Chapter 27
April
April collapsed on her bed. Another tournament was lost in the final.
This time, though, it was down to Suzie.
Again. She kept changing her tactics during the entire match, and it was throwing April more than she cared to admit.
The best way to cope was to keep busy. Starting with unpacking ahead of getting ready for the next trip which was over a seven-week stretch across the US and Canada.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try and reduce her frustration. Wimbledon was a big one. The big one for her. She had been so close. Yet it had slipped through her fingers at the last minute. Another tie break. She was really getting sick of facing those with Suzie.
Taking her phone out of her pocket and seeing a missed message from Jade an hour ago made her feel guilty for missing it, but happy it was there.
JADE
Hey beautiful, I know you’re beating yourself up over the match.
Don’t. Shake it off today and move forward tomorrow.
Look toward Dani’s wedding next week where you’ll be stunning in that dress, along with the surprise that’s possibly hiding in your bag.
Inside the pocket of my hoody that I saw you pack.
Clothes thief! It looks better on you anyway.
I kind of like the idea of you wearing my clothes X
A grin spread across April’s face as she sprung from her bed and started pulling everything out of her bag.
When she found Jade’s hoody, she paused, raising the piece of clothing to her face and burying her nose into it.
She loved the lingering smell of Jade’s cologne. That’s when she felt the hard lump.
She took the hoody over to her bed and carefully unfolded it. She put her hand into the large pocket across the front and removed...a jewelry box?!
The navy leather box was long and slim but wider than she expected.
She sat the box down on her bed and pulled the hoody on to feel enveloped in her partner’s scent.
She sat on the bed to open the box. She gently opened the hinge and was met with a hand-written note in the most delicate cursive she’d ever seen. Not what she expected from Jade at all.
Saw this and knew it would finish your outfit for Dani’s wedding perfectly. This way I can be with you, even when I’m not. J x
April carefully lifted the note that revealed a single star-shaped diamond necklace and matching earrings. Her breath caught in her chest. Jade had done this? For her?
APRIL
OMG are you serious?! I only saw your message just now and pulled on your hoody (it does look better on me) and got the most incredible surprise hidden in the pocket! Babe! You’re amazing, I wish you were here so I could kiss you to thank you properly! I can’t wait to see you next week X
JADE
You’re more than welcome! Enjoy the wedding in a few days while I’m hard at work! Remember your promise of that photo! Chat soon babe X
She couldn’t believe that she had managed to find such a thoughtful person to call her own. Yet she was still so terrified to share her with the world. While the world was a much too daunting thought, maybe telling someone in her world could be a start.
Scrolling through the messages on her phone, she found the thread with Dani and checked to see if her friend was free that evening for dinner and a movie.
“This is the last pizza until after the wedding,” Dani said as she took another slice from the box and sat it on her plate. “I refuse to walk down the aisle bloated.”
“You’ve been the same size since high school, I doubt an extra serving of pizza is going to make any difference,” April said in disbelief.
“True, but that’d be the one day that would change,” Dani laughed. “I’ve missed you, I’m glad you’re off for the wedding before trekking the length and breadth of the US and Canada.”
“I’m hardly trekking, I’ll be in hotels and flying between tournaments.
” April began, “not to mention it’s hardly going to be much fun being away with only Dad and Jon for almost two months.
” A small smile danced on her lips, knowing Jade was also working at the same tournaments she was taking part in for that same length of time.
“What was that?” Dani said, eyes narrowed in her direction.
“What was what?” April replied, letting her smile grow.
“That! Smile right there! You’ve got news! Spill!” Dani practically tackled April to the floor in excitement as she leapt closer to April’s end of the couch.
“Well,” April took a breath, heart pounding in her ears. She let it out slowly, “do you remember a few months ago on the last night out we had,” April began before Dani cut her off.
“Wait, the guy from the bar?!” The shock on her friend’s face made her even more nervous.
“Erm, not exactly. I mean, yes, the person from that night at the bar is the reason for my smile,” another smile crossed her face, she took another breath and closed her eyes, “but she’s not a guy.”
She couldn’t hear anything. She kept her eyes closed. Dani could have been talking, and she wouldn’t know because of the sound of her blood pulsing in her ears. She felt a warm hand rest on top of hers and give it a gentle squeeze.
As she opened her eyes, her best friend looked back at her with nothing but love. “Tell me all about her,” this was the most accepting response April could have ever hoped to receive.
April explained everything. She gave the full picture of their first date as Dani knew the vague basics of that one already. April explained about them forgetting to swap numbers, then the fateful way they reunited and everything that had followed.
“Oh, April, I’ve never seen you this happy!” Dani wrapped her arms around her friend and held her close. “I only wish you’d met her sooner and she could be your plus one!” Dani paused at the look on April’s face before adding gently, “well, if you were fully out, I guess.”
“She’s even so supportive of that. Not once have I felt pressure from her about telling a single soul about us.
She even surprised me with jewelry for your wedding, to go with my outfit I chose when she was with me.
” April took out her phone from the front pocket of Jade’s hoody she was wearing and showed Dani a picture of the note and the diamond set.
“April,” Dani all but whispered, “this is...she’s...” Dani looked up from April’s phone to see the torn look on her face. She handed April’s phone back and with a sympathetic look she stated, “You’ve found her, haven’t you.”
“I don’t know, maybe. But what am I going to do?
” April took a breath before continuing.
“I’ve met this absolutely incredible woman who gives me the space and support to be unapologetically me.
She makes me so happy, Dani, and I feel like the best version of myself when I’m with her.
Yet, I have no idea where I even start to tell the people in my life about her without having some sort of plan in place for my career first.” She took another pause but wasn’t finished.
Dani sat and waited, ready to hear whatever she had to say.
“You know that my dad is going to ask about that straight away, and I need to have thought it through before I make any decision. Mom and Connor should be fine. I’m just worried about sponsors pulling out, or backlash from other players, you know?
” She looked up at Dani, hoping her friend could help.
“First, just remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation or reason for feeling how you do about who you fall for.
” Dani squeezed April’s hand gently before continuing.
“Second, telling your family doesn’t come with any preparation regarding your career, he’s your dad before he’s your manager.
If he reacts as your manager, then maybe it’s time to switch so you don’t lose the relationship you have together.
Third, I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you; the career part will be tricky.
The lifestyle clause gets abused by some sponsors for lesser things; it’s like their very own get-out-clause without penalty on their part.
” Dani must have noticed the panic in April’s eyes as she changed tactic.
“That being said, any sponsor worth their salt will stay with you. Those who choose to end their contract over this isn’t the kind of sponsor you want to be associated with anyway. ”
April felt herself relax a little.
“Now, the most important part of all of this,” Dani said with a smile dancing on her lips, “tell me you have at least one photo of her and one of you both so I can see who’s stolen my best friend’s heart!”
April laughed and pulled her phone back out of the hoody pocket before handing it over to Dani.