Page 76 of A Follow-Through in Faking
“They’re here to surprise you,” I explain, running a soothing hand down her bare back. Cata brings her tear-filled eyes to my face, then shifts them to her family again before waving and smiling. I know she must be in disbelief, but I can tell how happy she is simply by the real smile covering her lips.
“I hate you so much for making me cry on a tennis court again,” Cata says as her tears fall, but I wipe them away for her before anyone realizes what’s happening.
“I know, but it’s worth it,” I reply, grinning at her. “Go to them. I’ll distract the umpire,” I say, nodding in their direction.
Cata steps on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my cheek, then sprints toward her family. I rush over to where the umpire is standing, putting my most charming smile on.
“Weren’t you the umpire at my match in France two years ago?” I ask, feeling a little awkward.
“Yes. You lost that one, if I recall correctly,” they reply with a frown, and I let out a nervous laugh.
“Yeah.” Another nervous laugh escapes me, and I realize how fucking horrible I am at this. Take away my flirtiness, and, apparently, I have no idea how to distract someone.
But I’m not flirting with anyone.
No one but Catalina.
“I didn’t know you were also an umpire for doubles matches. Is it very different from singles?” The umpire furrows their brows at me, but the amusement remains on their face.
I might die of embarrassment.
“I think you should be getting ready. We have to get started,” the umpire says with an amused look, and I feel my cheeks flush because of how embarrassed I feel. I look over my shoulder to see Catalina rushing back to our bag and almost let out a sigh of relief.
Thank fuck.
I think that was the most awkward minute of my life.
“Yeah, right,” I reply and give them a thumbs up, then mentally smack myself becausewhat the fuck was that?
When I walk back to Cata, she’s grinning at me in a way that lets me know she’s not grinning with me but at me.
“What?” I ask, poking her side.
“Nothing. You’re just—Well, you’re as red as a tomato, Santi,” she replies, chuckling to herself as she takes out her racket. I place a hand on my left cheek, feeling the heat beneath my palm, which only makes me blush harder.
“Sometimes it’s nice to keep thoughts inside,mariquita,” I say, covering my cheeks with both hands.
My woman merely chuckles again.
“You don’t enjoy my pointing out the obvious?” she teases, and if we were alone, if we weren’t being watched from every angle, I’d throw her over my shoulder and carry her to the nearest empty room.
“Let’s win this game so I can go back to kissing you to give your mouth something else to do,” I say, but she simply keeps snickering to herself.
I hate that I can’t even be mad because Catalina is so beautiful when she’s happy.
Chapter 32
Catalina
Myfamilyischeeringfor us every single time Santi and I make a point, and when we don’t, they yell out encouraging phrases.
From afar, I hadn’t noticed their shirts, but when I got closer to them earlier to greet them—while Santi distracted the umpire and made a fool of himself to give me time with my family—I noticed they were all clad in matching shirts that said “Catalina + Santiago = Best Team.”
It’s hard being away from them for months and months on end. I chose this life, to be a professional tennis player, but I didn’t understand just how busy I would be. How little time I’d have to see my family. It isn’t easy for them to fly out to where I am. They all have their responsibilities and schedules. They can’t drop everything all the time, but I’m so grateful they did to be here.
It’s a boost of encouragement I didn’t think I needed, but that has me playing better than I have in months.
Santiago and I are always a good doubles match-up, but today we’re unstoppable.
