Page 28 of Breakpoint
Through her smile, Jaz asked her over the crowd, “What’s better? Winning Wimbledon doubles or Olympic gold doubles?”
Dani just laughed. “How can a girl pick? It’s like choosing between two children.”
Winning Olympic gold had been a dream, and who would have thought her first gold would come in doubles alongside Dani Kappas. But Jaz still had another goal in sight, winning the elusive singles gold to add to her trophy room.
“I just rather focus on my singles match Kira, and we can deal with these afterwards.” Jaz moaned to Kira as Scott hit another hard knot.
Kira nodded, but Jaz doubted she really heard her. “Okay, but there were a few talk shows that reached out that wanted to hear from us as soon as possible.”
Jaz rubbed her temples and finally sat up. “A talk show? Ugh. I hate those things, even the mandatory ones after winning a tournament.” Scott slunk out of the room, sensing he didn’t want to be around if Kira and Jaz got into it. He’d been stuck in the middle of some of their battles before, two strong-willed women who refused to back down.
“I know, I know.” Kira put her hands up, stopping Jaz’s tantrum. “But you know it’s my job to present you everything that comes my way, even when I know you’re going to shut it down. There’s even a potential sports documentary. They want to tell your story with Dani. The story of the odd pairing that won gold out of nowhere.”
“Can you send these offers to Dani? She deserves this just as much as I do, and she should have her moment,” Jaz threw out there.
Kira stared at her, speechless. She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. There was resolve in Jaz’s eyes that let Kira know that arguing was futile. Jaz continued, “I’m sure Chris will bemore thanthrilled to capitalize on them.”
Kira picked up on her tone. “I take it you don’t like that guy either.”
She rolled her eyes at the mention of Chris. “Not really. He doesn’t really understand Dani and just thinks about exploiting her looks and family name for social media and sponsors. She’s such a good person beyond that. You know, she’s got that incredible positive energy, even when I’m being grumpy. And she’s so funny, and not afraid to give me shit when I’m out of pocket.”
Kira crossed her arms across her chest and sucked her teeth. “So how long have things been going on between you and Dani?”
“Things?”
Kira arched her left eyebrow playfully. “Dating? Or sleeping together? How long has this been going on?”
Jaz nearly choked on her own spit at the question. The towel she had been holding onto fell down a bit, almost exposing her breast, in her shock. Jaz caught it in the nick of time, lest she give Kira a full-frontal show. “I don’t know where you’ve been getting your intel from, but Dani and I are just friends.”
Kira lifted both eyebrows as if to call bullshit. “I know you, Jaz. This has you and Lena 2.0 written all over it. You two have been practically inseparable lately. Though you were never as tactile with Lena as you are with Dani. You’re always touching and hugging. Plus, you just talked about her for a solid thirty seconds straight with stars in your eyes.”
“There’s nothing going on,” Jaz quickly replied. Jaz was annoyed that Kira was asking her about this now because she knew that Jaz had only one thing on her mind. Winning singles gold.
Kira held her gaze, a silent question hanging in the air. “You know I don’t care about your sexuality Jaz. You don’t have to hide this from me like you tried to do with your relationship with Lena. Besides, I knew anyway about Lena probably before you did that there was something between you two. I get paid to pay attention and care about the details. I’ve known you most of your adult life. So don’t bullshit me, Jaz. You can tell me if something’s going on, you know.”
Jaz leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. “I’m not bullshiting you, Kira. Honestly, nothing is going on. I don’t know how, but we just click, you know? She’s kinda turned into my friend. But there’s nothing likethatgoing on. Shockingly, we have incredible chemistry on the court, and that translates into a strong bond off the court, too. Besides, she’s so much younger than I and would never approach me like that.”
“Age is whatever, Jaz. If there is a legitimate connection and no power imbalance, then it’s no big deal. The question is, do you want something to be going on? You can tell me. Just between you and me. Agent-client confidentiality and all that.” Kira winked.
Jaz looked down again, her fingers tightening around her towel. “I’ve never thought about her in that way. Yes, she’s beautiful and Dani could easily hop off the tennis court and be on a runway. But she’s also the first friend I’ve had in a long time. It's important to me.” The connection they had on and off the court was somethingthat Jaz cherished. And she didn’t want to be seen as someone lusting after her doubles partner.
“Okay, if you say so,” Kira relented.
But now that Kira had put it in her head, her mind raced, wondering if she or they had given off a couple vibe.
Jaz shook her head and put those thoughts to the back of her mind. She didn’t need to be thinking about Dani in that way. She had a gold medal to go get. “My only focus right now Kira is winning singles gold tomorrow.”
And that was exactly what she did.
The stadium that day pulsed with an almost unbearable tension. The only thing closer to it was the US Open in New York. The home crowd was firmly behind Jaz and seemed like they wanted her to win it as much as she did.
The match had been back and forth, neither woman willing to give an inch. All match long, the weight of her racket felt impossibly heavy yet strangely comforting in her grip. Katarina had pushed Jaz to the brink, each game a brutal exchange of power and precision. The score was 6-4, 5-7, 6-5. But now it was 40-30 in the final set. And Jaz had a championship point.
She stood at the baseline, her heart a drum against her ribs, the weight of a nation’s hopes, and her own dream, heavy on her shoulders. Jaz tossed the fuzzy yellow ball in the air. It was a perfect arc, unleashing a serve that felt like pure conviction. It landed with a softthwackdeep in the service box, forcing her opponent into a stretched return.
The ball arched back, slightly short. Jaz saw her chance. Her feet moved instinctively, a blur of motion carrying her forward.She wound up, channeling every ounce of frustration, every past defeat, every sacrifice into the swing.Whack!The forehand ripped through the air, a clean, powerful strike that sent the ball screaming cross-court, painting the very edge of the sideline. Katarina got a racket on it but just barely.
For a split second, silence descended, pregnant with anticipation. Then, the line judge’s arm shot up, a definitive, glorious “OUT!”
