My chest feels heavy, and tension is creeping up my neck. I take another drink, trying to swallow down the lump in mythroat. Ugh, this water stuff is awful. What I really need is a Dr. Pepper. It’s my comfort drink. One I usually avoid while preparing for the tennis season, but desperate times. Now that it’s on my mind, nothing else will do.
Good thing I know someone with connections. I stand and make my way to the door. Through the peephole I see the lady who I think is named Maya leaning on the wall across from my room. I slide the lock and swing the door open.
The woman straightens. I can tell I startled her, but she attempts a smile. “Mr. Evans.”
“Hey, sorry about all that. I, uh, am not feeling the best. Just a headache. But, one thing that always helps is a Dr. Pepper. Do you think you could get one for me?”
Maya’s face softens. “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. I can certainly get you a Dr. Pepper. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.”
I close the door and head back to the couch. I know I need this sponsorship, but I really don’t know if I'll make it through this week. These symptoms have happened a few times before. When I went to the doctor, they said it was most likely a panic attack. I don’t have panic attacks. I can’t have panic attacks. It’s this stupid event's fault. I haven’t had these symptoms in years, but I know how to fix them. I focus on training, I stay away from people and I avoid Christmas at all costs. This week is ruining everything.
“Mr. Evans.” I hear Maya’s voice. “I have your drink for you.”
Walking back to the door, I crack it open. She holds out a bottle of Dr. Pepper.
“I also got you a snack.” She grins, then holds up a bag of Cheez-Its in her other hand.
I stare at the bag, stunned. Then, I mumble, “Thank you,” grab both items and slam the door.
Chapter 8
Maya
“Holly,I’mtellingyou,I screwed everything up in under twenty-four hours. Mr. Evans is probably going to tell Lauren to fire me. I’ll be out of a job, and my dreams of making it in the tourism industry will be crushed forever.”
Holly and I are in the staff locker room at the end of our shift. She stands in front of me with her hands on my shoulders. “And you say I’m the dramatic one.”
I squint my eyes at that. I hadn’t planned on telling her about seeing Eddie in his Cheez-It boxers, but after he slammed the door in my face…I had no choice.
She chuckles to herself while grabbing her coat from her locker. “I can’t believe you brought him Cheez-Its after you walked in on him wearing Cheez-Its underwear.”
I bury my face in my hands. “When I saw them in the vending machine, I couldn’t help it. I thought it would make him laugh.”
“Well, it made me laugh. Maybe too soon for him though.”
I bite my lip. “I’ve learned my lesson. He’s not one to joke around with.”
Holly squats in front of me. “Time to game plan. What’s on the agenda tomorrow?”
I unfold the itinerary from my blazer pocket. “He’s scheduled to teach tennis lessons at the Winterbrook Community Center.”
“That should be interesting, considering he doesn’t like talking.”
“I know,” I pout. “If I can even get him there.”
“I mean, he obviously loves tennis. So out of all the things he has to do this week, he should like this one the most.”
I nod, hoping Holly is right. “But, that only lasts until noon. What am I supposed to do with him the rest of the day?”
Holly sits on the ground with her back against another row of lockers. “Well, there’s skiing, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and even Christmas caroling. You said he’s got a wrist injury, right? Maybe a relaxing spa treatment would do him some good. There are literally endless activities here. There has to be something he’ll like.”
“You’d think, but he’s different. It’s like I’m serving Scrooge this week.”
Holly smirks. “I see what you did there. Serving, because he’s a tennis player, and you’re being forced to serve him at the resort.”
“Honestly, I didn’t even mean to do that, but it’s true.”
