‘Greetings, Silver family,’ Todd boomed to the table. His designer jeans and blazer did nothing to disguise his bulk. All the sun had weathered his face prematurely, making him look at least a decade older than his forty-four years, and his eyes were always rheumy, watery. In the most reptilian way, he both blinked and licked his lips almost constantly. While his appearance had always repulsed Charlie, now that he was her coach she found it comforting. In a world of overwhelmingly – almost unnaturally – attractive people, it was nice to have someone around who wasn’t blindingly gorgeous. Someone who didn’t flirt with her or let his hand accidentally on purpose brush against her ass or make crass jokes or ogle other women. Granted, he had actually arranged for her room to connect with Marco’s in the hope they would sleep together, but in the grand scheme of inappropriate behavior toward a female player from her male coach, Todd was downright dreamy.

Both her father and Jake stood to shake Todd’s hand.

‘Hello, Mr Feltner,’ Mr Silver said formally. Nothing about her father was formal or stuffy, but he’d acted awkwardly around Todd from their very first meeting.

‘Call me Todd! Peter. Jake. Charlotte. Great to see everyone.’ He took a seat and immediately motioned for the waiter. ‘Gentlemen, can I interest you in some tequila? They have a great selection.’

Charlie tried not to smile as both her father and her brother nodded. Her father drank beer and Jake preferred vodka, but no one wanted to speak up.

‘Excellent. We’ll do the six-flight tasting, please,’ Todd said to the waitress. Her father blanched. Jake stared at the table. ‘And a sparkling water with a lemon for the lady.’

Lime, Charlie thought, but she, too, kept quiet.

There was a moment of silence before Jake seemed to wake up and said, ‘Well, let’s jump right in, folks. Exciting things are happening with Team Silver, so let’s run through them. Todd, why don’t you start?’

Charlie was pleased Jake had taken control of the dinner. When she’d officially hired him as her agent/manager a couple of years earlier, all the tongues had wagged. Amateur move. Momagers were for tween movie stars, not highly trained professional athletes. There were dozens of agents around the globe – experienced, savvy men and women – who had literally been fighting to sign Charlie, and when she’d gone with Jake, only twenty-six at the time and barely past the assistant stage, they’d all rolled their eyes in collective objection. It had taken some time and a few missteps, but it was worth it to Charlie to have someone on her team whom she could trust beyond question, someone who had no agenda beyond what was best for her. And now it seemed especially crucial with Todd at the helm.

The waitress returned with their tequila flights, and everyone ordered. After each had sipped their first taste – and Todd downed his – Todd cleared his throat.

‘So, status update. First and foremost, I just got the official report from Charlotte’s exam last week at HSS, and Dr Cohen confirms Charlotte’s right foot and left wrist are entirely healed. The scans were all perfect.’

Jake and her father clapped while Charlie did a mini bow at the table.

‘Dino, the physio I highly recommend, is the best. If he can get Federer through his shoulder injury he can get Charlie through anything. Ideally, he’d travel with us to all Slams and Premier Mandatory tournaments. Of course, that will cost.’ Todd made a sweeping motion with both hands. ‘I leave that decision up to you.’

‘The physios they provide at tournaments are usually very good,’ Charlie offered. ‘You even said so yourself in our first meeting in LA.’

The new team Todd had put together was great but expensive. There was money coming in, certainly, from both winnings and endorsements, but it felt like it was hemorrhaging, too. Between Todd, Dan, and Jake, Charlie now had three full-time people on staff and paid everyone’s room, board, and travel – in addition to her own – while on tour.

‘You get what you pay for,’ Todd said, flopping back in his chair as though the depth of everyone’s idiocy was exhausting.

‘Definitely something we can discuss further, although if Charlie is comfortable using the tournament physios, I’m inclined to try that route first and use Dino on an as-needed basis,’ Jake said with more confidence than Charlie knew he felt. ‘What else can you update us on?’

‘Well, as you all know, I’ve developed an entirely new approach for Charlie. Thanks in large part to the good work you’ve done with her, Peter, her foundation is solid. Great ground strokes, comfortable playing the baseline. Service is very solid and her net game is among the strongest of all the girls.’

The use of the word ‘girls’ rankled her, but again, Charlie kept quiet.

‘In my opinion, Charlotte needs to be focusing all of her energy and attention on her mental game. You can be a decent player with strokes like hers, but she’ll never be a winner without better mental toughness. No more sweet little Charlie with the big smile and the apology for everyone.’ His voice went up a few octaves to a grating imitation of a female. ‘“So sorry for hitting it wide. Sorry for walking in front of you. Sorry, it’s actually my turn for the practice court.” No más, people. From here on out we’ll be working on a mental makeover, if you will. I want aggressive. Go-getting. Intimidation. You think the men are walking around apologizing for everything and hugging each other? Hell, no! And the girls shouldn’t be either.’

Todd took another taster from the flight, sniffed it, and threw it down his throat. The entire table watched as his tongue encircled his lips.

Mr Silver glanced toward Charlie, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Todd was right. She was too nice. ‘I hear you,’ Charlie said. ‘I could definitely be more aggressive.’

‘You think? ’Cause I sure fucking do. No more Little Miss Nice Girl with the pink ribbon and the big, toothy smile. This is serious business with serious stakes, and it’s time you acted like it.’

Charlie’s father cleared his throat. ‘I respect everything you’re saying, Todd, and to an extent I do agree. But do you think it’s wise to expend so much energy on trying to change Charlie’s personality? Call me old-fashioned, but I still see some value in sportsmanship – especially in a sport like tennis.’

Todd smacked the table. ‘Of course! I’m not advising her to be a bitch out there, but trust me when I say it wouldn’t be the worst thing either. The girls today, they’re tough. They’ve got muscles like men, they hit the ball hard, and they’ll do whatever it takes to win. Just look at the ones on top – they’re hot and tough. Real competitors, all of them. That’s what I’m talking about.’