“But that wasn’t always the case. Up until a few weeks ago, the story in the media was that you were rivals. After all, you destroyed her every time you played, and she’s a fan favorite,” she said pointedly. I hated remembering the past between us, how hard that had been on her and how much I had missed.
Even now, being here at an ELITE function. It couldn’t be forgotten that I had her space here.
I kept my tone firm and level, refusing to let her see through the cracks. “We are working together professionally on court and off. We have grown past the professional rivalry.”
“So, you don’t want to give any update to the rumors?”
“There’s no update.”
“Are you denying that you’re dating?”
Annoyance didn’t just prick, it hit me full on in the face. Why was she badgering me? Did she think I’d be dumb and stupid and slip up?
Then I realized, that was exactly what they expected. She’d seen me on court enough times to realize that when you annoy Chloe Murphy, she breaks down and spills out all over the court.
She’d seen the weakness, and she thought she could exploit it. And maybe a few weeks ago, she would have been right. I’d been a hothead, determined and uncontrollable and full of a rage that burned pure white.
But that was a different Chloe.
“No.” I shook my head, channeling all my anger into a clenched fist. Keeping my voice firm, I insisted again, “I’m saying there’s no update.”
I knew who I was, I knew what I owed them and it wasn’t an answer to this. I gave them everything else, but not her.
“Chloe!” Calvin interrupted the interview, stepping in between thejournalist and me. He nodded to me, pointing across the room. “I’m so sorry, we have to move on. Plenty more interviews to give and all that.”
I didn’t even say goodbye to the journalist, not wanting to give her another second of my time. I walked away so fast that I nearly tripped up, the heels they’d dressed me in too high.
I wanted to find Inés, needed her to pull me into her arms the way she did. Kiss my forehead. Tell me it was all okay.
Looking over my shoulder, I met Calvin’s gaze, the locked jaw telling me he was less than pleased with me. Calvin nodded across the room, pointing me towards the entrance hallway.
Crap. Was he putting his coach hat on?I could feel the stress headache growing already.
I turned the corner, Calvin still on my heels, and immediately burst out in my defense. “Look, I know you’re mad but they were pushing me too far. I don’t want to talk about my private life, and that’s a boundary I’m going to keep.”
He blinked twice, drawing backwards, his features falling. “That wasn’t what I wanted to talk about.”
I searched his face for any other answer, replaying the last interview in my head. “Then what is it?”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” My worries immediately slipped away at his admission. “It looked like she was making you really uncomfortable.”
I leaned against the brick wall, the coolness seeping into my skin as I looked down the hallway. “She asked me to comment on my relationship with Inés.”
I hadn’t spoken to Calvin about what was happening between us yet. Partially because talking about this shit with your brother was weird, and also because we hadn’t spoken to anyone about being a couple.
But with the rumors online, and journalists asking questions, maybe it was time.
“It’s just rumors? Dani didn’t think they’d be a problem,” he said. “And it will all die down when you and Inés stop working together.”
At his words, I drew back with confusion, catching his gaze. “Stop? When?”
“There are two weeks left. Remember, the plan was to end the partnership after the US Open. I’m sure Inés will have things lined up. After all, working with you has been great for her PR. The coverage has done wonders.”
I scrambled for words, forthe right words, but they slipped away like loose threads I couldn’t grab hold of.
So instead, I said the only thing that would come out, small and hollow: “I forgot that there was an end.”
What if she stopped needing me after the arrangement was over? What if we grew apart, attended different tournaments, took different training sessions, visited different cities? After being together these last few weeks, I hated the idea of being apart.
