Matchpoint

Chapter 41:

The tension on the court is almost unbearable. Leading up to the match, I could see Dom's confidence wavering. Unlike how he was against Rune, playing De Minaur will certainly be a step up.

It's going to require composure, level headedness, and a steady hand.

Before the match, Dom and I sat in the locker room, going through last-minute details on Alex. The two have played before. They're hitting partners from time to time, but this is different. Very different.

"Alex's serve is a weak spot in his game," I had explained to Dom. "You can't really control that, but keep in mind that if you're strong in your serves, it may shake him."

"What about when you used to practice with him? What did you notice then?" Dom asked me.

"He's a good defence player, but he lacks control over offence play. He struggles to dictate offensive play, especially against confident players." I smirked at him, letting him know that I believe he is a confident, strong player.

"Are you telling me to get onto offence immediately?" Dom winked at me.

I nodded at him, adoring the way his eyes light up with an excitement that shows me he's ready to play.

Now, out on the court, the tension that seemed to be sitting on Dom's shoulders has disappeared. He looks almost relieved to be able to get this game underway.

Holly's chosen to sit up in the crowd, Ladley accompanying her now that she's returned. Jayce is sitting beside me. He keeps twiddling his thumbs, and if he doesn't stop, I might just slap him. Though the feeling to slap him started way before the thumb twiddling. It started the moment he called Holly a bitch. I know Holly isn't always the nicest, for goodness sake, I've spent years being tortured by Holly's toxic words, but I see know that it is all a mask.

Just like Holly, Dom has his own mask, as we all do.

I can see it when he winks at the crowd. I see it when he puts on the wild grin. He wants everyone to think he's confident. It's why Stack thought he was being cocky against Rune. He wants people to think he's unbothered.

I wonder if that mask only grew stronger when he had to fake his comfort with his old coach. When he had to cover the scars.

I think about how he lied to his parents, telling them time and time again that the bruises were nothing but an accident. An accident he claimed to cause.

Angie Fraser seemed so relieved to see that I was Dom's coach, not to mention the compliments from Robert. The two must have endured so much after finding out that their son had been hiding behind a mask for months.

But Dom's mask, it changes. With certain people, there is no mask. Not with me, not with Jayce, not with Zara.

And whenever he looks my way on the court, I can see that he's showing me he's there, hidden beneath that game play mask, he's there.

"Players, please take the court." The umpire announces. The sun is streaming down on the clay court. It's being set alight, just like it does to Dom's hair.

Dom bounces from foot to foot, his face flashing with acknowledgement towards Alex.

The two took a pregame photo. It's already all over the media as people place bets on who they believe will win.

It's been noted that Dom's in good form. Journalists are saying that this us the best they've seen him in years.

"Is the Golden Boy about to hit the top three?" One presenter had said in an interview this morning.

The percentages are close. Dom's likelihood of winning has jumped to forty-nine percent this morning, with Alex's being slightly higher.

It's going to be an even match. I just know that Alex will throw everything he possibly can at Dom.