Page 54 of Drop Shot (On the Court #2)
ELIAS
A persistent banging on the hotel room door wakes me. “What the fuck?” I groan, rubbing sleep from my eyes.
Whimsy comes awake, eyes wide and startled. “What is that?”
“Stay here.” I gesture for her to stay put in the bed. “Let me see what it is.”
It’s seven in the morning. Normally I would’ve been up by now, but I didn’t bother to set an alarm since I’m currently in a limbo state.
I check the peep hole and mutter, “It’s Jackson.”
“Jackson?” she sputters. “What is he doing here?”
“Let’s find out.” I open the door, not at all embarrassed for my manager to find me in boxer-briefs. He’s seen me in far worse situations in prior times.
“What’s going on?” I ask when he barrels past me.
He plants his hands on his hips. “Have you checked your phone at all since yesterday evening?”
I rub the back of my head. “No.” I stifle a yawn. “Should I have?”
“Yes,” he groans. “You exhaust me. Hey, Whimsy,” he greets my girlfriend and I appreciate he keeps his eyes averted from her even though she’s in a t-shirt. He scoops up the remote and turns the TV on, flipping through the channels until he lands on Tennis Network.
My eyes widen at the headline on the bottom of the screen.
MULTIPLE FEMALE TENNIS PLAYERS HAVE MADE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TRAGER PACEY.
“What the fuck?” I blurt.
“Just listen.” Jackson turns up the volume.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I listen to the journalist. No names are given, they just say that thanks to me coming forward with what I had to say about Trager, they felt comfortable to come forward as well.
“It makes me sick no one felt safe to say anything until I did. It shouldn’t take a man saying something for women to be believed.”
“I know,” Whimsy agrees. “Let’s just be glad they finally felt safe to do it—regardless of the reason.”
I know what she’s getting at, but it still frustrates me.
On the TV the journalist says, “Due to the multiple allegations, Trager Pacey has been suspended indefinitely while an investigation is made. We’ve also learned that Elias Johnson has been removed from playing at the US Open but that his suspension won’t exceed past that.
” Relief floods me. Missing the entirety of the US Open after my Wimbledon flub certainly sucks, but it’s a punishment I can handle.
I’ll just have to come back stronger and better at the Australian Open.
Jackson shuts the TV off. “It’s as good as we could’ve hoped for you.”
“Thanks.” I nod. “Uh … I don’t want to pry, but if you can just extend the message to any of the women that if there’s anything I can do to help to let me know?
” I don’t want to step on any toes, but if this goes to court it could get expensive and I’m more than willing to help. Not all players are making top dollar.
“Of course. Are you going to head back to Miami? Or go somewhere else? You could go on vacation.”
I look at Whimsy and read her expression. “Miami probably makes the most sense. Family’s there. Craig’s there.”
“Who the fuck is Craig?” Jackson blurts.
“My cat,” Whimsy giggles.
Jackson holds up a hand. “If that’s a euphemism for your … I don’t want to know. I’m going. I’ll text you when I know more.” He pats me on the shoulder on the way out of the room.
Jackson can get on my nerves, but he’s not a bad guy, and frankly I’ll always be grateful for him. Without him, I might never have gotten my head out of my ass when it comes to Whimsy.
With him gone, I dive into bed with my girl, grinning when I get more laughter out of her.
She cups my cheeks and just holds me there, staring into my eyes. “Are you okay with this outcome?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
Her expression is gentle. “Because of the women?” I nod. “I know you’re wishing it hadn’t taken you speaking out, but just be glad they finally felt safe enough to say something.”
I place my right hand over her left one. I’m not sure if she notices, but I purposely rub her ring finger. Not yet, maybe not even a year from now, but soon there will be a ring on her finger.
“That’s true. I love you.”
She smiles and presses a tender kiss to my mouth. “I love you, too, baby.”
As we settle back into each other’s arms, and I think about my future, for the first time ever it’s filled with hopes and dreams that include things other than tennis.
Like proposing, and our wedding, and one day her round with my child—and if we can’t get pregnant, that’s okay too.
I just know that my future and everything that comes with it includes this woman at my side, and I know I’m the luckiest man on the planet because of it.