Matchpoint

Chapter 59:

Nothing feels more natural than my hand in Dom's. It's as if they were made to collide.

Beside me, Dom stirs, body twitching with nerves as he prepares himself for the interview. We've got not much to be nervous about. We're already official. It's just the announcement to the public that's left to do. I'm just hoping they'll respond well. It'll be a split reaction, I'm sure of it, but at the end of the day, no one can stop us.

I squeeze his hand in mine twice, hoping he'll assure me that he's okay. Dom glances down at me, eyes softening as they collide with mine.

"This feels familiar," Dom winks, and I don't have to ask to know what he's talking about.

Months ago, when I first became his coach. We stood outside the conference room, a smug face on Dom's face, just as it is now.

I remember my anxiety beginning to pick up as I wondered what I was doing agreeing to be his coach. How was I meant to coach someone I was so clearly attracted? And yet I did.

"Do you remember kissing me before that conference? Even though you'd just told me the rules that prohibited such outcomes." I love the way his eyes sparkle with mischief. Because I know exactly what's to come, regardless of my response.

"Of course I do," I rise to the tip of my toes, my face close to his. I tilt my head to the side ever so slightly, and as I do, Dom slides his head against my cheek and pulls my mouth to his.

My hands are in his hair, his are running down my sides.

And as I drown happily in his warmth, I feel the words come creeping up my throat.

I'm trying to suppress them, hoping not to ruin this moment.

To my utter appreciation, Dom and I are broken apart by the sound of a throat being cleared. And as we separate, I spy a grin for our butterfly wing lashed friend. I swear they could blow us away with the way they flutter.

"Okay, you two, you can continue that after the conference." Stack snickers, gesturing towards the door for Dom to go in. "Here's how it'll go, Dom will head in, and we'll sneak Clove through the back entrance. Then, once Dom males the announcement, we'll bring Clove to the front with you for further questions."

In agreement, I squeeze Dom's arm one last time before letting him go into the conference room. As soon as he enters, the applause erupts. The sound vibrates off the wall, settles in the ground, and travels up my body.

Stack and I smile at each other. Both of us overjoyed by how far our boy has come.

Then, in a hurry, we rush down the hall to the back door. I slip in the back, finding my place beside Jayce, who gives me a small shoulder bump.

Dom's seated at the front, a spare chair beside him, set up specially for me.

"Hey all, thanks for being here today. Sorry for such a last-minute conference, but I felt like after yesterday, it was only fair for me to explain what's been happening." Dom takes a minute to look around the room. I know what he's going to say, I know the effect it will have. But at the end of the day, this is what will bring us together, the way it always should have been.

"The last six months have been some of the craziest weeks of my life. Many of you would know by now that my past coach has been charged and will be in court for some time. It was a difficult period, and navigating my exit from my time with him was extremely hard. But I needed to put myself first, which meant accepting a generous deal from the Dunn Academy." In a room full of cameras, pens, and paper, his eyes mine mine. "And what an honour it has been."

"Ladley was amazing, and she helped me settle in. And as much as I was grateful for her, the truth is that I knew  I had a better connection with Clove." The room fills with whispers. "I should've been open and honest about it from the beginning, but the moment I had seen Clove play, I knew she had a passion for the sport, that was just as strong as mine. When the time came, we fought for a partnership that turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. The statistics don't lie, and I was doing my best under Clove's guidance. But when news surrounding our personal relationship got leaked, we were told that it was best for us to cease our partnership."