Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla) novel Chapter 82

Blake looked satisfied and said, "Your form looks genuinely professional."

Ayla missed the next ball and bent down to pick it up.

She asked, "When did you learn to play?"

Her mom Juliana had taught her tennis.

Ayla always thought Ms. Juliana could do everything. That never changed even after she grew up.

She said, "I learned when I was in elementary school."

Blake said, "That explains it. Your posture looks sharp." She lifted her own racket and said, "James, you play with me."

James had wanted to poke at Draven, but Ayla caught him off guard.

He figured she lied the first time because she didn't know them. She showed up today, so he dropped the attitude and joined Blake.

Ayla's swing still looked clean, but she had not played in a long time. Her arm strength was weak.

Draven hit hard and fast. After a few rallies, her form almost fell apart.

She pushed herself to hold on.

She felt his next shot come in lighter. She noticed it right away.

She looked at Draven.

Draven stood far away with a cold face and said, "Keep going. I'll train with you."

The fragile look was long out of style. Women needed strength and muscle. Only enemies wanted her weak, and Ayla wanted power. She needed to work out.

She said, "Okay."

A partner like Draven was a gift. She would not waste that chance.

Tennis was hard without strength training. Most people needed pairs so they could rest between sets.

Herman and Will showed up late.

They entered through the west gate.

They saw Troy and did not say a thing as they passed.

Troy saw them too.

Ayla had already walked over to that side.

He hated seeing Ayla in front of him and told her to leave.

She stepped out of his line of sight without a word.

Troy looked at Herman and suddenly had doubts. Maybe Ayla was not here for the reason he thought.

A different possibility hit him. His face darkened.

Troy threw the racket aside and pushed open the fence door. He walked after Herman.

Skyla wanted to go too.

If Herman was here, then James and Draven might be nearby.

And if Ayla was playing with Draven, that thought made her chest twist.

She lifted her chin with pride and said, "But you better think straight. That's Ayla. Stay away from her if you can. I respect whatever you do, but she is still Troy's wife right now. You need to keep yourself in line. We won't get along if you don't."

Max said, "You talk like you care a lot about her being Troy's wife."

Skyla snapped, "So you really want to piss me off today?"

Max raised his hands a little and said, "Ms. Summer, please. I would never dare. Troy protects you like crazy. If he hears I upset you, he'll kill me."

He sounded sincere.

Skyla let out a cold laugh and said, "I'm reminding you so you don't lose your friendship."

Max said, "Thanks for the warning."

His eyes narrowed a little, and his smile never warmed. He said, "I'll make sure I value my friendship with Troy."

He meant the kind of friendship that would fall apart someday, but not yet.

Max rolled the tennis racket in his hand.

Then he said, "But stop trying to manage me."

Skyla froze.

Max swung a ball across the court in one clean hit.

He stood tall in the sunlight with a long shadow stretched behind him.

He tilted his head at her. His eyes usually looked soft when he stared at people or trash, but there was no softness now.