“You should talk to Elias Liebrenz if you’re looking for a player to work with. I’ve never had a more hard-working teammate.”
He nods, his lips pursed in a tight line. “Elias is a good player. I’ve had my eye on him since his junior days. But I don’t know if he’s ready yet.”
When I get backinto the locker room, everyone surrounds me, asking a million and one questions at once.
I zero in on Nate. “I told Mr. Kingsley about our business. He gave me his card.” I wave it in the air and the guys cheer.
“Is that what he wanted to talk to you about?” Archerasks. “How did he know you were starting a business anyway?”
I look for Elias, finding him with his back turned at a locker, already showered and changed into fresh clothes.
My heart sinks at the fact he’s not sharing this with me. And I don’t want to make it worse by telling everyone that Kingsley wanted to sign me as a player, not Elias, but I’m so tired of lying.
“He wanted to sign me as a player actually.”
“Ben, that’s awesome!” Nate slaps me on the back.
“Yeah, man, are you sure you don’t wanna do that instead?” Archer asks.
“You could do both,” Nate says, but I know he’s only saying it to be supportive. There’s no way I could be the co-CEO of a new business and a full-time pro tennis player. There just aren’t enough hours in the day and I wouldn’t want to spread myself that thin anyway.
“I can’t describe it, but, talking to Mr. Kingsley about our idea, it felt amazing. I couldn’t wait to get started. It’s what I want to do.”
Nate’s face lights up.
Elias shoves his racket in his bag and the guys turn to look at him.
“Elias,” Archer says. “Did you hear that? Your boyfriend just got noticed by the best pro coach on the tour. Don’t you want to congratulate him?”
Shut up, Archer!Elias has been upfront with me from the beginning about his intentions. This was his goal—hisgoal—and I took it from him. Even if I didn’t mean to, even if I’d change it if I could, it doesn’t change the fact that his dream coach chose me over him.
Elias’ shoulders come up as he takes a big inhale before turning around.
The expression on his face is so utterly dejected, I feel awful.
“Congratulations, Ben.” He forces a weak smile. “Excuse me, I have to.…” He points to the door as if he doesn’t even have the energy to say the word.
“What a baby,” Archer scoffs after he leaves. “Forget him, Ben. Enjoy your moment. He’ll get over it.”
Will he?
I ignore Archer asking me where I’m going and rush out after Elias, calling his name as he heads toward the exit. He stops but doesn’t turn around.
“Elias, please, wait, I’m sorry. I did tell him he should talk to you but?—”
“Ben, please, stop.”
When I come around to face him, he has tears in his eyes.Crap.
“Elias.” I try to touch his face, but he flinches.
“I know it’s not your fault, and I’m trying to be happy for you. But this was my dream, and I fucked it up by getting distracted.”
“Oh, I?—”
Elias shakes his head, holding up a hand to cut me off. “Just … let me focus, okay? You don’t even want to be picked up by a coach. I do.”
I nod, my heart sinking. I bite the inside of my lip as a lump forms in my throat.
