Mystery ~ MV1

010. Focus on your Serve

[Mad Max]

"And that's the last time I saw her," I found myself saying as I adjusted my grip on the paddle. "I was going to talk to her-"

"Oh my god," Lando interrupted with a dramatic groan as well as dropping his paddle dramatically. "We're aware of your crush, we've only been hearing about it for the past thirty minutes!"

We were at the Monaco country club two days after the race, supposedly playing paddle tennis, but somehow the conversation had drifted to Melina when we were trading stories about our Monaco weekends.

"I don't have a crush," I protested, feeling my ears getting warm. "I just think she's interesting."

"Interesting?" Daniel's eyebrows shot up as he spun his paddle in his hand, he traded looks with Carlos and Lando who were at the opposite end. "I think I know enough to pick her out in a crowd from how much you've talked about her."

Carlos leaned against the court fence, grinning. "The last time I saw you this interested in someone was... actually, I've never seen you this interested in someone."

"Ha ha, can we just play?" I served the ball, hoping to change the subject.

"Oh now he wants to change the topic" Daniel returned it easily. "Not until you tell us how you've asked her out."

I missed the return completely, the ball bouncing past me as I avoided their eager stares. I used the act of retrieving the ball to avoid the comment.

"Wait, you haven't asked her out?" Lando's voice rose in disbelief. "What have you been doing then?"

"We've talked!" I defended myself, finally grabbing the ball after taking a bit longer than necessary.

"How many times?" Carlos asked giving me a questioning look.

I hesitated before shrugging. "A few..."

"Define 'a few,'" Daniel pressed.

"...twice."

The court erupted in a mix of groans and laughter.

"Twice?" Lando threw his hands up. "You've been going on about this girl for almost an hour and you've only talked to her twice?"

"They were really good conversations!" I protested and pointed my paddle at him, but I could feel myself grinning despite my embarrassment.

"Please tell me you at least got her number," Carlos said.

The way I suddenly became very interested in messing with the paddle in my hands was answer enough.

"Instagram," Lando declared suddenly. "Tell me you've at least followed her on Instagram. That's like, the bare minimum in modern dating."

"I don't even know if she has Instagram," I lied, very deliberately not meeting any of their eyes.

"Everyone has Instagram," Daniel said. "What's her full name again?"

"Melina Vincent, but I'm not going to stalk her social media. That's weird."

"It's not stalking, it's research," Lando corrected, already heading for our bags. "Let me just check your phone—"

"No!" I said too quickly, making a grab for my bag, but Daniel was faster.

"Why so defensive, Max?" Daniel grinned, holding my phone just out of reach.

"Give me my phone, you probably won't even find her," I demanded, but Lando had already snatched it from Daniel.