“Can you blame me? The man is terrifying!”
“I’m glad he’s not here though, I don’t think I could have coped seeing you here but not being able to kiss you.” April admitted with a blush creeping up her neck.
“You and me both,” Jade pulled April closer and nuzzled into her neck before pulling back to continue. “But I’m going to head back to my room and grab a shower before calling Ivy. She wants to hear all about what’s happening with us while Cleo’s out with her best friend. I know we spoke last night about me talking to her about us, but I just wanted to check that you’re still ok with that?”
April took a breath and struggled to keep eye contact with Jade, “I want to be ok with it, and I know you have to talk to someone about us. Can you just, maybe,nottell her I’m one of the players here? Not yet?”
Jade’s heart broke at the hint of panic in April’s voice. “I won’t do anything that you’re not comfortable with. You should come out on your own terms. Whenyou’reready. There’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not one to pressure anyone into anything they’re not ready for. I just need to be able to share what I can with my family about why I’m suddenly so happy. Don't worry though, I’m not going to push you to tell people about our...” Jade stopped herself. It was too soon to label this as a relationship. Wasn’t it? Did the length of time matter when their connection was so strong? She didn’t want to risk scaring April away. She couldn’t do that after they’d onlyjustfound each other again.
“About our...?” April’s eyes suddenly weren’t panicking anymore. They were warm and happy, and full of hope.She knew.
Jade’s mouth quirked to the side as she blushed and tried to hide her grin. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? I mean, I don’t want to freak you out or follow the ridiculous stereotype. I know that we’ve only known each other for a few days altogether. Isn’t it too soon?”
“I think that you’re crazy if you say it’s only been a few days. Our first date was talking for almost six solid hours learning allabout each other except our jobs, families, and surnames. We fixed that last night with a video call that lasted almost two hours. Most people takeweeksof dating to learn half of what we know about each other already. I’m not freaking out, Jade. Like I told you yesterday, we’re doing this. Which means that yes,” April took a breath and chuckled, “thisis thestartof a relationship, babe. We’ll figure the rest out as we go.”
Jade grinned, relieved, then pulled April in for another kiss.
Each day over the rest of the tournament fell into somewhat of a routine: Jade usually woke up first and messaged April. She would keep tabs on her match if she was playing or messaged through the day if April wasn't scheduled to play. Jade would drop by April’s room every few days, but they mostly stuck to bedtime video calls as they were both exhausted by bedtime.
April lost in the quarterfinals to a young Chinese player. She had told Jade that it wasn’t due to April making many mistakes; the other player was just having an excellent match that day. It wouldn’t have mattered who the other player had been up against; she just had the ideal match and won. Jade was just happy that April wasn’t too down about the loss. She didn’t know how April typically handled losing matches, but she knew it would be something she’d learn over time. She looked forward to learning all about her.
The tournament ended early for April, so she headed home for a few days before making her way to the next one. Jade didn’t finish until the Sunday and was straight to the next venue the following day.Such was the life of a travelling physical therapist, so it seemed.
The following tournament was much the same. Jade had to learn the layout of the new venue and hotel locations quicker this time. They fell into a similar routine, this time, with April going on to win the tournament. Jade barely managed to contain her excitement as she watched the end of the match beside Will in the hotel’s bar. She was so proud of her...girlfriend? Partner? We’ve still to decide that. Maybe we’ll discuss it on our week off before the Grand Slam in London.
Chapter 22
April
April was glad for the break after her latest win. Not that she was tired, that’s why she spent her life training as hard as she did. No, she was glad because this week meant that she’d get to spend some quality time with Jade. Plus, she’d managed to get her to agree to accompany April to choose her dress for Dani’s wedding.
She had mixed emotions about the whole thing though. While she was excited to choose her dress, part of her wondered what Jade would look like dressed for a wedding. What would they look like going as a couple? Then the panic and worry set in. What if the people in the dress shop knew they were a couple? What if word got out? She couldn’t handle that. Not yet. Notright before the Grand Slam. Not before she’d told her family. Not until she was ready.
Before she knew it, she had worked herself into such a mess that she thought she would throw up. She hadn’t felt this way in years. Not since she first knew she was gay. Back then she thought everyone could tell when she looked anywherenearLouisa Greenfeld, her crush at 14.
Logically, April knew this was different. Louisa hadn’t even known her name. She was in the year ahead of April and barely acknowledged anyone else’s existence who wasn’t her boyfriend, Ollie Short.
This time was different. She was in relationship with the most kind and caring woman she’d ever met. She felt supported and looked after by Jade. She felt that she showed Jade the same in return. It feltcalm. For all April spiraled when left to her own devices, all it took was a single look or small touch from Jade, and April was centered again. She could breathe.
April was hoping Jade would have that exact effect on her as she stood outside the boutique off Main Street waiting for Jade’s arrival. Head in a complete whirl. Her stomach wasn’t doing much better. She was scrolling through her socials on her phone, trying to see if there was any news of the draw for the Grand Slam next week, when a shadow came across her screen. Spiced cologne from their first date wafted in the air. Without looking up, April knew exactly who was there.
“Would you mind standing on the other side? You’re blocking my phone,” she said with laughter.
“Well in that case,” Jade reached out and swiped April’s phone from her hand and swiftly deposited it into her jeans back pocket. “Problem solved.” Jade grinned as April’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline at the brazen actions of her...girlfriend? No,partner. Standing there, as stunning as she’d ever seen her. Fiery hair tied up in a messy bun, fitted slate grey shirt thatshowed off her incredible physique, fitted dark jeans with brown boots.
“Is that how you treat me? After my big win?” April folded her arms across her chest in a mock huff.
Jade leaned in close enough that even though no one else was around, only April would hear her, “I would have wrapped you up in my arms and kissed you hello...but that was the second-best method of getting your attention.” The smirk dancing on her lips as she spoke reassured April that Jade genuinely was ok withnotgetting to kiss April in public. For now, at least. Instead, she reached into her back pocket and returned the phone to April.
Jade looked up at the boutique’s name above the door. “I’ve got to say, I’m really looking forward to seeing what you look like in a dress,” she smiled at April as she brought her eyes back down.
“I wear them loads, haven’t you checked out my socials?” April said, knowing that her feed was filled with her in various tennis dresses, and the occasional cocktail dress or evening gowns for award ceremonies or promotional events she had attended in recent years.
“I haven’t looked you up online at all. I have no interest in what the world wants to tell me about you; I want to learn all there is for myself. Straight from the source.” April’s stomach swooped. Could Jade really be any more perfect for her?
“Well then, I look forward to hearing your opinion,” with that, April threw Jade a wink over her shoulder as she pressed the buzzer to the right of the door and waited to be allowed access to the exclusive boutique. The door clicked straight away as she was right on time for her appointment slot, leaving Jade no time to respond to her flirting.
Even though they were now officially together, the flirting hadn’t lessened any, and April was loving every second of it. Shehad years to make up for, and Jade was more than a willing participant.
