Page 2 of Game Plan
“Ivy and I have set a date for our wedding,” Cleo finally broke the silence with a smile, “March 13th next year.”
Jade smiled as she turned to her older sister, “Aw Cleo, that’s great news. I’m really delighted for you both.” She reached out her hand to hold Cleo’s.
“Thanks Jade, I can’t wait to marry her.” Jade took in the look of pure joy and love in her sister’s eyes when talking about her future wife. “And I was hoping that when I do, you’d be right up there with me, by my side?” Cleo’s face was a mixture of nerves and hope.
“You mean...” Jade said with a smile but struggled to get the words out.
“Would you be my co-best-person with Lana?” Cleo held her breath, Jade could tell.
“Of course I would, are you kidding me?!” Jade got up and pulled her sister up off her chair and into a hug. “Cleo, I’d be honored to be there for you.”
“You don’t mind sharing the title with Lana, do you? I mean, she helped get Ivy and I back together, and her and Ivy get on so well too.” Cleo babbled.
“Are you seriously worried about that?” Jade didn’t understand why; Lana was Cleo’s best friend after all. “Cleo, it’s better that way anyway, sharing responsibility and double the help for you on the big day! Everyone’s a winner!” Jade grinnedas she pulled away from her sister for a moment, before pulling her back in for a second hug.
The sisters turned and made their way back into the house, where they found the family watching a movie in the living room with only a small lamp in the corner for light other than the large screen. Ivy looked over as they entered the darkened room, Cleo nodded gently, and Ivy sprung up off the couch and threw her arms around Jade’s shoulders. Nothing more needed to be said as Cleo sat down on the couch, Ivy leaned back against her, and Jade sat on the floor beside her niece.
Chapter 2
April
April arrived home after travelling for what seemed like days and collapsed onto her bed with a thud. The relief in her muscles was immediate, yet she currently felt far older than her 22 years. The flight home from Madrid wasn’t too bad, considering she was travelling back with a large number of supporters following her latest tennis tournament win. Once everyone got their selfies with her, they left her alone for the remainder of the flight. Thankfully.
She had decided ahead of time to compete at Madrid, then take a break from the next few tournaments before competing in Roland-Garros, Paris at the end of the month.
A break. Such a novelty for her. Especially as her dad, who was also her manager, usually registered her in every possible tournament in the Women’s Tennis Association calendar. It had been a battle to get him to agree to it, but between her and her mom, they wore him down enough to allow the slight relief in her schedule ahead of a busy summer that also included her best friend Dani’s wedding.
She reached up and removed her headphones just in time for her dad to knock on her bedroom door.
“April? Can I come in?” His voice still held hismanagerialtone. This can’t be good.
“Yeah Dad, c’mon in.” She remained where she was; sitting up was too much effort for her today.
“OK, Madrid went exactly as planned, and I know you have a break over the coming weeks before the next one, but you can’t slack off. That wasn’t the deal, ok?” He took a breath and April fought with all her might not to let him see her roll her eyes. They’d been home a whole 25 minutes from the airport, and he was already trying to ensure she wasn’t slacking?Seriously?“So, I’ve booked you into the new Cold Therapy Clinic that’s opened up in town for tomorrow morning at 11:30 after a light workout with Jon at 9.” He looked at April for some sort of acknowledgement.
“Dad, I get it, but please, can you just let me chill for a bit after that flight, and you can go through this with me in like, an hour maybe? I just need to unwind a little more before I can talk about anything even remotely related to tennis, just now, ok?” April pinched the bridge of her nose as she spoke and waited for his response.
“April, we’ve been home almost half an hour already, and I have calls scheduled with five prospective sponsors today. You know the drill. There’s no let-up during tournament time, and even less following a win.” Her Dad spoke to her as far more thanher manager; he had been a top-ranking professional tennis player himself 15 years ago.
“I know, Dad, I know. I just thought that we’d agreed on the downtime following Madrid.” April started, but her dad cut her off.
“That was before youwonMadrid though. You can’t win such a big title and vanish for a few weeks,especiallyin the eyes of important sponsors.” He sat on the edge of April’s bed before continuing. “I’ll make you a deal within our deal: push through for a few more days of media and promos on social media until the next tournament starts...” pausing for effect.The drama king that he is.
“If I do that...?” April lifted herself up enough to rest on her elbows.
“You can haveonenight out with Dani this weekend. She’s already been on at me about it for the past week.”
“Seriously?! Shake on it, then you can’t back out.” April thrust her open hand toward him.
He paused, awaiting confirmation first. “Media, all socials and promos for five days first, as well as training and recovery as normal? Then you can go out on Saturday night, no alcohol, and you can take Sunday morning off until noon when you’re back to regular scheduling. Deal?”
“DEAL!” April shook her dad’s hand then pulled him in for a rare hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Now,” he pulled back from the hug and checked his watch, “I’m off to see your mom before I’m stuck in the office for the rest of the day with these calls.” With that, he was out of her room and closing the door behind him.
April scrambled around her bed to find her phone, and dialed her best friend, Dani, to tell her the news.
The call rang seven times before her friend answered. Being a sports manager like April’s Dad was, her best friend waspractically glued to her phone. Seven rings before answering the call was highly unusual, unless she was with a client, in a meeting...or with her fiancé, Matt.
