Until Then. // denis shapovalov - sascha zverev

1.6 - we're going out

I wake up with a smile on my face when memories of last night flood my head. I touch my hands together, reminding myself of when Denis' hand was lost in mine. I wrap myself tightly in his sweatshirt that I wore to sleep, still smelling heavily of sweet strawberry.

I finish getting ready for work, but as I'm about to leave, I get a text from Dom.

Dommy Thiem: Wanna walk over together? Meet in five at lobby?

Willa Martin: Sure!

Dom finds me waiting in the lobby right on time and he immediately asks, "So how was the date?"

"Oh my gosh, Domi," I smile, swoon. "It was amazing."

But before I proceed in telling him what happened, I ask, "Why didn't you tell me about Mischa and Alex being brothers?"

"Wait... You didn't know?" Dom asks me, confused. "I've told you before!"

"What do you mean? No you haven't," I respond.

"Willa, I have! I told you that Mischa had a younger brother that played tennis but you didn't care. A while back too. So, I just thought you connected the dots after you found out they had the same last name when you first met Sascha," Dom says.

"...Wait, really? I literally had no idea what Mischa's last name is. He never uses it. Like ever. I think the only time I've seen it is when he first hired me, but that's really it," I answer. "...So then why hasn't Sascha told me then?"

"Maybe he thinks you're working with a different company? There are a lot of reporters from all different stations here. He might not know you work for his brother," Dom responds.

"Right, but after I told him my job, wouldn't he mention something?" I ask.

"That makes sense, but I don't know... You'll have to ask him, I guess," Dom replies. "Now tell me about your date with Denis."

-

The rest of the day goes by swiftly. Dom was the first person we interviewed, and then Denis, who winked at me as soon as he walked in, and hugged me goodbye, and then Alex. Things were a bit... awkward during his interview. He was quieter than usual, less talkative, and he barely made eye contact with me. Never have I ever wanted someone to look at me as much as I needed him to, but for some reason, he only half glanced at me twice. Does he know about my date with Denis? Is that why he's being so hostile? I wonder to myself as I walk back to the hotel, done with work for the day.

The only other person who knows about my date with Denis was Dom, but I know Dom wouldn't have said anything. First of all, he's not the type to talk about someone else's business, but second, he knows about my relationship with both Denis and Alex. Dom definitely would not have said anything because of that. So the only other person who could have spilled the beans would be... Denis. Would Denis have told Alex about our date? Did he even see Alex after our date? Maybe on his way back up to his room, but what are the odds of that. Okay, well, pretty high with my luck. But what does it matter? I'm almost certain Alex isn't interested and is just naturally flirty coming from his history. It makes my face tense up as I think about his past relationship.

"Willa! Wait up!" I hear from behind me and fast paced stomping. The hotel is a few yards in front of me, but I turn around to see Stef jogging over.

"I wasn't sure if it was you in front of me!" Stef exclaims as he's caught up to me. "How are you?!"

"I'm good, Stef! Long time no see," I smile, giving him a side hug. "You?"

"Good, good!" He answers. "Heading in to play a game of pool in the lounge with Dom, probably. Wanna come?"

"Oh, sure, for a bit!" I answer. "Early shift tomorrow."

I follow Stef to the private lounge in the lobby where Dom and someone else I didn't recognize, were in there.

"What's up guys, I bumped into Willow on my way back," Stef greets them as we walk in.

Dom comes over to give me a side hug and says, "Willa, this is Andrey," he introduces me.

"Hi," we greet each other with a friendly nod and smile.

I find a seat facing the pool table, but this lounge was huge. There was a TV and couch, ping pong table, and kitchen set up.

Dom and Andrey continue their game of pool and Stefanos goes over to the counter top in the kitchen, grabbing a sandwich from the box sitting there and calls, "Want one, Willow?!"

I look over and nod my head, "Sure!"

He brings me over a nicely wrapped sandwich and takes a seat next to me and starts a conversation, "You guys are both playing tomorrow, no?"

"I played today," Andrey says. "Domi plays tomorrow."

"That's right," Stef nods. "You guys wanna go out tomorrow night then?" When do you play next Andrey?"

"I play in two days again, so I can if you want," Andrey shurgs. "I don't really care."

"Are you guys even allowed to go out?" I ask, taking a bite of my sandwich after picking out the tomatoes.

"Our coaches hate it, but as long as we don't have a match the next day, they don't care as much. Just no sugary alcohol really," Stef says. "So are we going out?"

"Sure, why not," Dom shrugs. "As long as I win my match tomorrow, though."

"Easy," Stef claps his hands in excitement. "Let's get Sasch too. And... Willa?"

"Oh, I'm invited to go out with a bunch of professional athletes that can drink twice the amount as I can? No thanks," I laugh. "Plus, I have work."

"Lame," Stef answers. "C'mon, Willa! Just suck it up for one night."

"Yeah, Willa." Dom laughs. "I'll take care of you! Just like old times."

I roll my eyes, remembering when Dom carried me all the way back to my dorm after blacking at a bar during my first week at University. "Guys, I can't miss work though!"

"You won't be!" Stef replies. "You'll just be really, really, really tired."

"Come on, Willa!" Andrey chimes in. "You won't regret it, we're fun to go out with!"

"Yeah!" Stef adds. "Sasch, Dom, Andrey and I are offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity!"

"Oh, wow, I feel so special," I say sarcastically.

"Come on, Willa," Dom says coming over to me and shaking my shoulders. "For me! This is our last time we get to go out for the rest of the tournament before matches start going every other day!"

"Yeah!" Stef says. "Or else you'll have to wait until after the tournament, but some of us might leave after we lose!"

"Hm," I say. "You guys make a valid point." I look at the boys with their pleading eyes and give in. "Okay, fuck, fine!"

They erupt in cheers and high five. "We're going out!" Stef yells.