Page 89 of Long Shot

Mac looked down at the court, a bead of sweat dripping off the brim of her cap and onto the court. The next time she looked down, the same droplet had evaporated.

As the set wore on, Taylor’s movements grew heavy. Mac could tell the weight of a potential loss was holding her down.

Mac bit her lip as she smacked the ball back across the court. The last thing she wanted was for Taylor to have to endure any more of Kim’s training. But she couldn’t give this opportunity up. Not even for Taylor.

Before their very eyes, the second set score landed at 5 - 6. Their current game held strong at 40 - 40 with Mac’s advantage. If she scored this point, the Championship would be hers.

“Match Point.” The umpire called out as Mac bounced the ball.

One more serve.Mac’s chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her shaking arms. It was a wonder her hands hadn’t dropped the racket over three hours into their merciless match. But something kept her fingers clasped to the rubber wrapped around the racket's handle.

Mac lifted her head, meeting Taylor’s gaze. From across the court, Mac knew that Taylor had no intention of handing this point over. Mac felt like she could read Taylor’s mind:If you want this Championship, you’re going to pry it from my cold dead hands.

Mac laughed as she got into her serve position. Nodding to Taylor, Mac bent her knees and lifted her arms. She tossed the ball up, letting the felt float into the air. Leaping into the air, Mac let her racket beat down on the tennis ball.

Smack.

Like a choreographed dance, the duo zipped across the court. The audience’s heads swiveled from side to side as the ball flew back and forth.

Once they had hit a steady rhythm, Mac slowed herself down. She’d watched hours of Taylor’s old training partner. Mimicking Nikki’s movements, Mac lulled Taylor into a familiar easy pattern.

Taylor hadn’t even noticed she had slowed down by the time Mac had her right where she wanted her. Mac let the ball float across the net to Taylor, right at center court.

It wasn’t until Taylor hit the ball back, letting it graze over the net, that she realized what was happening.

Mac watched her mutter, “shit,” under her breath. A light smile played at Mac’s lips as the ball came back to her. But this time, Mac gripped her racket as firmly as she could. She lowered it below her hip, twisting her back into position. Just as the ball hit the ground and bounced toward her, Mac swung her racket up toward the ball.

Follow through.Mac reminded herself as she let her arms complete the swing. Her eyes were peeled on the back left corner where Taylor was already scrambling to reach. But her muscles had tensed up from the lighter play, too sore to hit her full speed.

The ball spun through the air, diving toward the ground where the two lines met. Taylor was too late and the ball bounced out of her range.

Mac skidded to a halt as she waited for the refs call. The stadium fell silent. All that remained was thethud, thud, thudof Mac’s racing heart beat.

“Match, Mackenzie Bennett.”

The crowd erupted as Mac’s jaw dropped. She clasped her hand to her mouth, keeling over as she listened to the thunderous applause. Looking up, Mac watched Taylor’s head drop for a moment. But when she lifted her head to meet Mac’s gaze, her face was lit up by a smile.

Mac stood tall, letting the moment wash over here. But all she wanted to do was look back at Taylor’s stunning face. When she did, the pair just stared as they caught their breath. Taylor’s leg shaked for a moment before she strode across the court.

But something about the way she moved told Mac not to move. In one fluid motion, Taylor hopped the net. The audience died down for a moment as they tried to understand what Taylor could possibly be doing.

In the stands, Kim stood from her seat.

Taylor jogged to Mac, laughing as she got closer.

Mac’s forehead wrinkled. But before she could ask what in the hell Taylor was up to, Taylor wrapped her arms around Mac.

Taylor’s chest heaved as a sob hit her. “You fucking did it, Mackenzie.”

Mac felt her breath hitch in her throat. She let her sore arms raise and hold Taylor back, pulling her body closer.

Pulling away, Taylor placed her hands on Mac’s face. “I love you.”

“I lo…”

Before Mac could get the words out, Taylor pulled Mac’s lips into hers. The audience was stunned into silence. Mac brought her hands to Taylor’s neck and kissed her harder.

The world fell away. As the two of them stood on the court and held each other. When their lips pulled apart, Mac rested her forehead on Taylor’s as the crowd burst into applause. Hoots and hollers interspersed the screams of joy.

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