Page 31 of Break Point
“No, of course not, honey,” I say with a smile. “I’m so happy to have met you guys.”
“You were hitting your racket on TV,” she says in the sweetest, saddest voice. It’s breaking my heart. “Mommy said you were sad about losing.”
Henry’s right. I can’t forget that people are watching, and not just people … kids. Kids who dream of becoming professional athletes like me someday.
Shame hits me.
For the millionth time, I promise myself that I won’t let this happen again. I can’t act on every impulse, especially during a tennis match. Not after this.
“I wasa tiny bitangry,” I admit. Henry and Jasper are now walking our way, glancing at my interaction with the girl. “And I shouldn’t have done that. I overreacted, and I promise I won’t ever do it again, okay?” I hold out my pinky finger. “Pinky promise?”
She giggles and hooks her finger around mine to seal the deal.
“Can I hug you?” she asks.
“Of course!” I embrace her. “What’s your name?”
“Violet.”
“What a pretty name.”
I glance at Henry, who is smiling proudly at our interaction.
“It was great meeting you, Violet.”
I kiss Violet’s hair, say goodbye to everyone, and walk away.
“What the hell is going on out there?” I whisper to Henry. “How did they find out I’m here?”
“I’m not sure, but I have an idea,” he replies, glancing at Jasper, who’s pretending to be super worried about the paparazzi swarming at the entrance ofhistennis complex.
“You think he would do that?” I keep whispering.
“I don’t know. Maybe he wanted this place to get some attention. But I texted Tony, and he’s bringing the car around. There he is.”
I sigh. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Jasper approaches us, and I thank him again for letting us use his facility. He walks us toward the front gate where the paparazzi are waiting impatiently for me to come out.
“Belén! Belén!” they all yell at once. Some shout questions at Jasper and me, asking if I’ll be training here.
Jasper shrugs and smiles for the cameras. I don’t bother with a reply.
“Were you kicked out of the NTC?”
“Where will you train?”
“Is this young man your new coach?”
“I don’t like this,” Henry whispers, trying to clear a path for us through the throng of photographers. Tony’s got the SUV door open, waiting for us. Henry’s hand slips from mine. I turn, and he’s gone.
“Henry!” I shout in a panic.
The reporters and photographers surround me in an instant, shouting more questions in my face. Claustrophobia hits me. Fast.
Henry pushes a few people out of the way and quickly makes it back to me. He grabs my hand and pulls me close.
“I got you,” he whispers in my ear.
