Matchpoint

Chapter 25:

It was Stack's idea to have a showcase. An open house to watch Dom in action, to put him up against Alex De Minaur, in front of a crowd. It's not what I would've done, but Stack says the lead up to Madrid requires Dom to put on a show.

"He's a bloody firecracker." His voice is smooth, just as I remember it from when I was little. My eyes wander up to meet that cheeky, brown eyed smirk of Alex's.

Alex is staring down at me, a twinkle of curiosity hiding behind what he's actually attempting to convey.

"Yeah, he's certainly making my first coaching job interesting." I chuckle, my eyes darting over to Dom. He's stood at the fencing taking photos with young fans and signing large fuzzy tennis balls.

"Ya gonna tell me how you really feel about the golden boy?" Alex asks, finally saying what he's actually thinking.

"Alex." I warn him, raising a not so joking eyebrow.

Alex laughs, shaking his head. "You're cute when you pretend to be mad." He pokes my nose. "But, seriously, Clove, I've seen the interviews."

My face falls. Is it that obvious? I mean, there isn't even a 'that' because we are nothing.

"Chill, CD," my childhood nickname. "I only see it because I know you, and I know that look."

Alex looks me in the eyes with the knowing look. Fuck.

When I was little, I was hung up on Alex. We were family friends, and I spent a bunch of time with him. It was inevitable.

He was only four years older than me. It seemed justifiable.

Until I tried kissing him at age fourteen. It certainly caught him off guard.

He laughed. I cried. He thought it was cute. I was beyond mortified.

"Remember when you looked at me like that?" Alex teases, sending me a sneaky wink.

"Yeah, I was fucking delusional." I scoff. "And thank God I came to my senses."

Alex nudges me softly. "Well, I think Golden Boy has a pretty keen eye for you too."

"Fuck off." I shove him, but can't stop the grin forming on my lips. "You know we can't."

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean you don't want to." Alex raises his eyebrows suggestively. "Besides, tennis is a game of love. How else do you think I got lucky enough to catch the eyes of Katie?"

Katie Boulter, Alex's fiance. They are perfect.

"Dom and I have a professional relationship." I insist, and in response, Alex chuckles in delight.

"Right." He winks, turning his back towards me and heading over to the baseline.

From across the court, Dom has ceased his interaction with the crowd, and now his eyes are glued to me.

I smile slightly, nodding at him to prepare for hotting practice. However, Dom's face seems unfazed as he approaches the baseline, as if he's been displeased with what he's viewed.

♤♤♤

The crowd was certainly pleased. Dom played spectacularly against Alex. He had this intensity that was unlike anything I'd seen before. It was as if everything around him disappeared, and it was just him and Alex.

At the end of the session, Dom had little to say to me. In fact, it brushed right past me and began talking with the crowd.

Alex came for a chat instead, stating Dom was rigid with his stance, and he needed to let his body be more fluid. I couldn't agree more, I'd written it in my journal.