Challenging the Center (Santa Fe Bobcats #6)(83)
The video she and Michael had recorded had gone viral, thanks mostly to Michael’s passionate speech on the dangers of the Internet for kids who don’t understand there are people behind every screen. The scandal ended up fizzling out, with almost no ramifications to Michael’s career. Or Kat’s, for that matter. In fact, while she waited for a new sports agent, Martin Bennett, the lawyer working with Michael on the football camp, had agreed to help her negotiate any deals. She’d been offered a campaign with a nonprofit organization that raised awareness of cyberbullying. She’d taken it immediately, despite the fact that it paid zip. It was an important step, and she felt honored they trusted her brand enough to work with her.
“And here they are. That tall drink of water is my nephew, Thomas. And this… this one here who apparently is sleeping for f*ck’s sake, is your new partner.”
Kat’s daydream spiraled loose, and she blinked. Gary stood in front of her on court one, a young woman beside him. She looked to be eighteen, if that, and had a tanned complexion that indicated a Hispanic heritage.
“Hi.” She held out a hand to the girl whose eyes widened. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, hi. Nice to meet you.”
So young.
“This is Talia Woods. She needs more experience. You’re going to give it to her.”
Kat narrowed her eyes at Gary. “What am I, a nanny?”
“I’m twenty-two,” Talia shot back, though Kat’s barb hadn’t been meant for her to begin with. “I don’t need a nanny, I need a partner.”
“How are your dance moves?”
Talia rolled her eyes. “I’m a Latina. We’ve always got moves.”
Kat grinned at Gary. “She’ll do.”
Epilogue
Kat sat beside Michael on the platform, looking out on all the hopeful young players on the field. They were sitting crisscross applesauce, their expressions full of eagerness and hope. A few even leaned forward, waiting with bated breath for the wisdom they were about to receive.
Remove the equipment and cleats, and it could have been a very tall group of kindergarteners.
Michael leaned toward her as the final group of ten, led by their camp coach, Chris Minikowski, sat in the back and were settled. “Is it my imagination or are they younger every year?”
Kat smiled softly and patted his knee. “I hate to tell you, babe, but we’re getting older. They’re the same age.”
He groaned. “Probably a good thing we’re out of the game. Who can compete with that much energy?”
She grinned at that. They’d both retired at the end of the last season. Him with much fanfare, her with very little. But it suited them both just fine. Besides, they had other projects to focus on now.
She rubbed her stomach. It shocked her how fast they’d gotten pregnant. They had decided to wait until she was fully out of competing before trying, but she hadn’t thought it would happen weeks after her final tournament. The fact that she’d found out this morning had been a fluke but a wonderful one. She couldn’t be more than four weeks along, total.
She still hadn’t told Michael. She’d wait until camp week was over. This was the third year, and she knew from experience it was always such an exhausting, demanding time for Michael. She didn’t want the news of the baby to overshadow his elation in the event or vice versa.
In the end, it had been shockingly easy to walk away from her career in professional tennis. The years of worry and stress, the fear of not making enough, of losing money traveling to this tournament or that… it had worn on her. The added pressure of being “on” with her persona had grown weary. And while she’d loved playing with Talia the last few years, and money had ceased being an issue, her heart was no longer on the court. Talia had gone on to compete as a singles player and was kicking some ass, taking some names. Kat still practiced with her, keeping her skills sharp. She still coached, still gave privates at the tennis center with Gary. But the competition, she now left that to those with the stomach for it.
Michael had gone out on top, with several other Bobcats, retiring after a Super Bowl win. Their first in, well, far too long, according to many. It was elating to watch those who had played for the team for years—some close to a decade—walk away on that highest of high notes. She’d never seen so many large men cry. It was as humbling as it was humorous.
“You ready for your part?” Michael stood, and the few campers who had been talking quickly hushed. She nodded, inwardly grinning. He loved this, so very much. His experience mentoring had all been leading up to this, where he could catch the kids even younger, stop them so the worst of the mistakes could be headed off at the pass.
And the boys… She did grin now as they all leaned forward, ready to listen. Ready to hang on every word he spoke. They adored him. Worshiped him.
“You’ll be listening to my wife next,” Michael began as he gestured toward where Kat sat. A singularly cocky teen wolf whistled. He gave the crowd a knowing smile. “Yeah, that’s her. You’re about four years too late, kid. I saw her first.”
They all laughed.
“She’s still a kickass tennis player, but now she coaches and travels around the country talking to college and pro teams about social media and keeping your cool online. She’s got a little experience in that area.”