Love Game - Season 2011 (28 page)

              “Are we a bit jaunty after knocking out tennis superstars?” Amanda grinned. She looked around but to her relief none of the patrons in front of the pub had seen the kiss.

              The Dog & Fox was crowded. Looking out for Natsumi and Monica they approached the counter when suddenly their names were called out behind them along with loud cheering. Natsumi and Monica had taken a table in the back of the pub. Also sitting at the table were Antonia Sapore, Martina Rodriguez, Agnes and Candice – doing the wave around the table beckoning to Elise and Amanda.

              “Dear me! How childish can you get?” Amanda shook her head and made her way through the tables. Other people recognized Elise and Amanda as they made their way over to the loud table and raised their glasses to Elise, congratulating and applauding her on her fantastic win. They sat down and for a while the conversation between the girls was also about the match.

              “You served like a boss,” raved an enthusiastic Natsumi. Everyone at the table nodded.

              “Yes, phenomenal, Elise.” Agnes gave her young friend a pat on the shoulder. Amanda proudly grinned at Elise who blushed. The German wouldn’t say much but Amanda could tell that she enjoyed the praise. She knew that after such a long drought period the attention was like a warm whirlwind surrounding her.

              Dinner was served and after eating Elise leaned back and under the table she reached out with her hand to touch Amanda’s. It was a public place, but instead of pushing Elise’s hand away Amanda took hold of it. They sat with their backs to the wall and with their friends all placed around the table their hands were shielded from curious eyes. After a while, Amanda even dared to lean against Elise.

              “Do foxes like dogs?” Amanda whispered into the German’s ear. Elise slightly turned her head amused by the question. She looked at Amanda and then she smiled.

              “Yes, dogs and foxes are very similar animals,” she whispered back. “But there is one fox who is a bit odd. I heard, this one only likes red-haired dogs.”

              They grinned at each other lost in their moment, until their friends’ snorts and snickers brought them back.

***

The Eastbourne incident had been fate. For a short moment Sasha had lost control over her life. Just thinking about it made her shudder. She had gotten drunk the night before a match, she had lost her memory of the time with Anastasia Stea, the chair umpire, with whom she had spent the night in Eastbourne, and she had failed miserably the next morning losing her match in straight sets.

              But she had learned her lesson. As soon as she had arrived in Wimbledon, she had come up with a prudent plan. Today she had finally called it quits with Morgana. The French player had looked a bit disappointed but after mumbling something in Moliere’s language, she had simply shrugged and nodded in defeat. Moreover, she never mentioned the afternoon in Brighton, which was a relief. Morgana had obviously left the scene at the bar before the Czech had made her move on Anastasia Stea. Yes, it was time to turn the page concerning her Galloway obsession. After all, Sasha concluded, it would be better for her tennis. This was Wimbledon and it was time for her to be crowned one more time on the British grass. She could do it, she knew it. No injuries, nothing to worry about except perhaps the occasional sassy wink from Anastasia. But the Czech player saw that as a useful reminder of the life of debauchery she had lived the past few weeks. It wouldn’t happen again. Good-bye cocktails and endless wondering about the twins’ sexuality and their mysterious dealings.

              Sasha knew the most important part of this story already. Lulu and Gaga switched matches which was a detail that came in handy. With her exclusive knowledge she was able to adapt more quickly to their game, even though in the past few matches it seemed to have been Gabriella who had taken the court with Sasha, because Luella didn’t play against her anymore.

              Sasha once again began to wonder why. Had it to do with Luella’s unashamed sexual advances in the locker room? Something was still bothering her about the Galloways and she couldn’t say what exactly. Sasha shook her head.

              “No, no,” she scolded herself. “No more Galloway mystery no more.”

              She needed fresh air and some peace of mind to sweep away all the things that had happened to her lately. It was time to take control of her life again. Her next match was tomorrow, so after finishing lunch with her team, Sasha put on her sunglasses and her hat and went out for a little walk through the streets of Wimbledon.

              The streets were busy but no one recognized her. Most people couldn’t imagine that a great player like her would just walk down the street like everyone else. She smiled at their naivety. She was just turning around the corner of the main square, looking down at her feet, when she bumped into someone. The unexpected contact made her scream.

              “Oh dear, I am sorry.”

              It was that photographer again. Tom. He, of course, had recognized her. Why did he seem to pop up behind every corner, she wondered. Hoping he wouldn’t make a fuss and blow her cover, she lowered her eyes and noticed that he was holding a camera. He followed her glance.

              “I’m taking pictures! Beautiful place, isn’t it?”

              Raising an eyebrow, Sasha shrugged. She wasn’t in the mood to start a conversation with Tom.

              “Good luck in the tournament. You are doing great so far.”

              Without saying a word, the Czech player nodded briefly and left, still a bit confused by the encounter.

***

As soon as the door of the locker room was closed, Elise turned around to Amanda with a little jump and planted a big smooch on the Australian’s mouth. Amanda was amazed by the German’s lack of concern. One day, she feared, Elise would kiss her while on the court, just because she seemed to be completely head over heels and might forget about the consequences. To witness the exuberant carelessness was nevertheless terribly sweet, and Amanda pushed her worries away and kissed Elise back before bursting into cheerful laughter. They both had good reason to be happy.

              They had just knocked out one of the top seeded doubles pairings in straight sets and would now move on to the third round. After Elise’s incredible win against Marieke Bender she was the talk of the town and she and Amanda had stayed more than fifteen minutes on court after the match finished to sign autographs and take pictures with their fans. Their opponents had already left the locker room before Elise and Amanda made their way back, and with a men’s match scheduled next on court the ladies’ locker room was empty and undisturbed for the moment.

              They embraced again in the silent room. It was the first time since they had arrived in London that they were truly on their own. One evening Elise had come over to Amanda’s house which she shared with Dan and his family, and even though they had retreated to Amanda’s room nothing had happened but some fooling around. Amanda had told herself it was for the better. Let’s take it slow, she had reminded herself. No need to rush things, especially since she still felt a nagging insecurity about the relationship.

              On the other hand, it had been months since her last time with Felicia and Elise herself had become more audacious. The German’s kisses had grown more daring in the last few days, exploring beyond Amanda’s lips and tongue, and she was now going over the sensitive skin on her throat to the fine hairs of her neck. Perhaps she should just give it a go? Elise’s skin was soft and tasted salty.

              “Let’s get you out of these sweaty clothes,” Amanda whispered while slowly pulling up Elise’s shirt. They agreed tacitly to move closer to the showers, with every step taking off another part of each others’ clothes, until they were both standing in the cubicle. In the darkness of the tiled walls they took off their remaining underpants, then paused within inches of each other to let the short moment of bashfulness pass by while they looked each other over, naked and pale. Amanda turned on the water and as soon as it was warm enough they stepped under it and began to cover each other with wet kisses, each taking in the prodigious sensation created by their bodies fully touching for the first time.

              With growing desire, Amanda threw her good intentions overboard and slowly pushed Elise against the wall. Still embracing Elise so that her back wouldn’t touch the cold tiles she moved her lips over Elise’s shoulders while her leg moved against Elise’s groin. With Elise’s breathing growing heavier and the water gushing onto her head, Amanda felt like a storm was rising. Elise had opened her mouth and every time she exhaled she let out a little sigh.

              Amanda pulled the moaning girl closer and grabbed her hips while moving her mouth over her breasts and slowly making her way down her whole body. Elise breathed even faster and grabbing Amanda’s hair, the German pushed Amanda’s head even further down.

              But suddenly she stopped, gasping for air.

              “Wait,” she spluttered. “Wait.” She straightened her body and began to slowly shake out her hands.

              “What’s up?” Amanda had taken a step back.

              “They’ve grown numb,” Elise answered, still holding her hands out and trying to shake the blood back into her arms. Amanda couldn’t help but grin compassionately. Amazing, what a little bit of high-performance romancing could do.

              “Let’s wake them up again,” she grinned turning on the cold water tap.

              When the cold jet of water hit her, Elise let out a loud yell but then held her hands in the refreshing stream. As if someone had stopped a record by badly scratching the needle over the vinyl Amanda’s desire had been washed away down the drain. She stepped out of the shower and looked for towels. The storm had passed by them and the water was just running regularly now. She threw a towel over her naked body and after wrapping Elise in the other towel, Amanda sat her down on the bench and tenderly rubbed her arms with lotion until Elise nodded that she felt better. With a sheepish smile Amanda sat down next to Elise still holding her hands. Sensing Elise’s disappointment and embarrassment over their failed lustful attempt, she turned her head to the German and looked her in the eyes.

              “Let’s not rush this,” Amanda said. She put her arm around Elise and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “We have all the time in the world.”

              Because suddenly she knew that they did.

***

“How could you do that to me? I can’t believe it!” Gabriella slammed the door of their Wimbledon apartment and crossed her arms on her chest while frowning at her sister. She was furiously staring at Luella.

              “I didn’t do it on purpose, sweetie.” Luella bit her lower lip reaching out her hands to apologize but her sister pushed her away.

              “No, of course not,” Gabriella shouted. “You just forgot about the game plan, about the strategy we talked about the whole evening yesterday. Most of all, you forgot to hit winners.”

              Luella made a step backwards, suddenly a bit scared.

              “I suppose it has to do with your nightly activities again?” Gabriella added coolly. “Tell me who insisted playing my match? You! That was a qualifier, Luella.” Gaga shook her head in anger. She was out of her favorite tournament. Not only that. She would slump by at least two ranking spots depending on how some other Top 20 players did. Gabriella knew that Lulu had been adamant about playing her match because she knew it would be easier than her own match. But Luella had screwed up and she deserved to be told over and over again.

              “Sweetie – ” Luella started again.

              “Don’t call me sweetie! I’m fed up with your sweetie! You should concentrate on tennis and practice a lot more so these things won’t happen anymore.”

              “Oh, Gaga,” Luella snorted. “You’re just jealous. I’m still the better player of the two of us. So if there’s someone here who should go back on court and practice then it’s you. I’m still ahead of you in the rankings, in case you forgot.”

              Gabriella gasped. “I pushed up your ranking. It was me who won the important matches and you know it,” Gabriella said suppressing her anger. “But you can’t even admit it. It’s time for you to question your commitment, Lu!”

              “My commitment?”Luella’s body had grown stiff. She looked at her sister with blatant animosity. “Just because you won one lousy tournament doesn’t mean you are the better player. You lost playing for me in the past and did I say a word? No. See? You’re such a whining wimp right now.”

              Gabriella snorted in disgust, opened her mouth to reply but remained silent for a few seconds. This was it. Lulu would never understand. It was time to make up her mind.

              “I’m a wimp? Then let me tell you something. I’m out.” Gabriella could hardly believe what she was saying to her twin sister. But the words spluttered out of her mouth. “From now on, I will play all my matches and you will play all your matches and I don’t care who is on the other side of the net. Then we’ll see if you have the maturity that it takes. The maturity and the talent, that is.”

              And without saying another word, Gabriella left the house.