Page 59 of Wicked Serve

“Back in it, back in it,” I call as we huddle again. “Let’s go.”

We wrestle back another point, and another. There’s always some give-and-take in a match, and I can sense the power shifting with every hit of the ball. St. Francis might be better than us on paper, but we’ve been forcing them off-balance all afternoon, and with the right shove, we could topple them over. I switch up our formations, refusing to give them a chance to get comfortable. Next rally, Victoria makes an incredible save to keep the ball in the air, and I’m able to capitalize with a perfect set to Shona. We win the point, putting us tantalizingly close to the majority we need to seal the victory.

“Almost there,” I say in the next huddle. It’s time for us to rotate, and I’ll be serving. “I’m going to try a short serve.”

“They won’t expect it from you,” Victoria says, bouncing on her heels.

“Good plan,” Shona says. “Let’s end this.”

I set up to serve in the 5 spot, but keep it short, just floating it over the net. St. Francis handles it, but barely; we kill the rally with a quick set of moves. I pump my fist. My observations—and instincts—paid off exactly as I’d hoped.

We’re a point away.

I give Dad one more glance. He’s looking at me the way he looks at James during the two-minute warning in football, on edge and barely blinking. My resolve solidifies, sending a shiver down my back. I don’t just want to win. I want to win with an ace.

I flex my knees as I dribble the ball a few times, envisioning exactly where I want it to go. I take a deep breath in through my nose, setting up as I exhale. As I throw the ball high into the air, I jump with perfect form—and send a rocket of an ace right into their back corner.

Match. Point.

“Yes!” I shout, jumping wildly. “Hell yes!”

Victoria collides with me midair, throwing her arms around me. “Izzy!”

I hug her back, relief and elation coursing through me. This is what I’ve been missing since I started playing volleyball at McKee. I feel like I’m back in high school again, heart soaring in the aftermath of a tough tournament win. The rest of our teammates join us, cheering and patting me on the back. Brooklyn congratulates me, and even Alexis has a smile on her face.

After we untangle ourselves and shake hands with the St. Francis team, I stay on the court. I don’t want to leave this moment yet, especially with my family in the stands.

Sebastian pulls me into a hug before either of our parents can, smiling broadly. “That’s how you win a match!”

I hug him back. In a moment like this, it’s easy to remember the hours spent practicing volleyball in the home gym with him and James and Cooper. Sometimes our schedules kept us apart, but that only made it more special when we could bond like that. My technique wouldn’t be as good as it is without those hidden, foundational pieces.

“What are you even wearing?” I say with a laugh as he lifts me into the air.

“I lost a bet with Mia.”

I narrow my eyes. “Do I want to know?”

“Honey,” Mom says, arms open wide. She squeezes me tightly, her hair tickling my face. “You were incredible.”

I flush. “I don’t know about that.”

“You were,” Dad says. Under the gym lights, his hair looks extra silvery, his eyes a more serious blue. I let him wrap me up in the best hug I could ever want, burying my face against his shoulder. “You’ve always had a wicked serve.” He kisses the top of my head and adds, “Proud of you, darling.”

“I’m sure you want to celebrate with your teammates, but the hockey game starts soon,” Mom says. “Still want to come with us?”

“Obviously she does,” Sebastian says, a touch dryly. “She spent two hours picking out her outfit.”

I roll my eyes. Even if I hadn’t promised Nik that I’d be there, I’d want to go. He won’t have any family at this game, despite its importance, and he deserves to have someone in his corner.

I can’t wear his number, but at least I can cheer for him.

Chapter 29

Nikolai

My first goal of the season goes in so quickly that for half a second, I think I missed it. Bated breath for the tiniest of moments, and then the arena explodes with noise from the crowd and, even better, the horn. I barely have time to turn before I crash into the boards with Cooper and Mickey and the rest of the guys, all of them hollering.

“Fucking A!” Cooper shouts, pounding on my chest. “That was sweet, dude!”

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