Chapter 14
Wins/Losses: On hiatus
Roof: See “stuff block,” but also makes for a fun word to cheer.
Vivienne and Lee handled the team from Toronto, no problem.
Vivienne was as in-the-zone as ever, jaw set and determined, eyes narrowed and focused. She and Lee had a quick word at a time-out, sand shading Vivienne’s left butt cheek and extending down her thigh. Jess’s hand twitched at the idea of wiping it off.
The Sunside crew hooted and hollered at every point, and it wasn’t long until Jess noticed a few more rowdy spectators had gathered around the court.
She wasn’t the only one appreciating Vivienne’s …
form. Even the ref seemed to be getting into it—he totally stole a second glance at Vivienne’s ass when she bent over to brush off her shins.
Tania startled Jess when she leaned over to talk into her ear. “They’re probably going to win this whole tournament.”
“Oh—Yeah.” Vivienne crushed a kill right through the hapless blocker’s hands. “Probably.”
When it was almost time for their match, Jess and Tania waded through the sea of nets and sweaty bodies until they found the right court.
Jess scanned the rows toward the parking lot.
Still no sign of her parents. For half a second, she thought about texting them, but what was the point?
They were either already on their way, or they weren’t.
After their warm-up, the ref blew her whistle to start the match. One last look around. Still no parents.
Their opponents were local, young, and, quite frankly, looked a little bit terrified to be playing a team from the storied SoCal VL.
They shook hands—Jess tried not to grin at their wide eyes—then she and Tania huddled briefly.
Tania tightened her ponytail. “We’re not going easy on them.”
“I know.”
“Don’t feel sorry for them. They entered this division knowing the caliber of teams they’d have to play.”
“I know.”
Tania slapped Jess’s hands. “Let’s do this, Button.”
The kids had a lot of trouble with Jess’s jump serve. They were losing by seven points when they called a time-out, but it didn’t help much. Jess and Tania won the set 21–5. The Sunside players that had gathered whistled while Jess and Tania went to grab some water.
And there was Jess’s mom waiting at the sideline … in heels. At the beach.
“Oh—Hi, Mom.”
“Darling! How are you?” Marion kissed her cheek. “It’s awfully hot today, isn’t it?”
Jess had actually found the day refreshing compared to Southern California in July, plus it was not nearly so humid, but her mom wasn’t exactly beach-ready in a pencil skirt and blazer, so she agreed. “Mm-hmm. Glad you could make it. Where’s Dad?”
“Parking. He’ll be here in a minute.”
Vivienne stood up from where the Sunside crew had gathered and inched over to Jess and Marion. “Hi,” Vivienne said, extending her hand. “You must be Jess’s mom.”
Jess’s manners kicked in. “Mom, this is Vivienne. Vivienne, this is my mom, Marion.”
Vivienne shook her hand like they were securing a million-dollar deal. “It’s nice to meet you, Marion. I wanted to thank you for dinner last night.”
“Oh, did you get to go with Jessica?” Marion reclaimed her hand. “How nice.”
“Yes, it was lucky for me that you were too busy.” Vivienne was smiling perfectly politely, but the context was clear. Your daughter came all the way from California … and you bailed on her.
Marion’s smile faltered for a half a second while Jess tried to keep her expression neutral.
“Yes, well … we were in court…” Marion trailed off, which was notable because Marion always finished her sentences.
Vivienne turned her smile up a notch to dazzling. “But you made it to Jess’s court. That’s great.”
Jess covered her snort with a cough while a thrill swirled in her stomach.
Marion narrowed her eyes slightly and tried to smile back. “Indeed.”
“Well … I’ll let you two visit. Again, so nice to meet Jess’s family.” Vivienne waggled her fingers and exited gracefully.
The ref blew her whistle.
“Okay…” Jess tore her gaze from Vivienne and looked at her mom again. “Um, I’ve gotta go play the second set.”
“Yes, of course. Good luck.”
Jess jogged back to Tania, who was waiting on the court.
“How’s Marion?” Tania asked.
“Oh, you know. The same.”
“Nice pumps.”
“Yup.”
They started the second set with Jess absolutely roofing the other hitter for a point.
The Sunside spectators howled. She couldn’t help but look at her mom, who applauded politely.
Her dad was there a few points later. Gerard had at least removed his jacket and tie and rolled up his sleeves.
He was even carrying his dress shoes and socks in one hand.
Jess and Tania didn’t let up and they won the second set 21–6.
“Good game,” Jess said, shaking their opponents’ hands.
“Not really,” one of them replied with a laugh.
“You guys did fine,” Jess said. “Just keep at it.”
They thanked her, then Jess packed up her stuff and told Tania she was going to go say hi to her parents. She went to join them at the end of the court. Beads of sweat shone daintily in Marion’s hairline.
Gerard held out his arms. “Hello, Star Girl.”
“Hi, Dad.” She smiled at the childhood nickname and hugged him a little longer than she normally would have, melting into his familiar scent of old books and aftershave.
“Great game,” Gerard said. “You crushed them.”
Jess shrugged. “They’re young. That’ll probably be our easiest match.”
“Still. Great blocks.”
“Yes, well done,” Marion chimed in. “You’ve improved since we last saw you play.”
Well, yeah, it’s been two years, Jess wanted to say. Instead she just nodded. “How’d court go today?”
Marion sighed and lifted a foot, tsking at the sand stuck to the heel of her shoe. “Not our best day. We have a lot of work to do this weekend.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Mmm.” Marion examined her other shoe. “We should probably get back. Everyone will be waiting for us.” She patted her husband’s arm. “Go get the car, Gerard.”
“But you just got here,” Jess blurted. “I’ve only had a chance to say two words to Dad.”
Marion twisted her mouth into a patronizing frown. “We can’t let our team down. Just like you wouldn’t want to let Tania down out there.”
Jess nearly rolled her eyes right out of her head, but managed to bite back a sarcastic Thanks for explaining teamwork to me.
Gerard gave Jess a small smile. “Bye, Star Girl. Take care.”
“You too, Dad.”
He hugged her again and turned to trudge back to the parking lot.
“So…” Marion said after a small but awkward pause. “You’re halfway through the season now, is that correct?”
“Yup.”
“And how are things going?”
“We’re ten and twenty.” Jess shrugged. “Not great, but we’re coming out of a rough patch. Not sure we’ll make playoffs, though.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, darling.”
If only that sentiment came from Marion’s belief in her abilities, and not her desire to wrap up the conversation. “Well … I should go. There’s a shuttle back to the hotel leaving in a couple minutes.”
Marion gave her a brisk smile. “It was lovely to see you. Congratulations again on winning your match.”
Jess hesitated a moment before asking, “Do you think you’ll make it to any other games this weekend?”
A furrow appeared between Marion’s immaculate brows. “I would love to, but we have a rebuttal witness we need to depose tomorrow.”
Jess nodded. “Right.” This was not the least bit surprising.
“We’ll try. Do let me know how your schedule develops.”
“I will.”
“And maybe you’ll make it back up here before Christmas?”
“I’m pretty busy until the end of the season. But you guys can always come visit?” They hadn’t made it to a SoCal VL game since early in her first year, but she kept repeating her invitation, even if it would never be acted upon.
“Perhaps we can see how the fall shapes up.” Marion kissed her cheek. “Oh—I suppose we could give you a ride back to your hotel? We’re heading that way.”
Jess gestured at the Sunside crowd that had gathered, waiting for her. Not technically a team, but it felt like one. “Thanks. I’ll go with them.”
“Of course. We’ll talk soon, darling.”
“Bye, Mom.” Jess turned and headed back to the group.
Vivienne saw her approaching and raised an eyebrow. “Families, am I right?”
They watched Marion pick her way to the parking lot. She flinched when a ball bounced past her.
Jess sighed. “Yup.”
“Fleming … Fleming! Come say hi to Mommy.”
Fleming’s adorable face filled her screen.
“Hi, baby,” Jess cooed. “How’s my special guy?”
“He’s good,” Nelson supplied from the background. “Pissed off a Siamese on our walk and barked at Mrs. Horowitz, so, you know. The usual.”
“That’s my boy.”
Nelson scooped up Fleming and held him so Jess could see both of them now. “How did your match go?”
“Good! We won.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“And how are you?”
“Oh, fine. This little wiener keeps me good company.”
“The only wiener I’ve ever loved.”
Nelson snorted. “I cannot say the same.”
A text from Chrissy popped up on the screen. Time to go!!!!
“I’ve gotta run,” Jess said. “We’re heading to the tournament social.”
Nelson blew her a kiss. “Have fun. Don’t be too well-behaved. See if you can get some.”
“Right.” Jess rolled her eyes, blew a kiss back, then hung up and eyed Tania, sprawled on her bed in her underwear. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”
Tania rolled over to reply. “Nah. I’m gonna ice my shoulder and call George.”
“Okay. Have fun. Don’t wait up.”
“I never do.”
It had been a long time since Jess had seen so many gorgeous women in one place. The club hosting the social was packed with all types—tall, short, butch, femme, and everyone in between. The room hummed with energy, all eyes bright and roaming.
“Let’s get drinks!” Chrissy yelled into Jess’s ear over the thumping lesbian pop music. She took her hand and pulled her into the crowd toward one of the bars.