Page 119 of Backhanded Compliments

“Understatement of the century,” Luca says out loud, even though she’s alone.

“Of course, for the drama of it all, we’re rivals,” Juliette continues. “We’re both vying for the same titles, the same accolades, the same acclaim. But at the end of the day, we’re both just human beings, and I think over the last couple months since the Connolly Cup I’ve come to understand Luca more and more. Our relationship has certainly changed.” There is an undercurrent to Juliette’s words that makes the hair on the back of Luca’s neck stand up.

Anyone could read between the lines, read deeper into what Juliette has said and the familiarity in which she uses Luca’s first name. If someone is looking really closely, like Luca is, they could plainly see the love on Juliette’s face.

“So, will it be easier or harder to play Kacic since you’re, shall we say, tentative friends?” Payton asks delicately.

Luca snorts. Tentative friends. Right.

Juliette scratches her arm, adjusts her wrist wrap, and smiles to herself. “I think we both know how to do our jobs and be professionals. I think it’ll be a really good match because we’re both competitive. I don’t think it’ll be harder to play her, because it’s always difficult.She’s an unbelievable tennis player, and even if I haven’t always given the most glowing praise about the way she plays, her tenacity and fortitude have to be admired. She won’t make it easy, I know that, but I don’t think it’ll affect us outside of the court.”

Payton nods. “Well, thank you so much, Juliette, and congratulations on this spectacular win. Go get some rest, you certainly deserve it, and we’ll see you on Friday!”

Juliette nods and waves to the crowd before stepping away. Luca watches, barely listening to the commentary as Juliette signs a can of tennis balls and hits them into the crowd with a smile as bright as the sun.

Eventually, the coverage flips back to the booth, where a couple of former players are giving their analysis. Luca leaves it on as white noise while she brushes her teeth, sprays her lavender sleep mist, and takes her melatonin.

She’s exhausted, heat-beat, and aching, but she can’t find sleep yet. She stares at the wall and mulls on Juliette’s interview. They haven’t talked about what it will be like to play each other in any match, let alone the semifinals of a Grand Slam. Maybe they should talk to Remi and Xinya?

“We’ll figure it out,” Luca says to herself, as if speaking it aloud will make it manifest into existence and prevent it from festering in her brain. And eventually, despite her spinning thoughts, sleep rises like a tide and sweeps her into blissful black.

FORTY-EIGHTJULIETTE

The night before the semifinal, Remi convinces the four semifinalists to dine together. It wasn’t difficult, considering Juliette is dating Luca and Claudia is her sister. Half of the Connolly Cup is represented, and it’s almost normal around the table.

Claudia and Remi try to press Juliette on how she feels playing Luca, and vice versa, but they adeptly swerve around Remi’s questions. Eventually, Claudia gets the hint and maneuvers the conversation into other topics, and from there, the evening passes smoothly.

“I never thought I would become actual friends with Remi,” Luca says as they walk back to the apartment. A chill nips the air, a reminder that winter and the off-season is around the corner.

“She’s really not that bad once you peel back the layers,” Juliette says. “She’s an onion.”

Luca wrinkles her nose and curls her lip. “That’s rude and a terrible metaphor.”

Juliette gapes at her. “Have you never seenShrek?”

“No?”

“We will have to rectify that immediately. As soon as this tournament is over,” Juliette says, appalled by Luca’s lack of movie taste.

Luca shakes her head, but she’s smiling as Juliette unlocks the door. “Speaking of after the tournament, we should talk about tomorrow.”

Juliette chews the inside of her cheek. “Yeah.”

“I heard what you said in your on-court interview last night,” Luca says as she strips out of her jeans and T-shirt.

“I meant every word of it,” Juliette says as she pulls her hair back into a high bun and heads into the bathroom.

Luca leans against the doorjamb in her sweatpants and one of Juliette’s oversize graphic tees. Juliette bites back the urge to abandon this conversation and wrap herself entirely around Luca until their bodies melt together again.

She looks in the mirror and almost laughs at herself for how lovestruck she looks.

“This is our job. We knew it would happen eventually,” Luca says quietly.

“How do you feel about it?” Juliette asks as she loads her toothbrush up with toothpaste and starts brushing.

“I don’t want this match to change anything between us, and I’m worried it will.” Luca’s voice is low, as if she’s afraid to even utter the words.

Juliette’s stomach drops. “Because of my jealousy?” she asks around her toothbrush.

---