Page 30 of Long Shot

Kim’s face turned to a snarl. It was an allegation they had heard since Taylor was playing in the junior tournaments. There was no denying that she had talent but her ability to rise in the ranks certainly benefited from her parents’s expertise.

“Just one day. We can go to McEnroe. It’ll seem like I’m going back to my training roots and I can play with some kids for charity and then find a practice partner.” Taylor’s elbows leaned on the table, trying to intercept her mom’s hidden gaze.

After a moment, Kim nodded. “One day. And I won’t be there. What if Mackenzie is there?”

Taylor shrugged, swallowing a lie. “We weren’t even that close. I’ll just ignore her.”

But the truth was, Taylor couldn’t get Mac out of her mind. Decades of memories had flooded back to her over the last few weeks. And a part of her couldn’t resist the pull that Mac still had on her.Maybe being around her more will help me get over it. It might stop it from feeling so forbidden.

“Fine.” Kim relented just as the waiter set down a mimosa for Kim and a smoothie for Taylor.

A few days later, Taylor’s private car was pulling up to the John McEnroe Center on Randall’s Island. The parking lot was mostly empty, most of the players inside taking public transit to the strange island sandwiched between Manhattan and Queens.

Taylor stepped out of the car, her racket bag slung over her shoulder. Her stomach dropped as she looked up at the massive training facility. The last time she trained here, she was in a junior league. It may have been the first time Taylor met Mac. Piper spent an entire summer driving Mac into the city to practice. If Taylor remembered correctly, it was at least a two hour drive.

Shaking herself out of it, Taylor slammed the car door and headed inside. Kim had arranged for a few paparazzi shots. So, as soon as the doors opened, a few cameras flashed as they took her picture.

“Taylor, how are you feeling after Roland Garros?” One photographer shouted.

“I’m great. Excited to be here to see what the next generation looks like.” Taylor waved to them and headed inside. She kept her sunglasses on to keep her anxiety as hidden as possible. The layout of the facility was still burned into her mind as she walked herself to the locker room. As a few young players passed, they asked for her autograph. Taylor nodded and signed each of them.

It was rare for Kim to let her do press in any real way. And she couldn’t lie, she already felt lighter without Kim towering over her the entire time.

Once she was inside the locker room, Taylor set down her things and looked around. They had renovated since she waslast here. Wandering around the room, Taylor looked at the pictures of the wall of women’s tennis legends. Lenglen, Casals, Barbara McConnell, Serena. Taylor’s eyes landed on the picture of Kimberly Parker.

She cleared her throat and grabbed her racket before swinging open the locker room door and heading out.

Playing with the kids for about an hour, Taylor felt pretty warmed up and ready to find someone to practice with. She said her goodbyes, took a few pictures, and headed to the adult courts.

As soon as she entered, a silence fell over the women inside.

“You guys chosen partners yet?” Taylor called out as she walked inside.

A few women shook their heads as Taylor surveyed them. Her eyes landed on Mac. Before she could pick anyone else, Taylor watched as the women divided themselves.

Mac’s roommates, Jazz and Beatriz paired off, winking at Mac as they left. Standing on the center court, Mac and Taylor were the only two who remained.

Babs stood up from her spot in the stands. But before she could interject, Mac raised a hand. “We’re good.”

Taylor cleared her throat. “You sure you can handle getting your ass kicked again?”

Mac’s lips curled into a cheeky smile, the same one Taylor had fallen for all those years ago. “I don’t know that I’d call a tiebreak getting my ass kicked.”

“Should we find out?” Taylor smirked.

The women on the other courts made a collective, “Oooo,” as the shit-talking ramped up.

Mac and Taylor went to their opposite sides.

“Do you want to serve first or should I set the pace?” Mac called across the court.

Taylor shook her head as she laughed, her eyes wandering to Babs in the stand. She sat with her arms crossed, her elbows leaned on her knees and her body forward. It made Taylor wonder just how much she knew about them.How much do any of these women know?There had been rumors about her for years. But there were rumors about most of these women.

“Your serve.” Taylor called out.

Mac grabbed a ball from the bucket past the baseline. Looking over her shoulder, Taylor noticed one behind her too. At her mom’s house, a ball boy was on duty every time she practiced.

Mac called out, “Ready?”

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