Love Match (Love Match 1)

When the phone rang, Luke jerked upright. He’d dozed off and he shook his head to try to clear the cobwebs. His stomach lurched when he saw Jesse’s name on the call display. Jesus, he really was acting like a teenager—what was it about this kid?

“Hello?”

“Luke? It’s Jesse McAllister.”

“Hey. How’s it going?”

“Fine. I still have to finish unpacking and stuff. I hate moving.”

“Yeah, it sucks.” For some strange reason, Luke couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“So, um…you want to give it a try?”

“Huh?” Luke’s pulse suddenly increased.

“Doubles. Playing together. That’s why you called, right?”

Yes, yes, that was why he’d called. “Right. Let’s give it a shot.”

“You free on Saturday? I could meet you at your club. You’re in Malibu, right?”

“Yeah. But you can come to my place if you want. I have a court. It’s quieter here.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

Luke gave him the address and they arranged a time. After he hung up, Jesse’s “See ya,” rang in his ears. He picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels again, a smile tugging at his lips.

CHAPTER TWO

Jesse lunged, his arm outstretched. His racquet barely caught the ball and sent it flying up into the air and out of bounds.

“Man, that’s one hell of a rocket you’ve got,” he said, shaking his head.

Luke grinned. “You’re damn right. Used to be the fastest serve on the ATP until Riel came along.”

“I guess that’s the problem, huh? Always someone younger and better nipping at your heels.” Jesse wiped his forehead with his sleeve. It was a cool day, but they were working up a sweat.

“Yeah. Such is life, I suppose.” Luke served again, and Jesse got a good look at it, smacking a winner up the line.

They had decided to play against each other for a while before they tried working on the same side. He was impressed with Jesse’s game, and for the first time in a good long while, Luke was actually having fun playing tennis.

They rallied back and forth and went to a first-set tiebreaker. Luke won it, but just barely. In the second set, Luke played a couple of loose points and Jesse wound up with the break and the set.

“Winner takes all in the third?” Jesse asked.

“Sounds like a plan.”

They both took a minute to towel off and drink some of the energy juice Luke kept in a cooler at the side of the court. He tried not to stare as Jesse poured some water over his head, shaking his hair like a dog. The water glistened in fat drops on the blond strands, some dripping down his face in long rivulets. Luke licked his lips unconsciously.

Jesse looked at him and blinked, his blue eyes piercing. “What?”

Luke snapped to attention. “What?”

“That’s what I said.” Jesse smiled.

“Huh?”

“Oh, never mind. Let’s play!” Jesse jogged back to the other side of the court, where he bobbed side to side on his toes.

“You sure you’re ready for the rocket?” Luke called.

“Bring it!” Jesse yelled back.

They played on, both grunting with exertion as they ran around the court, pounding groundstrokes back and forth. Luke finally got the break and won the set. He pumped his fist as he moved towards the net. Even though it wasn’t a real competition, they both walked towards each other automatically to shake hands.

“I’ll beat you next time.” Jesse grinned.

“That’s what they all say, kid.”

They clasped palms and Luke’s heart skipped a beat, a tingle moving up his arm as if he’d just touched a light socket. He pulled his hand away and smiled nervously. Okay, this was getting ridiculous.

“So, wanna set up the ball machine and play on the same side of the net?” Jesse asked.

“Sure.”

They each played a side of the court, and often ended up chasing after the same balls. After a narrowly missed collision, Jesse called a time-out.

“When was the last time you played doubles?”

“Uh…a while ago.” Luke hadn’t played doubles professionally since he was just starting on the tour. He’d played for fun sometimes, but then…then everything had changed.

“Obviously. You can’t keep going after my balls, Luke.”

Luke’s throat went dry, and he nearly choked. “What?”

“If a ball comes down the middle, one of us calls it and the other backs off, okay? You do remember the basics, I presume?”

Luke nodded. “Right. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You seem a little tense. You all right?”

“Yep. Just a bit rusty at this.” Understatement of the year.

“No problem. Just follow my lead.” Jesse smiled.

Luke couldn’t help but notice how Jesse’s smile lit up his whole face, and it made Luke smile in return every time.

He nodded, and followed.

When the phone rang later that night, Luke was flipping channels, still unable to find anything that could hold his interest for more than a few seconds.

“Hello?”

“Ross! How ya doing?”

Luke sighed. He wasn’t really in the mood. “Hey, Arnie.”

“I’m great, thanks for asking.” Arnie Lachance was Luke’s agent, the man who had won Luke so many millions in endorsements over the years that Luke never needed to hit a tennis ball again to make money.