Page 26 of Bad Summer People

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Emily and Jen rounded out the foursome and the women took to the stadium court and started to warm up, hitting shots to each other from the service line, giving the other opportunities to volley and serve. Jen and Lauren made a pretty pair. They had a Betty-and-Veronica vibe, the blonde and the brunette. Rachel, who played the backhand side, was warming up with Jen, who played forehand. Her shots were much better than Rachel had anticipated; her forehand had nice topspin, and she had a backhand slice that Rachel would have to look out for. Rachel was jealous that Jen had so much time and money to dedicate to the sport—in between sneaking around with her husband’s best friend. What a lucky slut.

It was time to start the game, and the women gathered around the watercooler in the middle of the court to hydrate. Rachel thought she and Emily should take this match easily, particularly if Jen was a beginner in terms of doubles strategy. She wouldn’t know where to be on the court, and Rachel could take advantage of that.

“Okay, ladies, have fun!” said Emily, faux cheerfully. Women always complimented each other’s shots, gave supportive advice, told each other how cute they looked in their outfits. But just below the surface, they all wanted to kill each other.

The first few games went by in a flash, and before Rachel knew it, she and Emily had lost the first set 3–6. Jen was playing great; her first serveswere going in, and she also had an unexpectedly sharp net game.What the fuck?thought Rachel, banging her shoes with her racket to get out the impacted green clay. Lauren was also making backhand winners and expertly lobbing over Rachel’s and Emily’s heads when they were both up at the net.

Rachel and Emily huddled in the back of the court to talk strategy before the start of the second set. Lauren and Jen were at the watercooler chatting. Rachel saw Robert sitting on the bench opposite the court, behind the green fencing, to watch them all play. He was leaning back, arms crossed over his chest, his legs spread in a casual but commanding way. Rachel felt a thrill seeing him there. She’d been working with Robert closely these past few weeks, nearly once a day, trying to level up before the tournament. She wanted him to be proud of her and see how far she’d come.

“We need to take Lauren’s lobs out of the air,” said Emily, cleaning her sunglasses with her shirt. Emily’s face had no lines at all; Rachel knew she got Botox but wondered if it was more than that. But what’s more than Botox?

“I agree,” said Rachel. “We need to crowd them at the net and be more aggressive.”

Emily nodded. The plan was set. But, while Robert looked on, it didn’t work at all. Lauren and Jen took the second set 6–2. Rachel and Emily, outmaneuvered, missed easy shots and hit volleys into the net. The partners met back at the watercooler to shake hands and say, “Good game.” Lauren and Jen were beaming, which made Rachel even angrier.

“Wow, you guys played great,” said Emily graciously. “You pretty much trounced us. Jen, I didn’t realize you were that good!”

“Oh, thanks,” said Jen. “I told Rachel—I’ve been playing a lot this year. I’m happy it’s finally paying off. And it’s easy when you have such a great partner.”

Lauren smiled.

“Lauren, wait, do you have a partner for the women’s doubles tournament?” asked Emily.

“No, I don’t. I don’t play in the tournaments; I get too nervous. And this town is so intense,” said Lauren.

“You and Jen should play together!” said Emily.

Rachel had been hoping she wouldn’t suggest that. What a moron Emily was sometimes.

“Oh, no, no,” said Jen. “I’m not good enough to play in the tournament. I’m really just starting.”

“Well, you’ve already beaten us, and we got to the finals last year.” They’d lost it to Vicky Mulder and Janet Braun in a heartbreaking three set-er, 6–2, 4–6, 5–7. Rachel still thought about what went wrong nearly every day.

She remained silent. She wasn’t going to encourage this. Lauren looked at Jen and raised her eyebrows under her sunglasses.

“I would, Jen, if you’d like to,” said Lauren.

Jen shrugged.

“Okay, I’m in,” she said.

No,thought Rachel.No.

They left the court. Robert was still on the bench. Rachel approached him as the other women said their goodbyes and took off on their bikes home. Everyone had picnic prep to finish.

“Did you see our match? What did I do wrong?” She sat down next to him. Rachel admired his square jaw and perfect lips.

“Well, firstly, you kept hitting it to the player at the net,” he said, smiling cutely at her. Was he flirting? “Secondly, you were both running up too quickly, and so Lauren kept lobbing over your heads. One of you needed to stay back.”

Rachel was taking this all in, filing it away so she could use it when they played Jen and Lauren in the tournament.

“Got it. You’re so right,” she said. Rachel had a thought. “Are you going to the Bay Picnic tonight?”

“What’s the Bay Picnic?”

“You have to come!” said Rachel. “Everyone brings dinner to the bayfront at West Walk. There’s a band, people dance and eat lots of food. You should come and sit with us. It starts at six. Our group is me, the Parkers, the Metzners, the Grobels, and the Weinsteins. All your faves.”

Robert laughed. “Okay, sure,” he said. He got up, standing in frontof her with his strong, tan legs. “I’m heading to a lesson now, but I’ll see you later.”