Page 61 of Double Fault

Quickly, I get to my feet and brush off the back of my dress. “Nice chatting with you guys, but I better catch up with my boss.”

Elias’s eyes crinkle at the corners, his lips quirked in amusement. “You do that.”

Despite how desperately I want to speed walk away from them, I keep my composure and my steps sure and steady.

It isn’t until we get to the pickup area that I finally catch up with them.

“What was that about?” I hiss now that Maddie has dismounted and is admiring the flowers nearby.

His jaw ticks. “Nothing.” The word is a gruff exhale.

I shake my head, annoyance coursing through my veins. “And men think women are complicated.” I blow out a breath, hands clenched into fists at my sides. “When you’ve found your words, Noah, then come find me. I’m not going to communicate with someone who only speaks in caveman grunts.”

I turn around and stride away.

“Where are you going?” His words are rushed, panicked.

Without stopping, I call over my shoulder, “To see if Elias is still up for a date.”

“You’re working,” he yells after me.

I turn around and tap my watch-free wrist. “Check the time. I’m off for the evening. I’ll see you later, Maddie.” I scurry over to her and scoop her up in a hug. “Be good for your dad.”

I press a kiss to her cheek and squeeze her once more, hoping she understands that though her dad might’ve annoyed me, I’m not upset with her.

Satisfied that I’ve gotten the last word, I walk away, this time with an extra sway in my hips.

CHAPTER 16

NOAH

She’s not home yet.

It’s one in the fucking morning and she’s not back.

I don’t want to think about where she might be, because the idea of her and Elias makes me want to vomit.

I haven’t exactly been shy about my attraction to her, but I was also clear when I rejected her, I guess. It’s my own damn fault.

Like I’ve been doing for the last hour, I continue to pace the suite. Maddie’s been out cold for hours. I tried to sleep as well, but all I did was stare up at the ceiling and fight off graphic images involving Sabrina and Elias. So I got back up and flipped on the TV. Somehow I got sucked into the Home Shopping Network, and as I’ve been pacing, I’ve come dangerously close to purchasing a leaf blower, a new set of luggage, and a panini grill.

I tug at my hair and choke back the worry that claws its way up my throat.

I have a couple of sleeping pills from the time after Annie passed away. The smart thing would be to take one and go to bed.

But I can’t.

Instead, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and chug half of it in one go. I’m thirstier than I should be. I kept up on hydration all week. I better not be getting sick. The Miami Open is in a month. I can’t afford to miss any training time.

Today’s loss hit harder than I thought it would. It’s my own fault for getting stuck in my head. Fisher warned me to stay focused, and Itried, but once self-doubt set in, it was game over for me.

Tennis is as much a mental sport as a physical one.

Irritated with myself, I finish off the water, then chuck the empty plastic into the recycling bin.

Where is she?

Why isn’t she back yet?

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