Page 109 of Clean Point

‘You know, whatever happens out there,’ he started, the lump in his throat moving as he swallowed, ‘I wouldn’t have done it any other way, or with anyone else.’

‘Same.’ I smiled, before leaning over and kissing his lips. ‘Even if you are a little on the old side.’

His strong hands wrapped around my waist, pulling my body close to his with a groan. I heaved with laughter as he kissed all exposed skin, my skirt riding up as he squeezed and teased me.

‘Just you wait till this “old man” shows you up on the court.’

He kissed my neck, his lips trailing up and down, the skin turning hot with the contact. Being in his arms, I never wanted to be anywhere else.

There was a knock at the door, and we both turned, breaking apart expecting to find Jon, but instead, a looming tall figure replaced him. My heart stuttered at the sight of my father.

‘Am I interrupting something?’ There was no smile to be found across his features. No smirking grin or snaky expression. Instead, he was just about the coldest I’d ever seen him look. Face stoney, shoulders drawn back.

Nico’s hand tightened against mine, his body shifting to go in front. But with one quick squeeze of my hand, he paused. Nico looked at me as I spoke directly ahead at my father. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I wanted to wish you luck.’ He said the words as if it was obvious. As if Dylan and I hadn’t just told the world what he had done. I could’ve sworn he was puffing out his chest, trying to fill the doorway to intimidate me. But I was done being made smaller – I knew my strength now.

I shook my head, turning away from him. He wasn’t worth it anymore. ‘Just leave me alone.’

I looked at Nico, the strong line of his jaw locked with anger, his fury directed toward the doorway, but I caught his attention, his expression softening with worry. I smiled at him, seeing my world, the person who would sacrifice so much in his own life to help mine. He had proven that to me, giving up his dream for another. How would I ever repay him?

Matteo started again, ‘Do you really think that you can hold one press conference, and everyone is going to believe you—’

‘I don’t need everyone to believe me,’ I interrupted, shaking my head. Whether people listened was out of my control. But I was done living behind a lie, behind fear. Telling the truth had set me free. ‘That’s not what that was about. If I can stop just one person from working with you, then I’ve saved them from your cruelty.’

‘I’ll still be here,’ he taunted, trying desperately to get a rise out of me. And before I would’ve gotten so angry that he’d never truly be gone. I’d run from everything because I’d be so desperate to escape him. I’d let him take my life from me, but not again.

I looked at him, my lips pressed together in an uncaring line, resolve beating at me, keeping me standing strong. ‘And so will I.’

Matteo didn’t get a chance to reply as Nico stepped forward, his body in front of mine as if to form a wall of protection. I didn’t need it, but I appreciated it, nonetheless.

‘You need to leave,’ Nico said through gritted teeth. He almost snarled as he continued. ‘Now.’

Matteo shifted slightly, before pausing. His hand landed on the doorframe, as he needlessly began to remind me, ‘I’ll always be your dad, Scottie. You can’t outrun that.’

‘I know.’ I tried to keep my voice clear. ‘But I also know you still think you did it all for me. You can’t see it was all for you. Only for you. You didn’t treat me like your daughter or even an equal, and I can’t forgive you for that. I became the player that I am today because of you and despite of you, and I won’t run from that. Not anymore. But I want nothing to do with you so please, stay out of my life.’

Then, with a deep breath, I stepped past Nico, caught the door in my hand, and shut it in his face.

47

Scottie

I Know The End – Phoebe Bridgers

A knock sounded through the locker room as Jon appeared in the doorway. ‘Hey, love birds,’ he said, his tone serious. ‘It’s time.’

My stomach lurched again, nerves getting the best of me as Nico released me from his grasp. Without another word, we both grabbed our prepared kit bags and followed Jon out into the hallway.

Nico’s hand slipped effortlessly into mine, the movement almost instinctive for him now. I tried to focus on his calloused skin, how his fingers felt interlocked with mine, instead of the steady drumbeat pounding in my chest, the roar of the crowd outside as we finally emerged onto the court. Sunlight beamed down, blinding me temporarily before my eyes adjusted, and I took in the vast court.

I hadn’t been here in two years, but it felt like only yesterday when I’d stepped onto the grass, a naïve twenty-two-year-old, completely unaware of how her life was about to fall apart.

I’d fought my way back and earned this spot. And now, I’d play fair and square for the title.

Beside us, our competitors and defending champions, Wilson and Carter, walked out, both of them seemingly cool and collected under the pressure of the final. I nodded at them, trying to maintain my own confident façade, as they strolled past, heading to the benches on the opposite side of the court.

Dropping my own kit beside my chair, I pulled out my bottle of water and took a long gulp, all the while trying to ignore the thousands of eyes from the crowd stalking my every movement. Anticipation was quickly building as the clock ticked closer to the start of the game, uncertainty beginning to prick at my skin.

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