Page 95 of Best Year Ever
THAT SUNDAY
Iwake up irritated with the world. Straight-up grumpy, with too many things nagging at me.
My annoyance at Dad is the most low-grade, but starting there—the house sale is now full-speed ahead. I’m still coming to terms with saying goodbye to the house, though the emotional pull is diminishing every day as reality sets in.
Also, Julie and him—still no clarity about what’s going on.Sigh.In the meantime, Dad has gone ahead and started to move into a condo in Julie’s development. Not suspicious at all, right? Buster and all his essential things are already over there, with Dad still going back to the house to pack up the other items.
The Dad-Julie stuff is like a negative buzzing in the back of mind. Not stirring up big emotions, but always present as an unresolved question.
My situation with Landon is much more grating on my nerves. Granted, I’m more annoyed at myself than him that we keep avoiding the topic of going public. Really, it’s on me to speak my truth—that I’m not ready. Those big girl panties are still firmly on the floor, though.
I can’t seem to get the words out. It’s not a great feeling that we want different things, and I have no idea what to do aboutit. In the past, no situation ever matured to a point where I cared if a guy and I were not on the same page.
But Landon’s different. I care. A lot. And I don’t want to hurt him.
Plus, once the article about Rawley broke, addressing it had to be his focus. While he’s already stressing about his brother, I’m not going to bring up my hesitations about our big announcement.
In some ways, the situation with Rawley almost proves my point. Everything and anything that we do will be scrutinized. I don’t want that attention, which scares me almost as much as hurting Landon. Especially if it screws me up heading into the Open.
And then there’s the fact that we didn’t get to see each other today because he had to go to New York. Also a source of frustration. Nothing we’re not used to with our times apart, but I selfishly wanted to have at least a few hours together before I fly to Toronto.
I’m also edgy because the fan chatter about Landon and me is still flaring up in pockets across social media from theHot Stuffarticle. Maggie sent me a screenshot of a Reddit page dedicated to us called r/Randon after the “ship name” they preferred. Likewhat?Taylor seems unbothered by the prospect of the rumors becoming mainstream, but it scares me that we’re not completely in control of the gossip.
However, the worst aggravator of my mood right now? Tessa “Diva” Worthing.
Every couple of days over the last week and a half, some article or social media post has come out with her jabbing at me or another top player.
An Instagram post yesterday morning had particularly pissed me off. It was a picture of us playing at Wimbledon, her in the foreground, me in the background slightly out of focus.
The caption? “Whenclasswins….”
In other words, she has class, and I don’t. What ab.My wholecrew at Pinnacle had been in an uproar about the post. Maggie, livid, called Tessa a “clout chaser.”
It isn’t only me she’s targeted either. She’s had things to say about Hanna, Natalie, and others too.
Hanna, for one, has bitten back at Tessa in the press. While dismissing Tessa’s underhanded insults towards herself, Hanna made sure to stand up for others, which surprised me. For instance, she directly praised me: “Tessa can say what she wants, but Rori is an elite player who’s proven herself to be among the best, tournament after tournament, over the last year.”
Hanna’s ‘ice queen’ nickname may be too harsh, after all.
Still, nothing has seemed to deter Tessa from chirping her nonsense in the media. Good times.
Stacking all of these irritants on top of each other, I’m grouchy this morning.
Unfortunately, I need to snap out of it, because tonight I leave for the Canada tournament. Laundry, packing, and overall life organizing are all on the agenda today.
A few hours pass by as I check off my list of tasks. Suddenly, it’s noon. Time for Rawley and Landon’s interview, which I do want to watch, in support.
The host Jalen is facing the screen when I turn on the TV, introducing the segment. As he finishes, the show cuts to a shot of Landon and Rawley. Landon looks calm, put together, filling out his blue button-down to perfection. By comparison, Rawley looks nervous, but since I don’t know him, I could be wrong.
“Landon and Rawley, great to have you here today. Both of you have big seasons ahead of you, so we’re grateful that you made the time.”
Landon responds first, his tone genuine but relaxed. “We’re glad to be here. It’s nice to start sharing the big stage with my little brother.” He points to Rawley and grins.
Rawley gives a small smile, but stays quiet. He’s bouncing one of his legs, out of anxiousness I’d guess.
“Let’s hear from both of you, what are your big goals this season?” Jalen asks, looking at Landon, then Rawley.
“That’s easy,” Landon says, chuckling. “Waves winning the Super Bowl. Theonlygoal.”
