Page 129 of Off Court Fix

Hunter’s.

Maxine’s.

I shake my head, trying to listen, the conversation somewhat muddled but still audible. For several minutes, I take it all in, Hunter unveiling his plan to Maxine, who I imagine he didn’t deem bold enough to dare to pull off something like this.

That makes two of us.

When the recording stops, Ted hands me the phone. “She wanted me to know. About Hunter.” Ted sighs when I meet his gaze. “But Ialreadyknew.”

“He approached you?”

Ted continues, “What I didn’t know about wasyou. But yes, Hunter came to me before Wimbledon.”

“I...”

“I know now, from my daughter, that you were ready to fess up and likely land yourself inprison. And that you saved her life.” Ted takes a step closer, his loafers squeaking on the clean linoleum floor. He holds his hand out, waiting for me to accept the shake.

I do.

“Maxine might think she doesn’t need anyone to look after her now, but she does. And I believe you can and want to do that. Iwasdoing that. And no matter what you might think of me, I’ve always had her best interest at heart. I just didn’t always consider what she might want as well, and that’s my mistake. But if Itrulycared about money, I would’ve spent more energy trying to convince her to throw matches over the lastfiveyears, because that’s how long people like Hunter have been approaching me. And I never told Maxine. Not once. Because I want to protect her. Because I don’t want her name tied to such a thing. So, if she’s going to be tied toyouat some point out in the real world, you make sure it’s worth it for her—thatyou’reworth it.”

“I will,” I promise.

Ted slings one strap of his backpack over his shoulder. “Good. Now, I expect this will be the last time I’m at her match oranytennis match, so if you’ll excuse me...”

When Ted makes his way to the door, I stop him. “What did you do?”

Ted turns on his heel. “I fixed it,” he says with a shrug.

“How?”

“Because last night I reported every instance of match fixing I’ve been approached with over the last five years to the Tennis Integrity Unit, except for Hunter.” Ted motions Maxine’s cell in my hand. “And then I played the recording on that phone. Hunter might not want to be charged with conspiracy to commit illegal gambling. But do you know what he’d be even more pissed to be charged with? Conspiracy to commit wire fraud because he admitted to orchestrating this whole thing overtext message. Maxine got him to say that. So, Hunter won’t be a problem for you two, not anymore. And trust me when I say this—guys like that, they get what’s coming to them sooner or later. Look out for yourself, understand?”

Shocked, I manage to force a nod.

“She wanted me to know she’s in good hands.Yourhands. But let me tell you something, Crosby. My daughter doesn’t just need someone to swoop in and save the day, which is what I know you wanted to do. She needs you by her side, understand?”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now, remind her not to hit that forehand off her front foot when she’s approaching the net.” He takes a deep breath before reaching for the door. “And she’ll know I was here.”

* * *

I’ve been sitting alone on the locker room bench for almost forty minutes, flipping Maxine’s phone back and forth in my hand. The shock is gone now, shifting into quiet disbelief that we had the answer to Hunter all along.

When the door swings open, I stand immediately, finding Maxine in a blue tennis dress, her skin slick with a sheen of sweat, still holding onto its summer tan. She stares at the phone in my hand before her eyes look up, locking with mine.

“It’s done?”

I nod because yes, it’s done, but I want to shake my head too, because we, we’re only beginning.

“You should’ve told me,” I say firmly.

The truth is, as much as I’m relieved, I’m angry too, though I’m trying not to let too much of that emotion seep through my voice.

Maxine steps forward, placing her racket on the bench in the middle of the room where the mason jar of hydrangeas remains. “Would you have agreed?”

“No,” I admit with zero hesitation. “I wouldn’t have agreed for you to meet with Hunter yourselforasking your father for help. Neither of those things in my mind led to good outcomes.”

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