Page 73 of Clean Point

I smiled politely but very plainly. ‘That was a great time, but I’m happy to be back competing now.’

He leaned over, close enough that I could smell the whisky on his breath. I felt Nico’s body stiffen beside me as Jon tried to pull him into another conversation, but he only grunted a response. I knew he was still listening. I was never alone.

‘Oh, come on now, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time.’

I pulled away from him. ‘What makes you think I’m having a horrible time?’

Alister talked again. ‘All I’m saying is, it must be quite a bore.’

I shook my head, a smile from Nico’s joke still spread wide. ‘Not at all. I’ve got a doubles partner to keep me entertained now.’

He read my expression, obviously thinking I was laughing with him instead of at him, and his drunken confidence grew. ‘Let me buy you a drink, for old times, Scottie.’

I struggled to hold on to that edge of politeness. ‘I’m good, thanks. I’ve still got a full glass of champagne.’

‘Exactly, full. You’ve hardly touched it.’

I refused again, before holding the glass up to my lips, and took the smallest sip to satisfy him. His beady eyes watched every moment.

‘Unlike some people,’ Nico muttered.

I somehow managed to force a smile to my lips, tilting my head to my coach at the other side of the group. ‘I’m savouring it. Jon will have my neck if I show up hungover tomorrow.’

‘I insist.’ Alister’s voice rang around my skull like a headache, and I knew I had just about had enough of this ass. There was no way I would be going anywhere alone with him.

‘I’m fine,’ I snapped, before remembering Jon’s words. This was a public gala, full of people who could decide any number of things about my career. I had to behave. ‘Go get yourself something,’ I suggested politely. ‘I’ll wait here.’ I would disappear so fast he’d wonder if I’d ever actually existed.

‘Maybe I’d like the company,’ he leered, and I was too disgusted by the look he was giving me to notice his arm curling around me, pulling me into him. I yelped, trying to wiggle out of his grip. But his hold only tightened, fingers digging into my arm.

‘I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.’ Nico’s hand was instantly on my arm, thankfully pulling me out of Alister’s grasp, before stepping in front of me. And his darkened focus narrowed on Alister. ‘She said no.’

‘Nico.’ My hand found his large shoulder, urging him back, but instead he stepped closer to Alister.

‘I was only offering her a drink,’ Alister spluttered, throwing his hands up.

‘I think you’ve already had enough for all of us.’ Nico’s voice was low, the tone threatening even if the words weren’t. ‘Go find someone else to bore.’

Alister’s brows pressing together. ‘Do you know who you are talking to?’

‘Doesn’t matter who the hell you are. If you lay another fin—’

Jon interrupted, before Nico could issue his threat. ‘Alister! I have to say, have you tried the thirty-year-old Highland Park?’

Alister turned away from Nico, and faced Jon, apprehension still ringing in his voice. ‘Why, yes, I’m quite the fan.’

Jon continued acting very friendly toward Alister, stepping in front of Nico and I, his body practically a wall separating us from him. I took the moment to pull Nico back, stand alongside him, my arm wrapping around his as if to ground him to me. ‘I think, there’s a bottle behind the bar with both our names on it,’ Jon said, then his voice slowed to signal to us. ‘You know, to thank you for the deal you helped set up with ELITE.’

‘Oh, well,’ Alister grumbled, seeming a little confused, but Jon was persistent and convincing as he stepped forward, hand over the man’s shoulder and escorting him away over to the bar.

‘The last thing that man needs is another drink,’ I muttered to myself, still feeling entirely gross from the way he had touched me, his breath on my neck. I tried not to get mad that this man gets a free pass, that he could touch me and get an expensive drink as compensation. All Jon had seen was Nico getting angry at somebody who was important to the brand that had given us our meal ticket, but if he did know, would his reaction have been different?

Jon’s attention snapped my way, the warning in his eyes very clear. ‘And meanwhile, my tennis players can have a conversation between themselves about what is appropriate behaviour.’

Nico pressed forward. ‘I think Alister is due that reminder himself.’

I stepped in front of Nico, pressing my hands to his chest, looking up at him. ‘Nico. Stop.’

‘No, he was …’ Nico was full of rage, so much so that mine disappeared in order to ease his. We had just narrowly escaped making a scene; we didn’t need to try again.

---