Dom pinned the single sheet of white printer paper to the corkboard and then faced them. “Ladies, behind me is a draw ranking for the OBX Classic. Remember, not everyone will make the tournament. Some of the best up-and-coming players in the world will be attending as well. If you have any questions, I expect you to come see me in person. I will not be taking any calls from agents on this one. Is that understood?”
They all nodded.
“Good. Now, one more thing. Some of you might’ve heard that Penny’s back on campus and that Alex Russell is here as well, getting himself back into match shape. He and Penny will be training together leading up to the French Open.”
Jasmine’s focus shifted from the white sheet of paper behind her coach’s head to Dom’s face as a few gasps and nervous giggles came out of the crowd around her. People were used to Penny being around, although some of them liked to suck up to her, like her talent might rub off on them if they got close enough. But Alex Russell? That was insane. Her own parents were a big deal, but more for their relationship off the court than anything else. Alex was only twenty-four and already had the same number of Grand Slams as her parents did combined.
“I expect you all to behave professionally. No hoveringaround their practice court and making nuisances of yourselves. Do I make myself clear?”
Everyone nodded again.
Dom eyed the crowd like he didn’t quite believe them, but he continued anyway. “Excellent. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
He turned around, escaping up to his office, and the crowd pressed forward immediately.
For a moment, Jasmine’s vision blurred as she took in the names. She took a deep breath, blinked, then looked again.
OBX CLASSIC RANKINGS
Jasmine Randazzo (USA/OBX)
Cara Pagnini (ITA)
Tatiana Belova (RUS)
Indiana Gaffney (USA/OBX)
Stella Almanzar (ESP)
Jessica McCormack (NZL)
Aliya Polina (RUS)
Ellie Forester (AUS)
Jelena Petrovic (SRB)
Yulia Markelova (RUS)
Laura Wiltvank (NED)
Cassie Raker (USA/OBX)
Lara Cronin (USA/OBX)
Katarina Odette (GRB)
Daciana Raducan (ROU)
Katie Nelson (USA/OBX)
Behind her Lara squeaked in delight at making the cut, and Addison Quinn, who hadn’t, started sobbing, but noneof it really registered for Jasmine. Her eyes were glued to the top of the list.
How was it possible that after one day of training Indiana Gaffney was fourth? Dom even put her above Stella Almanzar, who’d already won a couple of Challenger tournaments and was a player Jasmine had lost to on more than one occasion.
She pushed through the crowd and saw Indy hovering at the edges, her weight shifting back and forth, eyes focused on the board but not moving any closer to it. It almost seemed like she was scared to look. Their eyes met, but Jasmine strode past her, across the atrium and straight for the door. As she was about to open it, someone pulled it from the outside.
A slim woman dressed in a flowing white dress down to her ankles, secured at the waist by a large brown leather belt, and a tall man in jeans and a collared shirt stood just outside the door.
