Page 4 of Match Point

We didn’t have time to practice outside of our regimented schedule at the Academy. At the end of the day, we barely had enough energy to lift a racquet. I started to say as much, then realized the subtext behind the offer.

Is he asking me out?

“Yeah,” I said. “Sure.”

Before Tristan could say anything more, the third boy I had kissed poked his head into the room. Dominic smiled and then walked into the kitchen. “Sorry if that was awkward. You being put on the spot like that three times in a row.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t mind.” I gave a start. “I mean, I was just playing by the rules, so…”

“Hey,” Dominic went on. “I know we don’t have a lot of free time around here. But if you…” He trailed off, then glanced at Tristan and Gabriel. Then he saw the piece of paper in my hand.

“You already asked her out?” Dominic asked.

“I gave her my number,” Tristan replied with a note of defiance in his Aussie voice. “In case she wants to practice.”

“And you?” Dominic asked Gabriel.

“No! I did not,” he replied. His eyes met mine, and then he looked down at his feet. “But I did think on this. Yes.”

“You were third, mate,” Tristan said. “Third in the game, third to get here. Just like you’re third in the standings.”

Dominic bristled at that. “Based on the World Tennis Junior Rankings…”

“Nobody cares about that,” Tristan shot back. “On theinternalladder at the Academy, you’re third. Behind me and that Russian kid, Aslan.”

Dominic visibly relaxed and turned back to me. “Nobody owns Miranda. She can go out with whoever she wants.”

All three of them turned to face me.

Is this happening?I wondered.None of the boys have ever shown any interest in me. And suddenly they all want to ask me out?

Suddenly, the door to the living area flew open and two adults strode inside. The students in the living room all went silent as two of the Academy supervisors surveyed everything going on.

“I would expect this from Tristan,” the male supervisor said in a serious tone. “But fromyou, Aslan? And you, Justin?”

“Ellie, get back to your room right this instant,” the female supervisor snapped. “Hailey. I’m certain you’re the one who convinced poor Ellie to come. Did you drag Miranda here, too?”

“I wanted to come,” I said, stepping out of the kitchen. “Nobody made me.”

Orders were given and students were scolded. When the others had scattered, the female supervisor grabbed my arm and pulled me into the hallway.

“Staying up late. Drinking. You would think none of you had any care in the world about the tournament you’re playing in tomorrow.” She gave a loud sniff. “I want to see you at the courts at five o’clock.”

“Five o’clock! That’s five hours from now!”

“You should have thought of that before staying up so late,” she replied. “I’m going to make you run lines until you throw up every ounce of that beer.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Dominic, Tristan, and Gabriel were all standing in the hallway watching me go. Tristan was smiling, but the other two looked worried. When the dust settled from this night, I wondered which of them would ask me out first.

I had no idea I wouldn’t see them again for over a decade.

2

Miranda

Present Day

“Miranda Jacobs,” the interviewer said from the chair across from mine, “it was just one year ago that you stormed into Melbourne and won the Australian Open, that elusive victory that had previously prevented you from completing your career Grand Slam. Now, you’re back here under very different circumstances. Can you tell us what led to your decision to retire at the height of your dominance, rather than defending your title?”

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