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“Two!” she yelled, expecting them to tap it over since they didn’t have enough space to properly set and spike.

DJ backed off a bit, but not too much, and Aspen shifted to give her more space. When the ball came over, Aspen was there to pass it up, but she fell in the sand. Up quickly, she was ready for the hit, but DJ went over in two and hit it high to give her more time to get set. The other team was prepared, so their pass and set were both perfect this time. Aspen saw DJ’s hand signal and moved until she was ready. The hitter across from them swung hard, likely preparing to win this point on that swing, but DJ moved her feet well, hands in the air in the right spot, and blocked it. It landed inbounds, with the other team watching as it hit the sand. They’d won.

When they were approached for a post-match interview, Aspen pushed DJ to be between her and Kendra because her partner often didn’t take enough credit for their wins or her own play, choosing to give Aspen the spotlight, but Aspen didn’t want it all for herself. DJ had helped them stay in the first set, and she was the reason they’d won the second and third one, so this was her interview.

“Aspen, DJ, congrats on the win.”

“Thanks,” DJ said, still breathing hard. “They gave us a tough match. Amazing on the service line. The ball kept spinning even when it hit my arms.” She laughed, sounding incredibly happy.

Aspen met Kendra’s eyes for a moment and caught Kendra smiling at her. She smiled back.

“The wind was really giving you two a hard time today.”

“It was,” DJ confirmed. “It didn’t seem to like us much. We were trying different spots and serves, even on the different sides, but it was like it followed us and tried to make our lives difficult. So, I’m proud of us for hanging in there and still getting the win after that first-set loss.”

“You two are heading to Italy next, where you’ll face the top teams in the world. Who are you most looking forward to playing, Aspen?” Kendra moved the microphone over to her.

“I think we’re ready for anyone, so it doesn’t matter who we play. The rest of the world really caught up to the US, and nothing is guaranteed, even if you’ve won every match in your entire career, so we know we’re going to go up against some tough teams. I just hope the wind will give us a break in the next match or two.” Aspen chuckled.

“I know the number one team from Brazil has been saying some things about how you’re no longer number one. How does that make you feel?”

“It still says number one in the rankings next to our names, so I don’t know what they’re talking about,” DJ said. “We’re ready to show up in Italy.”

“Thanks, ladies. Go celebrate your win.” Kendra smiled at both of them.

Aspen and DJ hugged and ran off to their bench, where they waited for the presentation of the giant check, which had always seemed a little ridiculous since it wasn’t actual money. Then, they hurried off to the player tent, and Aspen sat in a chair, grateful to down some electrolytes, wipe off her sweat a little better, and put on some damn shoes.

“Was the water they sent out of that hose hot water?” DJ asked.

“So, it’s not just me?” Aspen laughed.

“Nice match, you two,” Chase, who was about to play in the men’s final, said on his way out of the tent.

“Thanks,” DJ replied with zero enthusiasm.

Aspen waited until he was gone and asked, “So, that’s still going nowhere?”

“I really don’t know what I was thinking. Not that I would mind… you know.” DJ shrugged a shoulder, and Aspen laughed. “But I’m not that desperate.”

“Kendra made a joke the other day about you being blinded by the blond.”

“Yeah, I know. I was there.” DJ shook her head at herself. “How’s that going, by the way?”

“How’s what going?” Aspen asked and tossed her empty bottle into the recycling bin.

“You and Kendra. I take it, you two haven’t reached the needing-to-sleep-next-to-each-other-every-night stage yet since you’re still in our room every night, and she has one all to herself here. Either that, or you have a rule where you’re not going to do that when we’re in a tournament or something.”

“DJ, Kendra and I aren’t together.”

“Maybe not yet; but you’re dating.”

“No, we’re not.”

“Aspen, you were clearly trying to get rid of me last night.”

“Yeah. I wanted to talk to her about something. And it’s not something I wanted you there for, but not because we’re dating.”

“Okay. But you like her. What are you, then?”