Page 59 of Match Point

LF: Then don’t lose.

I don’t plan on it. How is boot camp? A lot of nasty drill sergeants making you run up hills with your MOLLE pack? Keep it light and don’t let on how much you miss him.

LF: Like a jackass. Did you watch the tapes from today?

I’m on my way home and I pinky swear I’ll watch them. She was still staying at Howler’s, her temporary home. When she won this tournament, she’d buy herself a place, maybe at the base of a mountain. She could replicate Grams, but one very important element would be missing—Leo. Here she was, carrying on a conversation with him like there was nothing between them. It couldn’t be farther than the truth.

LF: Well, if you promise to pinky swear, I’ll let you off the hook. How’s Vicki working out?

She’s intense, rather like you, only she doesn’t give me shit.

LF: I’ll have to talk to her about that. Somebody has to give you shit.

He’d been the best at it, putting her in her place when she was being a bitch. She’d done the same for him, which was why they worked.

Except they didn’t work.

The final match is on Sunday. Are you coming to see it? Would he come to see her play? She hovered her thumb over the send button. Not that it mattered since he was no longer her trainer or agent, or whatever the hell ever he’d been for her. Mostly, he’d been her friend. Heart in her throat, she sent the text.

LF: I planned on it, but life has a way of interrupting your plans.

What kind of cryptic statement was that? He’d had a two-week stint away. Had he found someone? Her stomach sank at the prospect.

Fair enough. I just thought you might like to see me beat Nina’s ass in person but duty calls.

LF: Yes, duty calls. Win this round and I might give you a ten-minute head-start up the mountain. You still haven’t beaten me to the top.

She planted her feet on the floor when the car took a sharp turn, a flash of sunshine cutting into the town car. What she wouldn’t give to have those early days back. Yes, she’d hated the idea of the workouts he planned, but she had to admit she liked the execution. She wasn’t about to let him know that. He’d get a big head. Grinning, she replied. You still haven’t beaten me in tennis.

LF: Yet. I haven’t beaten you at tennis yet.

Big words. Can you back it up?

LF: Probably not. I’m not that dense.

Good call. Wrong. He was dense when it came to her. Not fair, you never told him how you felt. And she never would. She rested the phone on her cheek, wishing she could reach across the distance and touch him. The time for wishes had passed. She’d developed a rapport with Marco. He was attractive, charming, and had a killer smile. Perhaps she should move on. He’d shown interest and had asked her out for drinks. The trouble was, she had no interest in saying yes.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Damn, she’d missed. Sorcha inhaled a deep breath, desperate to shake her nerves. Now was not the time for weakness. Nina had won the set, the game thus far reminiscent of the last time she’d competed against the woman. She’d lost to Nina, not because Nina was better than her but because Sorcha lacked discipline. That was no longer the case. She’d never played better or enjoyed herself more. This match was to prove to herself she could succeed in whatever she put her mind to.

“Shake it off, Sorcha.” Raina’s voice could be heard from where she sat on the lower benches that lined the court. Sorcha smiled. She wasn’t alone anymore; she had her sister and Ash. There was only one person missing in her life. Shaking off the distraction, she took her place on the baseline. Nina was serving first, and Sorcha gripped her racket, waiting.

The pop of the ball against Nina’s racket rang out, the yellow ball a blur of speed. Sorcha caught the ball with the edge of her racket, nearly throwing it out of bounds. Nina countered with a loud grunt, eyes intense.

Sorcha volleyed the ball, stumbled, and the ball went out of bounds. Shit. Panting, she rested her hand on her hips, spinning around to avoid the smug look Nina threw her way. You can do this. Get into her mind.

She’d already beaten both twins in earlier rounds, her confidence level gaining at every win. Nina was her last person in her way. She spun around and positioned the racket once more. She couldn’t let the woman spook her.

The serve veered to the left and hit the net. The umpire called love-love and Nina retrieved another ball. When she’d played with Leo, she’d adjusted her game to his and they’d fallen into a natural rhythm. Both in and out of bed.

The ball sailed over the net and she missed it.

Stop thinking about him or you’re going to lose. She’d played against Nina since they were teens. The woman wasn’t better than she was, but if Sorcha couldn’t keep her mind on the game, she’d lose. More than tennis was at stake. She wanted to stay with Howler’s agency, and the Bellevue Invitational was her ticket. Of course, he’s your brother-in-law. Maybe Raina could convince him to keep her on.

As tempting as it sounded, she had to do this on her own, to prove to herself and to Leo that she was worthy. She crouched into position. She need only keep the ball in play and score to get the serve 45-love.

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