Thirty Dominic
Thirty
Dominic
W e’re just friends?
We’re just players who’ve developed a camaraderie?
Is that really what Teagan thinks of us?
We’ve become much more than that. I wouldn’t have reintroduced her to my family if she was just another side piece, but apparently Teagan doesn’t think much of me. She’s being honored as Real Estate Broker of the Year and didn’t tell me?
Why not? Doesn’t she know I’d champion her just as if she’d won Wimbledon?
“Everything okay?” Teagan asks, coming toward me.
I school my features to a neutral expression. I don’t want her to know I overhead them speaking about the award ceremony. “I’m fine,” I respond. “You ready to hit the court?”
If we’re just tennis players with nothing between us, we might as well get to it.
“I am,” she replies. “I’m ready to whup your ass.”
“You think so,” I reply with a haphazard smile. “You realize you rarely beat me. The couple of times you did was a stroke of luck.”
“And you’re an asshole,” she says, turning on her heel. “I’ll see you out there.”
Ten minutes later, I’m getting in position on the back court. The last couple of sessions I’ve gone easy on Teagan because of our physical relationship, but I’m not feeling generous today. In fact, I would say I’m downright mad. Mad that Teagan doesn’t think she can tell me about what’s going on in her life. Why? Because she still doesn’t trust me.
She’ll trust me with her body, give herself to me in every way imaginable, but she won’t give me what I just realized I want most.
Her heart.
I don’t have time to think about it more because Teagan wastes no time serving the ball. I crouch and wait. The ball comes fast across the net, bounces once, and I return it with equal fire.
Anger fuels my system and this time I give Teagan the business, treat her like I would any other opponent. We rally a bit and she almost manages to hit a ground stroke, but I stay alert. She tries using her backhand, since it was her best stroke when she played on tour, but I attack the net and meet the ball.
There, I’ve won the first game. Teagan goes to her bag, pulling out a towel to wipe off the sweat. When she returns, her brow is furrowed and she looks focused. That’s fine with me. I’m ready for her.
Now it’s my serve. My racket strikes the ball, sending it exactly where I want it to go. I set her up for failure and she manages a decent service return, but it’s not enough. She wins a few points in various games, but I take the first set 6–2.
She strides to half court. “I don’t need you to take it easy on me, Dominic. I want to get better and if it means losing, then I’ll take my lumps. So bring it on.”
“You sure you ready for me?” I inquire as we switch sides.
Her eyes narrow as she walks past me. “I was born ready. I can take anything you dish out, Fletcher.” I notice she resorts to calling me by my last name when she’s angry with me.
“Fine.” I toss my towel down and head straight to the back court. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The next couple of hours, I’m relentless. I break her serve and strike the ball corner to corner—over and over again. I have her running like hell. Part of me doesn’t like watching her failure. But the opponent in me won’t let it rest. Her hair is plastered to her forehead and sweat glistens on her firm body. I’d like to take her in the shower and wash her clean and then fuck her against the wall until I’m no longer angry that she’s kept me in the dark about her career, her life.
I finish her by winning the next two sets.
After practice is over and I’m packing up, I head over to her side of the net, but Teagan shakes her head. “Not now, Dom.”
“You know this was just a game.”
Her eyes narrow into slits as she glares at me. “Was it? I got the distinct impression you were pissed at me.”
“Why would I be angry?” I ask defensively. “Besides, you asked me to be tougher on you.”
She stares at me for several beats and I wonder if she realizes I overheard her conversation with Charity, but then she says, “I’m just tired and sweaty and ready for a hot shower. Can we talk later?”
“Sure.” I watch her walk off when that’s the last thing I want. I want her with me, in my arms and in my bed.
Without my realizing it, feelings I didn’t know were still there have resurfaced. Teagan Williams isn’t the casual fling I thought she was. I was trying to put her into a role that she would never fit. Because in reality, she’s the woman I never truly got over. She’s the fire in my blood that has fueled me all these years. I was winning for myself, but maybe I was winning for her too because she couldn’t be there to do it herself.
Was my superiority on the court a way to put her in her place? Maybe. Hell, there’s no maybe about it. I wanted to take her down a peg or two and I did. The satisfaction it gave me is short-lived. I should have told her that I was hurt by her excluding me from her award ceremony instead of acting like a child, but there’s always been a competitive edge to our relationship.
We’re two strong-willed, independent people, but there has to be a middle ground. One where we can both win, in and out of bed. I just have to find it. And I will, because Teagan is the woman I want to be with.
* * *
“Hey, Dom. What’s good?” Scott asks when I join him for lunch at the end of the week. I had to fly out to take care of some business for Fletcher Cares in Los Angeles and decided to stop in. A local charity in South Central had reached out for help and I couldn’t say no.
“I was hoping you had some luck finding other sponsors for the Desert Smash…?” I inquire.
“Oh, yeah. I looked into it and there’s a big sneaker company willing to off-load some serious dollars if you’re playing.”
“Of course I’m playing,” I reply. “I told you, I’m playing doubles with Teagan.”
A frown mars Scott’s face. “About that… They’re only interested in donating if you’re playing singles. You’re the star, Dom, not your ex-girlfriend, a washed-up has-been.” At the daggers I shoot in his direction, Scott amends his words. “Listen, I’m—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I just thought you and Teagan were scratching an itch so you can finally close that door.”
I reach for my drink and take a sip and remind myself to count to ten. Once I’m sufficiently calm, I put down my glass. “Teagan isn’t an itch I need to scratch. She’s more.”
“How much more?”
I glare at him.
“Oh, shit! You’re serious? Are you two like back together?” Scott whispers.
I glare at him. “We’ve been together for nearly two months, Scott. And yes, I thought it was just sex, but I’ve come to realize my feelings for Teagan run deeper.”
Scott sits back in his chair and stares at me incredulously. “Wow! This is serious, Dom, but you haven’t seen Teagan in well over a decade. It was always my impression you hated her or at the very least were upset with her about how she bailed on y’all’s relationship.”
“I was angry at her, but time and distance have made me realize we both made mistakes that contributed to our breakup.”
“How does Teagan feel?”
I shrug. “That’s the problem. I’m not sure. I thought we were getting somewhere the last couple of months, but then I find out she’s winning Real Estate Broker of the Year tomorrow but chose not to share the news with me.”
“That had to sting.”
“Yeah, it did, and I sort of took it out on her by giving her a signature Dominic Fletcher smackdown. She was so defeated after losing, she left the court and I haven’t spoken to her since. I’ve called her a couple of times and texted, but she’s been too tired or too busy.”
“Sounds to me like she’s giving you the shaft. I suppose you struck a nerve.”
“Probably. I was just so upset she didn’t think she could share her life with me. I invited her over for dinner and to spend time with my family. I thought she could see how much she means to me.”
“Showing ain’t working, my friend,” Scott responds. “You might have to follow through on the telling.”
“I will, but first I’m going to the awards dinner. I want to see her in all her glory.”
Scott frowns. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? She didn’t invite you for a reason. She may not take too kindly to you just showing up.”
“I can’t not go. This is a big deal and I want to be there to support her. You’ll see. Once she realizes I’m there, she’ll be happy to see me.”
“I don’t think so, Dom, but I’ve given you my best advice, take it or leave it. What about the sneaker sponsorship?”
“No can do. Teagan and I are a team. I’m not changing that.”
“All right. Well, good luck at the ceremony,” Scott says.
“Thanks, something tells me I might need it.”
Teagan will either be happy I’m there to support her or she’ll ice me out like she’s done the last week. Then where will I be? I can’t start back at ground zero. She will be glad to see me. I just know it.