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“ Yes as a matter of fact. I am.”“ Dude, tell me you play tennis.”“ It’ s been years since I held a racquet.”“ Excellent. I’ ll have you back in rhythm in no time,” Taylor said.
“ All I have is shoes and socks. I didn’ t pack workout clothes,” Eddie held up the small bag.“ Dude I got you covered. Just bought some sweats and I’ ve got plenty of racquets. The guy I usually hit balls with, bailed on me and... I’ m sorry I didn’ t ask if you had plans,” Taylor said.“ No. Just a quiet evening at home, but a working up a sweat sounds pretty good,” Eddie said, thinking, running around a court for a while, smacking some tennis balls might put him in a better frame of mind.
Taylor darted through the open door of his apartment and was back, carrying clothes with the tags still attached. He and Eddie were about the same size.“ Return them clean or dirty, doesn’ t matter. The courts are about a mile away. Do you want to walk or drive?”“ I’ ll drive. Let me change and I’ ll be right out,” Eddie said. The loaded ball hopper and fat tennis bag indicated Taylor was serious about his tennis. He waited at the bottom of the stairs with a red cooler at his feet.“ Need me to carry anything?” Eddie asked.“ Water,” Taylor said. He had it covered as promised. Eddie picked up the cooler and lead the way to the truck. They arrived at the courts a few minutes later. The place was deserted.
Taylor coached and gave Eddie shots he could return easily. It did not take long before Eddie’ s backhand and forehand looked respectable. Taylor gave advice as he refilled the empty hopper with the balls scattered all over the court. The volleys became spirited and lasted a few times over the net. They took a water break after the hopper was emptied again.“ Do you coach tennis?” Eddie asked.“ Yeah! Did you play?” Taylor asked.“ Baseball.”“ Dude you should have played tennis. I bet you could switch hit,” Taylor said. Eddie nodded.“ I knew it. You’ ve got a smooth forehand and a wicked backhand. Just like swinging a bat only much more forgiving,” he said, holding up the racquet.“ So are you ready to play a game?”“ You really want to kick my ass,” Eddie said, knowing Taylor had taken it easy on him.“ I’ ll take Mandy as my partner, she is not as good as Denise,” Taylor said, as two young blonds in tennis skirts walked onto the courts. Taylor smiled.“ You can’ t play mixed doubles with only one dude. I’ m good but they would kick my ass,” Taylor laughed.
Taylor offered introductions and explained Eddie was a little rusty, and suggested Denise should pair up with him.“ Okay Eddie, let’ s see what Taylor gave me to work with,“ Denise laughed.“ I’ m usually partners with Taylor. It will be fun to kick his butt,” she said, loud enough for Taylor to hear.“ Don’ t get your hopes too high,” Eddie shrugged. It did not take long for Eddie to notice he was going to have to be on his toes. These two cute blonds came to play tennis. Eddie managed to hold his own on the court, thanks to the quick coaching from Taylor. Denise returned Taylor’ s serves almost as fast as he delivered them.