Thirty-Nine Teagan
Thirty-Nine
Teagan
I crouch down at the baseline and so does Dominic.
We’re ready.
This will be a knockdown drag-out fight until winner takes all. For me, it’s not about a trophy. My win will be having Dominic’s heart.
The opposition wins the first serve. That’s fine. Dominic and I have been preparing for this moment. They serve and the ball lands in the corner, right in my backhand’s sweet spot. I’m right there to slam my racket against it and send it bouncing far and high across the net. The other team makes a run for it and lunges, hitting the ball back over. Dominic makes it this time, easily tapping the ball.
And so it goes. A short rally until finally we make a point. Then we make another. We take the first set easily 6–3. I’m happy about how we’re doing.
“It’s going good,” I say when we break to have a quick drink and wipe sweat from our faces.
“Yeah, but don’t get comfortable,” Dominic says. “They could be setting us up. Conserving their energy to come at us hard in future sets. Maintain focus.”
“I will.” There are local channels and major sports networks on-site, but I block out that the entire world is waiting to see what I do next. Instead, I think about Dominic. Being this close to him is driving me wild. He smells manly and earthy with sweat, and I wish I was curled beside him in bed.
“Stop thinking dirty thoughts,” Dominic whispers in my ear because of course everyone is watching us and probably trying to read our lips.
I laugh, wink at him and pick up my racket, getting back into position. He’s right. Our opposition comes back strong in the second set and takes it 6–4. I’m glad I didn’t completely embarrass myself. I missed a few shots and if Dominic hadn’t gotten the others, we’d be in worse shape. The crowd cheers when Dominic hits the ball and boos when I miss a point.
“It’s okay,” Dominic whispers when I take a swig of Gatorade as we prepare for our third set. “Don’t let the crowd get in your head.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
I forgot how loud the crowd can be when you’re on the court, but my adrenaline has kicked in. I know what’s at stake. I have to win this game. To show to myself I can do it and that I’m ready to win Dominic’s heart.
One of Dominic’s hands comes down on my neck and he whispers, “Get the ball deeper. They are weak on the left.”
When it’s my turn to serve, I send it deep in the corner of the service box, but they return it and storm the net. I swing hard and lob them, sending the ball deep and to the left like Dominic said. Our opposition struggles to run for the ball and falls flat against the court.
It’s 15–Love.
It’s time to serve again. I lift on my toes and give it a hard swing. They tap the ball but it falls out of bounds. The point is ours: 30–Love.
Serve after serve, we keep giving them the business, but they come back at us until it’s 30–40.
It’s been years since I played professionally and I feel every moment of this match. We need to get a deuce so we can get back in the game. They serve again and this time I remember to use the backhand Dominic and I have been working on, what used to be my strong point, and it helps.
We’re at deuce point, but get two points in a row? I’m not what I used to be. I’m worried about disappointing Dominic, the Gems and all the fans who’re sitting in their seats with bated breath.
It’s my serve again and it’s a fault, so there’s another chance for me to get the serve right. This time, I hit across the net and bam, we are one point from the win. We’re getting closer to the finish. I can hear the crowd getting louder as if they too smell victory.
I’m ready to lock this in so Dominic and I can finish that talk and finally have the life we deserve, the life we should have had twelve years ago. When it’s time for what I hope is the last point of the day, I’m moving from side to side on the court, ready for whatever comes my way. I don’t worry because Dominic serves it up. We rally back and forth against our opponent. Each of us chases the ball, not allowing the other team to have the point.
He’s just as determined as I am because we’re fighting for us.
It’s our time.
I see the return from my serve coming toward me. I know this is the make-or-break shot. I jump in the air. My racket smashes the ball and sends it flying across the net. It’s fast and deadly. I know the other team isn’t going to make it. My eyes widen as I wait for the inevitable.
It finally happens and they fail to hit.
The crowd soars to their feet with thunderous applause, and I fall to my knees.
We won.
We won.
Tears of joy stream down my cheeks and I don’t care who is watching. I know this isn’t a major. I did this for me. For us. And when I see Dominic’s outstretched hand, I take it and rise to my feet. Then, uncaring of who sees us, I jump into his arms, circling my legs around his waist. He catches me and crushes his mouth to mine.
It’s everything I’ve been waiting for.
I kiss him with fearless abandon. The crowd starts chanting our names. When we lift our heads to finally catch a breath, I say the words I should have said a long time ago.
“I love you.”
* * *
Later, after the tournament is over and we’ve accepted congratulations from the Gems, club committee members, Dominic’s family and Scott, who all showed up and showed out to support us at the country club, it’s just me and Dominic.
We’re finally alone at my place.
“You did it, Teagan,” Dominic states. “I’m so very proud of you.”
“Thank you. I’ve been away from the game for so long I didn’t think it was possible to have a comeback, but I did, because of you and your support.”
“No, it’s because of you and your innate talent. You’re too hard on yourself and don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re an amazing woman, Teagan. And I’ve spent the better part of my life being mad at you or loving you.”
“Loving me?”
“That’s right. I love you, Teagan,” Dominic states. “I don’t think I ever stopped. No matter how far away I was from you, I never forgot you.”
“And I never forgot you, Dominic. You are and have always been the love of my life. I’m sorry about my father’s machinations and that I was so quick to judgment. You deserve better than that. I promise that I will spend the rest of my days making it up to you, if you’ll let me.”
“Let you? You had me the moment I locked eyes with you from across the room at the Desert Smash cocktail party.”
“Really? I thought you were mad at me.”
“I was. Because you thought the worst of me and weren’t willing to give us a chance to see all that we could be.”
“I not only see it,” I say. “I believe we could have a happy life as long as we’re together.”
“What about tennis?”
“I understand you’re still on the tour. I will support you and stand by your side, just as you stood by mine throughout this tournament.”
“And if I told you I might retire soon?”
“Then I’ll happily fill up our days and nights showing you just how much I love you.”
“Good answer.” Dominic lowers his head for the kiss I’ve been waiting for.