’m in town, I’ll always try and come. Hey, kiddo.” I look down at Ciera, who is on her iPhone snapping pics, videos or whatever Gen Z does these days. As usual, she’s in a skimpy crop top showing too much flesh for my taste and baggy joggers while her long mane of weave flows to her ass.
“Hey, Dom,” she says absentmindedly. I give her a kiss on the top of her head and give Justice a one-armed hug.
“Hey, bro,” I say. “Did I miss anything?”
Justice is smartly dressed in trousers and a polo shirt. I assume he plans on working on his new business venture by talking to some athletes after the event. “Naw, the meet hasn’t started yet,” Justice responds. “Where were you?”
I frown. “Uh, I had some pressing business to attend to.” I take a seat behind him on one of the bench mats Mom brought.
“Does this have anything to do with Teagan?” Justice’s brows rise.
“That name is a blast from the past,” Mom says, jumping into the conversation. “When did you run into your ex?”
I didn’t want this to be public knowledge, but I didn’t know Mom was listening. “A few weeks ago.”
“And you didn’t mention it?” Mom inquires. “I always liked that girl. She had a lot of chutzpah, reminded me of myself. It was such a shame when you guys called it quits.”
“She doesn’t feel that way,” I reply. “She’s not a fan of mine.”
“Can you blame her?” Mom asks. “You’ve gone on to achieve great things. I’m so proud of you.”
Her words bring a smile to my face. “Thank you, Ma.”
“I tell anyone who’ll listen who my son is,” she continues, and that’s when she loses me. “They can’t believe it. They say I don’t look a day over forty.”
I laugh. “Do they now?” I have no idea who they are, but go along with her.
“Sure do.” Then she points to the field. “Look, look, there’s Bliss.” She yells out Bliss’s name, which causes my sister to glance up. I see her face turn red with embarrassment, but Mama is oblivious. “That’s my daughter,” she says to the woman by her side. The woman smiles politely and they engage in conversation, leaving me and Justice to our previous one.
“Sorry about that,” Justice whispers. “Didn’t know Mama was listening.”
I shrug. “It’s fine. I’m hoping the press doesn’t pick up on Teagan and I being in the tournament together. That didn’t go too well the last time.”
“Then I suggest you keep things between you on the q.t.”
“You’re probably right.” I didn’t exactly do that the other day when we made out on the court where anyone could have seen us and snapped pics.
Justice inclines his head to the track. “Race is starting.”
I love the thrill of competition, and seeing Bliss thrive in this atmosphere is rewarding. If anyone can follow in my footsteps, it’s my baby sister. Hell, she’ll go even further because she has smarts behind her too.
I wasn’t an F student, but I also didn’t love school. I’d much rather have a racket in my hand hitting balls than be stuck in some classroom indoors. Eventually, it got to the point I had to be homeschooled by tutors because there wasn’t time for me to train with a normal school schedule. I’m happy Bliss loves school, but seeing her smoke the competition fills me with pride. With her speed, she can get an athletic scholarship.
After the track meet is over, the family and I wait for her outside the school. “Way to go, Bliss.” I pick her up and swing her around.
She shrieks. “Dom, put me down. I’m not eight anymore.”
I laugh, but do as she asks. “You’ll always be my baby sister.”
“Great job, little bit!” Justice gives her a squeeze.
“Thanks, guys.” Bliss blushes. “I’m not used to having the entire family on hand, even you, Ciera.”
Ciera gives a wave from the column she’s posing against while taking selfies and talking about the event on TikTok.
“How about some lunch?” Mom asks. “I imagine you’re starved.”
“I would love to, but some of the gang—” Bliss turns behind her where I see several young girls are standing “—decided to go out for burgers. Is that okay? I know y’all came out for me and I truly appreciate it.”
“Go have fun with your friends,” Mom replies, and swats Bliss on the bottom. Bliss rushes off to the group.
“Me too,” Ciera adds. “No offense, but I see some friends I know.” And without another word, she departs. Justice isn’t far behind, leaving us to talk to some athletes.
“What do you say, Mom?” I turn to her when it’s just us. “You game for lunch with your son or is that not in style anymore?”
Her face instantly brightens. “It absolutely is.”
“Good. Lunch is on me at your favorite spot.”
Mom claps her hands with glee. “Well, if you’re buying, then I know just the place.”
Of course, she picks the most expensive restaurant in town, but I don’t mind; I’m in a great mood today. I’m proud of my family and what I’ve been able to do for them. I’m sorry it came at the expense of my relationship with Teagan. But if I had to do it all over again, I would make the same choice—except this time, I would have a heart-to-heart with Teagan so she understood I was between a rock and a hard place with no way out.
But if she had known, would she have understood?
Or would she have expected me to give up everything to stand by her side? I guess I’ll never know because I made a choice.
The right one for me, but the wrong one for Teagan.