Chapter 71

Maddie selected a total of six racquets, placed them in a bag, handed it to Peter, and directed the two of them down towards an open court near the clubhouse. Dan, so caught in looking at everything in the store, hadn’t gotten a good look at the specific racquets she’d selected, but he had a guess they were going to be pricey.

He’d looked at the unstrung ones hanging up, and the price of each, had made his stomach twist. This sport was not cheap. And as much as Peter insisted, this still ate at him. He didn’t come from a poor family, but he didn’t come from a rich one either. And seeing the money Peter was just willing to casually throw around, was unbelievable.

But Dan also knew better than to turn Peter down on this. Money meant nothing to Peter. Gifts, if Dan had to guess, were something that did matter to the Senior. And doing this, Dan could tell, meant a lot to his mentor. So, he was going to swallow his pride, and accept it with as much dignity as he could.

“If you don’t mind,” Maddie mentioned as they neared the court, she was looking to Peter, and not Dan, so he stayed quiet. “I would like to be the one to hit with him while he tests out the racquets. I figure it will help us best determine what suits his play style.”

Peter shot her a knowing grin. “You just want to see for yourself what my protégé has to offer.” The senior laughed, “which is fine. Just, remember, take it easy on him. We are on light duty till he heals. If you push him, I’m going to be upset.”

“You really do care about him.” Maddie’s tone had changed slightly. Dan couldn’t quite read it, but was she surprised? Was it a tone of approval? “Deal.” She smiled at Peter and pointed towards the empty hard court they’d been walking to. “Take him through some warmup stretches, and make sure he’s loose. We will take it easy, but I still need to see how he moves, his strokes, everything.

Your little restriction will make this a bit more difficult though.” She shot Peter a look. “But I suppose you didn’t want to wait for him to fully heal, huh?”

Peter laughed. “You know I don’t like to wait. Besides, if we get his racquet picked out today, we can have them ordered, customized, and with some extra rush money sent in, back here the moment he’s off light duty.”

Maddie nodded, though she was already towards what seemed to be an equipment shed near the clubhouse. “You’re just keeping him all to yourself. You better let me have an actual game with him once he’s healed. I want to see what he’s got, that has you doing so much for him. After all,” she paused, “I know you.” The tone held more hidden feelings, that Dan couldn’t decipher to save his life.

Dan waited a few moments, until she got further away, and they were on the hard court, heading towards a bench for Peter to set everything down before he broached the subject.

“What was that all about?” Dan was already stretching as he spoke, trying to work the pain from his right arm and back. The ibuprofen was definitely helping.

“No idea what you’re talking about buddy.” Peter said innocently, unzipping the bag he’d been given and leafing through the racquets.

“Uh huh.” Dan said, moving from stretching his right shoulder and back, to his left one. He may have supernatural cheat powers, but he’d been learning all too well recently that his body could, and would, still take damage. And he was really growing tired of feeling the discomfort.

“How about this then,” Dan continued, “who exactly is she?”

“Maddie?” Peter looked towards the shed. She’d disappeared inside and hadn’t come out yet. “She’s an old friend.”

“Peter,” Dan pressed. It was evident Peter was beating around the bush. “Come on man. I know you. You’re different with her.” It wasn’t wrong. Something seemed off. There was familiarity there, but also, Peter was different. It was subtle, but he treated her more like an equal than Dan had ever seen. No, more than that. Peter actually respected her.

The senior looked towards the shed once more, before he turned his full attention back to Dan. “Look,” Peter started, his voice seeming to crack for a moment. The senior sighed and took a deep breath. He was evidently troubled.

“I,” Peter started again, and stopped. Dan had never seen Peter like this.

“Is it,” Dan’s voice went quiet, “about your brother?”

A pained look crossed Peter’s face, but he nodded. He took another deep breath. “She was his coach.” He said simply. He rose a hand. “But don’t mention it to her. And don’t bring it up anymore today, yeah?” He forced a smile. “Today is about getting you your forever racquet man. It’s a good day. Let’s, leave the heavy stuff for another time.”

Dan nodded. He could tell this was not a subject Peter wanted to talk about. Granted, his evasiveness, made Dan even more curious. Still, Peter was right. Now wasn’t the time. Dan wouldn’t normally push Peter. He didn’t like making the Senior do things he didn’t want to. But if he were to push Peter now, considering what Peter was doing for him, then Dan wouldn’t deserve to be Peter’s friend. So, he quieted the questions within him, and tried to turn his focus back to the task at hand. Getting stretched and ready to try out a bunch of new racquets. Which, Peter was right, was definitely something that would make it a good day.

“Oh, also,” Peter said, drawing Dan from his thoughts just in time to see Maddie had left the shed, and was walking back with a racquet of her own, as well as a cart of ball containers. “Keep on your toes around her.”

“What do you mean?” Dan asked. He was stretching his legs now, warming them up and getting them ready. Because it was a hard court, he knew how important being limbered up was. The hard surface was not as, pliable, as clay, making it harder to slide around and twist and turn on. As such, he needed his body to make sure it was nice and springy, so to say, for whatever it was they were doing. Because the last thing he needed, was picking up another injury to his health points, that would prolong the full heal of his arm.

“She may seem all sweet and kind,” Peter continued, waving towards her with a smile even as he spoke, “but she’s ruthless. She knows your arm is injured, but she’s going to make you run if she gets the chance, just to try and test out what type of an athlete you are.”

“How is that related to racquet selection?” Dan asked. Far as he knew, they were supposed to just have him hit with multiple racquets and choose the one he felt worked best for his swing and style.

“It’s not really part of picking the perfect racquet for you. But more so, determining what type of tennis player you are, and seeing what you can handle. She wants to see your potential for herself, to try and judge what you will become.” Peter scoffed. “As if I was exaggerating how great you are.”

“Oh, so it’s your fault she’s about to run me around the court?” Dan asked. The mood lightened instantly as Peter shot him a grin.

“Hey, you can’t blame me for her actions.” Peter laughed, “Maddie’s just crazy.”

Dan shook his head. “I feel like you seem to attract crazy.”

Peter slapped Dan on the back, his laughter growing. “Shut up and get ready. Comments like that are just going to earn you extra training later on.”

Dan groaned, but his good mood remained. Not only that, the exchanged had helped him focus his mind, and relax. The heaviness that had been hanging around Peter at the mention of his brother, had faded away, and now, Dan could fully focus on what was to come. Speaking of, he focused on Maddie as she approached. If she was going to be testing him out, he needed to know what exactly he was in for.

“Well, shit.” He muttered a split second later. Peter was right. She was crazy. Crazy awesome.