“Exactly. I mean, our tournament will be on the practice courts, but still….”
Of course it will. Why would they let a bunch of collegekids play on the infamous garden courts? My enthusiasm wanes.
Ben shoves me by the shoulder. “Hey, Elias, this is an amazing opportunity. Coach Sanchez thinks there’ll be pro coaches there scouting.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Isn’t that what you want?”
I swallow. He’s smiling, but it hasn’t quite reached his eyes.
“Yes, of course.”
“Come on then. We’d better get back, we’ve got Harvard later, remember?”
He tosses a packet of something in my lap when I get in. “I bought you a Twinkie. Just don’t eat it until after the match. They’re notoriously unhealthy. Like, drive people to insanity unhealthy.”
I force a smile and thank him.
By the timeBen drops me at my dorms, the Twinkie is all squashed and … melted? Can Twinkies melt? It definitely feels squidgy. I get out before we can have an awkward moment.
I need to focus on the match later. Get in some good practice for Indian Wells. Now the news has settled in a little, I’m over the fact we’ll only be playing on the practice courts. It’s still Indian Wells. Still the home of a legendary tournament.
I flop down on my bed and try to think about the upcoming match, but memories of Ben in that pool house keep surfacing.Fuck, he was magnificent. Then I think about his mother not waiting to say goodbye, andhow I just jumped out of his car after spending days with him, helping him lose his virginity, with barely a see you later.
I pick my phone up and shoot off a message.
Thanks for the past few days. Can’t wait to beat Harvard later with you.
My chest clenches a little. I think about deleting it, but hit send before I can change my mind.
He sends me a reply moments later and I try not to scold him in my head for probably texting at a red light. His reply is full of emojis. Smiley faces and tennis balls. I can’t help but smile.
It was fun Harvard better watch out! Butts are definitely getting kicked
19
BEN
The second I let myself into the house, Nate comes rushing out from the living room and crushes me in a hug.
“Oof.”
“Sorry!” He pulls away, brushing his hand over my jacket where he’s rumpled it. “I missed you.”
Usually a hug from Nate would kill me. Knowing he only means it in a friendly way, while the smell of his cologne and the tickle of his hair against my nose would send me into a tailspin. This time, however, I barely notice his cologne. And his hair tickling my nose just makes me want to sneeze.
“How was it?” he asks. “Not too terrible I hope.”
I know he’s probably asking me how my parents were, but all I can think about is Elias kneeling between my legs in the pool house.
“What happened?”
“Huh?”
“You’re blushing.” Nate gently pokes my cheek. “Did something happen between you and Elias?”
Guys are walking around the first floor of the house as always. Nate pulls me into the corner where we hang coats and whisper shouts, “What happened?”
