Chapter 14
"How long have you been in there?" Alex asked her girlfriend who was hiding at the side of the bleachers. Piper avoided Alex's gaze.
"I… I just got here." Piper lied.
Nicky is now peeping at Piper who was hiding at the sides.
"Come out here and watch your girl score some 'air'!" Nicky teases Alex who slapped Nicky's arm a little too hard.
"Ow!" Nicky rubbed her arm.
"I am not scoring some 'air', Nichols!" Alex said playfully annoyed. She knew what Nicky is trying to insinuate but, she just couldn't get her head in the game too much.
Piper walked out from the sides of the bleachers going close to Alex but not making body contact. Their earlier encounter with Polly is so fresh that both women didn't know what to say yet, but both were glad to be in each other's presence
"Alex…" Piper called out to her girlfriend. Alex was about to speak up, but Piper continued speaking. "Can we not talk about what happened just yet? Can I just please watch you shoot some hoops for a while?" Piper asked pleading and then added. "Can we just 'pause' this argument for a bit?" Piper asked still pleading. She wasn't really sure what to call what is happening to them because they weren't really arguing to start with.
Alex let out a sigh of relief because she also didn't want to talk about what happened just yet. It is all a little too much for her and she was glad that Piper was okay with letting it pass even just for a while.
"Okay." Alex let out a weak smile and walked towards Piper to kiss her on the cheek.
"Okay." Piper repeated smiling weakly whilst looking at Alex. The flashback of Alex standing up to tell Polly how she won't hurt her weirdly turns her on.
"I love you…r shirt, Pipes." Alex said shocked with what she just said. She kind of knows that Piper heard what she just admitted to Nicky but was hoping that the blonde didn't really caught up to it. 'She said she just got here anyways. Maybe she didn't really hear it.'
"Really, Vause? You love her shirt?" Nicky continued teasing. "Or do you love her…" Nicky paused for effect but spoke up once again. "Shoes? Do you love her shoes, Vause?" Nicky said, and she was five seconds behind a basketball hitting her face. Luckily, she caught it.
Piper blushed deeply. She heard what Alex said earlier while she was still hiding by the side of the bleachers. She was glad to hear it because she was as equally afraid as Alex because she, herself, feels the same way. She chose not to push the matter but smiled at Alex. 'Shit. I need to stick with what I said. I just got here. I just got here. I didn't hear anything.' Piper thought.
"Shut up, Nicky!" Alex said annoyed and then thought of something. "Okay, here's the deal, Nichols." Alex started.
"What deal?" Nicky asked dribbling the ball and then crossing it over.
"We play one on one. If you win, you pay for mine and Piper's dinner tonight. You can bring anyone you want just pay for our dinner." Alex said smirking and looking at Piper with a knowing look.
"And if I win? You pay for my dinner?" Nicky rolled her eyes as if she was bored with the offer.
"If you win…" Piper interjected. Nicky and Alex looked at her with raised eyebrows. "We pay for your dinner and I'll invite Lorna over to watch your game against the Purples." Piper said smiling teasingly at Nicky and then looking at Alex for approval. She knew how Nicky liked Lorna so much. Nicky smirked and looked like she was good with the offer.
"But you won't win anyway." Alex teased and then smirked.
"Oh, come on, Vause! You know how much of a sharp shooter I am!" Nicky boasted. And what makes you think I haven't invited Lorna yet?" Nicky asked with raised eyebrows.
"Oh god, Nicky. I'm sure you haven't because if you did I'm sure I wouldn't hear the end of it until the actual game itself!" Alex said laughing. Nicky shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Fine! Fine. Deal. Get ready to lose, Vause." Nicky said dribbling the ball some more.
"Whatever you say, Nick!" Alex chuckled and then turned her head towards Piper. "You can sit and watch me win over there, Pipes." Alex said loudly so that Nicky will hear. The wild-haired woman rolled her eyes again. Piper walked towards the nearest bench where Alex and Nicky's stuff are.
"Better get it on with your kiss good luck because your girl's gonna lose, Chapman!" Nicky said bragging. Alex's eyebrows raised and then she smirked looking back at Piper.
"Might as well get one. It's a win-win, anyway. I win, and I get a kiss." Alex shrugged and then walked towards the blonde leaning in to kiss her. Piper avoided Alex's lips.
"I need to be the one to give the good luck kiss. Not you." Piper teased. "Good luck kisses are meant to be on the cheek only." Piper said grinning at Alex.
"And who ever made the rule that good luck kisses are just meant to be on the cheeks?" Alex asked with her hands on her waist whilst questioning.
"I did." Piper answered chuckling. "Winning kisses are meant to be on the lips." Piper said leaning in to kiss Alex on the cheek and then whispering at Alex. "If you get lucky, winning kisses may also be meant to be on the neck and on your chest and on your - …" Piper was cut off when Nicky shouted.
"Okay enough role play, lesbians! Come over, Vause and let me beat you, now!" Nicky says practicing some hoops. Alex scoffed because she was already liking Piper's flirty side. It is turning her on but then Nicky had to ruin the moment. Piper chuckled because she saw how Alex was worked up and then it was deflated when Nicky barged in.
"Okay, come here. Good luck." Piper said cupping Alex's cheeks and then leaning in to kiss the raven-haired woman on the lips. They melted into each other's lips and kissed the other with all the sweetness within them
"Mhhhmmmm. I guess I've won already. Stop now before we let Nicky into a free sex show." Alex joked to that of which Piper slapped her arm.
"Alex!" Piper gasped at what Alex said but she laughed at it as well.
"Hey." Alex said sincerely, now cupping Piper's cheeks. "I'm never going to walk away from you… Only if you want me to… And if ever you even want me to, you're gonna have a hard time. I'd be stubborn and won't walk away." Alex said out of nowhere. Though they said that they didn't want to talk about what happened earlier, Alex just wanted to assure Piper who mustered up a weak but very sincere smile.
"Hey, I thought there is no talking about anything about that first?" Piper asked with raised eyebrows. "But, for the record… I know." Piper said slightly smiling and then sat back down as Alex and Nicky are going to have a friendly one on one game. Alex returned the smile and then readied herself.
"Get ready, Nichols." Alex said with all the confidence radiating within her.
Alex and Nicky traded baskets. Both women were part of the same team and same coaching staff which is why they can read each other while they play one on one. Alex has the height advantage, but Nicky is much quicker.
The first one to get to 21 points wins the game. The score is currently 18-16 in favor of Nicky. The wild-haired woman was doing some dirty trash talking which Piper laughed at. It was fun when Alex talked back, and Piper joined in the banter.
"Al! Don't you want free dinner? Go! You can do it! Five more points!" Piper was now up and pacing as she tried 'coaching' her girlfriend to that of which Alex and Nicky found funny.
"Of course, I do!" Alex says dribbling the ball. She dribbled and crossed over and then faked trying to see if Nicky will take the bait. Nicky did so Alex stepped to the side and shot from the perimeter which equals to two points.
*swoosh*
"Woohooo!" Piper cheered. "It's now 18 all, Nichols!" Piper said a little teasingly towards the wild-haired woman.
"It's not over until it's over, blondie!" Nicky pointed at Piper who was jumping excitedly. It was still Alex's ball because it's a winner's ball kind of game. Nicky was fired up because she really wanted to win this not because of dinner but because of Lorna.
"I'm gonna win this one Nick!" Alex says smirking as she dribbled the ball. Nicky's fast hands pokes the ball and steals it from the taller woman.
"Oh shit! Block her, babe!" Piper says excitedly.
Nicky successfully stole the ball from Alex and dribbled her way to the basket doing a reverse lay-up. The ball banked to the board and then went inside the basket.
"Ohhhhhh, babe! Nicky got you good there! That was such a graceful… mmmm… kind of sexy move." Piper said trying to tease Alex. Piper only got eyes for her girlfriend, but she wanted Alex to get worked up.
"Really, Pipes? You expect me to believe that you find Nicky sexy?" Alex asked as she held the ball to pass to Nicky who has possession.
"Ohhhhhh. Blondie take it easy. You're not my type." Nicky fought with banter. "Hey, Stretch, 19-18 my ball. It's winning time!" Nicky challenged. She dribbled and then stepped at the side faking a shot which Alex bit into by jumping to block the ball. Nicky moved to the side and shot the ball from the perimeter.
If this went in, Nicky wins but if it doesn't, Alex has a chance.
"Late release, Nichols!" Alex challenged as soon as Nicky shot the ball. She was right. The ball bounced on the rim and didn't go inside the basket. Alex immediately rebounded the ball, checked it by going out the perimeter and shot from the perimeter as Nicky hasn't recovered yet. Nicky was a tad bit late in trying to challenge Alex's shot. After Alex released the ball to shoot a two-ball, she didn't wait for the ball to go in but immediately turned around to look at Piper.
"That shot is for you, Pipes." Alex said and then as if on cue, the ball went inside the basket with a swoosh.
'Holy fucking hell. That was so so so so so fucking hot. How did she even do that?' Piper's mouth was opened a little too long. Nicky was now laughing so hard because of Piper's reaction.
"Chapman, your mouth's gonna drag on the floor anytime soon if you don't close it." Nicky teased. Piper gave her the finger, but Nicky just laughed out loud some more. Alex was laughing as well.
"Who's sexy now, huh Chapman?" Alex challenged with a smirk. Piper squinted at her girlfriend and then shook her head not believing what had just happened.
"My ball 19-20, Nick. I think I'm gonna have a double patty burger with truffle fries. What do you want for dinner, Pipes?" Alex teased Nicky who just rolled her eyes.
'Are you really asking me what I want for dinner, Alex? I kind of want a tall raven-haired lesbian with thick secretary glasses for my dinner. But, that's for me to know and you to find out.' Piper thought and then she finally spoke up. "Chicken and waffles!" Piper said even though she didn't really want that.
"Chicken and waffles it is!" Alex said. She was trying to distract the shorter woman in front of her. She dribbled towards the basket, but Nicky defended tightly.
Alex took the risk and took the ball behind her back, did the euro-step to avoid Nicky's defense and then did a lay-up. More like just threw the ball up there and hoped for it to go in the basket. The ball bounced on the rim and circled the rim giving everyone suspense but who are they kidding, right?
Alex shot the ball. Alex the MVP. Alex the basketball extraordinaire. She who could rock being a basketball chick and could be the hottest and sexiest woman just standing inside a bar or just making a cup of coffee.
It. Went. In.
"Wooohoooooooooo! Vause wins!" Piper declares as she cheered for her girl in the empty gym. Alex found it adorable and Nicky found it funny.
"Okay okay. You win. But I'm still bringing Lorna." Nicky says smirking. She doesn't really care. "And you…" Nicky pointed at Alex. "should stop playing. You're not even allowed to play yet." Nicky said. Piper stiffened because she felt guilty that she didn't remind Alex to not over-do it.
"Yeah, Al. I think that's it for you. You are sweating too much." Piper said handing Alex her towel.
Alex and Nicky sat beside Piper. They were dripping with sweat and Piper didn't really like it one bit. Alex looked at Nicky and the wild-haired woman nodded. They usually do this to whoever is dry whenever they practice. Immediately, both women enveloped Piper in a very sweaty hug.
"Ewwwww! Stop it!" Piper retorted but she didn't have a choice anymore. Nicky and Alex are now wrapping Piper with their sweaty bodies
"I love you now blondie now that Alex loves-…" Nicky was cut off by Alex's hand slapping the back of her head. "Ow!"
"Shut up!" Alex deadpanned and pushed Nicky aside so that she can envelope Piper in a hug of her own to that of which the blonde accepted whole-heartedly.
"What? I love blondie because you love her… shirt, right?" Nicky countered.
"Shut up, Nichols!" Alex said doing a side eye on Nicky who burst out in laughter. Piper chose to alleviate the situation.
"Mmmmm. As much as I like sweaty Alex on bed, I think I have to think otherwise about sweaty Alex after a game." Piper teased Alex who opened her mouth in mock hurt. "Plus, you need to rest, Al. I don't want you having a fever tonight." Piper said pulling away as she grabbed the towel from Alex's grasp and wiped Alex's sweat away.
Three days later
Piper was at home while Alex insisted that she go to Pearl's to cover shifts. Alex didn't want to do nothing while she is recovering from her recent hospitalization, so she made coffee for customers. Both women agreed to just see each other the next day in the gym where they will watch the Black team's game. Alex isn't allowed to play yet, but she wanted to see how her team plays.
Piper just finished her shift in the hospital and was at home reading a book while she was seated comfortably on her couch with a blanket covering her legs when her phone buzzed.
From Polly:
Po: Pipe… Talk to me please?
Pi: I'm listening… Or reading for that matter.
Po: Where are you?
Pi: At home.
Po: Okay. I'm coming.
Piper was about to reply when Polly sent another text.
Po: Wait, are you alone or are you with Alex?
Pi: Does it matter?
Po: Pipe please hear me out.
Pi: I'm alone. Alex is at work.
Po: Taking an uber and bringing wine.
Piper rolled her eyes. The truth is that she knew her best friend could be that way. The way how she was when she confronted and accused Alex of stuff that she didn't even know about. Accusing Alex of what she might do because of her past actions isn't really very reasonable but Piper appreciates the protectiveness. She knew that Polly could be protective. She knew that Polly could over-exaggerate things and a small part of her even thinks that Polly was just overwhelmed of everything. Especially that she is dating a woman.
Piper decided to not reply to Polly's message anymore as she is now expecting her best friend to come over and apologize. Well, she didn't really want to hear any apologies. Or the more proper term to use it that she didn't really need to hear any apologies. If there is someone Polly needs to apologize to, it would be Alex.
She didn't really know what to expect when Polly arrives, so she just wanted to relax and not think about anything. She just sat down and continued reading her book until her doorbell went off.
Piper dog-eared her book and went to the door to let Polly in.
"Piper." Polly had a very apologetic look. She has a large bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine in hand. She wasn't really sure how she brought all of it, but she managed to. Piper slightly smiled at the thought of Polly bringing flowers. The blonde stepped at the side to let Polly in.
"Wow. When you say you were gonna apologize I didn't know that you're going all out." Piper says a little too coldly, but she knew that Polly will go with it. The brunette placed the bouquet and the wine on the table as they sat down on the couch and Polly didn't waste time, so she immediately spoke up.
"Piper, I'm so sorry." Polly started.
"Pol, if there is anyone you need to apologize to, it's Alex." Piper said honestly shrugging. "I don't really care anymore if you approve of my relationship with Alex or not." Piper added. Polly slumped. She knew that she would get this the whole night.
"To be honest Pipe, up until yesterday, I still do no approve of it." Polly said honestly. She avoided Piper's gaze. If she is going to make everything right, she wanted to tell Piper everything.
"Why, Pol? You're my best friend and all you could do is to support me and my choices." Piper said as she didn't really know where Polly is going with the conversation. "Is it because I am dating a woman?" Piper blurted out. Polly's eyebrows furrowed together in disagreement.
"Piper, I don't care if you're seeing a man or a woman. I know you had a phase back in college and I know I gave you the talk back then… But now, it's fucking 2017! I love you Piper and I accept you as my best friend. I was just so protective because of what Alex said in that bar way before you two met." Polly tried explaining little by little.
Piper's eyes widened she didn't expect Polly to say that. She expected Polly to tell her off because she will tell her a lecture of being straight or not being gay but, she didn't get any of that. Piper slumped as she remembered what Alex said.
"It is scary. What she said back there. 'I make them fall in love and then I walk away.'" Piper said looking down at her hands as if it is the most interesting thing ever.
"It is, right?" Polly asked and then spoke up again. "But, I realized that Alex is… She's…" Polly can't find her words. Piper's eyebrows raised. "How did you two take it? Did you guys fight because of what I did? I'm really so sorry!" Polly started to panic. Piper shook her head.
"No. We decided to 'pause' on talking about it. We were supposed to talk about it the other day, but I think we both know that it wouldn't be the smoothest argument. I mean, we just got together for fuck's sake." Piper is trying to make Polly understand. Polly let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault." Polly said shaking her head in defeat.
"Wait a minute, Pol… I just want to make sure that nothing happened in between you and Alex. Did something happen between you two?" Piper asked now getting paranoid with how Polly is acting. Polly's eyes widened in utter shock.
"What?! No fucking way Pipe! It's just you who is batting for the other team." Polly said defensively and then continued after chuckling nervously. "It's just that… I think Alex was trying to tell me something the other day and I didn't catch up on it pretty quick. She said that she deserved that water thrown at her face. And I don't think Alex is one to admit such things." Polly said trailing off. Piper was confused to what Polly is talking about to say the least. She tried recalling everything that Alex said that day but can't really put a finger on it.
"Okay… So, what are you trying to say? I mean, I understand you being protective and all. I was scared when she said that too, but what are we trying to get to here?" Piper asked confused.
"Alex is in love with you, Pipe." Polly said as it is the most natural thing in the world. Piper let out the most genuine smile that Polly has seen that night.
"I think I know that by now." Piper said shyly. Polly's widened.
"She told you?" Polly asked.
"I actually over-heard her that day when she walked out on us. I followed her at the gym as she was shooting hoops with Nicky. She told Nicky that she was scared, and she might be in trouble because she is falling for me. But Alex doesn't know that I know. We only go as far as banters and hints about the L-word but other than that, there really is no concrete declaration." Piper said as she huffed out.
"So?" Polly started.
"So, what?" Piper asked.
"So, do you love her? Do you feel the same? I'm not gonna tell you what to do Pipe but, if you're not then maybe she-…" Polly was cut off by Piper.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, Pol. I think I love her." Piper admitted to someone for the first time.
"You only think?" Polly asked with raised eyebrows.
"I know I love her, Pol. And It's a scary and a wonderful feeling at the same time. I've never felt this way before… But I haven't had the chance to tell her yet." Piper said as she was smiling and frowning because she was starting to panic. Polly chuckled.
"It's okay. I told Pete I love him when he told me he loves me, and it was the best feeling ever." Polly admitted to her best friend. Piper's eyes widened.
"Oh my god, Pol! You're finally in-love!" Piper said not meaning anything, but Polly's eyes widened once again in mock hurt as she slapped Piper playfully on the arm. Polly and Piper were glad that things were back to the way they used to in between them. Well, almost.
"Hey!" Polly said. "I've been in love before!" Polly said proudly.
"Okay, with who?" Piper challenged. "Name one and I'll believe." Piper challenged again.
Polly's mouth went agape as she was thinking of an answer, but she wasn't able to think of someone she was previously in-love with.
"Just as I thought." Piper said smirking.
"Hey, Pipe?" Polly spoke up vulnerably. "I'm really sorry. Are we good?" Polly asked sincerely. Piper nodded and then squeezed Polly's shoulder.
"I love you, Pol. But I love Alex too. I don't want the time to come when I have to choose between the two of you." Piper said sadly. "I just hope you two could get along even it's just for me." Piper trailed off avoiding Polly's gaze. Polly squeezed Piper's arm and then reached for the bouquet.
Piper was surprised when Polly pulled out a smaller bouquet within the bigger bouquet and two envelopes.
"That's what the second bouquet is for… And this envelope. I hope you accept it. Pete and I talked about it and it really helped that he knew Alex for a while already. He said he has never seen her this way before. In a good way." Polly said as she hands the smaller bouquet and one envelope to Piper.
"Hey! Why is mine the smaller one?" Piper asked with mock hurt.
"Because I have a bigger apology to make at Pearl's… which by the way, makes the best coffee… I need to fix this, all of this…." Polly gave Piper a smile. "You scored one hell of a chick, Pipe. Basketball and barista in one." Polly shook her head.
"And not to mention how great she is while we have se-…" Piper was cut off by Polly.
"Owwwwkay! I support you, Pipe but, I don't want to hear any of your lesbian sexcapades!" Polly says agitatedly shocked. Piper shook her head and chuckled.
"Pete told you that Alex owns Pearl's, right?" Piper asked Polly whilst chuckling. "I'm saying that not because I want to brag about my girlfriend but because you might already be banned there before you even try to apologize and…" Piper trailed off looking at her watch. "It's 8:30. You better go before she leaves work." Piper suggested. Polly let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"She owns Pearl's?" Polly asked with wide eyes not believing what Piper just said.
"I tell you that you might not even be able to go in because you might have been banned already and all you get is 'She owns Pearl's?" Piper asked chuckling.
"Shit! Okay, okay! Love you, Pipe. And don't even think about opening the envelope yet. You need to open it with Alex… That is if she accepts it from me. And, maybe that's when you can tell her how you really feel." Polly said grabbing all her stuff. She gave Piper a kiss on the cheek and rushed to the door. She really want to fix things.
"What do you mean?" Piper asked.
"You'll see when you open the envelope, WITH ALEX! Bye, Pipe." Polly said exiting the door.
Piper shook her head and smiled faintly. She hopes that Polly's apology would be smooth though she knew it would be hard. She is curious and intrigued with what is in the envelope but most of all, her heart flutters to her confession of love for the raven-haired woman.
She knew that she has to tell her soon. And by soon, she didn't really know when. She just wanted to enjoy what they have right now and what she really feels.
It has been a long time or maybe even the first time in a long time since she left Connecticut when she felt home again.
About ten minutes later, Piper heard her phone buzz.
From Alex:
A: Your ever supportive "best friend", Rolly POLLY Olie is here. What is she even doing here?
P: Maybe she's there to apologize. Just hear her out.
A: *rolling eyes emoji* I want to hear you out while I eat you out.
P: Alex!
A: What? Nobody sees our text messages but us! *lingerie emoji*
P: We're not even gonna see each other until tomorrow! :p
A: All you have to do is ask. :p
As if on cue there was another message that came in.
From Nicky:
N: I definitely can see your exchange of messages. *wink emoji*
N: Ohhhhh, someone's getting laid tonight!
Piper went back to Alex's message box
To Alex:
P: Alex! Nicky can see our text messages! She just fucking messaged me. :|
Piper didn't receive any replies for about a minute.
A: Took care of her already. Nicky should stop looking at my private messages over my shoulders.
P: I figured. Lol. Ice cube attack?
A: Nah. Lesbian wedgie. Not the sexual one tho. The revenge wedgie. lol
P: Oh gosh! How does that even work?
A: Google, baby. :p Then tell me if you want me to do it to you. *wink*
P: *rolling eyes emoji*
A: Fuck! Taystee says Polly wants to see me. Do you know anything about this?
P: Maybe? Just please?
A: -_-
A: I'd just tell her how much I love you…r smile. :) 3
P: :)
Piper thought that she was so lucky to be alone and not being seen by anyone because her blush, if possible, is all over her body.
A: And tell her how incredible it is when you scream my name.
P: Oh god. She's going to freak out.
A: But seriously I don't want to talk but here she goes now… Might as well…
A: Later, babe.
End of Chapter
Reviews are appreciated!