Zero Zero Start: A Pickleball Tale of Love, Lies & Deception

By C.S. Singer

Zero Zero Start is the score that initiates the beginning of play in a pickleball game where anything can happen. And so it does for Olivia Morelli, a beautiful and lonely widow who has only her work as a nurse practitioner and her pickleball games to fill her days. Her best friend, Eve, wants Olivia to start living again and she makes it happen when the two women meet two handsome strangers on the pickleball court. Olivia finds she is ready for love with Dr. Mack Jackson, a man with a past that comes back to haunt him. As the relationship continues to blossom, Mack is accused of attempted rape by a co-worker, which he has no memory of doing. Olivia and Mack must navigate this disturbing charge, which is poised to destroy their lives from the relentless harassment by the press and social media. As they struggle to find a way to prove their innocence, the repercussions of being an accused predator strains every aspect of Mack’s life. The charges affect his job, his son and all his loved ones. The situation quickly becomes more complicated when Olivia’s estranged sister, Nicole, shows up with secrets of her and stirs up even more trouble.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.S. Singer
• Release date: Apr 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215156308

C.S. Singer

C.S. Singer lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She is happily married for 37 years and has two grown children, one daughter-in-law, one grandchild and one grandpuppy. Previously, she has lived in New Jersey.C.S. grew up in a loving household in Massachusetts before venturing out after college with her degree in Business. She worked and raised her family before finally finding the time to pursue her dream of writing.C.S. loves to spend time playing pickleball and meeting so many wonderful people who also love this sport. She also loves to bicycle and explore new places. Life only continues to get better!

Book preview

His hands are at 10 and 3 on the steering wheel, as he tries to calm himself on the drive home. He is in a state of shock about what just happened. His head is aching and he feels a large bump in the back where he was hit with something so hard, it knocked him out. He has no idea what happened, but he has a feeling of dread that it was not good. Just as he was starting to feel like he had another shot at happiness, starting to feel alive again, he instinctively knows that it’s all in jeopardy now.

In the rear-view mirror, he sees approaching flashing lights and hears the siren. The cruiser comes up on his tail. He slows down and then pulls the car over to stop on the side of the road. He keeps his hands on the steering wheel as he watches the officer approach in his side view mirror, hand on his gun.

He hears the officer say his name and tell him to step out of the vehicle, keeping his hands in view. He complies. The officer tells him he is being arrested for attempted rape and turns him to put handcuffs on him. He feels like this is a nightmare that he just stepped into by accident. Everything is just a blur and the pain in his head isn’t helping him think clearly.

As he is getting fingerprinted at the police station, it sinks in that this is real, and he needs to get in touch with his brother for help. He gets his phone call and then settles in the holding cell, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his head hung in his hands and waits for him to arrive.

Chapter 1

Pickleball, a fun, innocent and simple game that can be played by everyone, provides excellent exercise and the opportunity to socialize with people whom you know nothing about, but can like or dislike all the same. Everyone comes to this game to take a break from their everyday life. Or they make this game the focus of their life because they have nothing else. They can be as genuine as they are to the world, or they can show only a sliver of their life to those they play with. Those who are normally mild mannered have the opportunity to be competitive and cutthroat on a pickleball court. Those who have a limited social life can make superficial connections with others without getting too involved. Playing pickleball provides an escape from reality for a couple of hours a day or a few times a week, depending on how truly obsessed one becomes with this innocuous game.

Shirley, stay out of the kitchen! Grace, Shirley’s 73-year-old partner yells at her as they lose the point because Shirley, who’s 78, took her shot while standing in the kitchen, which is a no-volley zone, without letting the ball bounce. Shirley, a tall, slim and athletic woman, shoots her a dirty look and walks to the back of the court to receive the next serve. Grace, a tiny senior with an outsized personality, stands up by the kitchen line as they wait for Len, 81 and Sam, 80 to serve to them. These four have been playing together for years and there is affectionate disdain in their trash talking.

Len, serve and stay, dammit! Sam shouts at his partner after serving the ball and seeing Len stroll up the court to the kitchen line. Shirley returns the serve deep and it flies right by Len, landing just inside the baseline. Side out and the ball goes back to Shirley and Grace. The ladies tap paddles in congratulations, while the men shake their heads at missing the shot.

While this foursome of crusty friends clearly enjoy jabbing at each while they get their exercise, they only represent one of the many types of folks taking up this sport. They are among the retired folks who find ways to fill up their quiet days. It energizes them by keeping them moving and social in their sunset years.

There are so many others, young, old, and in between, who come for reasons only known to themselves. Some as an escape, some for the genuine fun and some, well who really knows. The pickleball courts can be a place where anything can happen.

************

Liv, are you ready to go? The front door swings open and Eve Petra, Olivia’s impeccably dressed friend, steps over the threshold, wipes her feet and shouts up the stairs of Olivia’s townhouse. There is a railing that allows Olivia to look down, as she strides out from her bedroom in her camo print yoga shorts and sleeveless black tank top, with a white visor keeping her wild, shoulder length brown hair from flopping into her large, brown eyes. Olivia Morelli, a 48 year old widow of 2 years, eyes her friend’s perfectly coiffed blond hair, pink tennis skirt with a white sleeveless, collared top, and full face of makeup as she descends the stairs. Eve and Olivia are polar opposites in just about everything. Eve, 47, is a single real estate agent, outgoing, speaks without a filter and grabs life head on by the balls. Liv is quieter, especially since losing her husband to cancer. She has been reluctant to put herself back out there, as adjusting to life on her own has not been easy. Liv is a seasoned nurse practitioner who works doing virtual care for a health insurance company, which along with an inheritance from her mother, who also passed away recently, allows her the financial freedom to live as she pleases. She is grateful for the security, even though she lives modestly. Of course, since Marco’s and her mother’s deaths, Liv hasn’t been doing much of anything except working and playing pickleball. The latter which she took up to ensure she keeps her slim and curvy physique, and because Eve would not let her sit on her keister, feeling sorry for herself. They are the best of friends.

Are you going hunting today? Olivia lifts an eyebrow as she looks Eve over. Eve waves her hand dismissively.

You never know who will show up at the courts, especially on the weekends. And I always want to look my best. Eve eyes her friend, returning the judgmental assessment of her appearance.

And what’s your excuse? You could try a little harder to look good. A little makeup wouldn’t hurt, you know. Liv, you are so pretty. And I know you can meet someone. You don’t have to spend the rest of your life alone.

Not having this conversation now, Olivia puts up her hand in a ‘stop’ gesture and then decides to engage. Really though, all my makeup would just melt off down my face when I start sweating. How does that not happen to you? You never look like you are sweating.

Mind over matter, girlfriend. I have trained my body not to ruin this when I play. Eve does a circular motion with her hand around her face, her expression dead serious.

Liv bursts out laughing at her friend.

You are something else, she says, still chuckling.

You know it, Eve says as she breezes by her and out the door.

************

Caloosa Park in Boynton Beach has 8 pickleball courts, all of which have games happening in various states of play. Olivia and Eve put their paddles in the paddle rack, which is set up in groups of four. There is a clip underneath the group of four who will be next on a court. Because there are so many people waiting to play, when a game is over, all four players come off and the next group of four go on. The girls have a bit of a wait, as there are three other groups in front of them. Len and Sam stroll over to say hello.

Hey girls, great to see you out here today. Len says cheerfully. Eve responds with a friendly challenge.

Hey boys, you ready to get your asses whooped? she says playfully. Just then Shirley and Grace join the group.

Oh, they’ve had a good whoopin’ already. Grace chimes in. Grace, with her short grey hair and welcoming smile is like the mayor of the courts. She knows everyone, she makes sure the rotations are being followed fairly and that no one gets nasty.

Hey, Livvy. Grace turns to her. How’s it hanging? Olivia just laughs at her straightforwardness.

All’s good. She answers, enjoying the camaraderie. Eve is surveying the courts to see who is here.

Grace, I see a lot of faces I don’t know today. She knows Grace will have the beat on what’s happening.

Honey, it’s season now. With pickleball playing just going through the roof, we are going to get a ton of new people here. You are going to have to give me a minute to get to know the newbies, although I can give you ‘the tea’ on a few already. How Grace keeps up with the new slang is anyone’s guess.

Eve has no doubt that it will take all of a minute for Grace to have the scoop on everyone. Olivia and Eve are up to play. They grab their paddles from the paddle rack and look for the owners of the other two paddles. Eve holds them up and yells, NEXT!

Two very handsome boys who can’t be more than 18 or 19 jump up from the bench.

Sorry, here we are. The taller, skinny one reaches for his paddle. The shorter one introduces themselves.

I’m Ricky and this is David. He motions to the shorter one. They look at Eve and Olivia, seemingly unsure if this will be a game for them. Grace notices the judgement.

Boys, don’t be fooled by these pretty ladies. They will kick your ass. Eve and Olivia chuckle as they walk out to the court.

I’m Eve and this is Liv.

Uh, do you ladies need to warm up? Ricky asks patiently, as if he needs to go easy on them. It isn’t lost on Eve, whose eyes narrow.

We’ll take a minute. This is our first game. Eve is sugary in her response. Eve and Olivia dink to each other for a couple of minutes while the boys wait by the side whispering to each other.

We’re ready, Olivia calls out and moves to Eve’s side of the court. Olivia is serving first because she is on the right side.

Zero, zero, start, she shouts. This score indicates the start of the game, where both teams have no points, and it is the first serve of the game. Once the game begins, anything can happen. Olivia hits the ball low and with driving force across the net to David in the opposite box, where it lands in the corner, just inside of the baseline. David swings at it and the ball goes straight into the net. The boys look at each other in surprise.

Nice serve! Eve winks at Liv and taps her paddle as they walk by each other so Olivia can serve from the other box now.

The game proceeds and the teams quickly learn the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. It is good competition, as both teams clearly know what they are doing.

Final score - Liv and Eve 11, David, and Ricky 8. All four approach the net and tap paddles, muttering nice game. Eve can’t resist a dig.

You boys should have learned never to judge a book by it’s cover. They both sport goofy smiles and bow to the women.

We have been schooled, Ma’am. Great game. The game ends with smiles and laughs as they walk back to the paddle rack. Grace sees them coming.

Good game? she asks, smirking knowingly, as she watched them from the sidelines.

Excellent game, David says sincerely. I just love how you can play anyone here and you never know how good they will actually be.

Where are your dads today? Grace asks the boys. Liv and Eve look questioningly at Grace.

Oh, these boys just moved down here from up north with their dads. They are cousins and their dads are brothers. Grace explains. Eve lifts an eyebrow.

They had some stuff to take care of at the house, Ricky answers.

Well, welcome to Boynton Beach! Olivia says warmly. Hope to see you again soon.

The boys leave and Olivia and Eve are being called for next. The crowd is thinning, so there is less wait between games.

After a few more matches, the women are done. It is getting hot, as the Florida sun has climbed high in the cloudless sky.

Eve drives Olivia home and they each move on to the rest of their day. Eve is naturally wondering about the dads of Ricky and David and Olivia turns her focus to reviewing notes from the patients she saw on Friday.

Chapter 2

Olivia sits at her desk in her light and airy office, which is really the 3rd bedroom of her townhouse. She gazes out the window, which provides a view of the beautifully manicured street in her complex. This is always a distraction that causes her mind to wander when she isn’t 100% focused on her work.

Glancing down at the pictures on her desk, she smiles sadly at the one of her and Marco taken in Italy on one of their first vacations when things were so great between them. Early on, he was the love of her life, but the 18 years they were together saw some changes. With the difficulties in their later years, Olivia was contemplating leaving Marco, but then he got sick. She stayed and was there for him until the end. She has no regrets about that. After all, Marco gave her their son, Carlos, who is the spitting image of Marco - dark complexion, dark, soft curly hair and soft, deep brown eyes. Marco’s eyes used to melt when he looked at her and he had a mouth that constantly invited her to come and kiss it. Those were the early days. Olivia sighs at his memory. Carlos, who is 18 and named after his grandfather, reluctantly left for college across the country in California. Olivia misses him so much, but knows he needs to go live his life rather than stay and babysit her. She is a big girl who also needs to move on with her life - she just isn’t sure how to make that happen yet.

Olivia’s gaze moves over to a picture of her other source of grief. Her mother, Helen, was a beautiful woman, with the same soft brown curls that Olivia luckily inherited. She wore them much shorter, giving her a spunky, fun look that was befitting of her contagiously happy personality. Helen provided unconditional support to Olivia when Marco began to change from a loving husband to a controlling spouse. She was also there for Olivia during Marco’s illness, even though she didn’t understand why her daughter needed to stay with him. Helen passed away more recently. She had contracted a bad case of pneumonia and just couldn’t seem to recover. It was almost as if she knew Olivia needed to face life on her own now. Unfortunately, her passing was marred by her jealous and vengeful sister, with whom Olivia and her mom both cut ties with years earlier. The last time Olivia saw Nicole, who is older by 2 years and divorced with a 21-year-old entitled son, was at the lawyer’s office after her mom’s funeral. The lawyer asked for them to be there because she knew that there would be an issue when the will was read. Helen left everything to Olivia because they were there for each other through every family trauma - Helen’s heart surgery, Helen’s car accident that left her scared to drive, Olivia’s unhappy marriage, the loss of Marco, and on and on. Nicole never showed up for anything if it was inconvenient, which it always was. Finally, Helen had had enough and cut her out of her substantial will, except for a token piece of jewelry that she knew Nicole had a soft spot for. After all, she was still her daughter.

At the lawyer’s office, Olivia and Nicole did not speak directly to each other, much less talk about either of their lives. They barely acknowledged each other’s presence. Needless to say, when the lawyer explained the will, there was disbelief and rage. Nicole would not accept that her own mother would do this to her. The lawyer shared a letter that Helen wrote when she made the change to make sure there was no doubt that this was her wish. Nicole left the office in a huff with her necklace and Olivia has not heard from her. That was 5 months ago.

Jarring her from her thoughts, FaceTime jingles Olivia back to the present.

Hey babe, Eve says as her smiling face comes into focus. Are you daydreaming again?

Olivia gives her a laugh, knowing she has been caught.

Girl, you need to just stop that shit and start looking forward. Eve scolds her. Liv knows she’s right. What are you doing tonight? Eve asks her, full well knowing the answer. Liv shrugs.

Get showered, ‘cuz I know you haven’t yet, and we’re going to happy hour at Deck 84 in Delray Beach. I love the band that is playing tonight. See you in an hour. Eve abruptly ends the call before Olivia has a chance to object.

With a deep sigh, Liv concedes to her fate for the evening. She knows it won’t just be happy hour when she is out with Eve. She hauls herself into the shower to get ready.

Chapter 3

Eve shows up in a tight black mini dress with silver studs along the shoulders and down the 3/4 sleeves and looks amazing. She always looks amazing. Liv has on black capri jeans and a flowy, purple sleeveless top with wedge sandals. She did her make-up and let her crazy, curly hair just do it’s own thing. She always thinks she looks just fine until she sees the outfit Eve puts together. But they are so different, Liv would never be comfortable in the clothes Eve wears. She is just not glitzy.

You look great, Eve says to Liv as she looks her over. I’m surprised you made such an effort. Liv gives her a look and shakes her head at her well-meaning friend.

You make me sound like some kind of pathetic, charity case. It all depends on my mood, you know.

So, you are in a good mood tonight? Liv nods in confirmation.

Hell, yeah! Let’s go! Eve does a fist pump, and they head out.

They arrive and head to the bar outside on the back deck and park themselves in two seats that face the bandstand. Happy hour is always a scene at Deck 84 and this evening is no exception. Eve is scanning the crowd, while Liv focuses on the music and begins to sway slightly to the beat.

They are sipping their cocktails, enjoying the vibe, and just relaxing. The bartender comes over with two more drinks for the girls. They look questioningly at him. He motions across the bar to two gentlemen, the shorter

Reviews for Zero Zero Start

[Duffy Lieber · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zero Zero Start is an excellent book from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down and thoroughly enjoyed reading every word on every page! I loved all the pickleball facts thrown in and got a big chuckle out of all the great restaurants that were mentioned. Most importantly, I loved the story, characters and suspense throughout the book!