Many thanks for reading, following and favoriting! And a special thanks for your lovely comments! Glad most of you are enjoying this :)
This was a bit of a struggle to get out for 'some reason' (because 511 zapped my shipper heart!).. Might be a bit sucky - you be the judge.
xoxo
Only a few weeks later the Rockets had flown to Montreal for the opening game of the season. The women were just settling in their rooms at the hotel. Gail had once again opted for a room of her own, while Traci was going to bunk with Andy.
"Where's Holly?" Traci called out from the open door to Gail's room.
"Why are you asking me? How should I know?" Gail muttered defensively.
"Well, you're always so.. vigilant of her whereabouts." Traci smirked, but saw the blond's gloomy face.
"Holly's is dropping her stuff at her parent's house, before going to the stadium."
"What's wrong? Has something happened?" Traci asked seeing that Gail was upset. "You've been.. weird."
"Ogling happened! In the showers!"
"I know. I was there." Traci rolled her eyes. "It's been weeks. And you've been very tight lipped since then. Moody."
"Holly's been avoiding me like the plague.. and I haven't had the chance to talk to her about.. anything."
"You still haven't talked to her? I thought you did." Traci looked baffled.
"I was going to, but then I.."
"What?"
"Chloe's always there! And.. And.. I chickened out, okay?" Gail snapped. "I perved on her in the showers Traci! You just.. You don't do that! I keep piling up things I have to apologize for! I'm a bitch, I'm a perv, I'm a loser and a coward!" She ranted with her hands flailing.
"Wow.. Meltdown imminent. Take a breath. Those would be catchy lyrics to a rock song about self-flagellation by the way." Traci chuckled, but stopped when the blond glared at her. "Sorry."
"Holly must think I'm horrible. She must have been so grossed out.." Gail sighed hanging her head.
"Hello! I was there!" Traci repeated snorting a little. "The only one that was grossed out was me! Me! You two perverts were both ogling each other! Very eagerly! Both you and Holly."
"But.."
"No buts. Maybe she's embarrassed too, you know, for looking at you.. heatedly? And whatever happened to being not done?"
"I don't know.. I'm just afraid to go talk to her. Besides she's attached to the hip to both Chloe and Luck! When am I gonna talk to her alone?"
"You have to resolve this situation between you two. You've been moping for weeks now! You can't concentrate on the game! I thought Holly shot you down and that you would tell me about it in your own time, but you… You haven't even talked with her." Traci scolded. "You need to fix this. Teammates, friends or more, you won't know what she's thinking, if you don't ask her."
"I know." Gail sighed grabbing her bag up from the floor. "Let's go. The bus is waiting up front."
.
Montreal's team was just a passerby in the game against the Rockets. The Toronto team commanded the game and won with the score 4-0. Gail had gotten her head in the game and scored two goals. Andy had scored once out of a free kick and Chloe from Gail's pass. The Swans hadn't visited much near the Rockets' net, but Holly had caught the few errand balls that came her way quite easily it seemed.
"Good game girls." Coach Oliver smiled as the players settled in their seat in the locker room. "We'll go over some points of the game and watch some video footage on the bus to Ottawa tomorrow."
"Remember to stretch and cool down. And then hit the showers and we'll go back to the hotel. We'll have a team dinner. And.. Holly you'll join us for desert right?"
"Yeah. I'm having dinner with my brother and godmother, but right after that." Holly smiled. She had already discussed this with Dov and had gotten the okay to skip the dinner.
"Good." Dov nodded smiling. "Okay, so dinner at 8! No partying! Remember our bus leaves at 9am sharp in front of the hotel towards Ottawa."
"Thanks Dov." Oliver cut in. "A few words on tomorrow's game. Next up we have the Ottawa Ladybugs. We need to forget tonight's game. It was great, but the Ladybugs.. It is a totally different team. They play a harder more physical game. So be ready to keep your heads up. Ladybugs are strong and fast and we need to be ready."
"So like Dov here said, we'll have dinner and then you rest and get ready for tomorrow." Oliver smirked a little. "The Ladybugs won't know what hit them."
.
The Rockets' had had a nice dinner in a restaurant not far from their hotel. It had been an informal affair. No game talk, only a nice social gathering for the team. Gail had sat with Traci and Andy at the end of the table, while Holly, Jen and Chloe sat at the other. After they all had finished and people were getting up and leaving. Gail noticed Holly grab her coat from the coatroom and head out.
"Traci, I'm gonna.." Gail motioned vaguely after Holly.
"Go on." Traci gave her trademarked soft encouraging smile. "Go after her."
"That smile is nice, but it's also freaking me out a little." Gail smirked, before bolting out the door.
"Hmph. It's my 'don't scare Gail' smile." Traci muttered to no one.
As soon as Gail reached the sidewalk she paused to look around. Her eyes found Holly and she jogged after the brunette.
"Hey." Gail said, when she had almost caught up with the brunette.
"Gods! Gail? Don't sneak up on me like that.." Holly gasped finding Gail walking beside her. She paused her stride and turned to face Gail.
"I'm sorry. I.." Gail trailed off. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine. I'm fine." Holly gave a little smile. "Where are you going? I thought people were going back to the hotel?"
"They are. I'm.. I thought that maybe.. Um.." Gail stuttered. "I thought, that.. um, maybe I could walk you home?"
"Oh?" Holly lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "You don't need to."
"But I'd like to." Gail said resolutely, before adding more hesitantly. "Maybe we could talk about.. I'd like to talk to you Holly."
"Okay?" Holly met Gail's eyes. "About?"
"Us. About our.. situation." Gail started carefully. "I don't want you to have to.. avoid me. I'm sorry for the way I acted the last time we were her in Montreal. I just have this really tightly wound bolt reflex. A defence mechanism. I push people away before they can.. hurt me. I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry Holly." She said quietly, while meeting Holly's eyes.
"Okay." Holly gave a small smile, before she started walking. "My parents don't live far."
"So.." Gail started walking too. "Was that okay you forgive me?"
"It is. We're fine Gail." Holly nodded keeping her eyes trained ahead.
"That easyly?" Gail swallowed around the lump in her throat. "I was ready to do some serious groveling you know. Invite you to watch me embarrass myself twerking or playing baseball. Or both."
"You can embarrass yourself later." Holly smirked. "You don't like baseball?"
"I suck at it. I can't hit anything.. and I'm kinda afraid of the ball.." Gail sighed. "You really forgive me for being a bitch?"
"I forgive you Gail." Holly assured meeting Gail's eyes.
"Good. Because then I can move to my next apology." Gail shrugged sighing.
"What else do you have to apologize for?" Holly furrowed her brow in confusion and glanced at Gail.
"The showers.." Gail groaned. "I.. I didn't mean to be a.. perv or make you uncomfortable. And I'm sorry. You're just so nice.. to look at and I.. I'm sorry."
"Gail.. Then I should also apologize to you too. You weren't the only one getting an eyeful in the showers."
"That's what Traci said." Gail shrugged. "But still.. You've been avoiding me and I didn't mean to cause that. Um.. I'd like to get to know you better. To know stuff about you."
"Oh?" Holly whispered.
"Yeah. I know I'm an impetuous..I'm a brat Holly." Gail groaned softly. "I'm self-destructive.. And I.."
"You don't have to explain." Holly cut in. "It's okay."
"It's not okay. I act immature. I run and I push. I don't let people in Holly." Gail said sincerely stepping closer to the brunette. "I'd like to let you in. I.. kinda like you." She looked into Holly's big brown eyes. The brunette looked surprised.
"I don't know what to say. I.." Holly worried her lower lip between her teeth, before releasing it with a soft sigh.
Gail gaze dropped to Holly's lips. The blond let out a shuddering breath. Don't. Don't kiss her. It's too soon, she tried to convince herself. Just don't do it. Despite her inner monologue she couldn't stop, but leaned in gently pressing her lips on Holly's. When she realized what she was doing, Gail pulled back just a little. Opening her eyes, she watched as Holly eyes also slowly fluttered open.
"I'm sorry." The blond breathed against Holly's lips. "I shouldn't have.." She started, but was cut off as Holly's lips found hers again. Their mouths explored one another carefully. Softly. Holly's hands rested softly on Gail's hips. Gail's head was spinning pleasantly and quiet appreciating murmurs and moans spilled from her lips.
"Wait." Holly suddenly exhaled raggedly. "Wait.. I.. Gail, I'm sorry, but I.. I can't do this with you." The brunette swallowed pulling away, while shaking her head a little. The blond was such a great kisser, Holly felt her whole body hum. But this was such a bad idea. They shouldn't be doing this. She shouldn't be doing this.
"But I thought.. I thought you forgave me? Are you still mad?" Gail said panting slightly, while she looked at Holly shyly under her lashes.
"No, I'm not mad. We're.. We're okay Gail. It's just.. I think.. we should just be.. friends?" Holly finished sounding somewhat questioning.
"Friends?" Gail pouted, while her eyes found the ground immensely fascinating. She knew she sounded disappointed.
"Friends. I'm not ready for.. anything more." Holly sighed. "Um.. My parents live right here." She gestured with her hand.
"We'll be friends Holly." Gail gave a little awkward pat on Holly's arm.
"I'd like that." Holly smiled cautiously. "Goodnight Gail." She said softly, before heading to the house ahead.
"Goodnight Holly." Gail said to Holly, who looked at Gail over her shoulder, nodded and turned back to the house. "Friends?" The blond exhaled once Holly had gone in. "So not what I was thinking." She whispered to herself as her fingers brushed over her still tingling lips.
.
Chloe stepped into the bus behind Holly. The taller brunette sat down on the first row as always and Chloe plopped down next to her. The forward had noticed her friend being lost in thought. The goalkeeper seemed almost.. sad, gloomy, bummed out? Chloe carefully guessed.
"Holls?" Chloe prodded, when the bus took off. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." Holly sighed quietly.
"Right.." Chloe patted Holly's thigh. "You don't sound fine."
"I talked to Gail last night." Holly breathed.
"Oh?" Chloe met Holly's eyes. "Do I need to go and rough her up?"
"No." Holly chuckled softly as she turned to peer out the window. "She apologized and explained.. And I.." She trailed off.
"And what?"
"She kissed me.. I kissed her.." Holly glanced at her friend. "And then I told her we should be friends."
"Ah. Kissing already." Chloe nodded. "And you can be her friend? Just a friend."
"I have to." Holly closed her eyes for a moment. Could she be Gail's friend? The blond, even after snarling at her and kicking her out, was so enticing to Holly. Could she stay away and be the striker's teammate only? A friend.
"You're hung up on her Holls. I've seen the way you look at her. You like her." Chloe interrupted Holly's musings.
"I didn't say it would be easy.. To not think about her.. like that." Holly took Chloe's hand in hers. "She was sincere, you know.. I believed her, when she said she wanted to get to know me. That she likes me."
"But?" Chloe was waiting for the punch line.
"Can I trust her to not to push me away or rip into me at any time?"
"I don't know the answer to that. I don't know Peck that well. And neither do you." Chloe shrugged a little. "But what I do know is that she thinks you're different."
"Different?" Holly whispered.
"Special." Chloe smiled softly and gave Holly's hand a little squeeze. "You're obviously special to her. Be her friend and see how it goes. Get to know her more."
"Get to know her more. "Holly nodded. "I can do that." She promised laying her head on Chloe shoulder.
"You can."
.
The game against the Ottawa Ladybugs was on its second half. The game had been tight and the score was 1 -0 for Toronto. But in the last minutes the Ladybugs had gotten many shots towards Holly, who had made great saves.
The Ladybugs were once again advancing to the Rockets' side. A high ball was passed right in front of the goal. Holly saw it and rushed to punch the ball away. She jumped and managed to punch the ball with her fist, before realizing she was gonna get rammed over by a Ladybug forward. Holly collided with the other woman and both of them dropped down to the grass in a heap.
"Fuck.." Holly breathed as she listened to her body. Nothing hurt. She stretched a little and glanced at the Ladybug forward, who was scrambling up.
"I'm sorry." The woman said and gave her hand for Holly to grab onto.
"Don't touch her!" A snarl game from behind her, before the hand was slapped away. "What the hell were you doing Watson?! You could have hurt her." The tall redhead roared and placed herself between Holly and Watson. She pushed Watson further her eyes blazing.
"Stacy!" Holly snapped getting up. "Calm down. It was an accident. Stop pushing your teammate around. I'm fine."
Stacy swept her eyes over Holly standing next to her. "You're good?"
"Yes." Holly nodded and pointedly shook Watson's hand. "Sorry about her." She gestured to Stacy.
"I'm sorry Watson.. I just.. looked bad and.. I overreacted." Stacy said keeping her eyes on Holly.
"We're cool." Watson said, until backing up.
"Hey." Stacy smiled softly to Holly.
"Hey. Thanks for your macho bullshit." Holly grinned a little.
"Yeah.. It's what I do best." Stacy chuckled. "I'm sorry. Are you really okay?" She put her hands on Holly's cheeks caressing the skin with the pads of her thumbs.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Holly assured. "Really." She added, when Stacy looked at her with suspicion.
"Okay." The redhead finally nodded.
.
"Who the hell is that? I'm gonna squash that Bug!" Gail snarled to Andy beside her, before rushing towards the Rockets' goal. Her heart was pounding painfully after seeing Holly get slammed to the ground.
Gail noted Holly getting up and released a sigh of relief. Holly was okay. But Gail's stride halted, when realized that a tall redhead had started barking to her own teammate and pushed her further away from the Rockets' keeper.
"What the actual fuck?" The blond exhaled with a creased brow. "Who is that?" She grumbled standing next to Traci.
"Oh hell no! Why is she fondling my.. friend Holly like that?" The blond hissed as she saw the redhead place her palms gently on Holly's cheeks and peer into those dark brown pools.
"Who the hell is that?!" Gail repeated fuming with jealousy intending to stomp towards the pair, but Traci's hand clamping on her arm stopped her.
"That's Stacy Jameson. Holly's former teammate from Vancouver." Traci answered. "And you're jealous."
"I'm never jealous." Gail automatically denied. "Never."
"You are now."
"I am." Gail puffed out a ragged breath eyeing Holly and Jameson. "See that woman fondling Holly like that. She's mine to fondle." She grunted desperately.
"Gail.." Traci sighed her hand still holding onto the blond. "You got it bad. I thought you two decided to be friends?"
"She decided." Gail swallowed. "What can I do?"
"You can go to her now. Calmly." Traci stressed the word. "Make sure she's alright. That's what friends do. Go on now." She released her grip and poked Gail to get her moving.
"Right. Calm.." Gail took a deep cleansing breath as she jogged to Holly and the redhead, Stacy, who was still holding Holly.
"Hey Holly." Gail breathed, when she reached the two women making the redhead pull her hands away. "Are you okay?" She rubbed up and down on Holly's arm without even thinking about it.
"I'm okay. No harm done." Holly had a small smile on her lips.
"Good.. I just wanted to.. " Gail started as she glanced at Stacy, who was looking at them curiously. Who is she? Gail fretted inwardly. "You're really okay?" She repeated roaming her eyes worriedly over the brunette.
"I'm fine. I promise." Holly took a hold of Gail's hand squeezing it gently. "I'm okay."
"I.. Okay." Gail cleared her throat as her eyes dropped to their joined hands. Holly was holding her hand, she realized with a warm feeling spreading inside her chest.
"Sorry." Holly whispered with wide eyes, while trying to tug her hand away, but Gail held on tightly.
"No, don't.. It's okay. Friends hold hands, right?" Gail smiled lifting her eyes from their interlaced fingers to meet Holly's.
"Yeah.. I guess." Holly kept eye contact with the blond. "Hand holding is.. nice. I like it." She gave a lop-sided grin, while a wide smile spread on Gail's face.
"Awesome." The blond hummed beaming. I think I might learn to like this friendship thing, she thought peering into Holly's eyes.
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Thanks for reading :)
A/N Next chapter in a week or so.