“You know, if you’d told me even two months ago that I’d be sitting next to you, watching Inés play in a final,whilethe two of youare dating, I would have laughed in your face.” Henrik grinned at me.
“It’s a strange world we live in,” I said, feeling a slight blush burn on my cheeks. “Sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk to you.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m happy to see you both in love.” He sang the last word, nudging me slightly. “How did your parents take it?”
“Badly.” I grimaced at him. “Dad’s texted a couple of times. Mom hasn’t even bothered. I think they are waiting for me to reach out, to apologize and tell them I’m wrong.”
“But you won’t, right?”
I shook my head. “They’re going to be waiting a long time. I know where they’re coming from, but it’s twisted. With them, I’m not sure what to believe anymore.”
“But you’re doing okay?” he said, his expression turning worried. “With everything?”
“I am.” I nodded. “Until things cool down, I’ve got security looking after me.” One quick scan, and they were easy to spot. Days ago, I’d hated their presence, seen it as just another cage. Now they were a necessary precaution. But they were also my choice now, not one forced upon me.
With my parents, maybe eventually we could have a relationship again. One with hours and hours of therapy, but until then, I had everyone I needed. I had Calvin and Henrik. More importantly, I had Inés.
When the break came to an end, it was Liang’s serve, and it was clear her confidence fueled her resolve.
Meanwhile, Inés had never looked smaller, crouching in position on the baseline, ready to spring. But it was the subtle cracks in her demeanor that gave me cause for concern.
The way her hands readjusted on the handle, as if she couldn’t remember how to even hold it. How she kept shifting her weight awkwardly, not in the same usual bouncing rhythm. And the fact she hadn’t looked up at the box. Not for at least twenty minutes.
She was facing defeat head on, and it killed me that I was stuck up here, forced to watch.
“Hey,” Henrik said from beside me. “I’ve known Inés for a long time. And the thing I’ve learned is to never count her out.”
I nodded weakly, my gaze returning in time to watch Liang serve, exhaling as Inés returned. She ran like a spring released, a renewed energy fueling every step she took, every swing she made. It was no less than a battle, but when Inés secured the point, I jumped to my feet, cheering as loudly as I could.
As if she heard me through the crowd, she looked up, her eyes connecting with mine. Inés nodded, her only sign of celebration in the face of the small victory.
But that win was only the beginning, as she proved time and time again she could break Liang’s serve. The momentum shifted. Inés played like a woman possessed, while Liang grew desperate, calling for Hawk-Eye reviews that only seemed to strengthen Inés further.
When the score reached 15–40 in Inés’s favor, she was seconds from showing that she could put up a real fight, that this was far from over. That she was formidable and strong, everything I knew her to be.
That’s what I told myself when Liang managed to win another point.
30–40
“One more, Inés,” I said, my hands curled into fists in frustration. “Close this out.”
Liang won again, Inés standing strong, staring defeat down. An unusual hush had fallen over the crowd as we watched the two women fight.
“Deuce,” the umpire called as Liang caught Inés out once again.
Only two points separated her from victory now.
I still believed Inés could do it. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus on my breathing, on the racing beat of my heart. This situation was precarious. There was no way Inés could come this far only to watch it slip away.
Inés took her time, not letting any of the stress show in her playing, delivering blow after blow. She was going to win. Shehadto win. But then Liang claimed the point, the umpire announcing, “Advantage, Liang.”
Match point, and one last opportunity for Inés to show everyone who she was. To show that this was not over until she said so. Until she walked off court, trophy in hand.
Liang served, putting her full power behind the ball. Inés leapt at it, the ball flying towards the sideline, groaning as she sent it back over the net. Liang shot it crosscourt, challenging Inés to the opposite side. She made the backhand return, sprinting to meet it, but Liang was on the center line and cut the ball off, skillfully sending it short.
Inés was perfectly placed, hitting it easily back over, but in doing so, she fell into the trap that had been so perfectly laid out for her.
The ball jumped over the net, meeting Liang’s racket, who sharply sent it narrowly into the open court.
