Wow. That was fast. He didn’t even have to buy you dinner first.
Lol.
Tell me everything
So I do. I explain my brilliant plan to use Calder as bait, and I’m halfway through my explanation of Garrett’s pen twiddling when a text comes through from an unknown number.
I spot the word “lesson” and tap it open.
Hey. For lesson Thursday, can we start fifteen minutes earlier? I cleared the court time. I have to leave early for an event. Calder
I barely take in the details because a pit opens up in my stomach. I told Garrett I was considering lessons, not that I was already taking them. What if he found out I was there? What if Megan showed up at Smash Point, saw me and Calder and Sam, and mentioned it to Garrett? It wasn’t that far out of the realm of possibilities.
Hey! Actually, I think we may have to cancel Thursday anyway. A lot going on over here. Let’s pick up next week.
I can’t help it. I have to say something.
And your advice was excellent btw
The three dots appear. A few seconds later, Calder’s message comes through.
Paddle up?
I laugh.
No. Competition
I didn’t want to text more than that. No digital incrimination if Garrett ever found this thread.
The dots appear, then disappear. They appear again, then finally a message comes through.
Glad I could help
eleven
I spendthe last thirty minutes of Friday afternoon updating a brand calendar, but it’s almost impossible to focus. Pickleball night is upon us, and all my emotions are cranked up to full throttle. Nerves over how I’ll play or what might happen with Garrett. Excitement, of course, but there’s something else hiding away beneath all of that jittery energy. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I duck into the office restroom with my tote, swap my pencil skirt for the skort that has now become a wardrobe staple, and meet Sam and the others in the lobby.
Everyone’s in a good mood as we walk over to The Court Collective together. The leaves are in full autumn color, dropping and swirling in the street, adding social proof to the pumpkin spice signs on display in the café window we pass.
I love this time of year. The air smells different, the sun seems a little more golden. More than anything, I look forward to the permission the colder weather gives to slow down a little bit. Something that’s not easy for me to do.
After warming up, I play two games partnered with Jerome, one with Brenda, then a prepress guy who’s a real banger. I learned that term while watching Calder play the other day.There’s a whole new language and culture with this sport. An underground world I knew nothing about. It feels like when I discovered poutine exists. My world is forever changed, and I’m not sure I can live without it.
I win some, lose some, remember to call the score half the time, and the whole evening runs as it should’ve the first time. No stress because of unexpected visitors.
I play with Garrett twice. Catch him watching me at least once. All in all a perfect night thus far.
Sam finds me between games. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Why?” I take a swig from my water bottle.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. You look a little bored.”
My face pinches. “What? I’m having a blast.”
Her lips purse. “Okay.”
