Page 39 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

Endy wrinkled her nose. “I think it kind of reeks.”

Maria slid her friend a sideways glance. “Mytiogot a banner made for his Taco Tuesday specials. The smell will go away in an hour or so, but the customers stay all day.”

Endy nodded. “This better work just as well for us. I’m really worried because even though we’ve had plenty of sign-ups, those have only brought in about $5,000.”

“Have you asked the Jacobses to sign up?”

“Yeah, both George and Dawn already did. They’re going to partner with Gabe and Emily Lee. That should be fun for all of them.”

Endy had gone down Whisper Hills’ pickleball member list and reached out to each of them individually. Steven Markowitz had signed up immediately and even donated an additional $500. But even with most of the sixty slots being bought and the kids’ partnerships set, she was still $20,000 short on meeting next year’s budget. Endy knew she had an uphill battle, but she was determined to raise all the money they would need. Picklers was very, very important to her.

Maria hugged Endy and said, “Don’t worry, the rest of the money will come in from somewhere. Anything can happen, right?”

Endy nodded and crossed her fingers. “Anything can happen.”

Joel approached Endy and Maria with a stack of new hats. He looked down at the banner. “Has the school decided what courts Picklers will use when it’s not at Whisper Hills anymore?”

Endy put her hands to her forehead and rubbed her temples. “Crap, I haven’t even thought about that, Joel. I have no idea.”

Maria took the hats from Joel and moved them to the display rack. “Iron Ridge Country Club has twenty pickleball courts—maybe that’s a good place for Picklers. My cousin’s cousin works there, and I could ask.”

Endy shook her head and replied, “Doubtful. Iron Ridge is so exclusive. Nonmembers aren’t allowed to play there even as guests. Can you imagine five dozen kids like Paco showing up after school? They wouldn’t even open the gates.” She took a deep breath and heavily sighed. “Well, I’ll just have to start calling around to try and find a new home for Picklers.”

Endy still couldn’t get over the fact that Sloane Stewart had breezed into Whisper Hills with a fully formed junior tennis academy planned. She’d already secured the money and the facilities, not to mention Whisper Hills’ backing and support. Daniel York was over the moon and had already put an announcement on the website and in the monthly newsletter. The phones had been busy at the pro shop, with callers inquiring about the academy.

Compared to Sloane, what did Endy have? A road to remorse and a big headache if she didn’t raise enough money to keep her program going, that’s what.

Adding to her headache, Sebastian seemed to be spending a lot of time with Sloane. Quite a lot of time. And it seemed that wherever Endy went, she’d see them together.

Once, after doing her rounds of the racquet club grounds, she pulled up to the golf cart parking spots only to see Sloane and Sebastian leaving the Wellness Spa, the scent of eucalyptus trailing behind them. Sloane was polished and glowing, while Sebastian looked loose and relaxed.

Then a day or so later, with the local weekly tennis league matches being played at Whisper Hills, Sloane and Sebastian had taken seats overlooking the courts, watching the older ladies’ competition. Working from inside the pro shop, Endy could see them with their heads close, talking in low tones, Sloane’s hand always resting on Sebastian’s arm or thigh.

Sebastian had even quit suggesting to Endy that they get together when she got off work. To be fair, she did have to run Picklers, but that was just four evenings a week.

The telephone rang at the pro shop desk. Endy heard Maria take the call and answer questions about the junior tennis academy, ending the call by saying, “I’ll leave a message for Sloane Stewart, letting her know to get in touch with you. She’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

Of course Sloane would be there in the morning. She was there every day, usually with Sebastian.

Sloane Stewart had quickly entrenched herself at Whisper Hills racquet club … and also in Sebastian’s life. Again.

Endy gnawed at a torn thumbnail.

“Maria, is it just me,” asked Endy, approaching the desk, “or does it seem like Sloane and Sebastian are always together?”

Maria frowned. “Kind of,” she replied and pulled up the week’s tennis court schedule. She turned the monitor toward Endy. Every day for the next two weeks, Stadium Court was reserved for Sebastian, Sloane, and guests.

Endy put her face in her hands.

“You want their reservations to mysteriously get erased?” asked Maria, her finger poised above the delete button.

Endy sighed. “No, it’s going to take more than that to get rid of Sloane. I mean, Sebastian seems to be choosing to spend all this time with her. Like, what if he’s thinking about them getting back together?”

“Nooo,” Maria hissed.“Estaria loco.”She frowned and tapped her index finger on her head. “He’d be crazy.”

“I don’t know … it’s more crazy that he’d choose me over someone like Sloane,” replied Endy. “She’s so perfectly perfect.”

“You don’t know what she’s like off the courts and outside of tennis. Maybe she’s a slob who wears granny panties under her leggings. Maybe that gorgeous hair is really just extensions.”

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