Love Game

The photo op ended, and Jason appeared at my side to hustle us away from Brad before I did something he’d regret.

“Well?” I demanded.

“No one invited him,” Jason said. “He caught wind it was happening and showed up on his own. He knew the ATP would love the publicity and likely he’s hoping to provoke you into an incident so they’ll kick you out before the Open even starts.”

“It’s not going to work,” Daisy said, gripping my arm. “Right?”

I nodded and decided it was best to not tell either one how Brad’s plan had almost worked.

“I need a drink,” Jason said. “How about you two?”

“Cabernet, please,” Daisy said.

“Beer,” I muttered. “Any kind.”

Jason left and Daisy pulled me aside.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Did he say something?”

I hesitated. There was no way I was going to repeat what he’d said about her. The stuff about being a ‘savage islander’ was bad enough.

“I don’t give a shit about his racist slurs, except that it’s like he’s kicking dirt in my dad’s face, and Dad isn’t around to defend himself. Not that he would have.”

Daisy’s hand tightened in mine. “Tell me about him.”

“Right here? Now?”

“It’s never the wrong time or place.”

I was about to protest and instead heard myself say, “Dad had dignity, you know? He was quiet and noble. When other tennis parents were paying to have their kids in the most expensive camps and hiring the most expensive coaches, Dad was my coach. We had second-hand equipment and rackets donated from a charity. And every time I beat one of the rich kids in a match, Dad was the one to remind me to be a good sport. To not take my talent for granted but to not let pride get in the way of what’s important.”

“He sounds like a wonderful man,” Daisy said.

I glanced down at her, pain gripping my heart for my dad and for her. For how beautiful she looked in the dim lighting and how I could feel so lucky and miss him so much at the same time.

“It’s a crazy life, isn’t it?” I said. “Good and bad. Ugly memories and beautiful things, all existing at the same time.”

She smiled and nodded. “I think that sums it up just about perfectly.”

The night flowed on and I was pulled away from Jason and Daisy to answer questions from the press about the upcoming Open.

“Are you ready, Kai?”

“Yes.”

“Rumor has it you’ve been using alternative medicine for your elbow? Care to comment?”

“No.”

“Who is your dat

e tonight?”

“A woman.”