I was doing just fine before I met you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF THE COOLEST CHICKS!!!! and one of my best friends on this big ole flat planet we live on!!! @thequeensxgambit

And she certainly hadn’t expected to fall into bed with her. Or hear her breathe so shakily as her fingers slipped up her back and clutched her close. She didn’t know what time she’d fallen asleep with a face full of dark hair, fingertips dancing over smooth skin. That day she’d listened so intently as Bella had spoken about everything. How they were both raised in split cultural homes but unlike Andy, Bella didn’t have a father to turn to. Andy had laughed so loudly as she told Bella about her brother’s antics, about their stupidity and competitive edge.

By late afternoon she’d found herself resting her hand on Bella’s thigh briefly as she waited for their lunch to arrive. They had a lot in common, Andy could admit that and when Bella had smiled at her....Andy had felt her heart quicken. “I hope you enjoyed yourself. I’m sorry we couldn’t stay for a drink and a Nashville sing-song.” She rubbed the back of her neck and looked up at the building she’d spent the night in previously. “I’ve got to be good and all that before the game tomorrow.” 

She licked her lips absently and turned back to the smaller woman, reaching out to softly cup her hip, thumb brushing against the fabric of her tee. “I had a really...really good day and I can’t believe I have to leave tomorrow when we’re finished.” She frowned and then smiled. “But no point putting a dark cloud of a sunny day. I’m grateful.” @unsctisfied

Sometimes Leo looked back on what they had shared with kind eyes. Appreciation would rumble through her with its own agenda. What they had taught her a lot about herself. She had once considered herself the most humble and passionate person she knew. That was instilled in her at such a young age, it was just a part of growing up in rural Georgia. You couldn’t have one without the other; however, with Ryan, she had found out that wasn’t always her strongest suits. The girl had tested her. Frustrated her. Mostly, she got under her skin in unimaginable ways. On another side, she’d built her up– sometimes made her feel like a Rockstar. Leo was a changed woman.

Gulp. The coach couldn’t do anything but swallow hard. The physical effect Ryan still had on her was shocking. It went back to how the younger woman made her soar. Everything was so intricately woven together. “I’m holding you to that,” Leo warned, her brows carefully knitting together. They were a lot thicker than they’d been a few years prior. She’d stopped caring as much about her appearance– not making too much of an effort. Trust with herself? That seemed ironic considering  Leo couldn’t reciprocate that feeling. Being around Ryan was worrisome for her. Except that didn’t keep her quiet. “Okay, yeah, alright… then you should come in and have a drink with me and catch up. I just have a couple beers but might have something else if your preference has changed.” Not really waiting to see if Ryan followed behind, she turned and went back into her apartment. Wordlessly, she grabbed another beer—instantly needing it.

“Leo, if you had anything except beers then I’d be concerned,” Ryan stated fondly as she looked down at the older woman with a bashful grin. So many times she’d been intoxicated by the simple taste of beer on Leo’s tongue. There were so many things she associated with her ex-lover and when she’d moved to the states, it had hit her harder. She’d looked into the places where Leo had grown up when they’d been together in England but to be in the same country had opened her eyes a little. And in a way...it had dragged the memories back even harder. Not that she had a right to feel remorse after the way she’d acted but if she thought like that her entire life she’d never let go. 

Quietly, she followed Leo further into the apartment, slipping her hands into her shorts as she went. She knew Leo wasn’t...available these days. But her eyes still wandered. Strong shoulders. Great legs. A wonderful ass if ever she’d seen one. And the sight of her with a beer in her hand just grabbed Ryan by the throat and pulled her back. Slowly, she leant by her and grabbed a beer of her own. She’d never waited for offers anyway. “So...” She hopped up onto the counter and let her long legs dangle. “Catch me up, Coach.”