Page 10 of Serve (Men of Hidden Creek Season 1, #5)

Chapter Nine

Tyler

“Sania, I hate finding out I have a new coach without actually knowing who it is. Aren’t I the one doing the hiring and firing around here?

” Tyler bitched into his phone, pacing in front of the window.

Sports sites across the web were reporting he had a new coach without giving a name.

Chip watched from the bed, a worried look etched into his features.

Tyler stood still for a few seconds listening with his mouth open, then barked into the phone.

“How are these leaks happening? How can I trust you when all you are doing is confirming rumors I’m seeing online? You never left town? Be here tomorrow morning at nine. We need to talk.” Tyler disconnected the call and threw himself on the bed next to Chip.

“Do you want me to go?” Chip asked in a quiet voice. Tyler turned to him, his face softening.

“Oh no, please, I’m sorry about that.” He sat up against the headboard and opened his arms. Chip nestled in and pulled the blankets up.

“It has nothing to do with you, and I want you to stay. I’m sorry, I’m usually not.

.. I don’t know, so angry.” He leaned his cheek against the top of Chip’s head.

“Having you here is more important. My career has always been my top priority, but I won’t allow it to rule my life anymore. ” He kissed Chip’s hair and sighed.

“I’ll stay, but only if you want. I don’t want to intrude, or anything like that.” Chip said softly. His arm encircled Tyler’s waist, and he pulled himself closer into his lover’s body.

“I want…” Tyler took a deep breath and continued. “You’re not intruding. The world is intruding. This is my time, and it’s precious to me. In fact, let’s not even talk about it. I want to know more about you.”

“My life is boring. Nothing going on except you, and taking care of Aunt Dixie.” Chip chuckled.

“I call bullshit on that. There’s nothing boring about Dixie.

Look, my life is crazy busy, and it seems big and important.

In the scheme of things though, it’s not.

I’m an athlete, that’s all. Doctor’s, scientists, world leaders, they all have more important things going on.

You do more good every day helping people than I do smacking a ball around a tennis court.

Seriously, I want to know what you are all about. ”

He really did. Tyler’s life was insulated, protecting him from everything except hitting a tennis ball and making money.

It was a lonely existence, and the closer he got to Chip, the more he was exposed to the outside world.

He stroked his hair, waiting for the younger man to speak.

Chip stiffened, nervous about opening up.

Tyler asked a question to get the ball rolling.

“Why did you become a paramedic? Or is it an EMT?” He asked. Chip sat up, and took Tyler’s hand in his.

“My parents were killed in a robbery at the saloon they owned. Aunt Dixie must have told you about that. That first year was horrible. I was only sixteen when it happened, and Aunt Dixie and Sue took me in. Without them, I’m not sure I’d be sitting here talking to you.

” Chip glanced down, and a shadow briefly crossed over his features.

“I’m so sorry. I remember when it happened.

Dixie and Sue put me up whenever I played in Houston, along with a couple of other players.

That year they couldn’t, because you took over the bedroom we normally stayed in.

The tournament scrambled to find another family for us to bunk with.

Sorry, I’m talking about myself again. Please, tell me more.

” Tyler said. He meant it too. He was sick of talking about himself, and he wanted to really know Chip, not just his body.

“My bedroom was decorated in that cheesy tennis motif. It’s all your fault.

” Chip laughed and gently punched Tyler in the arm.

“After I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to have an impact on people’s lives.

I thought about being a doctor, but the thought of spending a decade or more in school turned me off.

Then I wanted to be a social worker, but I ended up becoming an EMT.

I like it, though it also sucks sometimes.

Believe it or not, when I first started the sight of blood made me retch.

But, I think most jobs have their bad points, know what I mean? ”

Tyler nodded and kissed his cheek. He was going to experience the bad side of his job in the morning. All he wanted now was to feel Chip’s smooth skin against his own. He stretched, then pulled Chip in tight and yawned.

“See, my life is boring.” Chip teased him.

“I like boring.” Tyler murmured, and fell into the most peaceful sleep he’d had in years.

“Don’t go.” Tyler said. He felt refreshed. Normally he was exhausted, even upon waking. Despite knowing he was in for a rough morning talking business, he felt peaceful and relaxed.

“Won’t I be intruding? I mean, your agent is going to be here soon, and I don’t want to get in the way.” Chip pulled his t-shirt over his head, then sat on the edge of the bed next to Tyler.

“You don’t have to leave on my account, and honestly, I’d rather be with you.

I heard Dixie in the kitchen. Why don’t you hang out with her while I’m talking to Sania.

” He looked the other way, embarrassed. He didn’t want to come across as needy, but that was what he was right now, needy and insecure.

Tyler felt better knowing Chip was close by.

He knew it was his day off, and Chip probably had other things to do.

He felt lost though, and Chip’s presence was reassuring.

His strength was tennis, not business. Making decisions about his future scared him.

Plus his manager never flew back to Los Angeles, and her silence about it worried him.

Obviously she could come and go as she pleased, but the feeling she was hiding something was eating at him.

“The only thing on my agenda today was checking in on my Aunt. Since she’s here, you’re making my life easier.

I’ll stay.” Chip nuzzled him below his ear.

Tyler smiled and arched his neck to give him easier access.

For a few brief moments he forgot all about the meeting with Sania, then reality intruded when he heard the doorbell.

“I guess that’s my cue to head to the kitchen.” Chip pecked him on the lips and walked to the door. He turned around for one last glance, a look of longing glued to his face.

“You gonna be all right?” He asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a second.” Tyler rubbed his neck where Chip had been kissing him, wishing they could climb back under the covers and ignore the world. The sound of Dixie racing from the kitchen to the front door brought him to his feet.

“Let’s get this over with.”

“Why am I reading online that I have a new coach- that an announcement will be made this week?” He asked as soon as Sania sat down.

“Good morning. I’m very sorry about that Tyler.

It was an unintentional slip. I called my office to speak with Jerry, the agent for Martin Bernstein.

I wanted to know if he had any ideas for a coach.

He was with a reporter at the time, and forgot he was on speaker.

I didn’t say anything beyond you were looking for a new coach ASAP.

That reporter was told by both me and Jerry it was off the record.

She will never get an interview again from a client of mine or his, that’s for sure.

” She spoke quickly, staring directly into Tyler’s eyes. He nodded his head for her to continue.

“I did come up with a candidate, one who’s record on grass, plus the other surfaces, is superb.” She said, then looked to the door as Dixie poked her head in.

“Coffee, something to snack on? I know you haven’t had breakfast yet.” Dixie said, nodding in Tyler’s direction.

“Yes, thanks Dixie. Do you want breakfast Sania?”

She shook her head no, knowing Dixie would come back with a full spread regardless of her answer. Dixie backed out of the doorway and headed toward the kitchen.

“So, who is it? Somebody I know?” Tyler smiled, glad to get the hard part of the meeting out of the way. He hated being angry with Sania. She only wanted the best for him. Problem was, she wasn’t looking him in the eye as she spoke.

“Yes, the candidate is a former Wimbledon champion, and also won the U.S. Open.” She glanced down at her nails, choosing her words with care.

“You might be a bit surprised by my choice. Many would think it unorthodox, but I think this person will truly bring an attacking quality to your game. They’ve been a major player, so their insights will be invaluable.” She said.

Silence hung in the air between them, and Tyler grew suspicious.

“Well, who is it?” He asked, growing frustrated.

Sania finally looked him in the eye and answered. “Montserrat Hernandez, but you know her as Emm.”

Dixie chose that moment to burst into the room with a tray of coffee and pastries. She placed them on the corner of his desk, then saw the look on Tyler’s face.

“What the hell just happened? Did you quit or something?” She asked Sania. “Honey, are you all right?” She said, then went around the desk and patted Tyler on the shoulder.

“Emm? You want Emm to be my coach? Are you out of your mind?” Tyler stammered, stood up, and started pacing behind his desk. Dixie squeezed past him, grabbed a pastry and stood next to Sania.

“I knew you might have a problem with this, but hear me out.”

Tyler stopped in his tracks, sat down, and motioned for her to continue.

“She is a brilliant tactician, who won the majority of her titles on grass. She also knew enough to embrace the baseline to win tournaments on other surfaces. If you want someone to show you how to win Wimbledon, she’s your best bet.

Plus, she lives nearby, in Austin. She’s ready to start anytime you are, and the terms are excellent. ”

“But how is it going to look to the other players that I have a woman as a coach? Can she really teach me anything? I’m not trying to say she’s a bad player, but c’mon, she’s never played the men’s circuit.

The level of the women’s game is not as high as the men’s.

” Tyler poured a cup of coffee with trembling hands, then sat down.

“So, because she’s a woman, you’re saying she’s not good enough?” Dixie asked. Sania looked out the window and bit her lip.

“Dixie, for crying out loud, you know her sex has little to do with this. I need someone who knows how to beat the top male players. Plus, we’re talking about the old boys’ club, and they don’t like women in the sport.

You know that as well as I do. How’s it going to look to the other players if I lose?

You know they’ll blame it on Emm, even if it’s my fault.

Are you sure she’d even want to be my coach knowing this?

” Tyler put his face in his hands and sighed.

“I knew this was going to be your reaction. Look, Emm is in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and won three slams. Coaches don’t come more qualified than that.

You’re just nervous because she’s a woman.

” Sania said. She reached for a pastry, thought better of it, and put it back.

Dixie picked it back up and handed it to Sania, glaring across the desk at Tyler while doing it.

“Bless your heart, Tyler. You know, I’ve been proud of you since the first day we met.

I watched you climb the rankings to number one in the world.

But honestly, the words coming out of your mouth right now are the stupidest I’ve ever heard you say.

I mean, at least give her a chance. Meet with her, treat her the same as if she were a man applying for the job. What do you have to lose?” Dixie said.

“I’ll tell you what I have to lose; respect.

Every dude in the locker room will be laughing behind my back, and you know that’s unacceptable.

Dixie, Sania, both of you know I’m not sexist. I respect and admire Emm for the amazing career she had.

She’s an icon of the sport, but that doesn’t mean it would be right to hire her. ” He said.

The two women stared at him in disbelief.

“Prove it.” Dixie said, and crossed her arms over her chest.

“What?” Tyler said, glaring at her.

“Prove you’re not being sexist Tyler. Hire a highly qualified woman for the job instead of giving it to yet another man.” Sania said.

The doorbell rang. Dixie started to get up, then sat back down when she heard Chip’s footsteps racing for the door.

“You expecting anyone, Tyler?” She asked. He shook his head. Sania glanced in Dixie’s direction and winked. A moment later Chip poked his head in the office and spoke.

“There’s a couple of ladies at the front door, named Emm and Tina. They said you were expecting them?”