Page 113 of Through the Flames
“Sure,” I said under my breath as I walked to my position. My heart was hammering, but my mind was clear and focused.
The next rally burned with fast exchanges and grunts slicing the air. She hit deep, and I chased after it, my feet screaming and my legs pumping until I ripped a forehand down the line, making the crowd erupt.
“Come on!” I yelled, pumping my fist.
In the next game, she tried again, digging for cracks. “Getting tired yet?”
I wiped my face with the hem of my shirt and looked at her flatly. “You?”
She could try to rattle me all day, but pressure didn’t scare me. Pressure was oxygen once I stepped on the court.
Her serve for match point was brutal, wide to my backhand, but I lunged, the strings biting the ball with precision. It kissed the sideline so perfectly that the umpire didn’t even blink.
Game. Set. Match.
Victory ignited through my veins like wildfire. The cheers around me faded into the background because this was a moment forme. For every doubt, I had overcome. For every time, I refused to let anyone else decide my worth.
Never again.
I was still catching my breath when a calm, unmistakable voice cut through the roar.
“Hell. Yes.”
I whipped my head toward the stands and spotted Sierra’s golden-blonde head right behind my bench. She had her arms crossed, but a wide smile stretched her lips.
“Oh my God! You’re here?!” I squealed, grinning from ear to ear.
Sierra smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Had to make an entrance. I wouldn’t want to miss my favorite chaos queen in action.”
“Favorite?” I laughed. “Since when?”
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a softer, almost conspiratorial tone. “Since you kind of grew on me. Like a weed. A loud, obnoxious, stubborn weed.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Charming.”
Sierra shrugged. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep you grounded.”
“Right,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Good luck with that. Maybe try knocking my brother down a peg first.”
Sierra shook her head with a smile, but her eyes held unmistakable affection. “Please. He’s a hopeless case.”
I met her gaze, feeling something shift inside me. “Well, I suppose I can tolerate you hanging around. Someone’s got to keep me from losing it completely.”
I couldn’t help but grin, feeling a quiet rush of gratitude. Sierra lived on the other side of the country now, chasing her professional volleyball dreams. She could spend every spare second with Dom during these rare visits.
But here she was, showing up for me and reminding me that, no matter how far we’d drifted apart, some things never change. It was more comforting than I’d expected.
***
Hunter
The sharp crack of the whistle pierced the air, and I surged forward with a sudden burst of energy, my muscles tensing with anticipation.
Sprint. Plant. Break. Backpedal.
Every movement was precise and had been honed over years, but now I was pushing past the edge, chasing goddamn perfection.
The coach’s voice boomed over the field: “Keep your hips low! Eyes on the receiver! Anticipate!”
