Page 53 of Game Point
‘It’s fine –’
‘No,’ he cut me off. ‘I had no right to demand that of you. It wasn’t fair or appropriate. It wasn’t what a friend was supposed to say or do.’
As much as I didn’t agree he needed to apologize, the words felt good to hear, like the argument was being fully forgiven. No more bad blood between us.
‘Youhadtried everything else,’ I reasoned, ‘I understand. Now. But in the moment, I didn’t give a fuck.’
He flashed me a knowing grin. ‘I noticed. How long is the recovery?’
‘I need a couple weeks to rest,’ I said, reciting what Ihad been toldmultipletimes by the doctor. ‘Then gradually increase movement until it doesn’t hurt.’
He laughed. ‘Dylan Bailey resting? I’ll have to see it to believe it.’
I could only shrug. ‘Hey – doctor’s orders.’
I’d struggled with the idea at first, itching even in my hospital bed as I waited for an x-ray to confirm the injury. I felt like I was in hell when I first woke up, finally feeling the full extent of my injury after the adrenaline had subsided.
‘If a doctor had ordered you not to play in that final, would you have listened?’ he asked.
I hummed, pretending to even think about my answer. ‘No. But I know I need this.’ I tapped nervously against my thigh, trying to get my words right. ‘That’s why I retired. I … I can’t do this to my body anymore. I’m tired, Oliver. I’m sick of having hope and being crushed every time. It’s not like I can blame anyone else. It’s on me.’
His eyes searched mine. I wasn’t sure if he’d found what he was looking for when he sat back in his chair. ‘I understand. If you say you’re done, then you’re done.’
I tried my best to look away, to not linger on the curve of his neck, the line of his jaw.Damn the English and their obsession with producing the sharpest cheekbones I’ve ever seen in my life.I sat back in my chair, my hand lingering on the armrest, tapping rhythmically.
Iwasdone. Right? I was tired and exhausted and calling it. Cause of death: the China Open.
I was used to him being hundreds of miles away, only reachable by phone, a friendship built on text messagesand phone calls and one silly little bet. But as I reached out, my hand finding his, the sparks I felt with the touch were anything but friendship.
‘I appreciate you hearing me,’ I said, my head dipping to try and meet his gaze, the longer strands of his hair falling into his face. ‘When we met, you saw how close I was to quitting. Before anyone else, including myself, had realized. It’s kind of weird when you think about it.’
‘I’m the Dylan whisperer.’
I was forced to suffocate a laugh. ‘You’ve looked out for me these past weeks. And I’ll be forever thankful for that friendship.’
‘But this is what you need?’
‘I’ve been homesick for longer than I can remember. It feels a little strange knowing I’ll get to stay in any one place for more than a couple of weeks.’
‘That sounds nice. Standing still for a while.’ His tone plucked at my attention, the longing almost matching my own. I pushed the puzzle pieces together, our conversations on what comes next, if I’d ever thought about my careeraftertennis. Maybe I wasn’t the only one here who needed something different. Maybe that’s what had drawn us together in the first place.
‘You could stay with me,’ I suggested. ‘I have a place in Melbourne. I’ve only ever stayed there for a few weeks at a time, my sister upkeeps it for me, but it’s comfortable.’
I cringed at the thought of the close quarters, thinking of how awkward that might get. But we were both adults. In my youth, I’d roomed with other tennis girls with little complaint. I’m sure this wouldn’t be that much different.
Oliver’s smile pushed wide. ‘I mean, I assumed as much. I didn’t have time to book a hotel.’
I laughed, unable to keep the volume under control as I shook my head at him. Good thing it wasn’t only one bedroom, or he’d be crashing on the couch.
‘How long is your visa for?’ I asked, hoping he’d at least sorted that out before boarding; otherwise, things were going to get real dicey on the other end of this flight. I wasn’t sure if he’d even been able to catch an episode ofBorder Security: Australia’s Front Line, but if you had a suitcase full of seeds or hadn’t sorted out the right visa, you were about to be in a lot of trouble. And possibly on daytime TV.
‘It’s valid for a year,’ he said. He’d be used to the visa process, given he’d been multiple times for the competition.
‘Planning on staying for a while, huh?’
‘Only as long as it takes for you to realize you miss playing.’
‘That might take longer than a year, mate.’
