“Well, try not to commit murder in my absence,” Penny said as she veered right, toward her personal court.
“I’ll do my best.” Indy smiled, turning to the left. When she arrived at her court, she found Dom and Jasmine already there.
“Indy, glad you’re back,” Dom said as she approached, waving her over to where he and Jasmine stood just outside the court’s gate. “I was about to tell Jasmine, your draw has been confirmed and it looks like you’ll be playing Lutrova and Grishina in the first round.”
“Wow, that’s—” Jasmine started, but Indy cut her off.
“Scary as hell.” Indy looked at her doubles partner and smiled, all thoughts of homicide gone. She could see Jasminefight it for a moment, but then a bright smile spread over her face as well.
“Go big or go home, ladies. Now, let’s get started,” Dom said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Indiana, I am glad I have found you.” Caroline’s voice ricocheted through the locker room.
“Yep, this is usually where I am after practice,” Indy said, tightening the towel around her. “Do you want to turn around? I have to get dressed.”
Caroline waved off the request and Indy shrugged, dropping the towel and grabbing her underwear. If her agent didn’t mind, then neither did she.
“I have fantastic news,” Caroline said.
“You’re a little late,” Indy said, pulling her OBX T-shirt over her head and then buttoning her white jean shorts. “I know it’s really exciting, Caroline, but we did already kind of know this was going to happen.”
Caroline breathed a dismissive sound through her lips. “You are speaking of the doubles tournament?”
“Of course. What else would I be talking about?”
Her agent smiled. “An old friend of mine is the assistant tournament director.”
“Old friend?” Indy asked, raising her eyebrows. “The same way Dom is an old friend?”
“No,” Caroline said, examining the clear sheen painted on her nails, which made Indy believe she was right.
“Sure, okay, what about him?”
“He has managed to procure you an entry into Bari. Dom was unfortunately correct about your lack of experience hindering a spot in Paris, but this is most certainly the next best thing. I expect, after how you destroyed those other girls in the Classic, that you will have no problem winning that tournament as well. There are sponsors who will be very interested to see these results.”
Indy pulled her hair into a ponytail and tried to keep her excitement down. The truth was, she was beyond ecstatic at this news. It was a solid next step, a lower-level tournament, but it was on the actual tour and it made so much more sense than playing doubles with a girl she could barely stand. Dom probably wouldn’t see it that way, though, she realized with disappointment.
“Dom is supposed to be making all the tennis decisions.”
“He will be thrilled, of course. This will bring more exposure for both you and this place,” Caroline said, spinning away on her stilettos. Indy followed slowly, dreading the explosion Caroline was about to ignite.
“Absolutely not,” Dom said, leaping up from the bench beside a practice court, making the tiny ten-year-old boy he was coaching literally jump in terror. “Didn’t we just have this conversation, Caroline? It’s not your place to go looking for tournaments for my athletes.”
Caroline laughed off the reprimand. “Do not be ridiculous. Of course she will play.”
“No, she won’t. It’s too much too soon.”
“You are angry because you were unable to give her this yourself.”
“How do you know that?” Dom asked, arms crossing over his chest.
“She is more than capable. You know this.”
“She isn’t ready.”
“Sheis right here,” Indy cut in, pretty fed up with them forgetting it washercareer they were fighting over. “Or should I leave?”
Dom turned to her, his face apologetic, or at least as close as it ever got. “Indy, it isn’t as simple as your agent would have you believe. Your game is up to scratch, and I have no doubt that you would do well, but your endurance level simply isn’t where it needs to be for your first pro singles tournament, even if it is a lower-level tournament.”
