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Taylor nodded, staring ahead. The announcer called Mac to the court. From the tunnel, Taylor watched Mac walk in, applause becoming the soundtrack to her entrance. A smile took over her cheeks, a light laugh rising from her chest.

“How could you possibly be laughing?” Kim sneered as she eyed her daughter.

Taylor shrugged. “It’s just never been that serious has it?”

Kim scoffed. “It’s always been that serious. This is the most important match of your life.”

Nodding, Taylor sighed. “You might be right about that.” She turned toward her mom. “But not for the reason you think.”

“What does that mean?” Kim met her daughter’s gaze, the same blue eyes staring back at her.

Taylor’s eyes softened. “Mom, I’m in love with Mackenzie. And I can’t promise that you’ll be happy with what I do about that.”

Kim shook her head. “Taylor Ann, what are you talking about?”

“Miss Taylor Young.” The announcer’s voice rang out in the stadium, bouncing off the walls of the player entrance.

“Gotta go.” Taylor patted her mom’s shoulder and started walking out, she turned around. “And I think we should talk about your role as my coach.” Without waiting for Kim’s reaction, Taylor floated to the court. Every step felt like walking on a cloud.

Sitting on her bench, waiting for Taylor, Mac turned in her seat to look at her opponent.

Taylor winked at Mac as she took her seat.

35

Mac

The fuck is that about?Mac put her cap into place as the umpire summoned the two players to the net.

“As the top seed, Miss Young will call the coin.”

Mac and Taylor nodded.

Taylor smiled. “I’ll take heads please.”

The umpire flipped the coin, it landed on tails. “First serve will go to Miss Bennett.” The umpire leaned back into her chair.

Taylor reached out her hand. “Good luck, Macky.”

Mac’s forehead wrinkled at the nickname. “You too, Tay.”

What kind of strategy is this?Mac walked to the baseline, trying to wipe the wink from her mind. A part of her wondered if Taylor was trying to soften her for the game, to slow her down.

But nothing was going to get in Mackenzie’s way. This match was too important.

The ballgirl behind Mac’s baseline nodded and bounced three balls to her. Between each bounce, she would raise the ball, showing it to Mac.

Once Mac had all three on her racket, she examined each of them. They were fresh from their boxes, nearly straight from the factory. Mac tossed one back to the edge of the arena. Selecting her first serve ball, Mac clenched her jaw and prepared to start the match.

The audience was rowdy, chattering even as she selected her balls.

“Quiet, please.” The umpire urged as Mac began to twirl her racket.

Bouncing the ball against the rubber, Mac looked up at Taylor. Her icy blue eyes were impossible to miss, even across the nearly 80 foot court. Taylor nodded slightly, letting Mac know she was ready to begin with a twirl of her own racket.

Is she fucking smiling?Mac shook her head.

Bending her knees, Mac allowed air into her lungs before pushing off the rubber and leapt into the air. In one fluid motion, the ball flew into the air and was met by Mac’s racket in her other hand.