Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance. Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it’s never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it. Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked second in the world. The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego. With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net, he must decide whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

Autorentext

Edward Schmit

Klappentext

**AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

“Heated Rivalry for the tennis set…charming, funny, and big-hearted.”—Town & Country
"[A] debut romance novel that will capture your heart."—Cosmopolitan

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance.**

Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it’s never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it.

Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked second in the world.

The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego.

With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net, he must decide whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

Zusammenfassung
**“Heated Rivalry for the tennis set…charming, funny, and big-hearted.”--Town & Country
"[A] debut romance novel that will capture your heart."--Cosmopolitan

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance.**

Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it’s never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it.

Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked second in the world.

The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego.

With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net, he must decide whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

Leseprobe
1

In tennis, love means zero, and yeah, that sounds about right.

My bag hangs heavy on my shoulders as we enter the tunnel. It feels even heavier when the roar of Arthur Ashe Stadium reaches my ears. Twenty-four thousand people are waiting for me.

The tunnel walls are lined with larger-than-life photographs of past winners-no trophies in hands yet, no smiles for the camera. The photos capture what's required before the celebration: the pure determination, the ambition, needed to make it here in the first place.

A woman with a headset stops us just before the entrance to the court, and my knees weaken. This is not how I imagined this moment. This is not how I dreamed it. I've spent my whole life training for this. I should feel ready. I should feel strong.

But all I feel is Diego Cruz behind me, standing only a few feet away.

We haven't talked in two days. Or, I should say, he hasn't talked to me in two days. I texted him asking if he was okay. I double texted to apologize, even though I shouldn't have. And yes, seconds later, I triple texted, because I simply could not help myself.

It started as a friendship, something I desperately lack in my life. I haven't had a real one since freshman year of high school, so of course I fell for it. But then it all spun out of control. I can't get over how the same guy who's ghosting me looked into my eyes and told me everything would be all right.

That was a lie, because it very much isn't all right. And it's all happening at the worst possible time.

Instead of focusing on the absolute biggest moment of my life, I'm spiraling about him. I could fucking scream. Why can't I settle my mind? Why can't I tune this out? But the truth is I've never been very good at that. And this shit is next-level.

"Austin, I'll cue you to walk out in a few seconds," Headset says to me.

My stomach drops.

Discreetly, I lift my hand to my chest, try to take a full breath, but it doesn't feel like air is going in. Not a good sign. Please, don't let this happen again. I've somehow found a way to handle my anxiety over the past two weeks, but my defenses could crumble at any point.

"New York . . ." The voice of the announcer booms over a sound effect of a heartbeat. I almost confuse it for my own.

Bump, bump. Bump, bump.

"This year marks his very first appearance at the US Open . . ." Bump, bump. "At twenty years old, from the United States, please welcome . . . Austin Hardy."

The lights dim. The music swells. Headset gives me a friendly push, and I step onto the court of the largest tennis stadium in the world.

Holy shit, this place is packed. Rows and rows of fans tower up into the night sky.

A kid in the stands wears a white headband just like mine and holds a flag tightly in his little hand-a pride flag. He waves it as hard as he can as I walk by, his eyes as bright as the stadium lights.

I spot another flag, and another one, and another-a sea of rainbows.

Of all nights for this specific match to fall, coincidence scheduled it on Pride Day at the US Open.

The crowd is cheering for me. They've had my back since my first match here. You'd think that would help, but if I'm being honest, the pressure is close to killing me.

Smile, stupid. Wave or something. Act like you're anything close to normal.

I show some teeth, lift an arm, and try my best to act cool. But I'm pretty sure I look like someone who's just learned how to walk as I make my way across the court, enormous broadcast cameras tracking my every step.

Over in the corner, my mom and sister sit in my players' box, clapping with everyone else. Love and excitement pour out of them, and for a moment, I feel a little better. I'm sure they're freaking out right now. I am too, just in the complete opposite way.

Robbie, my coach, is next to them, hand pressed to his mouth. He gives me his signature nod, but there's an extra dip in his eyebrows, holding the weight of the past year and a half-me dropping out of college, the accident at practice, and so much more. He doesn't know what's been going on exactly-I haven't told him-but I know he senses the shift in my demeanor, in my attitude, in my game.

He's worried again.

I make it to my bench and start to unpack my bag: racket, electrolytes, container of d…