Chapter 2
April
She had decided ahead of time to compete at Madrid, then take a break from the next few tournaments before competing in Roland-Garros, Paris at the end of the month.
A break. Such a novelty for her. Especially as her dad, who was also her manager, usually registered her in every possible tournament in the Women’s Tennis Association calendar.
It had been a battle to get him to agree to it, but between her and her mom, they wore him down enough to allow the slight relief in her schedule ahead of a busy summer that also included her best friend Dani’s wedding.
She reached up and removed her headphones just in time for her dad to knock on her bedroom door.
“April? Can I come in?” His voice still held his managerial tone. This can’t be good.
“Yeah Dad, c’mon in.” She remained where she was; sitting up was too much effort for her today.
“OK, Madrid went exactly as planned, and I know you have a break over the coming weeks before the next one, but you can’t slack off.
That wasn’t the deal, ok?” He took a breath and April fought with all her might not to let him see her roll her eyes.
They’d been home a whole 25 minutes from the airport, and he was already trying to ensure she wasn’t slacking?
Seriously? “So, I’ve booked you into the new Cold Therapy Clinic that’s opened up in town for tomorrow morning at 11:30 after a light workout with Jon at 9.
” He looked at April for some sort of acknowledgement.
“Dad, I get it, but please, can you just let me chill for a bit after that flight, and you can go through this with me in like, an hour maybe? I just need to unwind a little more before I can talk about anything even remotely related to tennis, just now, ok?” April pinched the bridge of her nose as she spoke and waited for his response.
“April, we’ve been home almost half an hour already, and I have calls scheduled with five prospective sponsors today.
You know the drill. There’s no let-up during tournament time, and even less following a win.
” Her Dad spoke to her as far more than her manager; he had been a top-ranking professional tennis player himself 15 years ago.
“I know, Dad, I know. I just thought that we’d agreed on the downtime following Madrid.” April started, but her dad cut her off.
“That was before you won Madrid though. You can’t win such a big title and vanish for a few weeks, especially in the eyes of important sponsors.
” He sat on the edge of April’s bed before continuing.
“I’ll make you a deal within our deal: push through for a few more days of media and promos on social media until the next tournament starts.
..” pausing for effect. The drama king that he is.
“If I do that...?” April lifted herself up enough to rest on her elbows.
“You can have one night out with Dani this weekend. She’s already been on at me about it for the past week.”
“Seriously?! Shake on it, then you can’t back out.” April thrust her open hand toward him.
He paused, awaiting confirmation first. “Media, all socials and promos for five days first, as well as training and recovery as normal? Then you can go out on Saturday night, no alcohol, and you can take Sunday morning off until noon when you’re back to regular scheduling. Deal?”
“DEAL!” April shook her dad’s hand then pulled him in for a rare hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Now,” he pulled back from the hug and checked his watch, “I’m off to see your mom before I’m stuck in the office for the rest of the day with these calls.” With that, he was out of her room and closing the door behind him.
April scrambled around her bed to find her phone, and dialed her best friend, Dani, to tell her the news.
The call rang seven times before her friend answered. Being a sports manager like April’s Dad was, her best friend was practically glued to her phone. Seven rings before answering the call was highly unusual, unless she was with a client, in a meeting...or with her fiancé, Matt.
“April! How does it feel to know you’ll be home for longer than three days?” Dani asked with a laugh.
“Honestly, I can’t believe he didn’t go behind my back and register me for the tournaments anyway, so I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?” April lay back on her bed and let the memory foam relieve the pressure on her spine after the long flight.
“You and I both. So, listen, I reached out to your dad, and I’ve been working on him to let you have a night off this weekend. The last time we truly had some fun together was at my bachelorette weekend last year!” Dani practically wailed in April’s ear, making her laugh.
“Well, about that, it’s why I’m calling...” April paused, knowing her best friend hated waiting more than anything else in the world.
“April! I swear if you don’t complete that sentence I’m hanging up and blocking your number, don’t think I won’t!” Dani threatened for the third time that month.
“Saturday night. You and me. Going out. No alcohol though, that’s the only catch.” The grin on April’s face grew wider with each word she spoke. The silence on the other end of the phone spoke volumes. As did the ring in her ear requesting the call switch to video. She accepted.
“You better not be messing with me, Walker!” Dani said, April could now see the sparkle in her friend’s blue-grey eyes and the grin threatening to spread across her face.
“Not this time, thankfully for both of us. So? Are you up for it?” April took in Dani’s appearance as she waited for her friend’s response.
Dani was the kind of person who knew she was so good at her job, that she felt her appearance didn’t have to be ‘corporate’.
Today’s look included a fitted black collared shirt with several top buttons open, a chunky gold necklace, black stud earrings, and this week’s hair was ice grey pulled back into a fierce bun.
Knowing Dani, next week it could be forest green in box braids.
She’d already had that look three years ago though.
“Is it even a question? Of course I’m up for it. The biggest question is,” she paused and raised an eyebrow to match the smirk already playing on her lips, “where are we going?”
April smiled, “I honestly don’t care as long as I can dress in clothes that aren’t branded by a sports company and can wear heels instead of sneakers.
Oh, and make-up! Damn, it’s been so long since I wore a full face of make-up.
I might need to buy new mascara because I can’t remember the last time I did, and the last thing I need is to get some funky eye infection and not be able to see the balls coming at me in training the next day. ”
“Wait, you’ve still got to train after a night out? You’re not getting the next day off? Even I give my clients a day off after their rare nights out.” Dani had made this argument numerous times about Roland’s management methods, never mind that his client was his own daughter.
“I have a light day on Saturday anyway, then I’m not needed until noon on Sunday.
In my mind, 24 hours is the most generous he’s been in recent years outside of your bachelorette weekend, so I’m not complaining.
Anyway, given I haven’t been out in so long, can I come over to yours to get ready?
” April gave her best smile towards her phone screen, knowing her best friend wouldn’t decline the chance of spending some extra quality time together.
“Fine. I’ll kick Matt out of the house after lunch, then we’ll have the place to ourselves.
He’ll go running to the golf course, delighted to avoid any wedding talk.
But don’t worry, I’m sure there’ll be lots for us to catch up on that’s not just my wedding planning.
” Dani chuckled, and April joined in knowing that it was a bare-faced lie.
The only topic of conversation to arise for the night would almost certainly be Dani’s upcoming wedding to Matt.