Part of me wanted to witness the doubles tournament live in person, but Wyatt and I stayed in Amaya’s house all day long while Darren and Amaya took care of their business. We had the TV on in the living room streaming the doubles matches.
I chuckled every time Dayzees came on screen because Wyatt booed too many pitches deeper than his voice allowed. Then Wyatt would smirk at me with his hazy eyes, mustache, and carefree attitude.
“Amaya is playing with a different guy, a new guy, by the name of TruthOrDarren. Alex, do you know much about this mystery fellow that has the honor of playing with the great Amaya?” Tommy Gotobed asked as we watched Amaya and Darren plug in their controllers, waiting for the next matchup to move on to the top 32.
“Well, Tommy, what I do know about this mystery character is that he’s played in the Chicago tournament before and has played rather well. Believe it or not, he has beaten Dayzees once. They were tied in a series before TruthOrDarren was disqualified for the rest of the tournament.”
Damn you. Please don’t explain why Darren got disqualified. Please don’t let him hear—
“You know why TruthOrDarren was disqualified?” Tommy asked.
“It’s unknown. But TruthOrDarren did make it to the top 64 in the singles tournament yesterday. He hasn’t played in other tournaments, so we’re guessing he must be from the area and just sticks to the local scene,” Alex said
“Well, see if you might be able to get an interview with him. I’m sure people would love to know Amaya’s partner,” Tommy said, just as the other two players stepped in to get destroyed.
“Dammit,” Wyatt groaned.
“What’s the matter?”
“They didn’t even mention my existence as Amaya’s previous Crushers partner. Part of me was hoping they were going to say something about me.”
“You mean the fact that you got blackout drunk?” I grinned, but Wyatt frowned.
“No, I was hoping they might say something about my road to recovery and how I’m making improvements, but… I guess not.” Wyatt sighed.
We kept our eyes glued to the screen; Darren and Amaya laid waste to their opponents and advanced to the top 32 teams. The two of us lazed around on the chairs in Amaya’s living room. Occasionally we sauntered into the kitchen to grab some snacks. Wyatt ate pita bread and hummus dip while I munched on a chemically flavored bag of variety chips.
“Yo, do you want to get a pizza later if they win for celebration?” Wyatt asked. “I think they might have a pretty good shot at this one for some reason. I don’t know what it is. I can just feel it,” Wyatt said as we watched them advance to the top 16.
“I’m down to get a pizza even if they lose. I don’t care what the circumstance is, a pizza sounds awesome.”
I was surprised my heart rate didn’t increase while watching their matches. Ordinarily, I would be twitching, sweating, and feeling my stomach drop, witnessing my friends make it deeper to the finals. They hadn't lost a set yet, still trucking with no fear.
“Whoa, they just beat Smith and RaunchDressing, the two guys that won the whole thing last year,” Wyatt said as we learned on the edge of our seats. “Top eight, baby!”
“Holy shit, they’re in the top four. That was a close one, going to three games, but damn they just beat Zlugburn and AirJunky, two solid players,” I said.
“Damn, here’s where the buck stops. Dayzees and R3-kless advance to the finals of the winners' bracket. God dammit, why is that guy so good?” Wyatt said.
“Well, hey, at least they beat 75K and FunkyPlum. They’ll get another shot at Dayzees and R3-kless.”
Wyatt and I were no longer sitting down. The both of us were standing up and swaying from side to side.
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“Shit, dude, they’re in the finals, and they just won the first set!” Wyatt shouted as he bounced up and down like a rubber ball. He started to shake me with a crazed look of a madman, and the two of us cracked up.
“They’re really going to win this. I told you, man, I just had a feeling about it!” Wyatt hollered.
“Darren looks so relaxed up on stage,” I said.
“What the hell are you talking about? It looks like he has a stick up his ass, he has good posture, but his back is never that straight. His mouth is like a hyphen in 8-point font. His arms are jutting out like he’s a robot.” Wyatt chuckled.
“Y’know what else he looks like?”
“Huh?”
“A wise-ass, old ass sage!” I beamed.
A euphoric rush of tired drunken sobriety had struck us both. We were slap-happy, and nothing could settle us down. Howling like wolves, the people from the street could hear us.
“Woo hoo! Set two, game one in the bag! Best of five, baby!” Wyatt screamed.
“Game two! Amaya and Darren! Let’s fucking go! Let’s fucking go!”
“Just one more, just one more, Gordo-baby-bozo!”
I cackled. “What the hell did you just say?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s game three; quick, we gotta watch! Look at that prick, Dayzees. Smiling like the smug bastard he is. Man, I hate that guy with every fiber of my being.”
“Me too. Dayzees needs to lose for once. This is just so insane that he’s always on top. At least he didn’t win last year but watch, he’ll make this miraculous comeback and—“
Both of us shut our traps as our eyes were locked on the screen. Nothing could break our concentration. Amaya sat on one end, next to Darren, who sat next to R3-kless and Dayzees at the other end. They were zoned in. A zombie-like stoicism possessed each of the four.
The match itself will go down in history.
R3-kless and Dayzees ganged up on Amaya, but she held her own and bested R3-kless before losing entirely. As she went down, she landed a few shots on Dayzees, giving Darren the advantage. Her death was a baton pass. They were in the lead. Wyatt and I were springing up and down like we had won the lottery.
“And just like that, folks! For the first time in Dayzees’s doubles bracket appearances, he doesn’t come away with a victory. Instead, the legendary Amaya made history today and finally slain the Dayzees dragon. Amaya and her partner TruthOrDarren have just become the doubles tournament world champions here in Chicago! What a glorious night for the two of them. There’s no doubt you’ll probably see that guy with her in Miami. Granted, if she comes this year, as we all know, she wasn’t there last year. Let’s cut to Tommy, who is down on the floor, shoving the microphone in their faces like the professional broadcaster he is.”
“Thanks, Alex! What a wonderful moment in Elite Crushers' history. Amaya, who has been facing so many struggles and has made the bold decision to break away from her partner Dayzees has just won the doubles crown with TruthOrDarren. Amaya, how does it feel?”
“Oh my gosh, it’s so wonderful. I’m so happy that I could cry,” her voice broke.
“Well, judging by the watery eyes, it looks like you are already crying,” Tommy joked.
“Ohhh, stop.” Amaya tapped his shoulder. “But I would like to say, yes, I’m going to Miami and bringing Darren with me. I'm also bringing GordieHoward, who played yesterday, and Y-Do-Nutt, better known as Wyatt, who was my partner in Atlanta!”
The crowd roared with applause; Wyatt and I gawked at each other, screamed in glee until our lungs ached, and then we glued our eyes back to the television.
“Goddamnit,” Wyatt said after a few minutes of watching their celebration.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m really happy for them, truly I am, but it just makes me realize how badly I messed up. I’m still a failure with no money, and my parents disowned me.”
“Not your mom, though. She still loves and supports you.” I patted his back.
“Yeah, not to sound selfish or anything, but I really wish that was me up there right now,” he shook his head, and his lips quivered. “Then I could show my parents some money.”
“It’s all right, man. We are just a few weeks away from winning even more moolah. Don’t even worry about it.”
When Darren and Amaya returned to Amaya’s house, their mouth’s barely held a faint smile, and their glassy eyes looked exhausted. They were greeted with the wonderful scent of Chicago-style pizza.
“Thank you guys for the ‘za, I would be smiling harder, but my face hurts so much. I hope you understand. I’m just overshot with joy and excitement. I can’t freaking believe I just got first place with Amaya in the doubles tournament. I gotta call my mom still,” Darren said.
“I still can’t believe that happened. I’m in a state of shock, I mean, obviously, my eyes are set on Miami right now, but I conquered a mountain today that I’ve been trying to climb for eons.” Amaya rubbed her eyes and sniffled. “Feels good, guys, feels really good. No other way to explain it.” Amaya wrapped Wyatt and me in a hug.
“I wanted to thank you for making the announcement for Miami on stage and including me. That must’ve been crazy for you,” Wyatt said as we released from the hug.
“Yeah, and guess what, I was told immediately afterward by Tommy that the league wouldn’t allow you in,” Amaya slumped her head.
“Of course, that was to be expected.”
“So tomorrow we’re going to take the social media, there will be a bunch of people that show their support, and hopefully, they are willing to listen.” Amaya shrugged.
“If they don’t?” Wyatt said.
“Let’s not think like that. Let’s focus on positive vibes only. I’m proud of all of you guys, and we’re gonna get you in, Wyatt. I feel it.”