Page 75 of Long Shot

When her eyes opened, just a few feet from the bar, Mac’s eye was drawn up to the TVs above the bar. Right there, like the ghost of gay bars, Taylor Young’s face was plastered to Sports Central. She was leaving an Italian place with Connor Garcia.

Luckily, the subtitles were off. Mac might have to run out of the bar if she had to stomach a word of those misogynistic pundits. Rumors had already been swirling that Taylor’s team would come after Mac with some bad press. Mac couldn’t imagine what they would bother with

She ordered a ginger ale, tipping extra for the simple drink.

The only comfort Mac could find was knowing that in a few weeks, when the Tennis season was over, she wouldn’t have to see Tayor’s stunning face plastered all over this city. Maybe then Mac could find some peace.

30

Taylor

“Thanks.”Taylor grabbed the tower from the ball boy. Her chest was read from practicing.

Kim shook her head. “We’re not done.”

Rolling her eyes, Taylor threw the towel over her shoulder. “I’m done. We’ve been at it for three hours.”

“You’re still dropping your racket too low. You cannot keep doing that, you’ll hit the net.” Kim’s nose wrinkled into a sneer.

Taylor chuckled. “Yeah, I got it. Thanks.” Before she could insist on doing more, Taylor started walking toward the rubber courts exit. A warm breeze blew off the ocean water, relaxing Taylor’s weak muscles. She knew that her body was about to fail. And if she pushed past that point now, she’d risk an injury before a major tournament.

As she walked up the gravel path toward the pool, Taylor heard Kim’s rushed footsteps trailing behind. “Taylor Ann, wait for your mother.”

“Are you mom or coach right now?” Taylor quipped, clenching her jaw.

Kim gripped her shoulder and turned her around just as Taylor reached the crest of the hill to the infinity pool. “I am always both. Have you thought about the PR campaign?”

Taylor bit her lip. The last few weeks, she’d been unable to hide her frustration with Kim. But she also knew that Kim held her career in the palm of her hand. But Connor’s questions echoed in her head.I reopened the door.

Taking in a deep breath, Taylor rolled back her shoulders and glared at her mom. “I did. I want you to leave her alone.”

“Taylor…” Kim stammered.

Taylor raised a finger. “I have done enough to Mackenzie. If I’m going to beat her, I’ll do it fair and square. There’s no need to give her more of a complex than I already have.”

“But does it hurt to have insurance that you’ll win?” Kim’s jaw was clenched tighter than Taylor had ever seen it. It was hard to imagine she had any teeth left with all the jaw grinding she did.

Taylor shook her head. “No. I’ll beat her. And if I don’t, she’ll earn it.” Before turning back toward the pool, Taylor leaned closer to her mother and lowered her voice to a whisper. “If I catch even a whiff of this in the press, we’re through. Do you understand?”

Kim crossed her arms. “You can’t fire your mother.”

Looking up to the sky, Taylor nodded. “I can fire my coach.” She turned on her heels and headed to the pool. Without looking back at her mother, Taylor tossed her towel on the lounger – followed by her shirt and shorts.

In two graceful strides, Taylor leapt off the edge of the tiled pool’s edge. She dove into the water, letting her body sink to the bottom. When her feet made contact with the cool stone, Taylor’s eyes closed. Darkness enveloped her as her joints cooled in the water.

But behind her eyelids, a world of plush sheets, soft limbs, and delicate kisses waited for her. It was the closest to Mac that she could get. Now it felt less about protecting her career and more about protecting Mac’s heart.

Taylor’s mind flashed to images of the two running through the Catskill woods together. Twigs snapped under their feets. Giggles echoed through the trees. The leaves overhead covered the glaring sun, creating a cool oasis from the relentless summer sun. When they broke through the treeline, they’d grab each other’s hands and leap into the water.

The splash in her mind jolted Taylor’s eyes open. She bent her knees and propelled herself to the top of the pool.

She gasped for air as she broke the water’s surface. “Fuck.” Taylor’s hand clasped her chest. The tension for the coming Open felt like it was bubbling inside her. If she and Mac ended up in a match together, Taylor couldn’t know what the outcome would be.

Can I really stand across the court from her and play like she’s meant nothing to me?

She had a feeling the answer wouldn’t come to her until she walked out onto the rubber – until they shook hands and took their positions. Until that moment, Taylor had to believe that she could pull it off.

31

---