Epilogue
Maya
It was extremely hard to say goodbye to Eddie when he left the next morning, but I consoled myself by pulling up mental images of him doing the Macarena and giving me mistletoe kisses.
On a positive note, Eddie’s glowing speech worked. I didn’t get fired. In fact, Mr. Mynt said he was so impressed by my work with Eddie that I got a bonus and he wants my input on next year’s Mynt to Make a Difference event.
Speaking of upcoming events, I’ve been spending a lot of time on a new project.
Eddie asked me to help him organize a youth tennis tournament in his brother's honor. We’ve decided to call it Joey’s Junior Aces.
The profits will go to a variety of youth tennis programs, including the one at Winterbrook Community Center.
The last thing that got me through Eddie leaving was him asking me to go to Australia the first week of January, which, if you’re counting, is only ten days after he left Mynt Peak.
I’m currently sitting in his players box, happily baking in the sun down under, watching Eddie play his first round match at the Australian Open.
I’m not gonna lie. Watching your boyfriend compete is very stressful. I want him to win so badly because I know how hard he’s worked. My muscles are so tense, I’m probably going to be sore tomorrow.
After two hours and forty-seven minutes though…he did it! Eddie won in four sets. The smile on his face is worth more than any amount of prize money.
He winks at me from his chair on the court, and I wink back. Then, he wipes his face with his towel and gathers up his rackets.
Graham, his newly rehired coach says, “Maya, I’ll take you to the hallway outside the locker room. Eddie wants you to meet him there.”
I follow him through a concrete tunnel, past media and staff with badges around their necks. After twenty minutes, most people have cleared out.
I’m leaning against the wall when the locker room door opens and a freshly showered Eddie comes out in a Mynt Apparel navy blue shirt and white shorts. I smile knowing he picked that color shirt because I told him it was my favorite.
“Hey, baby,” Eddie says with a smile. He pulls me in a tight hug.
I inhale his strong, intoxicating soap scent that I can't get enough of. “Great match. It was so fun watching you play.”
He keeps his arms around me, holding me tight against him. Then, he kisses my head and says, “I saw you getting pretty into it. Thanks for cheering so much.”
“You played so well, I couldn't help but give you some fist pumps. I’m like a real tennis girlfriend now.” I look up at him with a teasing grin, and he stares into my eyes with his iconic furrowed brow.
I pull back. “Everything okay? How’s your wrist?”
He shakes his head. “My wrist is fine. A little sore but not bad. Taking two weeks off helped.”
“That’s good,” I say.
His mouth is in a thin line. “I’m really happy.
” His facial expression does not match his words, so I wait for further explanation.
“I’m frustrated that I wasted so much time…
” he trails off, but I know what he’s referring to.
He’s mad at himself for spending so many years being closed off and consumed by tennis.
I run my hand up and down his arm. “The sadness of losing your brother will never go away, but now you’re using all that you've been through for good. Joey would be so proud of you.”
Eddie tilts his head down so it’s resting on mine. “You’re the best. I love you.”
When I hear his words, breath catches in my throat. Did he mean to say that? It came out so casually. I look into his dark brown eyes for clarity.
“Don’t look so surprised, Maya Torres. You heard me correctly. I love you.” A wide smile emerges on Eddie’s face.
“I can’t believe it. Eddie Evans smiles now and says the L-word…and not just because it’s a tennis score.”
He lifts me off the ground, so I’m taller than him for once. “You better believe it, and get used to hearing it…off the court.”
I touch my hands to his cheeks and say with complete confidence, “I love you too.”
Then, he gently sets my feet back on the ground. “Hearing you say that confirms I just achieved the biggest win of my life.”
“Or, did I win?” I wink at him.
He grabs my hand. “Nope. If Maya Torres loves me, I won. Game, set, match.”
I have a feeling this will be an ongoing debate. We’re both very competitive.
But in the end, what truly matters, is that I’ll always be able to say that I survived serving Scrooge, and now I get to love and be loved by Eddie Evans.