Matchpoint

Chapter 50:

"I mean, like, they're acting as if I'm the one that has caused Dom to crash out!" I slam the ball over the net, my grip too tight around the racquet, to the point my knuckles are turning white.

Across the court, Holly yelps and ducks out of the way of my unnecessary shot.

"Yeah, but your parents don't like accountability," leaning against the court boundary, with a cigarette in hand, is a calm looking Jayce. I wonder how many of those he's already had tonight and if those cigarettes are laced with a little something else.

"It's fucked up!" I growl, chucking my racquet down against the moonlit court. It should be Dom and I out here.

Holly walks up to the net, her cheeks flushed, and hair coming undone. "Then, don't take no for an answer. You want change. Stack wants change. Dom wants change. Surely there's something we can do."

She's slightly out of breath from running all over the court to return my shots.

"I agree with blondie," Jayce slowly walks his way over to us. He's swaying slightly, and as he approaches, he exhales tendrils off smoke into the air. I watch the smoke reach towards the stars before slowly disappearing into oblivion. It reminds me of the night I saw Dom and Jayce partying when they should have been sleeping. Dom breathed smoke filled air down my neck as he told me to leave. Even then, I knew it was wrong, I knew I was his match, I knew I should've been coaching him. Just as I do now.

I blink away the hot, burning, fury, and watch as Jayce slides up beside Holly.

"Give me that," Holly goes to pluck the cigarette from Jayce's hand, but he's quick in response and steps aside.

"No way, gorgeous, this is my good stuff," Jayce grins down at Holly lazily, and I can tell he is loving her dissatisfied glare.

"Don't want to waste it on me?" Holly snaps sarcastically and crosses her arms over her chest.

"We can shotgun if you want. I can give you a second-hand haze." Jayce leans into Holly, eyes asking her a daring question. These two are out of control. I don't envy Ladley for having to play babysitter at the championship.

"No thanks, pretty boy, I don't do weed." Holly pushes Jayce's face away from herself and smiles sarcastically. "I just want you to put that fucking thing out, the smell is messing with me."

Jayce chuckles at Holly's request. "Lean into it, love. That's the smell of the earth."

"It really isn't," I glare at Jayce. "Besides, it's not good for players like Holly to be exposed to such-"

"Herbal remedies?" Jayce winks as he cuts over me, thinking he's so sly.

"You're such a dick." Holly murmurs, sending Jayce another glare.

"You can -" Jayce begins, but I don't want to know what he has to say.

"Oh my God, shut up." I slap Jayce on the arm, earning a laugh deep within Jayce. "Look, I really need to figure this out, okay."

"I honestly don't know what you're meant to do. It's hard to even get you and Dom into contact without your parents hanging over your shoulders." Jayce snickers, eyes drifting back over to Holly.

I've got no hope getting any solutions from these two. Even as I'm thinking this, I'm seeing Holly's eyes flutter over Jayce's body, trying to comprehend the vibe he's giving her.

God. The tension kills me. It makes me crave Dom. His hands on my hips. Lips locked on skin. It makes my whole body tingle.

Holly's eyes tear away from Jayce, slowly, but they do manage to, and she finally looks my way.