Page 42 of A Follow-Through in Faking

Santiago

The score is one set to one, with Cata leading the third set three games to two. She’s been strong since losing the first set, but she has yet to take a service game from Hallin, her opponent, in this set.

I can tell she’s nervous, no matter how much she’s trying to hide it. Charlie hasn’t said a word in an hour to me, so I know they’re as anxious for Catalina to win as we all are.

Layla has been absent from yet another tournament, this one, because of an injury, so if Catalina manages to win today, as she has done for the last couple of tournaments, the gap between her and Layla in the standings will close immensely.

And when she wins Roland Garros next, which I know my girl will, she will be number one in the world.

She will have accomplished everything she set out to do.

“Her confidence is going to crumble if they go into the tiebreaker,” Charlie says, and I tilt my head to look at their worried expression.

“It’s not going to go into a tiebreaker. Cata is going to get a break,” I assure them, but they use their chin to gesture toward Hallin, who looks ready to eat someone for lunch.

“With a serve as strong as hers, it’s going to be difficult.

” I throw Charlie the look that statement deserves.

They simply chuckle at my expression. “Okay, relax, Mr. I-Would-Die-For-Her. All I mean is that Cata needs to readjust for her return. She needs to back up a little, but she will figure it out. If not, I will tell her,” they add, patting my back before leaning forward by putting their elbows on their knees.

“I’m so nervous,” I say as I place a hand to my chest, doing my best to take deep breaths.

“Stop that. If she sees you’re nervous, she’s gonna get nervous,” Charlie says and swats my arm.

“That’s ridic—” They cut me off before I have the chance to finish my sentence.

“Why do you think she always has that stoic expression on her face when she watches you?” they challenge, but as much as I try to bite back my answer, I can’t.

“Because Cata is my little rain cloud. She always frowns. It’s one of the reasons I love her so much.” My eyes widen at the admission, but Charlie seems as unsurprised by it as everyone else in my life.

“No, dumbass. It’s to calm you when you’re feeling nervous. It’s to let you know she doesn’t have a speck of doubt inside her about your ability to win,” they say, and I sink back in my chair as I do my best to bring the same kind of determined look to my features.

Because they’re right.

And I finally understand why I feel so steady whenever I see Cata during my games.

It isn’t just because of my feelings for her, which is a big part. It’s also because of her unwavering faith in me that she communicates with nothing more than a simple look.

Fuck, I love her so much.

It makes breathing harder and easier at the same time every time I realize it. And I can’t stop realizing it.

Hallin gets up from her bench to walk toward the baseline.

This tournament is held on clay courts, which Catalina excels on.

Every type of court makes the ball bounce differently, and on clay, it bounces higher and the shots are usually slowed down.

Cata is also taking advantage of her spin because the clay is made for those shots.

It’s why Hallin’s serve is so strong. She puts a lot of spin on it, making the ball bounce even higher.

It makes it almost impossible for Catalina to hit it back.

My girl positions herself at the baseline on her side of the court, which is closest to where we’re sitting.

She moves back in place where she was the whole time, but right as Charlie opens their mouth to say something, she holds up her hand to silence them.

I don’t know how the fuck she saw them attempting to speak out of her periphery, but it has me cracking a smile.

“Don’t tell her what to do,” I whisper a second before Hallin serves, and Catalina jumps into the air to get under the ball and follow through properly. She returns it down the line, and Hallin is too surprised by her strong return on her first serve to be fast enough to get to the ball.

“Love-fifteen,” the umpire calls out, and I start clapping louder than anyone else for Catalina because, fuck, that was one of the most beautiful returns I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

She moves to wipe her face on her towel, her game face still on despite having won such an impressive point. Cata never really shows her emotions unless she’s too frustrated to hold them back. But she’s locked in right now, and nothing is going to stop her.

Catalina wins the second point after an excruciatingly long rally that ends with her using an overhead smash to place the ball deep into the court, making it bounce too high for Hallin to reach it.

“Love-thirty,” the umpire says, making hope bloom in my chest.

All it takes is two more points, and she’ll get the break she needs. Then, all that’s left for her is to bring her games home.

Cata is so close.

Hallin takes as much time as the clock allows to get ready for her serve, and I take a moment to admire how stunning Cata looks in her red dress.

Her long, dark hair is braided and her baby hairs are pinned down by clips.

She’s wearing one of those visor caps to hide her face from the sun, and her strong back is fully on display again, making my mouth water with every movement of hers.

Cata doesn’t manage to get the next serve, but she wins the point after because Hallin makes an unforced error.

“She’s so close,” I whisper to Charlie, who nods several times. “One more point. She can do it.” My words are followed by more clapping, trying to encourage Catalina.

She ignores me because she’s in her zone, but I know she heard me, and that’s all that matters.

I hold my breath as Hallin serves. Hold it even harder as Cata straightens out and jumps, getting ready to return the ball. She hits it into the net.

“Thirty-forty,” the umpire says, their voice travelling through the arena.

“ Vamos , Cata,” I call out, scooting to the edge of my seat to get closer to her.

“ Tú puedes, carino. Respira y concéntrate ,” I say, and she looks up at me and places her index finger to her lips before winking at me.

A tiny smirk covers her lips, and I wish her confidence would settle me, but I’m nothing more than a puddle of nerves.

Hallin prepares to serve again, and I hold my breath once more.

This time, Cata is further behind the baseline, and she attacks the serve, sending Hallin running to the other side of the court.

Cata takes the chance to sprint to the net, volleying a winner down the same side of the court Hallin was, and since she wasn’t expecting it, running in the opposite direction, my girl’s opponent doesn’t reach the ball.

Cata gets the break.

I’m on my feet, clapping for her as soon as she wins the point. Charlie is beside me, cheering for her, too. The entire stadium is. Cata has a way of being the fan favorite wherever she goes, and it’s no different here in Italy.

“That’s it, mariquita ,” I call out, and she screams in victory for a moment, finally allowing her emotions to come to the surface.

Her next service game is an easy win. Cata’s serve has been so strong, and she proves it by not losing a single point in her service game.

The break between the games lets her take a breath, lets her refocus for the next game, which she doesn't have to win. She doesn’t have to get another break.

She is leading five games to two in the third set, so even if Hallin gets her next game through, it wouldn’t be bad for Cata.

She would simply need to win her service game to win the match.

My little rain cloud has never been a big fan of doing the bare minimum, though.

No.

She takes Hallin’s service game, sealing the match. I feel pride coursing through every single part of my body as she wins the tournament for the second year in a row.

Catalina’s racket drops to the ground as she sinks into a squat, covering her face with her hands. It takes her several seconds until she’s composed enough to drop her hands and face the crowd, waving to them as she makes her way to the net to shake Hallin’s hand. Then she shakes the umpire’s.

Finally, Cata turns back to the crowd and waves to them, throwing kisses to them and placing her hands on her face when they scream even louder for her.

I know I’m not anyone in the crowd of people for her, but I cheer for her in the same way because she deserves it.

If I could, I’d lose my voice for her, to make her feel as loved as possible in the sport she shared with her mother.

The sport that connects her to the one person she misses more than words will ever be able to describe.

And when she makes her way to where Charlie, the rest of her team, and I are waiting for her, I feel my heart palpitating even harder because she’s running to me . To her team that I am a part of, and when she reaches us, she kisses me for the whole world to witness.

I love you, Catalina .

The words almost escape my lips. They’re the hardest truth I’ve ever had to hold back, but this moment isn’t about my feelings for her. It’s about her victory, and I’ll never do anything to take that away from her.

So, instead, I say, “You did amazing. I’m so proud of you,” which makes her kiss me again, this time harder and with a smile on that perfect mouth of hers.