Jasmine’s heart clenched in frustration. He was smiling like nothing was wrong, like he hadn’t just come from wishing Indy good luck and like he hadn’t crushed her heart into a million pieces. “Right,” she said, trying to push down the hurt. “Thanks.”
“What’s the matter?”
She used to find his obliviousness charming. Now it grated on her nerves. The hurt wrapped around her frustration, creating a knot of anger.
“You really have no idea, do you?”
“No,” he said, shrugging. “Want to fill me in?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Teddy. You like Indy.”
He gaped at her, his mouth opening and closing, before finding his voice. “I barely know her, but even if I did, why do you care?”
“Idon’tcare,” Jasmine scoffed, her anger skyrocketing. “I know you don’t give a shit about it, but do you get how big of a deal this tournament is for me? Whoever wins is a shoo-in for major wild cards. If I win I’ll be in the main draw in Paris. Indiana is standing in my way.”
“I was being nice.”
“Right,nice, and if she weren’t gorgeous and blond, would you still have been nice?”
He rocked back on his heels and she saw the flash of guilt in his eyes. They’d been friends for too long for him to hide it, but then it was gone, replaced with annoyance.
“She was having a hard time. Most of the girls in this place have been acting like real bitches to her. Nice of you to step in and stop that, by the way.”
Jasmine pursed her lips, glaring at him. “I don’t control what those girls do.”
“Please, one word from you and they would’ve stopped. What did you think? If you let them bully her, it would improve your chances to win this thing?”
The truth was she hadn’t even thought about it, but she was too angry to defend herself.
“Screw you. You’re supposed to be my friend. That’s what we said, that we’re better as friends.”
His cheeks flushed red and his jaw muscles clenched as he crossed his arms over his chest. There was no sign of his easy smile now. “We are—”
“Some friend, trying to hook up with my competition,” she said, not wanting to let the bitterness seep into her voice. She was unsuccessful.
He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again as Roy appeared in the doorway, walkie-talkie crackling at his hip. Jasmine’s shoulders sagged as the argument came to an abrupt end. She didn’t want to know what he would’ve said next.
“Jasmine?” Roy glared at Teddy, who shrunk back against the wall. She didn’t know how much the old man had heard, but it made Jasmine feel a little better to know he was on her side. “You ready to go?”
“I’m all set.”
Five minutes ago, she was ready, mentally prepared and focused. Now, she was a mess of anger and frustration, her heart racing and her blood at a boil. She had to get herself under control. She pushed past Teddy, leaving him inthe locker room as she followed Roy down the hallway. Indy was already waiting at the door to her changing room, fists clenched against the straps of her racket bag, knuckles white.
Though it felt like hours ago, her father’s advice popped into her head.Indy’s got power, but she’s sloppy. Be patient like always and you shouldn’t have any problems.If Indy was nervous then she’d be even more careless than usual. The more controlled and conservative Jasmine played, the more likely Indy would be to overplay and make an error.
Jasmine inhaled through her nose, feeling the anger flow out of her body as her game plan took hold. Then she let the air spill out from her lungs, and her nerves with it. She didn’t have time for nerves right now; she could worry about everything later, after her victory party.
The radio crackled again as Dom’s voice came through. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
“All right, ladies, if y’all are ready, let’s get goin’.”
The hum of the crowd swirled around them like a tornado building to a roar. The stands were full, coaches and players, sponsors and the media, all parties eager to catch a glimpse of the future of tennis. There were cameras surrounding the court from every angle. The match was being streamed live over OBX’s website.
Jasmine’s eyes flew over the stands, finding Harold Hodges sitting beside her father, notebook at the ready. The tournament would be a huge part of theAthlete Weeklyfeature. She found her dad and he gave her a thumbs-up.
A few rows away, Teddy walked down an aisle toward his brother. His face was drawn and serious. Jack said somethingto him; Teddy shrugged, then threw himself into his seat, arms crossed over his chest.
Since she’d known him, Teddy was always on her side. He was always a voice in the crowd cheering her on, supporting her. Now their friendship was torn to pieces and she wasn’t sure if they could repair it or if she even wanted to. Was it worth it? Would she be able to stand watching him go back to his old ways, jumping from girl to girl or, worse, committing to someone else?
