For the Love of Tennis | ✅

Chapter 27

Mum wakes me up with a harder shake than intended.

“Wake up!” she hisses. “Crap, you’re going to be late.”

I roll onto my left shoulder to face her. “Late for what?”

“Tennis practice.”

Shit, I think because my head feels too muggy and my body like a log. I’m in no mood for going out onto the battlefield.

“Chandy! It’s quarter past four already!”

I jerk wide awake at that. I have five minutes to leave the house.

“Going, going,” I say hurriedly as I run to the wardrobe and yank on some clothes. Then I whip my hair into a pony, grab my racquet, and I’m out of the door like a rabbit getting shot.

I’m already panting by the time I get there. But at least I’m not late.

Sam doesn’t even acknowledge my heavy breathing as I enter the courts. He’ll turn a blind eye to almost anything unless it suits him.

“Laps!” he shouts.

We know the drill. As much as I’d like to be at the front, my previous sprint getting here has lowered my energy so I keep towards the back of the group, huddled with the others who are panting heavily.

I glance around but, again, there’s no Megan in sight.

Mel takes the lead today. There’s this smug grin on her face the entire time which makes me clench my jaw. But who am I to talk? I’ve revelled in glory many times before. I should let her have a chance too.

I wonder about Amias. What’s he getting up to while I’m forcing my legs to propel me faster around the courts? I don’t know, but I find myself thinking of his kind smile and his deep-set brown eyes.

“Megan?” Sam asks, pointedly staring at the group after our laps. When no one answers, he hisses under his breath, “That girl. Might consider taking her spot away if she doesn’t show up again. Disrespectful that is.”

That snaps me out of my daydream.
He has a point. Why should Sam make the time for us if we won’t make the time for him?

But no one says anything.

By the time the session is finished, I feel like falling flat on my face from the exhaustion. I take a little longer to pack my things away, my body heavy and movements slow.

“Chandy,” Sam says, approaching me. “I think there’s a guy at the gate wanting to see you.”

I glance to the gate. A familiar figure lurks by the bushes.

“Do you know him?” Sam asks me.

I glance to the person at the gate again. Then I nod. I would recognise those arms anywhere.

“Right, well have a nice evening.” He claps his hands together. “I’m off to stuff myself with junk food. See ya.”

“Bye.”

He leaves to the clubhouse. I make my way to the gate where Amias is scuffing at the dirt with his foot.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

He raises his head and smiles. The bruise has turned a darker shade. “I saw that session. You did brilliantly.”

“Thanks, but what are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” he says softly. “I had to see you again.”

I let myself through the gate and we begin walking down the path.