Forever and ever 2. The adventure starts now.

Part 105.

~First things first. I always add a picture of Tom above, but can you even see it, because sometimes they disappear again. Also, do you like the pictures? and if so, is one enough or would you like more from the part for the imagination? Feel free to let me know!~

Y/N's pov~

I managed to persuade Tom to spend at least one evening with our friends, and getting Harrison on board was easy. However, Hero agreed to come only if Harry joined, Red Lock reluctantly agreed to come only if his twin could come as well, and the twin consented only if he could bring his younger brother to avoid him feeling excluded. Yet, Paddy would only come if Tom stayed out, and Tom- well, he wasn't a fan of all his brothers joining, yet he knew he had to make things right again. Thus, Sam had a lengthy discussion with his little brother until they agreed Paddy was allowed to decide where to go.

Tom didn't like his plans, especially not when Paddy insisted on playing tennis. Though the club's ambiance offered various retreats – a cozy sauna, serene massages, and lounges perfect for those less interested in swinging rackets. I suggested Tom he could explore these alternatives, emphasizing that tennis was optional. Yet, stubborn determination gleamed in his eyes and he insisted on participating, as if the sport held some secret allure.

The ten of us gathered by the courts. The pairs were like a mosaic of connections: Hero and Jo, Ciara and Harry, Paddy and Harrison, Tom and me, and finally, Lea and Sam, who seemed inseparable. They were making out wherever they found a spot, and don't even get me started on their playful groping. Yet, I understood; these were the only free hours they had when they didn't have to tend to their toddler, thanks to Nikki and Dom taking over the evening for us, so them not getting enough of each other seemed reasonable to me. But not to Tom.
His gaze was so ominous, tiny devils danced on his shoulder while crows cawed above him. At least, that's how it felt. If he clenched his jaw any tighter, I was sure each tooth would crumble to dust the moment he decided to release them.
"Are you okay?" I asked him as I pulled my signature racket from the bag, his eyes reluctantly letting go of the grip he had on his feisty freckled brother. Yet, with a nod, he soon found the racket in my hands more intriguing.
"What's that?" He pointed on my name.

"A custom-made racket with my name engraved. Fancy, right? Clark had it done for me." I posed with the sage-green racket in my hands, demonstrating my starting position in every game. I hadn't initially planned to bring it, but since Paddy told me about his job and expressed a strong desire to play tennis with me, I couldn't just leave it untouched in Los Angeles.

Tom looked far from amused, his gaze quickly finding Paddy, who was currently warming up with Harry.
"Very sweet," he muttered, two words that couldn't have sound any less sarcastic before he brushed past me like I was a lantern.

~

Tom's pov~

I had to admit, the towels they had ready in the washrooms felt delightfully warm around my hips as I stepped out of the shower. It embraced my waist gently, hanging loosely on my upper body, yet secure enough. Who would have thought tennis could be so exhausting? I went to my locker and pulled out the bag with my change of clothes, facing Paddy, who was applying deodorant right across from me.

He had damp strands clinging to his face, wearing a brown T-shirt with wet shower spots sticking to his body. Although we weren't in a hurry, Paddy seemed to lack the time to dry off properly. He stared at my body, observing my movements as I pulled a black T-shirt from the bag.

We were the only two in the room as far as I was able to tell. I had no idea where the others were, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sam was already waiting outside with his tongue down Lea's throat. Yikes.