It had been friendship at first sight. But it wasn’t as if she didn’t remain professional. She had never steered me wrong with business, always making a fair, impartial assessment of each deal.
We had never had this issue, and I didn’t know how to tell her to stop in a way that she would understand.
“I’m going for a shower,” I said through gritted teeth. “I don’t want to talk about this again, okay?”
Her smile faded, replaced by a cool, businesslike mask. “Fine,” she said, her tone icy. “But remember, some of these deals might lose interest if you aren’t open about your relationship.”
I froze, her words striking a nerve. “What does that mean?”
“I mean, like I said, Chloe’s the main attraction.”
My jaw clenched. “So that’s it, then?” I asked, my voice steady. “I’m not enough unless Chloe’s involved?”
Selene crossed her arms, her polished exterior barely cracking. “That’s not what I said. But the reality is, this industrylovesa love story. And right now, you and Chloearestraight out of a romance book.”
“People are turning something real into a show, and I won’t let anyone do that. I thought you’d understand that.”
Selene exhaled sharply. “I’m trying to help you, Inés. This was about rebuilding your career, your image. I want people tolikeyou again. Because when they like you, they root for you. And when they do, they buy the T-shirts and the trainers and all the other shit. And it keeps you on the court. It keepsmy friendplaying. Don’t you want to use this momentum?”
“I want it to be only because I’m playing well,” I said, my voice firm. “Not because of who I’m dating.”
Her tone softened slightly, her hand grasping my arm. “You can’t pretend thatanyathlete survives on skill alone. You need fans, attention, buzz. That’s the game, whether you like it or not.”
Deep down, I knew she had a point. Tennis wasn’t only what happened on the court. It hadn’t been for a long time. But the idea of Chloe and me,us, being reduced to a marketing ploy made me feel uneasy.
“I hear you,” I said, my tone measured. “But this is where I draw the line. My private life is off-limits.”
Selene nodded, though her expression remained guarded. I was sure I saw an inkling of worry there, an anxiety I couldn’t put my finger on.
“I’m going to shower,” I said, my shoulders slackening with slight relief. “Do you still want me to come to the media room after?”
“Yes, please,” Selene said. “I’ll make sure they know about the boundaries on the questions, but... you and Chloe need to think about how you’re going to navigate this. The attention isn’t going away, Inés, no matter how much you try to ignore it.”
“I’ll deal with it,” I said, grabbing my towel and slinging it over my shoulder. “I always do.”
Without waiting for a response, I walked away, heading for the showers. The cool tiles and the hiss of running water were a welcome escape, but Selene’s words echoed in my mind.
She wasn’t wrong. I knew that. And the thought left me feeling unsteady, the ground beneath my feet shifting yet again.
As I stood under the spray, letting the water wash away the sweat and tension, my phone buzzed on the bench nearby. I turned off the tap and grabbed it, half expecting a message from Selene.
Instead, it was Chloe.
Chloe:You were AMAZING! Congrats on your win!
Chloe:Want to do some hitting later? Maybe get some room service after? Calvin said there’s room in the hotel minibus with us for you and your team.
For a moment, I let myself forget about magazine covers and sponsors, focusing instead on the only part of all this that felt real.
Her.
Inés:You should be careful.
Inés:I am on a winning streak after all.
Chloe:I blame the friendship bracelet.
Chloe:I might start withholding mine.
