Part V

Later that day Alex was by her lonesome in the girls' locker room. She forgot her uniform. Marissa was outside, waiting for her in the car. They were going to have dinner together in Alex's apartment. Alex shoved the locker door and was about to go out when Inna popped out with only a towel covering her body.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know someone was still here." Inna said with a grin on her face.

"Congratulations by the way. Your peers seemed to have found their stroke after half time." Inna added as she held a firmer grip on her towel.

Believe me Alex Cohen…

I'll take it off just say the word…

Alex smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you. I better go. Marissa is waiting for me." Alex started to walk away from Inna but Inna held her hand.

Alex looked down to the linked hands.

"Do you love her?" Inna asked.

"Yes I do." Alex replied looking at Inna's eyes.

"Do you want her?" Inna asked again.

"I do. Not that it's any of your…"

Before Alex could finish Inna's lips captured hers. She pulled Alex closer. Alex was trying to push her away. She suddenly found herself losing because if she moved back, the towel covering Inna's body would come off. It might leave the other girl naked. She snapped her head back to gain distance from the brunette's lips.

She felt Inna's breath in her neck when she whispered.

"Do you want her as much as I want you?"

"I'm sorry. I really have to go." Slowly Alex created more distance.

She took Inna's hands and placed them to hold the brunette's towel. Her breath was still ragged. She started to walk away from Inna. She stopped when she heard her ask.

"Would you give me a chance and go out with me? Maybe you'll change your mind."

"I won't. I love Marissa…"

"How much?" Inna asked with sadness in her eyes.

"More than anything…" Alex replied turning her gaze away.

She left Inna with a frustrated ego and a heavy heart.

Inna turned to her locker and dressed up.

I'm not giving up.

Not just yet.

----

Marissa waited on Alex's car. She would constantly run her fingers through her hair. She smiled when she saw Alex appear.

"Hey…" Marissa greeted and gave Alex a kiss on the cheek.

Alex smiled back and put her seatbelt on. She started the car but didn't move it yet. She turned to Marissa and gave her a kiss on the lips.

"Sorry I'm late. Got little detoured." She smiled and drove off to her apartment.

Marissa licked her lips. She tasted strawberry. Alex hated strawberry. She looked at her girlfriend.

"Alex, did you eat strawberries on the way?" Marissa asked.

"No. Why? You do know I hate strawberries right?" Alex gave a quick glance at Marissa.

"Nothing." Marissa rested her back.

Alex held out her hand and entwined her fingers with Marissa's. Having automatic cars has its perks.

----

Jodie and Summer were on their way back to Summer's house. Summer was still uneasy with the look she caught from Inna Van Stein's eyes. She was, truthfully, smelling something fishy.

"Would Alex know Inna Van Stein?"

"No. They never met. Well… prior to the invitationals. Why?" Jodie answered.

"Nothing it's just… She looked at Alex too intensely."

"Well… Maybe she just concentrates a lot while playing."

"Remember the time when she was given a charging foul. It seemed she told Alex something. Alex asked the coach to take her out… Maybe…" Summer got cut off.

"You know… Alex loves Marissa. She won't do anything stupid. Trust me." Jodie shook her head.

"I trust her. But what would happen if the girl runs after her. You know seduce her and stuff. I mean…"

"Summer… Baby… You watch too many Hollywood movies…"

"Well I don't want Alex and Marissa apart."

"They won't. Trust me baby. They won't."

----

Alex and Marissa were cuddling in Alex's couch. They were just resting. Marissa was still thinking about the strawberry she tasted on her lips. She trusted Alex. But right now she wasn't too sure what was happening.

"Alex… Did you happen to use strawberry lip gloss?"

"No why?" Alex turned and looked at Marissa.

"It's just… when you kissed me I tasted strawberry. I know you hate strawberry…" Marissa sat up straight and averted her eyes.

"Oh… that…" Alex replied.

How do you tell her the Yale superstar just kissed you while wearing a towel?

Literally wearing a towel.

Be honest.

She's your girlfriend.

"Alex?"

"Um… You see… When I was in the lockers I kinda bumped into Inna."

"Inna Van Stein?"

"Correct. She kinda… Kissed me…" Alex said the last part almost inaudible.

But not inauble enough. Marissa threw a pillow at Alex.

"BITCH!" Marissa stood up and started to walk away.

"Honey wait! Let me explain!" Alex stood up and held Marissa's hand.

"I was waiting for you in your car! While you were making out with that BITCH!" Marissa was yelling in tears.

Alex held her close. She was trying to calm her down but made Marissa yell more.

"She wants you! And you want her! God! You were practically all over each other on court! How could I be so blind!"

"Marissa calm down. Can you please, at least… Let me explain? Please?" Alex pleaded.

"Be my guest!" Marissa angrily sat down on the couch.

"She told me she wanted me. Yes…" Alex saw tears flowing more freely in Marissa's eyes.

"But I told her I love you…" Alex knelt in front of Marissa.

"What? You didn't…"

"I didn't Marissa. I love you. More than anything in the world… Believe me. You're the only person I want to spend the rest of my life with…" Alex's eyes were teary but the tears didn't dare to fall.

"But how could you kiss her?" Marissa asked as her voice cracked.

"I didn't kiss her. She kissed me. I couldn't end it abruptly. I would have seen her in her naked glory."

"What?" Marissa looked at Alex confused.

"Well… She got out of the shower. She was just in her towel."

"And she didn't turn you on?" Marissa asked arching one of her brows.

"No… Only one thing turns me on…" Alex leaned in to kiss Marissa's neck.

As she reached the base she heard Marissa moan. She suddenly stopped and looked up to Marissa.

"That turns me on." Alex grinned.

"Tease." Marissa grinned back.

Alex stood up and sat beside Marissa. Marissa hugged her tightly. It felt as if she was afraid to let go of Alex.

"Marissa… Promise me."

"What?"

"Trust me."

"I will… I promise…" Marissa kissed her girlfriend's lips then rested her head on the blonde's chest.

"Promise something too Alex…"

"What?"

"Stay faithful to me."

"I promise." Alex gave Marissa a kiss on the forehead. After a few hours they found themselves sleeping in each others arms.