The Game Changer - ch 17 (Patreon)

And we're back!

So excited for the next couple of chapters that this one is setting us up for...

-------The Game Changer--------

Chapter Seventeen

Abbie was having a strange flashback to her own high school days, as she found herself in the backseat of Caroline’s car, turning into Elliston’s parking lot.

The déjà vu was so vivid because so many details were the same, right up to the fact that her duffel bag was sitting on the seat next to her.

“You know, both of you didn’t have to drop me off…” She trailed off expectantly, glancing between the gap into the front seats where she could see both of her mom’s profiles.

Caroline’s was focused ahead as she pulled into a parking spot, and her mom turned to give her a small smile. “It’s no problem, honey.”

“Yeah, Abbacado, we were going out to dinner, anyway,” Caroline joined in, also turning to look back at her now that the car was officially stopped and parked.

The bus that would be taking them to the tournament in the Berkshires was already here, and the girls were loading their gear into it. Really, just like a flashback to her own high school days, where she was one of only a couple girls on the team who needed to arrive to Elliston getting dropped off or driving herself while most of the other girls lived here.

And, just like back in her teen years, her moms were swiveled around from the front seat, grinning encouragingly at her.

Which was the thing she couldn’t let go of.

She arched a look between them, pointing her thumb out the window. “So, if I get out now and say “thanks for the ride, I’ll see you Sunday” and hop out of the car, you’re both going to act like that’s fine. And like this car ride had absolutely nothing to do with… anything else.”

She slid her gaze between the two of them, making like she was about to grab the handle and let herself out of the back seat.

“Can’t two women want to drop their daughter off for her first official tournament as a coach? Besides, it makes the most sense, so you don’t have to leave your car parked here over the weekend,” Caroline reasoned.

“Yes, it does make sense,” Abbie agreed as she breathed out a laugh. “Hey, if that’s how you’re both going to play this, then – all righty. I’ll see ya soon.”

Her mom cut in, “We also wanted to take the opportunity to get a little… mothers-daughter catch up before you went.”

Abbie dropped the hand that had been reaching for the door into her lap. “Finally. It only took the entire ride here.”

“I wanted to be able to see you and jump into the conversation, too,” Caroline defended.

Unable to bite back a laugh, she gestured for them to continue. “Okay, but it’s going to have to be a quick catch up because – as you can see,” she pointed out the window again. “I have to go in, like, a minute.”

“Great place to start this conversation,” Caroline asserted with a nod. “We’d have loved grab you for a longer chat in the last couple of days since you got back, but you’ve been needing to go a lot, lately. Even before Florida,” she pointed out, lifting her eyebrows at Abbie in a stare that locked her into place, even as she kept her tone casual. It was one of her gifts, really. “Getting out of the house quite a bit. Packing double lunches.”

Her mom cleared her throat, delicately, before stating, “You’ve been spending a lot of time lately with Rose.”

As if they’d practiced – Abbie knew they hadn’t, and that they were just that in sync – both her mom and Caroline’s stares turned very knowing.

Abbie scoffed. “Yes, I got what you two were getting at. Neither of you are exactly the queens of subtlety.”

Caroline put her hand over her chest. “I, for one, was not trying to be.”

Her mom put her hand over Caroline’s on the middle console where they’d both rested to stay turned toward her.

“Honey, we’ve just been wondering if there’s anything you want to discuss?”

“Anything you want to let us know?” Caroline jumped in.

Her mom squeezed her hand softly, her lips ticking into a smile at Caroline’s obvious enthusiasm.

Abbie looked between them, before she reached up and carded her hand through her hair. She felt the slight trill of butterflies low in her stomach. “Okay, yes. We’re… dating.”

She hadn’t planned on telling her moms just yet, necessarily. She and Rose had barely made this official, yet. They hadn’t even really gone on a date, yet. She’d meant what she’d said to Rose – if they were doing this, she wanted to do it right.

But telling her moms… well, that made things very real.

Not only because they were her moms, but because – jarringly – she realized that it was the first time she’d spoken the truth out loud to anyone other than Rose. Sure, it had only happened within the last couple of days, but…

It sat with a surprising weight inside of her.

“Finally,” Caroline groaned out, taking her from her thoughts.

“Finally?” She parroted, incredulously. “We quite literally decided this in the last couple of days. Finally?!”

Caroline shrugged, holding up her hand that Hannah wasn’t still lightly grasping. “Look, I’ve been waiting for this day. For you to finally come out with it. No pun intended.”

Abbie glanced between the two of them again, before settling firmly on Caroline, arching her a serious stare. “No judgment, Caro-mom, but you were head over heels for my mom for how long before anything happened between you two? I’ve only been back in contact with Rose for, like, three months.”

So, when it was put into perspective, which one of them was the lesbian dragging her heels, hmm?

Abbie used her finger to make a little check in the air, signifying her win in this debate. If it could be called that. But it was always a morale boost, besting Caroline in a debate.

Her mom laughed, even as Caroline reeled back. Her affront was obviously exaggerated, as she brought her hand up to waggle a finger at Abbie. “Our situation was very different.”

Before Abbie could say anything, her mom’s lips ticked into a slight frown. “Well…”

Caroline gasped again, whipping her head to stare at Hannah. “Well? You’re not going to defend my honor here?”

Hannah held up both of her hands in defense. “I’m just saying, baby, that the situations aren’t completely different.”

Okay, and that made Abbie frown, every instinct inside of her demanding that to be refuted. The heated defense was on the tip of her tongue, but she held it back for a second as she watched her mom and Caroline have one of their silent communications. Something she’d literally seen develop right before her very eyes, which was rare.

To be able to have two parents – biological or not, it was how she loved them and how they loved her – and to have been able to see how they’d fallen in love. She’d gotten to be there for all of their milestones, to see this develop over time.

To see how her mom went from the person she was after Michael, to the person she could be with Caroline. Always strong and supportive and kind, but so much more… alive.

And everything else fell away, as she found herself asking, “Is it a crime to want what you two have?”

Because, not so deep down, it was the thing she wanted most in the world. The thing she’d always wanted. How could she not, when she had her mom and Caroline here in front of her?

Both of her parents’ eyes were wide with surprise as they turned to face her again.

Caroline seemed to find her voice first, “Do you think that’s what you’re going to have with Rose?” She asked, and her tone wasn’t skeptical or impugning, simply genuinely inquisitive.

And it still took Abbie’s feet right out from under her, even though she’d been the one to start down this avenue. “I don’t know. I mean, like I said,” she breathed out something of a nervous laugh, “We literally just decided to do this.”

Even though she felt her heart fluttering and even though she hadn’t really gone down this path in her mind yet, she found herself able to see it.

She didn’t blame herself for not seeing the full, big picture before this. To her own point, she and Rose had re-entered each other’s lives only a few months ago. Even beyond that, Rose hadn’t even been an option in her mind, not like… this. These feelings had snuck up on her, through their lunches and soccer practices, and –

And none of that mattered, because she could see it.

The future, in a way she’d never envisioned for herself, before.

She didn’t have all of the elements to fit together, it was way too early for that. But everything she’d said to Rose, about needing to do this slowly so they could do it right… she saw it in her mind so clearly.

The could-be. The possible one-day.

Ending their lunches together with a kiss that turned into one of the make-outs that Rose was already dangerously good at getting Abbie to succumb to. Going back to Rose’s after soccer practice and preparing dinner, while Cassie chattered away at them. Sitting down for a movie that Rose would deem cheesy and ridiculous and roll her eyes at.

She could see it all, and the stunning clarity took her breath away.

Forcing herself to snap her jaw shut so she wasn’t staring back at her moms like an idiot, she had to swallow twice before adding, “But… yes. I think that could be what we have.”

It made her nervous, it made her feel exhilarated.

Somehow, Rose made all of the sense in the world to her, even though she’d have never guessed this would be where her life was going.

Her mom and Caroline’s eyes widened again in surprise, and they exchanged a look.

Abbie sighed, gesturing at them. “Okay, what is that about? You asked. I answered.”

“It’s… just that you haven’t really said that before. Not in a long time,” Caroline answered, honestly.

Which was a fair point, she could concede that. She hadn’t been serious about someone in… not ever, not really. Not since Daniele, and that wasn’t serious the way she felt, now. Back then, it had felt serious. But she’d barely been an adult. It had felt serious in the way young adults felt. Like she’d known everything, but she’d actually known so little about living life.

“Are you sure this is… wise?” Her mom asked, the words falling slowly from her lips. As though she was carefully picking them over, but wouldn’t not ask.

Abbie’s parents had never shied away from asking her – or telling her, if need be – things she didn’t want to hear. They’d always been honest with her about their opinions and feelings, especially about things that mattered.

And usually, she valued their input.

Right now, though, she narrowed her eyes in offense. “Are you serious?”

“I’m not trying to be the nosy, over-bearing mom right now, honey. I promise,” her mom’s voice was quiet, but firm. Steady, as she held Abbie’s gaze with her own.

Abbie bit at the inside of her cheek, and the only reason she wasn’t entirely soured was because her parents had never been over-bearing, even when they were concerned for her. But she still leaned back, dubiously crossing her arms over her chest. “So, what are you trying to be right now?”

“We just want to know a little more,” Caroline spoke up, because obviously her moms had been talking this over for… god only knew how long. “I mean, up until a couple of weeks ago, we thought she was still married.”

“She’s getting a divorce,” she cut in, exasperatedly. “It’s already filed. Nathan already knows that we’re dating.”

“So we learned. And, I have to tell you, kid, that’s such a relief,” Caroline offered her a soft, encouraging smile. Something a little lighter than the mood had turned in the car.

“Even so,” Hannah allowed, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. “She’s not actually divorced, yet. She has a young child. She appears to still be very much figuring things out.”

“I can’t believe that you two, out of all of the people in the world, would be judging either of us?” She stated, pointedly.

After all, look at their own situation.

Caroline having been her mom’s divorce attorney. Her mom had had a young child – Abbie – when they’d gotten together.

Her mom had made a big mistake in marrying young and getting bogged down in the decisions she’d made in her early twenties. Caroline dealt with complicated, emotionally complex marriages/divorces every day.

Like, really?!

“We are not judging,” both of them immediately asserted, sounding genuinely affronted.

“I just wanted to get a gauge on where you are in this,” Caroline said in that coaxing way she had. “Look, falling for a gorgeous, complex, in-the-middle-of-a-divorce single mother? Been there, done that.” She gave Abbie a little wink, one that truly worked to soothe over any frazzled nerves. “And it was the best thing I’ve done in my entire life. I am not judging, Ab.”

And Abbie had never – ever – been able to hold an annoyance at Caroline. Which, in and of itself, was kind of annoying when she thought about it. But… Caroline was so good at understanding where she was coming from and filling in the gaps.

It was a little different with her mom. They didn’t often seriously disagree or argue, especially not in her adulthood. But it happened on occasion.

“I’m not judging, either. I told you that I understand the similarities. And, if anything, I’m – I’m trying to see this from every angle. For both you and Rose to consider. That’s all,” her mom edged in, her gray eyes wide and imploring.

And there went any possibly irritation at her mom. Zapped right away.

Her crossed arms fell down, her hands landing in her lap. But she kept her head angled up, firmly holding both of their focus.

“Look, I’m not an idiot. And I need you both to trust that I’m not rushing into something that I believe would hurt myself or Rose or Cassie.” Honestly, that was what stung the most.

Her mom immediately reached back, putting her hand on Abbie’s knee, as she adamantly asserted, “I do trust you, honey. I just…” She trailed off, in the way that signaled she was searching for the best way to phrase her thoughts.

Caroline jumped in, then. “We both want to try to mitigate the possibility of you getting hurt. Even though that’s not really something we could feasibly do because you’re a fully-grown adult. We just… love you.”

“And I love you both, too,” she returned, easily. “But I am an adult. And even if I get hurt doing this with Rose, it’s still the choice I want to make.”

Caroline’s eyebrows arched up minutely, seeming a little surprised by the conviction in Abbie’s tone. But she smiled with it, her dimple popping. “Well, okay, then.”

Her mom nodded, squeezing the hand she had on Abbie’s knee in a warm support. “I’d like to get to know her a little better.”

“Sooner rather than later,” Caroline added, her grin growing bigger, slyer. “Since you’re serious about her and all.”

Abbie let out a half-groan, half-laugh, scrubbing her hands over her face. “Yeeeeah, anyway. I have to go catch that bus before it leaves without me. Love you both even when you’re weird.”

“We weren’t being weird,” her mom insisted. “Unless it’s weird to love your daughter.”

“Mhmm,” Abbie hummed back with a teasing laugh, as she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.

“Love you, too, kiddo,” Caroline got out before Abbie shut the door.

She waved at them briefly through the window, before hefting her duffel bag over her shoulder and husting her way over to the bus. Everyone else had already boarded, no longer crowding around outside. She checked her watch to make sure she wasn’t late.

5:59. Perfect timing, even if she’d been waylaid by that conversation.

And even though it had been unexpected, Abbie felt different.

Not even just different to how she’d felt like, right before that car ride. But… different. In a way that became clearer to her with every step she took toward the bus. Toward her team who looked to her to guide them. To Rose.

The last four months of her life had been markedly different than life before. Even when she’d been a teenager, she’d had a purpose. She had a journey. She’d actively been making choices to work toward what she wanted.

Then that life she’d structured and maintained so dedicatedly for years was just – over.

And because she was who she was, that was it. She’d kept a level head and made the best decisions she could with what was coming her way.

She had no regrets about it, like she’d said to Rose. This had all been in the works, all of the gears were already in motion. She did like where she looked around and found herself in her life right now.

But everything in the last few months had been her reacting. Her life in the last few months had been life happening to her.

Her mom got sick. She’d reacted – come home, get a new job, re-prioritize.

Rose was here, actively placing herself in Abbie’s life. Opening herself up to Abbie, scooting her way into Abbie’s thoughts, into her feelings.

But that was just it.

Their relationship so far boiled down to… Rose. Even Abbie realizing her feelings had been because Rose had started dating.

And Abbie wasn’t upset about that. It made sense. But she was done being the passive participant between them.

It made her pulse thrum a little stronger, a little faster. Filled her with a confidence – this innate feeling she’d so often had in her life that had been wavering a bit in the last few months – that filtered through her entire body.

She climbed onto the bus, giving a smile and nod to the driver, before looking at the team who were clearly excited, but already settled. No doubt because Coach Elliston had done what she did best and herded everyone into a manageable situation.

A hush fell over the girls when they noticed her standing at the front of the bus.

And she felt it again, a rush inside of her. Something settling in, like this was – this was right. This was where she should be, even if she hadn’t known it six months ago.

“We did it,” she announced, feeling a bright, genuine smile tugging at her lips as she scanned her eyes over the girls.

“Respectfully, coach, we didn’t really do anything. We’re going to the loser’s tournament,” Casey piped up from where she sat in the back. “We’re playing the consolation prize.”

“You won more games this year than you did last year,” Abbie reminded not just Casey, but everyone. “We only missed out on going to the playoffs by two games. I think that, for a re-building season, that’s not half bad.”

“Are you quitting, coach?” Anya asked, her eyebrows furrowing up at Abbie.

Taken aback by the question, she frowned. “Absolutely not. Why would you ask that?”

Anya didn’t blink, quietly direct as per usual. “Because you just went to Florida; we all watched you on ESPN. You’d rather be here and coach a losing team than be on ESPN?”

“Yes,” Abbie responded immediately.

And she was filled with such a lightness at the realization that she didn’t have any second-thoughts. She’d had said the same thing at the beginning of the season, but she’d definitely have thought about it, first.

“Look, I’ve been there, done that. I want to build something here, with you all. I really think we can do that. We are doing it. And in the spring, we’re going to do it even better.”

“I don’t even understand why we’re going to the loser’s tournament,” Izzie muttered. “We all know we lost. What’s the point of seeing where, exactly, we fall in last place?”

“Because we’re playing to get better. You’re here because you love the game. This tournament should be the most fun you could have all season, because there’s no more pressure,” Abbie reasoned, and she stood by that.

No, they didn’t have to partake in the tournament this weekend. But she’d agreed to it anyway, because winning wasn’t the be-all, end-all, especially for teenagers. The only way they’d get better for next season was to play as much as possible. And playing when there was nothing on the line – playing just to play – sounded great to her.

“So, let’s settle in. We have a few hours on the bus, and then our day is going to start tomorrow at seven in the morning, so early night when we arrive.”

She quickly turned to thank the bus driver for giving her that moment, before she tucked her bag up into one of the compartments overhead.

And finally, she dropped her gaze to Rose, sitting right at the front.

She’d deliberately not looked at her until now.

Because she’d wondered what the girls would see if they were all staring at her while she stared at Rose.

There it was, she realized with the way her stomach swooped into butterflies. Rose had avoided coming to see her at practice so the girls wouldn’t see Rose staring at Abbie. Granted, she’d made it clear that was more about keeping the team from seeing Rose lust after her.

Abbie… Abbie was more trying to avoid the girls see the way she felt all moon-eyed.

Because that was precisely what this feeling was.

Her attraction and her feelings for Rose weren’t revelations to her. Obviously not.

But staring at Rose right now, locking eyes with her, felt different. Yes, she’d wanted to prioritize her personal life, to try to find what her parents had. And no, that wasn’t something she could do while playing at a professional level, because Abbie was someone who gave her all to her top priority.

Yes, she wanted to date Rose, and she wanted to make sure they took all of the right steps, because she didn’t want to fuck anything up.

For some reason, though, those dots hadn’t connected until right now. That… if everything went the way she really – really – hoped it would, hoped it could, that Rose would be her person. Her real, long-term, communicate with a glance person.

Rose slowly tilted her head at her in silent question as she arched up an eyebrow, clearly wondering what Abbie was doing still standing, especially now that the bus jerked into motion.

Shaking herself out of it – kind of, because her heart still kind of felt like a hummingbird – she turned to drop herself into the open seat next to Rose.

“Did you save this seat for me?” She asked, teasing.

A wide smile had already slid over her face at sharing this proximity with Rose, like a natural reflex. She’d missed her today.

She even adored the way Rose made a point of shrugging, being deliberately haughty. “Unless you’d rather go sit with one of the girls on the team.”

She vividly flashed back to that time they’d sat together on the bus to an away game back in their senior year. When she had wanted to go sit with her friends on the team, but the bus – like now – had started moving, and she’d been stuck with Rose.

Right now, her head turned to face Rose still, she leaned it back against the seat. “Nope. I’m good right here.”

That smile played over Rose’s lips, that small, subtle one. But it was one of Rose’s most real smiles. Like she was enjoying some small pleasure, indulging herself.

And… she was indulging herself in Abbie.

Yeah, that had the butterflies spreading all over her body.

She and Rose Elliston were dating. They were together. Just – wow.

An even bigger wow was just how much she wanted Rose. In every way imaginable. Like, maybe the cards she’d been dealt in the last several months had brought her here, but here was exactly where she’d needed to arrive.

A little, happy sigh escaped her.

Rose pursed her lips, as she turned away from Abbie slightly to look out the window as they pulled out of the parking lot. She murmured, “You have got to stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” She asked, even though she knew exactly what Rose was talking about.

Abbie had never been referred to as subtle when she had feelings for someone. And in this moment, she felt swamped – in the best way possible – by her feelings for Rose.

Rose, who’d been put in such a shitty situation to shitty parents, who’d made a beautiful, healthy life for herself. Even while being married to a man.

“You know what,” Rose’s tone was exasperated, even as a slight blush creeped up her neck.

Her long, dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and she was wearing one of their coaching windbreakers that had a collar slightly too short to fold down. Meaning, all of the soft skin of her neck and throat were on display for Abbie to stare at.

“Can I tell you something?” She asked, making sure to keep her voice down.

Rose’s eyebrows furrowed as she turned her head to look at Abbie fully. Questioning and curious, even if a little wary. That caution was in her voice as well, as she said, “That depends. Is it appropriate to say while we have a team full of teenage girls all around us, all of whom go to the school in which I’m their headmaster?”

Abbie pretended to weigh that question in her mind, before honestly answering, “Probably not.” She made a show of stretching her legs out in front of her and letting out a heftier sigh. “I guess I’ll keep it to myself.”

“Fine.”

“Great.” With that, Abbie turned to face forward all appropriately, feeling the anticipation slide through her as she dug out her earbuds from the smaller bag she’d laid out at her feet.

After several beats of silence between them, Rose huffed out a frustrated breath.

Even though Rose couldn’t see her face while she was leaned forward, a slow, satisfied smile played along Abbie’s lips.

“Okay, Lemon, I’ll bite. What is it?” Rose asked, her volume dipping even quieter.

Abbie leaned back in her seat, looking back at Rose. Which was great, because it was exactly where her eyes wanted to be.

She leaned in closer. Not too close, even though she was aching for it. Aching to be as close as they’d sat at Rose’s house. But Rose was right; they did have to be conscientious around the girls. Not that she’d ever do anything inappropriate near the girls, but… even being too obvious in front of the girls was questionable, given that Rose wasn’t out to the relatively conservative board.

“I made a playlist for us to listen to together,” she whispered, a mischievous smile flashing over her face as she lifted her phone from her lap and wiggled it back and forth.

Rose’s incredulity was obvious as she narrowed her eyes. “A… playlist?” The word dripped from her lips like it was some foreign set of letters she’d never heard before.

Amused, Abbie nodded, slowly. “Yeah, like, I compiled a bunch of songs I thought would be fun for us to listen to together on the drive, and put them all in one–”

Rose jostled Abbie’s shoulder with her own, scoffing, “I know what a playlist is.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, sinking lower into their seats so their shoulders stayed touching. Yes, she had to be aware of them being on the bus, but… this was fine, right?

Rose didn’t move away.

“I just… you made one… for me?” Rose asked in that same voice, like she couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

“Well, yeah,” Abbie confirmed, her stomach flip-flopping a little bit.

It wasn’t like she’d set out to make Rose a playlist, but she’d been organizing for the bus ride, and it had simply… happened.

“I was kind of in a groove, you know, packing to go to a tournament this weekend, with the Elliston team,” she explained with a shrug, not allowing herself to feel self-conscious. “Maybe it is a little juvenile–”

Rose dropped her hand down to Abbie’s wrist, stroking her thumb back and forth before sliding it back into her own lap. “No. I mean… maybe it is. But I–” Rose closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Her voice was even lower than before, barely a whisper, as she admitted, “I would have had no idea what to do if this had happened in high school. But I know I would have loved it.” Her dark eyes were so intense on Abbie’s, as she arched her a look. “Are you going to send it to me, or…?”

Abbie offered Rose one of her earbuds. “We’re going full high school and listening together.”

Rose shook her head, possibly trying to seem like she wasn’t absolutely pleased by this. But Abbie could literally see how happy Rose was.

She took in a deep breath that did nothing to take away from this happy, tingling feeling inside of her. Truly, it felt very high school, in the best of ways.

Texts from Caroline popped up when she unlocked her phone.

Caro-mom – 5:57P.M.I meant it, you know.

Best decision I’ve ever made

“You were in that car with your parents for a long time,” Rose commented, upon seeing the texts.

Abbie stared at the messages for another beat, feeling her throat constrict with emotion. She – and her mom – were the best decisions Caroline ever made. And she knew without a doubt Caroline truly felt that way.

She turned again to look at Rose, taking a second to simply take her in. Rose Elliston in her full, healed, adult form. Abbie’s… person.

Very possibly the best decision Abbie could ever make.

Her breath was a little shaky with that emotion as she let out a measured exhale. “Yeah… they know we’re together.”

Rose’s eyes widened. “What?”

A surprised laugh worked out of her. “Why do you look like that?!”

“Because your moms are – I thought we weren’t telling people?”

“You told Nathan,” she pointed out, still laughing. “Besides, they guessed. Sorry, I suppose I’m too into you.”

Rose visibly clenched her jaw, even as she bit back that indulgent smile. “Well?”

Abbie stared at her. “Well… what?”

“What did they say?” Rose asked as though she couldn’t believe Abbie was being dense.

“Oh.” She quickly went through their conversation again, and there wasn’t much she was going to disclose – yet – to Rose. About how she felt, with growing intensity, that she and Rose could have something like what her moms had. About her moms’ collective caution. “They’re going to want to get to know you better.”

Truth.

Rose took in a long inhale, settling back in her seat. “Ah-huh. Well.”

And that was it.

Abbie snorted out another chuckle.

“I find them a little intimidating. Sue me,” Rose muttered. “You can use your incredibly well-respected lawyer mother to do it.”

Abbie only laughed harder, unable to stop staring at Rose. Completely, absolutely besotted.

***

They didn’t arrive at their hotel until after nine at night, given the spots of traffic they’d hit while leaving the city, as well as their stop for dinner.

They’d collected the key cards from the front desk and had escorted all of the girls to their respective rooms, until –

Abbie frowned down at her hand, as she and Rose got to the end of the hallway for the floor the team was on.

Rose had been going through the checklist she’d made, ensuring that they’d done all of their diligent safety checks for all of the girls, but clearly noticed Abbie’s expression, as she cut herself off, and asked, “What is it?”

Abbie blinked down, and then lifted her gaze to meet Rose’s. “There’s only one key left.”

As if providing the evidence, she lifted it up for them both to look. A key for room number 301, which they were standing next to, and was also the only door left at the end of the hallway of the rooms that had been blocked off for them.

“That can’t be right.”

“Unless we accidentally gave one of the girls her own room,” which Abbie knew they hadn’t, “Then…” She trailed off, waving the key back and forth.

Rose lifted her jaw defensively, folding her arms over her chest. “Well, I can assure you that I didn’t do this. When I called for the room block, I asked for the correct amount. Two girls per room, and two rooms for the two of us.”

“I’m not accusing you of trying to sneak into staying in the same room,” Abbie assured her, wryly.

“Good,” Rose arched her a look. “Because we both already know that I’m ready to go further, but I certainly wouldn’t partake in something underhanded to get you into bed.”

Abbie did believe that; Rose had very directly made her desires clear. Besides, they’d had this tournament booked for several weeks; it had been on the books since before anything had started between the two of them.

“They have a ton of teams staying here for the tournament this weekend, and every team has a different number of rooms they need. Things probably just got mixed up.”

Rose worked her jaw back and forth. “I’m going to talk to the front desk.”

As much as she enjoyed annoyed and self-righteous Rose – and shockingly, she truly did – she turned toward the door and threw Rose a look over her shoulder.

“Just – hold on.” Abbie quickly used the key card to unlock the door and took a few steps inside. She held the door open for Rose to follow, and she did.

The room – like all of the others for the girls, as they’d checked them out – was very clean and well-appointed. Including – much like every room for their team – two queen beds.

Anticipation laced through her veins, even though she still felt resolute that they wouldn’t have sex yet. Abbie had to hold on to some of her moral code, even if she knew that Rose thought she was too black and white about it all.

Sex or not, though, she didn’t care. Planned or not, this was such a fantastic twist of events, and she found herself grinning, as she turned to look at Rose.

“Two beds. As long as you can stay in your bed, on your side, things should be just fine,” she half-teased.

Because Rose was very intense. And so were the wanting, needy feelings that intensity sparked right back inside of Abbie.

Rose narrowed her eyes, that delightfully competitive edge sliding over her face. “Lemon, I was repressed and living under an iron fist of control for years. I’ll be fine.”

“Then it looks like we’re sharing.”

Abbie was this close to doing a little happy dance about that fact. And maybe she should be a little more concerned about it, because – god, yes, she wanted Rose. And perhaps being in such close proximity to her tonight and tomorrow night wasn’t the wisest thing.

But she didn’t care. Any and all quality time with Rose right now, in this heady infatuation, felt like the best possible decision.

“I really didn’t do this, Abbie,” Rose murmured, swaying closer to her now that the door had closed. Now that they really had privacy for the first time all evening.

“I believe–”

Rose leaned in even closer, her voice falling to a rasp as she continued, “Because when you and I do have sex, you’re going to be the one to initiate it. When it happens, you’re going to want it – need it – just as much as me.”

Abbie shuddered, feeling the heat lace through her veins. Like Rose knew some hidden on/off switch to her libido.

She wore a darkly satisfied look at Abbie’s obvious physical response, and turned to presumably drop her bag on one of the beds.

Before she could get more than a step away, Abbie grabbed her wrist and spun her, bringing Rose flush against her, ducking her head to kiss Rose.

Their first kiss all evening despite having spent hours together on that bus, and as soon as Abbie tasted Rose, as soon as she felt the softness of her lips, she only felt hungry for more. They had to figure something out, had to figure out how to sneak in even a quick kiss hello when they were together during days like today.

The hand that wasn’t tenuously holding onto her duffel bag at her side came up to grasp at the perfect curve of Rose’s waist, as both of Rose’s hands came to grip at her arms. Her fingers dug in hard against Abbie as she sucked at Rose’s perfectly full bottom lip, tugging it between her own.

She couldn’t possibly be expected to go hours of spending time with Rose without being able to do this. No way.

“I don’t need us to be having sex to want to share a room with you,” she said against Rose’s lips as they broke their kiss, before they really pulled away. She reveled in that feeling of their mouths brushing against each other’s, the intimacy of it making her spine tingle.

Rose paused taking in her words, before she pressed another kiss to Abbie’s lips – as if she couldn’t help herself – and leaned back to look up at her, arching her a curious stare.

“I mean, it took hours for us to have any privacy to even kiss.” She squeezed the hand she had on Rose’s waist, sliding down firmly to cup her hip. “Sharing a room means that we get to spend our time together and no one will think twice about it.”

Keeping her gaze intently focused on Rose’s face, she slipped her thumb under Rose’s jacket and the shirt underneath, finding soft, warm skin. They both shivered at the touch.

Even though it was a little antithetical to Abbie’s point, she couldn’t help herself. “I don’t need us to be having sex to want to be in your company.”

“I concur with that,” Rose breathed out, the hand she had on Abbie’s arm gripping tighter with every stroke of Abbie’s thumb against her hip. Then she shuddered, and took a step back, breaking their contact. “But if you don’t stop doing that, then I’m going to go crazy.”

Abbie managed to take in a deep breath, doing her best to calm herself, as she watched Rose walk to the bed on the other side of the end table, placing her bag on it.

Yeah, she might go a little crazy with all of this, herself. She couldn’t really recall the last time she’d felt so wrapped up in a woman that she could go crazy over her… and she really, really loved it.

***

They both stood in the bathroom half an hour later, both dressed for bed, brushing their teeth.

Abbie felt a little thrill rush through her as she looked down at the counter, where all of their travel toiletries were lined up next to each other. Her and Rose’s belongings mingling, like it was just something natural for them.

She lifted her gaze up as she continued brushing, taking in Rose’s reflection in the mirror.

Rose had very pointedly not touched Abbie or even come within touching distance to her after she’d gone to her side of the room and started to unpack her bag, before going into the bathroom to do her nightly routine. It was almost as though she was teasing Abbie with the absence of her touch? Like she was saying, if you’re so insistent we won’t have sex, then I’m going to drive you as crazy as possible.

Abbie knew Rose well enough to know that was exactly her intention right now. And fuck if it wasn’t effective.

Even now, as they stood next to one another at the sink, they weren’t quite touching.

Standing close enough to one another that the very notion of touching Rose was tantalizing Abbie, teasing her. And yeah, it worked really well to keep her on alert, to make her feel teased and so aware.

Her stomach clenched – yet again – at the sight of Rose, exactly as it had a couple of minutes ago when she had opened the door to the bathroom to reveal herself now wearing her pajamas, giving Abbie the invitation to finish her bedtime routine as well.

Rose was wearing an actual matching pajama set, black, made of silk. Short little shorts that stopped just under her butt and a matching tank top that had a little lace at the top, over her breasts.

She’d clearly washed her face – she had a handful of moisturizers and lotions, many of which Abbie had no idea about – and her skin looked… fresh? So soft. Abbie just knew that if she kissed any inch of Rose’s face right now, her skin would feel silkier than her pajamas.

Her hair was tossed up into a bun, clearly to get it out of the way, leaving her neck and shoulders bare.

Everything about Rose right now set Abbie on fire inside, in ways she – honestly – hadn’t ever experienced before.

Like, she was so attracted to Rose that she wanted so fucking much to make that move on her that Rose was essentially daring her to make. She wasn’t going to… but she was holding onto that will power by the skin of her teeth.

But she also felt so lit up in a much softer way. In a way she’d never experienced with anyone else she’d dated because she hadn’t seen any real future with them, and she hadn’t experienced it with Daniele, either. Because even though she had seen a future with her, neither one of them had been adult enough to really know what that meant.

Being with Rose like this felt so intimate, it made her heart swell in her chest. Yes, she could really see this.

Finally, she dragged her eyes up high enough to meet Rose’s in the mirror. Rose dipped her head to rid herself of her toothpaste, before commenting, “You’re staring at me again.”

Abbie also bent down to spit out her toothpaste before answering, “Yes. Because you’re gorgeous. And we’re dating. And we aren’t surrounded by teenagers, so I figured I should get my fill now, especially before we’re with them all day tomorrow.”

She delighted in the pink tinge that crept up on Rose’s cheeks as she used her mouthwash, continuing to hold Rose’s gaze in the mirror.

At least, until Rose very obviously dragged her own gaze down Abbie’s reflection as well.

Her pajamas weren’t silk – while so very fitting for Rose, Abbie couldn’t imagine purchasing silk pajamas – just a pair of cotton shorts and a t-shirt that was so thread bare it was essentially see-through in some areas. It was several sizes too large for her, completely hanging off of one of her shoulders.

Rose hummed as she did her final mouth wash rinse, then lifted her eyes back up to meet Abbie’s, the heat in them clear as day. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to get my fill, but it was definitely worth the try.”

Jesus christ.

The way Rose so easily said things like that – before she turned and walked back into their room, and Abbie knew she had a little extra sway in her hips purely for Abbie to watch – made her feel breathless.

Abbie knew that, in a very objective sense, she was an attractive person. Yes, she was a world-class goalie, which had determined her rise to fame in the athletic world, but she’d have to be a real idiot not to know that being traditionally attractive was also a reason she’d been afforded so many sponsorship and photoshoot opportunities.

But no one – not past girlfriends, anyone she’d ever been with – made her feel as desired as Rose did with just a look.

She felt the weight, the truth, in Rose’s words. She felt that Rose desired her to the point of insatiableness.

Letting out a tremulous breath, she switched the bathroom light on and walked the few feet directly to her own bed. Needing not to look at Rose lest she be tempted to make a bad choice. Abbie had ethics and a very strong will… but she was only human.

And Rose wasn’t the only person who felt this heart-pounding want.

She’d just pulled down the comforter when Rose scoffed out, “What is on the television?”

Abbie blinked up at the TV in confusion, as if she hadn’t been the one to put it on when Rose had been in the bathroom. The Hallmark movie that had just started reminded her, however, and she grinned as she climbed into bed. “A cheesy Hallmark movie. It’s officially November, Rose. The holiday movies have started. And we’re going to have it on as we get lulled to sleep.”

She finally looked over at Rose, who was settled in her own bed already. She was laying on her back, propped into a half-sitting up position with her pillows, as she rolled her eyes at the TV, before turning to look at Abbie.

“You’re very lucky I don’t have the remote over here,” Rose muttered.

“And you’re lucky, because a new movie just started. I think this one features… either a high-powered woman realizing that she hates her job she’s spent years building in the city to give it up for her high school boyfriend or a smalltown baker who also needs to save her family’s farm, who will convince the guy that has spent his career destroying small businesses that hers is important.”

“How very lovely,” Rose drawled. “So romantic. And realistic.”

She laughed, settling into her own bed. “Hey, leaving your successful career behind to find yourself accidentally sharing a hotel room, while you find yourself falling for your high school nemesis could happen…” She trailed off, arching a pointed look at Rose.

Who froze, her jaw working back and forth, before she groaned and reached a hand up to rub at her temples. “Did you just compare our situation to a Hallmark movie?”

Abbie shrugged, unable to keep the wide smile off of her face. If her feet weren’t under the covers, she’d probably also be kicking them like she was a fucking teenager or something. But she felt so – so – light right now. Laying in this hotel room with Rose, even if they were in their own respective beds, she was simply… enjoying life. “I think you’ll find that I didn’t mention you and I. You drew that comparison yourself.”

“Fine. I’ll tune in to see if the heroine struggled for over a decade in a marriage to a man, pushing down her lesbianism,” Rose muttered, turning her attention back to the TV.

“We don’t have to watch,” Abbie conceded, laying her head back on the pillow. “I mostly just wanted to see your reaction.”

She could see the way Rose’s lips twitched up ever so slightly, even as she huffed out a sigh. “Nope, we’re going to be watching. Especially now that you drew a parallel.”

Abbie would never let it be said that Rose Elliston wasn’t very possibly the most stubborn person on the planet.

Or that she didn’t like that about her.

But while Rose pointedly returned her attention to the television, Abbie found herself unable to do the same.

Instead, she watched the light from the television play over Rose’s face in the dark room, feeling hungry for every expression.

Especially when she realized that she was getting to see something very few people ever did. Maybe no one did. She was getting to see the way Rose reacted in the most open, authentic responses. The way her pouty bottom lip poked out in a dubious frown. The way her mouth would then quirk into a scoffing, incredulous laugh.

There was no filter right now. This was simply… Rose. Her most raw, honest form.

Abbie had known Rose before. She’d experienced the Rose who wasn’t ready to let her in, who didn’t trust her – probably anyone – with her real self.

Having experienced past Rose made this feel even more special to her.

“Rose?” Her name left Abbie’s lips softly.

Just loudly enough to capture Rose’s attention. She turned to look at Abbie, arching her eyebrow sharply. “Had enough of this movie you’re making me watch?”

“You’re watching more of it than I am,” she pointed out.  

Rose slowly tilted her head. “Oh? Then what, exactly, are you watching?”

“You,” she answered without hesitation, the word rasping slightly in her throat.

And utter pleasure filtered through her when she saw the way Rose’s cheeks flushed, having clearly not anticipated that response. Or maybe not that level of honesty. Abbie wasn’t sure which, and she wasn’t sure it mattered.

What did matter was that she hadn’t felt such sheer satisfaction in watching someone react to her in a very long time.

Probably never, actually.

Rose took a moment to catch herself, clearing her throat. “I see. And… what are you looking for?” Her own voice was an octave lower than before.

Abbie didn’t miss a beat. Didn’t blink. “I’m just looking. Because I like to look at you. And I need to let you know that it isn’t lost on me, what you’d said that night that you told me about your dad. About everything you’ve gone through.”

Rose’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and she shook her head slightly. “What wasn’t lost on you? What are you talking about?”

And that confusion was valid, given that Abbie’s mind had drifted back to their conversation from over a month ago. She provided Rose with the context, “That you said I was the most beautiful person you’d ever seen.”

No, it hadn’t been lost on her, not at all. When Rose had murmured those words, breathing heavily, and the way the air settled around them had been so intense… she’d felt it. She’d felt those words land somewhere deep inside of her, but hadn’t been able to focus properly on them.

Focusing on Rose saying she thought Abbie was the most beautiful person she’d ever seen at the same time that Rose was laying out all of her trauma seemed so… trivializing to Abbie. It had stolen her breath away, but she’d been caught up in too many other feelings to pay too much attention to it.

Now, though, apparently her mind had decided it was the appropriate time to circle back.

Rose’s full lips were open, and her breath hitched in her throat, and that simple sound had Abbie’s stomach clenching in response. “Ah.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, given everything else I’ve said to you in the last week or so, I’d imagine that doesn’t hold too much weight.”

Yes, Rose had made many declarations. She’d made her intentions and desires and her plans to pursue Abbie very, very clear. Clear enough to make Abbie’s blood rush hotter through her veins, distractingly so.

Still, she stayed focused. And amused at the way this was the thing that seemed to make Rose feel a little sheepish. Given, as Rose had said, everything else she’d said to Abbie recently.

But she understood. There was a difference between owning what was happening between them as adults, and that desperate, consuming attraction Rose had felt as a teenager.

Which was why Abbie needed to say her piece. “You’d be wrong. It holds a lot of weight to me.” She held Rose’s gaze with her own, wanting so much to keep that connection. “I’ve circled back to it a lot in the last month. Even before I realized I had these feelings for you.”

She could see it clearly, now. She could see that even though Rose was right, even though Rose had made so many decisive, bold comments to Abbie recently, that being on the receiving end of those comments made Rose squirm. Made her blush. Caught her unaware.

And Abbie found that she liked that.

She’d always loved being able to catch Rose Elliston, the woman that always had a quip, always had a snappy comeback, who never came unarmed to banter, off-guard.

Apparently, she liked it even more when she got to catch Rose off-guard about this. About them.

“I’ve kept going back to it because the truth is, I thought the same about you.”

At once, Rose’s eyes rolled, and she made a dismissive sound. “Lemon, please. We both know you did not have feelings for me in high school; no need to attempt to retcon now that we’re…” She trailed off, sliding her tongue over her bottom lip in a move that had Abbie lighting up inside, before she finished in a murmur, “Dating.”

It was like Rose was literally savoring the word in her mouth, and Abbie thrummed with heat.

She swallowed tightly, one of her hands curling into a fist in her blanket. Focus.

Focus on the romance.

“I’m not trying to retcon the past,” she clarified. “I think that would be a disservice to the both of us. What I am saying is that I’ve thought you were so incredibly beautiful since the day we met. Since the day you shoved my soccer ball out of my arms in the hallway. I was frustrated as hell, but…” She stared across the room at Rose, feeling her heart skip a beat. “I’ve thought since that day that you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Honestly, it was probably way better for both of us that you weren’t nice to me, or else we would have had a serious problem.”

She meant every word.

Yes, Daniele was also beautiful, and Abbie had been so attracted to her back in high school. But she’d been most attracted to her because of her personality.

She couldn’t even fathom how she would have felt about Rose – what a mess she likely would have been – if Rose had been kind to her.

“Abbie…” Rose breathed out, before she clenched her jaw, inhaling deeply through her nose, like she didn’t know what else to say.

But that was okay, because Abbie did know.

“Since we’ve been back in each other’s lives, you’ve been the one pushing us forward. And the truth is, that’s not really me. Throughout my life, when I know I want something, I work to make sure I can have it.”

“And… the thing you’re referring to in this conversation…?” Rose trailed off, her voice a little breathier than typical.

Which was incredibly sexy.

Abbie propped her head up on her hand, staring across the space between their beds, directly at Rose. “You, Rose. I’m talking about you.”

Rose mirrored her, propping herself up as well. The look in her eyes was so dark, so sinfully inviting. “Well, frankly, it’s a little ridiculous because I’ve already been very clear about how easily you could have me.”

“Sexually, yes, you have.” She could hear the arousal in her own voice.

Because fuck, yes, Rose had made it abundantly clear how much she wanted Abbie. She’d made it very clear that she was ready for them to have sex right now.

“But I want you in more ways than that. And…” She searched Rose’s expression, taking in every little detail. “I’m aware that you want me in more ways, too. But – I want to work for it.”

Rose’s lips twisted into a deep frown, obviously baffled, as she lifted her free hand up and dropped it heavily to the mattress next to her. “You want to work for something that you, by your own admission, know you could have?”

“Yes. And I know how that sounds,” she acknowledged, because obviously, yeah, she got it. “But so far with everything that’s happened between us, you’ve been the one driving it forward. You kissed me in high school. You came to my room to seduce me in college–”

Rose broke in with a defensive edge, “Seducing you.”

“What else could you possibly call that? You walked into my room looking like a pin-up calendar, and you were prepared with your vibrator. It was a seduction.”

“Fine,” Rose sniffed, haughtily.

Abbie grinned back. “Like I was saying – you’ve been the one that has made the big moves so far. And I’m not complaining. But… we’re both in this together, now.”

With that, she returned back to laying cuddled up in her covers, but stayed on her side. Looking at Rose.

“Choosing this, choosing us, choosing you is the first real active choice I feel like I’ve made in far too long. I’m done reacting to life playing out around me. I feel like I’m coming back to myself, my real self for the first time in months. I’ve said that I want to focus on finding a relationship and prioritizing my personal life, but… I didn’t really feel it. I feel it, now. Maybe you chose me first, and maybe it happened for you a long time ago. But I’m in this, now. And I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else.”

She both saw and heard the way Rose’s breath caught in her throat. Saw how her chest rose and fell and then paused. Watched the way Rose dug her teeth into her bottom lip, her eyes wide and imploring back at Abbie.

Like she wasn’t quite sure how to be when she wasn’t completely in the driver’s seat. And maybe she didn’t. Rose had been the one to control the tempo of her relationship with Nathan, and again this far with Abbie.

A slow, delighted smile curled at Abbie’s lips. “So, you better prepare yourself, Rose Elliston.”

A quiet, almost helpless – in a way she didn’t associate with Rose – sound escaped Rose’s throat.

She continued, “Because I’m exceptionally good at two things in life.”

Rose’s eyebrows lifted, and her lips parted on a needy exhale, a noise that made sparks shoot through Abbie’s entire body, ending in making her toes curl. Especially as she watched Rose’s eyes trail slowly to her lips.

Vividly, she flashed back to the night they’d spent together in college. To all of the details she’d tried valiantly to forget over the years because of how angry and betrayed she’d felt by Rose. The details she’d never actually been able to part with. Like Rose telling her she could only come with a vibrator, and then how Abbie had disproven that by making Rose come on her lips minutes later.

She throbbed, her body pulsing with heat, even as she breathed out a laugh. “I take it back; I’m exceptionally good at three things in life.” She held up her hand, “First, being a goalie. Second, with my mouth.”

Rose’s lips pressed tightly together but it didn’t completely disguise the keening sigh that she let out.

Abbie needed to stay focused, though. Because the final part was so important to her. “And third, you should be prepared: I take romance very seriously. So, you should get ready. I’m going to date the hell out of you.”

For so long, Abbie had been the one trailing behind. But not anymore.

And she couldn’t wait to sweep Rose off of her feet in the way she deserved. If Rose thought a playlist was something special… she just had to wait.

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