Page 46 of The Game

“How are you doing, more like? I’m guessing you might have seen that Arty’s been giving interviews to the press and there’s a load of bullshit swirling around.” My stomach grumbles—hunger or guilt, I’m not sure.

He emits a slightly hysterical laugh. “Yeah. A lot of people were taking photos outside my apartment this morning. They tried to follow me to the office. Good thing I cycle fast. But now they’re here, too.”

“They’ve turned up at your office?”Goddammit.

“The building has some security, so we’ve been all right today. I saw the interviews Arty gave.” He hums. “I’m not convinced that putting out that statement was such a smart idea. Maybe it got his back up.”

“He would have done this anyway, Adam, and at least we did it first. June always tells me you’ve got to get in front of the story. The first narrative is the one that sticks, and your statement was amazing.” I press my hand into my chest.

He huffs. “Thanks. But my understanding of this stuff is very limited, andI’m happy to take whatever advice anyone thinks will work.”

“June is sending out a press release from me today, and she’s lining up interviews after practice. Hopefully, after that, it will all die down,” I say.

Mila is belting balls back at Ilov, and I watch the powerful swing of her right arm. She’s hitting it back into the same spot on the court every time. The accuracy is outstanding.Christ.She looks in top form. I’m going to have to play againstthat.

“Are you at practice? Shit, I shouldn’t be taking up so much of your time.”

“You’re not taking up my time, Adam. Friends, remember? And you sound pretty relaxed for someone whose reputation is being hauled over the coals.”

His chair squeaks and a door shuts, then he says, “I’m not relaxed, to be honest. But Carly’s trying to spin things for me with the media, and I’ve just got to trust her. I’m avoiding reading the worst of the comments.”

“God, Adam. I’m so sorry. I’m always apologizing to you! I never dreamed Arty would turn into such a headache. What are you going to do after you finish today?”

“Go home?” He groans. “That’s not a great idea, is it? They’re still going to be at my apartment.”

I hum. “Why don’t you come and stay at my place for a couple of days? Give it time to die down. You won’t be bothered, and it’ll give June and Carly some space to deal with the stream of news.”

Silence ticks on the other end of the line. “Aren’t the paparazzi at your apartment, too?”

“They are, but it’s under control. I have security there. Please, Adam. Pepper is your number-one fan, and I would feel much better about the whole thing if I spared you the pain of something that’s my fault.” I’m not above manipulating him a little to try and sort this out.

“It’s not your fault, Anna! It’s Maroz’s.” He pauses for a couple of heartbeats. “All right. Coming to your place would be great. Thank you.”

“Disappearing is often a sound strategy.”

“I’ll come over after I’ve finished here. It might be late.”

“No problem. I’ll be doing online or phone interviews. I’ll tell the doorman to let you in.”

“Crap, I don’t have any stuff with me.”

“Don’t worry about that. I talked to June about it, and she’s happy to get whatever you need. Give her a list and she’ll sort it out.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. Definitely. There’s an avalanche of work around tennis: organizing sponsorships, tournaments, travel. I employ people to deal with problems for me. June’s only too happy to help. But I swear I’m never dating again after the fallout from Arty. I should have known better than to date a Belarusian.”

He laughs. “Are you allowed to say that? I swore off dating myself over ten years ago. Still one of the best decisions I ever made.”

And just like that my curiosity burns back with a vengeance. Why? I want to say. Why was dating so bad for him? I glance across the empty courts next to us and think about my empty apartment: Perhaps more importantly, isn’t he lonely?

18

ADAM

Icould have gone to Janus’s or Fabian’s to escape the press attention at my apartment but for some reason, I’m here. And how could I inflict this media nonsense on them? Fabian refuses to get on anyone’s radar, and at least Anna’s in this with me. I’m telling myself that staying here also allows me to keep an eye on her, but that’s bullshit, clearly. This is a woman who travels around the world on her own. The shiny elevator doors wink at me as I wait, and I turn to study the lobby. Nevertheless, she’s here by herself, and what security does she have apart from a guy on the front desk? It would actually be so easy for somebody to get in.

Being here a couple of nights ago and waking up knowing someone else was in the same apartment made my chest ache in an unfamiliar way. I’ve gotten so used to living on my own. And when I took Pepper out to do her business, the idea of buying stuff for pancakes hit me.There was another person to do it for.When did I last make pancakes? A fuck of a long time ago. I don’t do it for myself, and I haven’t invited any friends over for breakfast in ages. I think Janus and Jo have been to my place once for brunch.

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