Page 30 of Backhanded Compliments

“Maritozzi,” Karoline says patiently.

“Oh, God bless you,” Juliette says. She takes the bag and starts dishing out fluffy buns dusted with powdered sugar. She doesn’t even look at Luca when she hands her one.

Luca takes it even though she’s not even halfway done with her banana. It is soft and light in her palm, much more appealing than a banana, and she won’t refuse a sweet treat gifted by the best tennis players in the world.

“All right, we’re having team meetings before we go to practice,” Karoline says, but she cuts off with a squeak as Payton pinches her side.

“Let them enjoy a bite of their food before going into business mode,” Victoria says, the rough rasp of her voice more pronounced, as if she just rolled out of bed. Karoline glares at her.

The ease between them is palpable, and while she shouldn’t be surprised, Luca is. Seeing the four of them standing in a kitchen, laughing and chatting like they’re all friends meeting up for brunch, makes Luca think. She glances sideways at Juliette, who is staring at Karoline like she hung the moon and the stars. Maybe even if theirstart has been rocky, much like the Fierce Four they too can have a happy ending.

“Eggs are ready!” Octavia says, turning around and sliding the pan into the middle of the island. Remi sets down a fruit salad and plates.

“Very healthy,” Victoria says. “Your team needs the protein.” She elbows Karoline.

“Everyone needs protein,” Karoline says primly. “Dish up. We have a busy day!”

Luca appreciates being able to throw herself into practice without having to worry about conversation. She doesn’t have to be flustered with jokes or try to get people to like her. She can justplay.

Practice is also easier than matches. There are no external stakes in practice. All the pressure is in the preparation, and there is no room for anger or whining or ego. It’s almost too easy.

Which is why she doesn’t love the Connolly Cup.

It’s a spectacle, even practice. The press is invited, and they’re constantly taking pictures from the seats. Each team has to pose together. Luca is forced to awkwardly stand next to Juliette and smile as they snap hundreds of photos.

After being handed a tiny microphone and made to answer inane questions about which player would make the best pizza or who would cry at a sad movie, Luca finally stands at the bench with her racket in her hand, spinning it impatiently.

“Ugh, I’m so jealous that the other team gets blue,” Claudia says, holding up a red tennis dress and inspecting it thoroughly. “Blue would look so much better on our complexions,” she says to Luca, holding the skirt up to her arm. “Don’t you think, Jules?”

Luca freezes.

Juliette sidesteps around the net from behind Luca and stands next to her sister. “Sure,” she says, her eyes lingering on Luca’s face but not meeting her gaze.

Luca is saved from responding by Payton clapping loudly and calling them over for a meeting about the actual start of practice.

For most of practice, Luca avoids Juliette. She plays a couple of singles sets against Octavia and then Remi. Luckily, Karoline doesn’t ask them to play against each other or even with each other.

When they’re done and back in the red team’s locker room, Payton urges them to gather together. Luca shuffles awkwardly to stand in between Claudia and Zoe, trying to ignore Juliette across from her.

“All right, Karoline and I decided on the roster for tomorrow.” Luca swallows, hopeful that she won’t have to play doubles. “Claudia, you’ll be the first singles match. Zoe, the second. And Juliette and Luca, you two will play doubles.”

Luca grimaces and Juliette makes a similarly disgusted face. “Why?” Juliette asks, clearly struggling to keep her voice even.

If Payton notices their discomfort, she doesn’t comment on it. “Everyone has to play at least one doubles match and one singles match. Sorry, Jules, but you’re the weakest doubles player, so we’ll get yours over with first.” She points at Claudia. “And I want you to play mostly doubles, so let’s get your singles match done.”

Luca can’t argue with that logic. Every match is worth a certain number of points. One per match on Friday, two on Saturday, and three on Sunday. If they fail spectacularly together, it won’t cost the team as many points. Still, the idea of playing doubles with Juliette under the scrutiny of thousands of fans makes Luca’s stomach lurch into her throat.

Juliette’s glare is hot on her face, and Luca dares to look at her. But, for once, Juliette keeps her mouth shut and doesn’t argue.

FIFTEENJULIETTE

Sitting on a bench and watching her sister lose is not Juliette’s definition of a good time. It’s only marginally worse than getting interviewed in between sets and asked how she feels about her teammates. She tries to stick to light trash talking about the blue team, but the interviewers make thinly veiled comments about playing with Lucky Luca, her rival.Potentially something more,a journalist threw out casually. Juliette brushes it off as best she can but makes an effort to praise Kacic’s enthusiasm in cheering for their team.

By the end of the match, annoyance is bubbling beneath her skin. Claudia, at least, is in surprisingly good spirits as she comes off the court. Juliette follows her back into the locker room.

“I can’t believe how rusty I am,” Claudia says as she slides her bag onto the bench and strips her dress off. Even though the event is held indoors, it’s humid and hot on court.

“Remi is hard to beat on this surface. Her serve is too good,” Juliette says, and Claudia shrugs.

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