Matchpoint

Chapter 56:

The news spreads like a wild fire. The question is being asked. They're wondering if I'm returning to Dom if I'm leaving the academy altogether.

The truth it that I don't even really know what this means. We have traction, I just need to figure out where I take it from here.

There are two hours till the game. I've left Holly and Ladley, and I'm with Jayce, the two of us making our way to the warm-up rooms on the off chance we see Dom.

"You look nervous," Jayce bumps me softly, breaking me from my trance.

"I am." I respond, not much else there is to day.

"You made the right choice," Jayce shrugs. "There's no change without a little noise. How else did we start to get people looking at climate change and shit?" He could've stopped with the first sentence, but he's classy like that.

"Very different circumstances, but okay." I snicker.

"Yeah, but it created change, did it not." Jayce grins cheerfully. God, such a puppy. I can see how he can push and pull Holly into him.

A retort is on the tip of my tongue, till I'm struck by a third voice that locks me into place.

"Come to wish your boyfriend luck?" I spin on my heel to face a smug, strong jawed, asshole.

Before I even get a chance to retort, I feel the heaviness of Jayce's elbow on my shoulder. I just know he's about to take matters into his own hands.

"Well, look, I've only talked to your PR guy once, but it's a pleasure to hear he thinks of me as his boyfriend." Jayce flicks his non-existent locks over his shoulder.

Draper looks him up and down, and it's the first time I've seen a guy do that to Jayce without showing any signs of interest.

"Okay, mate, thought you were fucking the little blonde bitch." Jack's eyes flash with malice, and Jayce's body flexes. It's only my hand on his forearm that stops him from moving towards the cruel man. "Easy tiger, I don't like blondes, just brunettes who should be sitting in my box."

Jack's eyes look me up and down as they once have before. I notice Jayce flinch once more, but I pat him softly, as if telling a dog to be at ease.

"Actually, Jack, I am on my way to support my boyfriend." I smile snarkily. "And if I were you, I'd consider training as much as possible."

Jack smirks, arms crossing over that lean torso. "And why would that be, I'm not worried about your little boy."

"You really should be," I walk towards him. "Haven't you heard, I'm his lucky charm."

Jack snorts, "God, Clove, what makes you think you're even slightly special. Besides, someone's upset mummy and daddy, I think you'll be lucky to even get into the arena."

My face falls.

"They can't ban me." I snap, and it's Jayce's turn to hold my forearm tightly.

"Okay, sweetheart." Jack pushes past Jaycr and I. "But in case you don't get in, I promise to give Dom a little pep talk for you." He winks, making his way down the hall with a cackle. He's the definition of pure evil.

"I'm gonna kill him," I snarl under my breath and I expect a joke to come from Jayce, but it doesn't.

"I'll help." I mutters instead. It causes my eyes to widen, my lips to curl and my body to turn. Jayce glances down wt me, perplexed by my reaction. "What? I'm serious."

"You're into her." I gawk.

Jayce's face twists dramatically. "What the fuck are you on about?" He snaps, but I know he knows.