Page 63 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

“So wait, have you been seeing the girl with the long dark hair over there? The one who’s in charge?” asked Wes, pointing his thumb toward the table.

“Yep, that’s the one.” Sebastian nodded, looking at Endy, who gnawed at a pen as she studied the clipboard in her hand.

“Bro, you should have locked that down a long time ago,” Wes exclaimed. “How’d you screw that up?”

Sebastian recounted what had caused the rift between him and Endy, starting with Sloane blowing into Whisper Hills and ending with his grandmother’s grievance.

Wes rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, all of that sucks, but you gotta do something to get her back.”

“I’m trying. Having all you guys here at the fundraiser has brought in a lot of money, so that helps out a ton.”

“Well, if there’s something else we can do, just ask. It’d be great ifoneof us actually got into a healthy relationship.” Wes laughed. “Anything can happen, right?”

Sebastian grinned at hearing one of Endy’s favorite sayings. He nodded and crossed his fingers. “Yep, anything can happen.”

The atmosphere inside the tent changed as the crowd started moving out onto the lawn and pathways leading to the pickleball courts. A sense of excitement hung in the air, the players buzzing with energy.

“Hope you do great on the tour this year,” Sebastian said, wrapping his arm around Wes’s neck and pulling him into a big hug. “Hit me up when you’re done playing this weekend. I have some things to talk with you about that I think you’ll find interesting.”

40

Feedback blared from the large speakers outside the tents. “Welcome, everyone! Just ten minutes before the start of the Paddle Battle, so please make your way to your courts. Play starts in ten minutes!” Daniel York’s voice boomed from the microphone.

Endy’s eyes widened and she took a deep breath. All the time and energy she’d put into planning and putting the fundraiser together was finally coming to a head. She was proud of what she’d accomplished, regardless of whether they made their financial goal or not. The fact was, she considered the crowd of people around her to be personal friends, and they had shown up to support her. Endy felt very fortunate.

“¡Ay!”Maria burst out. “Don’t look!”

“Ugh, every time you say that, it means—” Endy stamped her foot then turned around with a grimace. “Hi, Sloane.”

“Hi, Endy,” said Sloane at the same time as she approached the table. “Sorry to crash your party but—”

“It’s not my party,” replied Endy, blinking slowly and shaking her head. “It’s the Paddle Battle fundraiser.”

“Right. Well, that’s why I’m here. I wanted to give you some advice.” Sloane pushed her sunglasses on top of her head.

“Puta,”hissed Maria from behind the table. “Just because you and your tennis program came in here with bags of money doesn’t mean that Endy needs any kind of advice from you.”

Sloane pursed her lips and raised one eyebrow at Maria. She lowered her sunglasses, then crooked her finger at Endy and stepped away from the registration table. “Endy, let’s talk over here, away fromtu molesta hermana pequeña.”

Maria’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes narrowed. “No one except my cousins are allowed to call metheir annoying little sister.” She huffed and tossed her hair. “And you know what? Your accent sucks.”

Endy threw up her hands and followed Sloane. They stood in a sliver of shade from a palm tree.

Sloane pulled out her phone and began tapping. She glanced over her sunglasses at Endy and said, “I’m Venmo-ing my donation for Picklers to you.”

Endy’s eyebrows drew together. “Sloane, you don’t have to do that.”

Sloane tucked her phone into the pocket of her skirt. “I know, but I want to,” she replied, looking down. She waited a beat, then said softly, “I want you to take it as a type of apology. It’s my way of saying how sorry I am.”

“Sloane, what are you even talking about?”

“Endy,” started Sloane. She bit her lip. “I’m leaving Palm Springs for a little bit. Probably go up to LA and meet with more donors … maybe take some time to get my head straight.” She took a deep breath.

“I’m still not following,” said Endy, shaking her head in puzzlement.

“I’m not good at this, so please, just listen,” Sloane said, her voice slightly strained. She reached out and placed her hand on Endy’s arm. “I … am … sorry.”

Endy’s eyes widened. “Sloane …”

---