I couldn’t make out what the deep voice said in response, but the woman came back after a few minutes, looking resigned.
“It’s your lucky day; he said he remembers seeing you.” She flipped her hand to point up at the camera mounted in the corner. “We normally wouldn’t allow it because this is from when we first opened, but you’re good this time.” She scanned the code, then tapped on the computer keyboard like she was making reservations for an international flight. “Court thirteen.”
I followed Meredith to the swanky locker room, trying not to be too obvious about the fact that I was scanning every face we passed. She pulled the paddles out of her bag and handed a gray-and-red one that she’d borrowed from Colton to me.
“Don’t be nervous,” she scolded me gently, accurately translating my expression. “This is supposed to be fun. It’s an adventure!”
“It’s a quest,” I corrected. “I need a hit of serotonin or else I’ll be lucky to write fifty words today.”
“Then let’s get out there,” she said with a wink. “I have a good feeling.”
Court thirteen had to be the worst offering in the place for the other players, but I loved the fact that it bordered a wall. That meant only one court would be stuck fielding my crappy shots.
“I’m ready if you are,” I said, taking another glance around the space. No Kai yet, but maybe he’d show up as we were finishing up, so I’d be glowy from exertion and he wouldn’t have a chance to see my lack of skills.
“We’re just goofing around right now, getting a feel for it,” Meredith reminded me. “But first, stretching.”
“Seriously?” I gaped at her. “This is just a bigger version of Ping-Pong; why do I have to warm up?”
She slid her left leg out in front of her and bent over at the waist, bracing her hands on the opposite thigh. “Because I’m going to make yourun, girlie. Happy endorphins, coming right up.”
She led me through light Pilates for a few minutes, which I had to admit felt sort of good, then walked to her side of the court. “No pressure to be perfect. We’re just going to have some fun.”
“Trust me, perfection won’t be a problem over here.” I laughed as I got into position and mimicked her stance.
I looked down at my hand and realized that I was doing the same choke-hold grip as the last time I’d attempted to play. I let go and adjusted it the way Bucket Hat had shown me and hoped it would help.
“I’m a big fan of learning by doing,” Meredith explained. “I’m sure if you were taking a real lesson, you’d be going over all sorts of foundation stuff. But today, no score, no rules. Just vibes to start. Ready?”
I looked around the space again and was disappointed he hadn’t arrived but relieved to see that no one was watching. “Yup.”
Meredith dropped the ball and smacked it out of the air and toward me.
With no Daniel jumping in front to claim the ball, all I could do was freeze and stare as the thing whizzed by.
“That’s fine,” Meredith called to me. “But next time maybe try a little?”
I nodded and hunkered down like I was serious about hitting the ball. She swatted it toward me again and “try a little” echoed in my head as I got ready.
Amazingly, my paddle connected with the ball with a thwack, and it careened over the net and headed for the far corner of the court. The luckiest shot ever! I grinned as I watched Meredith dash after it.
But then she let out a high-pitched yip and tumbled to the ground.
“You okay?” I laughed, but Meredith didn’t pop up like I expected. “Mere?”
She was still on the ground, clutching her ankle, when I reached her, her face pinched with pain.
“It really hurts.” She looked up at me as her eyes filled with tears. “Bad.”
I dropped to my knees beside her. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry! Do you want me to get someone?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Give me a sec.” She pursed her lips and blew out a shuddery breath.
I gently moved her hand away from her ankle. “Mere, it’s already swelling.”
“Fuck.”
I looked around the space for help and spotted Bucket Hat heading our way.
