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“ Just get your racquet in front of his serve,” Denise said. Mandy’ s serves did not come with the same velocity, but she controlled the spin. Eddie was switching from hitting fastballs to curves with each change of service. Eddie was shocked when he and Denise won the match.
They all sat down for a water break. Eddie listened while they talked tennis and laughed.“ One quick set. I get Eddie as a partner,” Mandy said. Taylor and Denise were on the move.“ I hope you don’ t mind losing.” Eddie said.“ Jake and I win often. I like to play against them. They don’ t hold back because we’ re girls. Denise and I win all the time in women’ s doubles,” she explained as they took their places on the court.“ Jake is the guy who usually plays?”“ He went pro a while back but never ranked very high. How often do you play?” she asked.“ Haven’ t picked up a racquet in ten years.”“ No way!” her sparkling blue eyes locked on his.“ Yes way,” Eddie smiled.“ Denise. Did you know Eddie hasn’ t picked up a racquet in ten years?” Mandy yelled across the net.“ No way.”“ Yes way,” she laughed, and glanced at Eddie.
They played a very quick match. Eddie and Mandy lost but they laughed a lot in the process. Picking up the equipment they headed for the parking lot.“ We usually go to Jake’ s for pizza,” Mandy said.“ My place. follow us,” Taylor said, climbing into Denise’ s white Acura. Mandy smiled, shrugged and climbed into the passenger seat of Eddie’ s truck with her bag. The white car was gone before Eddie started the truck.“ Do you know where Taylor lives?” Mandy asked.“ Next door.” Eddie said. They pulled into the apartment complex a few minutes later. Eddie did not see the white car. Mandy’ s phone rang.“ Where are you?” she asked and listened for a minute. Then she started to laugh.“ Alright I’ ll ask,” she turned to Eddie.“ Denise has kidnapped Taylor. She was wondering if you could take me home?”“ How far is home?”“ Fifteen minutes away,” she said, biting her lower lip. Eddie nodded.“ He said okay. Don’ t hurt Taylor,” she laughed, into the phone and ended the call.“ I’ m starved. Do you want pizza or would you like to take me some place nice?”“ You choose, but I can’ t go like this.” Eddie said.“ Me either. I need a shower. I have clothes in my bag.”
Eddie was uncomfortable with the vibes this girl was putting off. She picked up on his unease.“ I’ m nineteen.” she said. Eddie smiled.“ That is not the issue. I am staying at a friend’ s place he lives next to Taylor. I am sure he would not mind you using his shower. He told me to make myself at home.”“ Is he here?”“ No. He’ s out of town and asked me to check on his place. That is how I met Taylor,” Eddie said, as Mandy opened the truck door, grabbed her bag and got out. Leading the way, Eddie opened the door of the apartment. Mandy stepped inside and looked around.“ Nice,” she said. He sensed her nervousness.“ Functional. Ladies first. The shower is in there. The lock works,” he said, pointing toward the hallway. She went in and Eddie heard the click of the lock. He turned on some music and grabbed a beer.