Page 99 of A Follow-Through in Faking
I attack the next return, hitting it into the corner on the opposite side of where Frederica is standing. She manages to get it, but she lobs it over my head after I’ve run to the net.
“Ah,” escapes me as I stumble backward, running as fast as I can to get to the ball. It lands deep in the court, and the only way I manage to return it is by hitting the ball between my legs.
A tweener that lands inside the court, but Frederica is on it and hits a forehand right down the other side of my court. The only thing that allows me to get it is the fact that I took a fifty-fifty chance and started running that way before her racket strings even touched the ball.
I send it cross-court, getting the point.
“Fifteen-thirty,” the umpire says, but her voice is drowned out by the sound of the stadium cheering for me. For this incredible point.
I win Frederica’s service game in two more points.
More cheers erupt as I finally let out a “COME ON” so loud, it sends the crowd into a frenzy.
It’s four games to four games.
“You beautiful badass,” Charlie says as I wipe my face on the towel. “You’re so close,” they add, and I nod several times.
“Two more games to win the set,” I mumble, more to myself than any of my family members.
Because I’m so consistent with my serves at the moment, I win my service game easily again, making it five games to four for me. I’ve just won five games in a row, which isn’t unheard of in the tennis world, not at all, but itisfucking impressive.
One more game.
One more game and it’ll be one set to one.
One more game and I’ll have proven my doubts wrong.
That I do deserve this.
Frederica’s first serves weren’t consistent before I started catching up. They most certainly aren’t now that she’s rattled because of the score, and her second serve isn’t strong when I play well. When I get my shots in.
The set is mine within five minutes.
My eyes catch Santi as he jumps up from his chair, clapping for me. Charlie is beside him, doing the same.
I form my hand into a fist and punch the air, letting victory take over.
But it’s not until I win the third set with ease, until I hit a winner that secures me the win of the match and the title of the Grand Slam, that I sink to my knees and cry into my hands. Awave of relief floods through my chest, but it’s soon overpowered by the feeling of victory and accomplishment.
I’ve won my first title.
I’m the number one women’s tennis player in the world.
I did it.
After shaking Frederica’s and the umpire’s hands, I do what Santi did after every tournament he won with me as his fake and then real girlfriend. I run to him. I run to my family. I run as fast as my legs can carry me while they feel like jello.
Security people and the crowd help me climb all the way up to get to my box.
My team hugs me first, but only because they’re standing closest to me. Then follows Dad, Hernanda, Ori, and I lean down to hug Sami too. Charlie pulls me into their arms next, and I feel Sage and Ness pat my back, congratulating me on winning a game that I almost lost.
If I were anyone else except the daughter of one of the most famous tennis players in the world, I would have, but I’m not. I was always meant to follow in her footsteps, and even when I didn’t feel like I would ever be worthy of it, today I’ve taken a major step into accomplishing everything she did.
“I’m so proud of you. You deserve this more than anyone, Catalina. You worked so hard for it, and it has finally paid off,” Charlie says, but it’s their next words that have me crying even harder. “Your mother would be so, so proud of you.”
I’m crying so hard a sob leaves me, and that’s when Charlie turns me to Santiago, who’s been patiently waiting for me. He’s putting his weight on his healthy leg, and I’m careful as I fling myself into his arms, welcoming the way his very presence settles me. The tears keep running down my face, but I doubt they’re going to stop anytime soon.
“What a fucking match, Cata. I think my heart hasn’t found a way to beat evenly since it started, but it’s so worth it,” he says with a little chuckle, making me laugh against him.
