Page 96 of Match Point

I winced. “Let’s all just relax…”

“Ah, so you two have become doubles partners in the bedroom? I did not think you possessed the ability, deGrom.”

“You’re not going to bait me,” Dominic said calmly.

“It is not baiting to point out that you are such an inferior lover that you require help to satisfy—”

“Another word,” Dominic growled, “and you’ll be wearing that wine all over your tuxedo.”

Gabriel laughed richly, turning to smile at the photographer as if it were all a joke. “I have a friendly wager to propose.”

Dominic shrugged off Tristan’s arm. “You’ve got a deal.”

Gabriel blinked. “But you have not heard my terms.”

“Don’t care,” Dominic replied.

“Very well. Whoever wins the US Open wins Miranda’s heart. And the losers will bow out politely.”

Both of them recoiled in surprise. So did I.

“This is dumb,” Tristan said.

“I would also think it is dumb if I were thefourseed,” Gabriel hissed.

Before anyone could say anything else, I stepped forward. “I’m not a trophy to win and put in a display case. I have agency in all of this, and you are absolutelynotmaking this wager. Ornoneof you will ever have a chance with me.”

“Very well.” Gabriel raised his glass again. “To a challenging tournament. Perhaps more challenging for some.”

He smiled at me and then walked away.

“He’s a real cunt,” Tristan muttered.

I turned and watched him go.We were so close to all getting along.

47

Gabriel

I was in a tremendously good mood at the welcome dinner. As the top player in the world, how could I not be? Everyone wished to shake my hand and take my photograph. It was a party, and I was the star.

Until I saw the three of them standing together.

I watched them for a short while, Miranda and her two other lovers. Smiling. Laughing together. It did not bother me that she was with them, but when I saw her smiling at Dominic deGrom… it twisted a knife inside my heart. I could not help but approach and throw a few knives of my own into the conversation.

And they treated me like an outsider interrupting their little party. I was number one in the world.Theywere the outsiders, not me!

I knew Miranda was not happy with the things I said, but I could not help it. A man could only restrain himself to a point—and I was no ordinary man.

I walked away feeling victorious about the interaction with my two rivals for Miranda’s love. I finished my wine, then walked outside to signal for my driver to take me back to my hotel.

Someone caught my arm and spun me around before I could. “What the hell was that?”

I smiled at Miranda. “Friendly sportsmanship.”

“That wasn’t friendly,” she scolded. “That was… I don’t know what it was.”

“I have said worse to those who deserved more,” I replied calmly. “Carfrae and deGrom understand that there are no hard feelings. I merely wished to light a fire under them so they will play to their full potential.”

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