As the ball flew up into the air, Luke’s racquet met it and sent it speeding over the net. Koehler stabbed it back and Luke cracked a forehand up the line. Koehler was there and the ball returned once more, Luke running towards it and hitting it deep, near the baseline.
Koehler got it back but Luke was ready at the net, his volley arcing perfectly into the empty court before him. The ball hit the ground and sailed on as Koehler raced towards it. He pulled his racquet back and swung, the ball pinging off the frame and bouncing out of bounds.
“Game, set, match—Rossovich.”
As the crowd exploded, Luke felt a huge weight lift from him as he thrust his arms into the air, his head tipped back, a shout of joy surging from him as he sank to his knees.
He was U.S. Open champion.
By the time Luke opened his eyes again and focused, Koehler was waiting at the net. The court was hard beneath his knees, but Luke barely noticed as he got to his feet and moved forward in a daze. The players shook hands, Koehler’s tight smile insincere, his grip slippery. “Maybe next time, Stein,” Luke said, before turning to the chair umpire and shaking his hand as well. Cameras were watching, and Luke would wait until later to tell Koehler to go to hell. On the other hand, maybe he wouldn’t bother.
As Luke turned to wave to the crowd, thousands of flashbulbs exploding, Koehler didn’t seem important anymore. Luke peered around at all the anonymous faces, thousands of strangers celebrating his triumph.
In that moment, there was only one person he really wanted to share it with.
To the consternation of the official who approached to discuss the awards ceremony, Luke darted away towards the stands, climbing over the barricade and into the seats, squeezing past spectators who clapped him on the back as he passed. He made it to the stairs and started up towards the first landing, a cameraman desperately trying to keep up.
Luke was pretty sure he had the right section since he’d seen his mother’s ticket that morning, but in a stadium as huge as this one, he couldn’t be sure. The faces he passed were a blur, the noise of the crowd rumbling in his ears until he couldn’t even hear himself breathe.
Then he was there, his mother, Mike, and Aaron smiling and pulling him near for a group hug. He kissed his mother and wiped the tears from her cheeks, and Mike slapped him on the back before hugging him again, Aaron close behind.
Stephanie looked over her shoulder and Luke followed her gaze to find Jesse on the landing, hovering near the exit. As Luke walked towards him, Jesse’s eyes grew wide, and he looked around uneasily.
People all around were cheering and clapping so loudly that Luke couldn’t hear what Jesse started to say. Then their lips met and there was no need for words. Luke’s hand slid behind Jesse’s head as the kiss grew deeper.
He felt more than heard the gasp of the crowd, a shockwave that washed over them as Jesse pulled him closer, their mouths still moving together. Taking in a shuddering breath, Luke leaned back and looked into Jesse’s eyes, his palm on his cheek.
“I love you.”
Jesse smiled tremulously. “I love you, too.” He kissed Luke tenderly. “Even if you are a slow learner.”
Laughing, Luke wrapped his arms around him, lifting Jesse off his feet. A small ripple of applause broke the shocked silence that had settled over the crowd, and as their lips met once more, Luke realized that it wasn’t a dream.
He’d just won the U.S. Open.
This was the title he’d wanted for so long. Somehow, it didn’t seem nearly as important as the fact that Jesse was back in his arms, warm and soft and his. He’d just kissed the man he loved in front of everyone he’d been hiding from.
“I guess I’d better go get that trophy before they decide to give it to someone else.”
“I guess so.”
Luke leaned down, his lips near Jesse’s ear. “Although I’ve got half a mind to just skip the ceremony and take you back to my room. Or to the nearest bathroom stall.” He smiled when he felt the tremor move through Jesse’s body.
“It’ll be worth the wait.” Jesse smiled wickedly and a bolt of desire coursed through Luke’s veins.
“Damn right it will be.” Luke glanced around at all the watching eyes. “Okay, I’d better go before we really give them a show.”
Jesse squeezed Luke’s hand tightly. “It’ll be okay.”
“I know.” To his surprise, Luke realized he really believed it for maybe the first time in his life.
“I guess we’re in for a wild ride, huh?”
“Yeah, seems like. But we’re in it together.”
Jesse grinned. “Don’t make me cry, everyone’s watching.”