Page 135 of Double Fault

He steps up to me, his smile turning shy. Boyish, even.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you out there.”

“I wasn’t embarrassed,” I scoff.

He chuckles. “I saw your face on the screen. You were definitely embarrassed.”

I drop my head and blow out a breath. “It was surreal and a little scary, I guess, having all those cameras pointed at me.”

“It’s okay.” He cups my cheek, gently forcing me to lift my head. “As long as you know I meant every word.”

With a groan, I look away. “Don’t you dare make me cry. I’ll never forgive you.”

“I can’t have that, now, can I?” He hovers closer and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I have interviews to get to,” he says as he slowly backs away. “I’ll see you later. All right?”

“All right.”

With one last hug for Maddie, he’s gone, and within minutes, the room empties out.

When it’s only the two of us and Fisher, he points to the TV mounted on the wall. “You two are welcome to stay here and watch, or you can head back to the hotel. Or maybe go on an adventure.”

I turn my attention to the girl at my side. “What do you want to do?”

Head tilted back, she grins. “Let’s hang out here for a while.” She whirls around and hops onto the couch, quickly making herself comfortable.

Fisher turns the TV on, then heads for the door. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

I eye the couch, wishing I had comfy clothes to change into, then decide to check out the snack table before I join Maddie.

“Do you want anything?” I ask as I pick up a paper plate.

“Just water.” She keeps her attention focused on the TV, clearly anxious for any sign of her father.

I sit beside her, balancing my plate on my knees, and pass her one of the water bottles. When I unscrew the cap on the other and bring it to my lips, it hits me just how thirsty I am. For hours, I was so focused on the game I forgot about everything else, even basic needs like hydration.

The longer I sit, the drowsier I become. Clearly, the adrenaline has worn off, and I feel as though I’m crashing. I can’t imagine how it affects Noah, though he’ll probably be riding the high for days. Two hours later, the interviews are over, and Fisher returns. “Noah’s got a few more things to do, but you might as well head back to the hotel.”

“Did you hear that?” I stand and gather my things, as well as Maddie’s. “Let’s bounce.”

Unbothered, she runs over to the snacks table and snags a piece of chocolate.

“Be safe,” Fisher says as he loads us into a waiting car.

Then we’re off. It takes real effort to keep my eyes open on the short ride to the hotel, but we’re both still awake when the car pulls up out front.

I’m just slipping out of my boots when my phone rings. Certain it’s Lucy, I answer without looking at the screen.

“Sabrina.” At the sound of the voice on the other end—a voice that is definitely not Lucy’s—cold slithers down my spine.

“Yes?” I reply in the sassiest tone I can muster. I’m so sick of the way my parents randomly crawl out of the woodwork and disrupt my happiness.

“Bagged yourself a rich one, didn’t you?” my mother says. “Bet you’re real pleased with yourself.” Her words are slurred, making it obvious she’s drunk, even though it’s only early afternoon in the States.

“Mom,” I snap, grateful Maddie headed straight for the shower. “Why does it matter to you? You’re not in my life. You’ll never be in my life again. Who I may or may not be dating is none of your business.”

“I’m your mother. That makes it my business.”

“No.” My tone is lethal, strong enough to cut like a knife. This is the way I’ve wished I could speak to her for years. For so long, I’ve wanted to stick up for myself, but it’s always been easier to keep the peace. “Being my mother meant you were supposed to take care of me. It meant you were supposed to keep me safe, feed me. You did none of that. I don’t owe you anything.”

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