Page 12 of Serve (Men of Hidden Creek Season 1, #5)

Chapter Eleven

Tyler

“Tyler, we weren’t trying to hurt you. If we wanted to do something behind your back, we would’ve spoken to him somewhere else, not in your living room.” Sania said.

“You are talking about me as if I am not here. Don’t I get to have this conversation with Chip?

We’re both adults, capable of making decisions on our own.

” Tyler glared. He glanced over his shoulder to Emm, who was standing at the back door with her mouth open.

Apparently no one thought to clue her in.

“What do you think Emm? Is this how it happened with you and Tina? Did your agent and housekeeper sit Tina down and tell her how shitty you were?” Tyler asked. Emm fidgeted, then shook her head in disgust.

“No, I never went through anything like this. I know why they’re doing it, and I think they have good intentions, but…”

“It doesn’t matter what their intentions are. This is my house, my relationship, and decisions are lbeing made for me without my input.” He stood behind the couch and placed his hands on Chip’s shoulders.

Chip leaned back, placing his hand on Tyler’s. Then he spoke. “Will all of you leave for a while, go outside or something? Tyler and I need to talk.” He said quietly. The women left silently.

Tyler sat down next to Chip and laid his head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I know that wasn’t easy, and honestly, this isn’t an easy situation to be in.

They’re mostly right, you know. Thing is, they’re always doing this.

Making decisions about my life and career without my feedback is wrong.

We would have talked about this stuff, but it would have been done my way, in private.

” Scaring Chip off frightened him. He’d never felt like this for anyone before, and the thought of it ending before it truly began made him anxious.

“This feels right. I have every reason in the world to run out the front door and never come back, but this feels right. Am I reading too much into this? Because if I am, let me know now.” Chip murmured.

Tyler took Chip’s hand in his. He looked in his eyes, leaned over and kissed him on his forehead.

“No, you’re not reading too much into this.

This is what I want, you are what I want.

We haven’t known each other long, but I’ve never felt for anyone what I am feeling for you right now.

That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

They spoke the truth, about how difficult it is.

I’ve never even met another gay guy in tennis, and statistically speaking, that’s impossible.

We’re forced to be so deep in the closet we can’t even find others like us.

” Tyler sighed and closed his eyes. For a minute they didn’t speak, allowing reality to wash through them. Chip finally broke the silence.

“So you’ve never dated another player, or a coach before?”

“No, I wouldn’t even know where to find them.

The other guys on tour have a great time with the girls.

Tennis groupies are a real thing for the straight dudes, but nothing like that exists for gay guys.

That doesn’t mean I’ve been a perfect angel.

Occasionally I’d go to a gay bar in a big city, but dating, no, I’ve never had the chance.

I think I’ve played like crap the last couple of seasons, because I’m, I don’t know, lonely?

Shit, I sound like such a loser saying that.

” Tyler sighed. “It’s really hard to do your best when all you have waiting for you is a lonely hotel room.

I don’t mean to put a lot of pressure on you, but right now I’m excited. ” Tyler’s eyes burned.

“What do you mean, pressure?” Chip asked.

“Now I feel like I’m not just playing for myself. I’ll have somebody besides my entourage in my corner, someone real. I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay with me because of that, but this is confusing for me too, Chip.” He breathed.

Chip turned, pulled him close and kissed him on the tip of his nose.

“I’ll be there for you, no matter what. I gotta be honest, though. I’m not good at being a secret. You’re the first man I’ve ever been with, so I don’t have a lot of experience with closets.” Chip’s eyes squeezed shut.

“Babe, I hate it, and I don’t want to keep you hidden away.

But all I have left on tour is one or two seasons, and this is my last chance to win the career grand slam.

It’s the one goal I’ve not achieved, and it’s important to me.

After that, I can leave the sport and do whatever I want, including being open about who I share my life with.

Until then though, I need to be discreet.

” Tyler said, then realized he’d just called Chip ‘babe.’

Chip wrapped his arms around Tyler and held him tight.

“I’ve got your back.”

“They’re giving you a wild card. You’re officially entered in the U.S. Clay Court Championships.” Sania said, then shut her laptop.

Tyler smiled. He loved the tournament, and he was excited Chip would be able to watch him play. He glanced out the window at Chip and Dixie, who were enjoying the setting sun on the deck. When he looked to Emm, she gave him a thumbs up.

“You are the rare American who excels on clay.” She said.

Tina had their bags in her hands, ready to go.

They lived in Austin, and while it wasn’t too far, it wasn’t practical to make the drive daily.

Emm was staying in a hotel that night, and would begin training Tyler in the morning. Tina was heading back to their home.

“I don’t know why, except clay suits my style.” Tyler loved nothing more than grinding out a win on clay. It was the most physically demanding of the surfaces tennis was played on.

“You do know you will be taking off for Monte Carlo immediately after this, right? The organizers will expect your participation.” Sania looked at him, wondering if he’d really thought of his comeback beyond his immediate goals.

Once he rejoined the tour, there were certain events that required his participation.

Monte Carlo was one of them, and it started the day after Houston ended.

It meant sleeping across the Atlantic on a plane, and immediately hitting the courts. It was exhausting, to say the least.

“I guess I’d have to, right? Damn, that’s going to be rough. I knew I’d have to rejoin the tour after this, but I forgot…” He shook his head, then turned toward his new coach.

“Emm, are you prepared to travel with me to Europe? Tina is welcome too, of course.”

“I’m ready. Tina, let’s go over my schedule tonight before you head home. Email details to me, Sania.” Emm said.

She and Tina left, leaving Sania and Tyler alone. Tension settled between them, unspoken grievances hanging in the air. Sania was the first to break the silence.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to apologize after everyone else left. I have no right to run your life for you. You do know I have your best interests at heart, right?” She asked.

Tyler nodded.

“I’m happy for you. Chip seems like a really sweet guy. I don’t know for sure how serious you two are, but I want you to be happy. Now, we need to discuss some practical matters.” Her normally stern face softened in the glow of the sunset coming through the windows.

“Chip and I are still… let’s talk about those practical things, okay?” Tyler said.

Sania paced the floor.

“Emm is an awesome player, and I think she’s going to be a great coach, but…”

“There’s always a but. What is it?” He asked.

“She’s a woman, and there will be blowback from the press and some of the other players.

There’s only been one other major player’s coach who was female, and that was Amelie Mauresmo.

She and Andy Murray did well, but you remember their first few months were rough.

I don’t expect you’ll have as hard a time as they did, but you need to keep that in mind. ”

“Sania, this is the last time I’m going to say this.

I have two priorities. Winning Wimbledon and the career grand slam, and protecting Chip.

I know we’re new to each other, and we still have a lot to learn, but I want to give us that chance.

Keep the press off of us. I loathe hiding, but I hate the idea of him suffering even more.

I don’t think he understands exactly what coming out would entail.

Hell, I’m unsure I get it either. So, let’s focus on keeping him safe, and on me winning.

Everything else is a distraction. I don’t care what they think about Emm.

If anything she’ll distract the press, keep them off of Chip’s scent.

Oh, and one more thing. When I win Wimbledon, I’m retiring.

If I can do it this year, even better.” Tyler closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

He felt the stress of the day settling in his temples.

“So, you really are serious about retirement? All it takes is a win at Wimbledon?” She asked. Tyler opened his eyes and replied, his voice trembling.

“Promise you’ll keep the press off of Chip and me, so I can focus on winning. When I retire from the tour, I can live like a normal person for the first time in my life.”

“Everyone’s gone, it’s just us now.” Tyler nuzzled Chip’s neck. Chip moaned, and pulled Tyler closer to him. The movement of Tyler’s lips on his flesh sent sparks racing up and down his spine.

They were outside on the deck overlooking the pool and tennis court. Stars were making their first appearance of the evening, and the moon had yet to rise.

“C’mon.” Tyler took Chip’s hand and led him inside.

Once Chip figured out where they were going, he jogged the rest of the way through the house.

He stripped his shirt off and threw himself on the bed.

He patted the space next to him, while Tyler looked down on him from the side of the bed.

He stripped off his shirt, slowly, teasing the younger man.