Thanks for your continuing support and interest :)
Well... This chapter was a difficult one to get started. Don't know why! I'm not sure I'm that happy with it, but it is what it is.. And it's short too!
xoxo
The Rockets had boarded the plane to Calgary a few hours ago. It was a four-hour long flight and the team was told to eat and rest. The plane would land in time for them to head straight to the field for their scheduled evening practice. Only after the mandatory team dinner they would finally settle in their hotel for the night.
Holly took a deep breath and gave her tray to the flight attendant. Chloe was sitting next to her. The woman looked cautiously expectant and Holly knew it was because Chloe was just waiting for Holly to start talking again. Whining. Holly knew how annoying she was being, but just couldn't help herself. She was nervous.
The whole team had seats in the first class. Before the food had arrived Holly had been sneaking glances at Gail, who was seated further ahead on the other side of the isle. Holly had stopped her gazing, when Gail had caught her eyes and given a little smile and a wave.
"Oh my God.. this is gonna be so bad.. We're almost there.." Holly wrung her hands in her lap. "The same room. The same room! That's bad. I'm not sure I can.. you know, control myself with Gail prancing around… In the same room.. oh gods.. This is bad."
"Will you give it a rest. Since yesterday I've had to listen to you moan and fret." Chloe rolled her eyes. "You're never like this." She grimaced. "Where's the cool headed Dr. Holly? Where is she Holls?"
"I don't know. She's.. Not here." Holly sighed.
"Well, go get her!" Chloe growled. "You'll be fine. Seriously Holls. It'll be alright." She said more softly.
"But it's gonna be difficult.. I'm gonna.." Holly stammered. "I'm gonna crack!"
"You said Peck was good in the sack. So what's the problem?" Chloe smirked wickedly as she ransacked her purse for her Cornwell paperback and earplugs.
"I never said that!" Holly hissed pushing on Chloe's shoulder, who just glanced at her in fake annoyance. "I never said that." She repeated.
"But you didn't deny it either, when I asked. Which means.."
"Shut up!" Holly could feel her cheeks flaming.
"Cranky. Maybe Gail's magic fingers can.." Chloe started snickering.
"Seriously! Shut up!" Holly practically snarled. "Someone's gonna hear you!"
"Calm down. Everybody's sleeping or listening to music or.. whatever. Jeez. No need to have a meltdown." Chloe soothed, but couldn't resist an eyeroll. "And besides.. I mean.. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I don't know..."
"You let her in your pants and then you'll be right where you were before. Awkward."
"Chloe!"
"I'm just saying." Chloe shrugged. "You two are kinda friends now, right?"
"Right."
"So, that would just be sex with a friend. Friendly sex."
"Why would I want that?" Holly groaned clenching her jaw. "I don't have sex with my friends."
"Holly. Come on. I'm only teasing." Chloe said softly. "I just don't get why you're making such a big problem out of this. You like her. And we both know you want to be more than friends with Gail. You're just.. stubborn and resistant or whatever."
"But it's too soon!" Holly wailed quietly. "If.. something happens.."
"Sex happens?"
"Yes." Holly hissed. "It would be too soon and it would be just like before. A one-night thing."
"No. It wouldn't." Chloe said. "You two like each other."
"We liked each other before." Holly reminded.
"But not like this. Gail is really making an effort. You've noticed. I've noticed. The whole team has noticed! Some are really freaked out, when she gets all smiley and sweet with you. They think she's on drugs or something." Chloe ended with a chuckle.
"So, oh wise one – What's your sage advice? What should I do?" Holly asked sarcasm lacing her tone.
"Well, if I were you…" Chloe drawled suggestively. "I'd hit that." She gestured ahead of them where Gail was sleeping.
"I'm not talking to you." Holly huffed and closed her eyes.
"You will. Eventually." Chloe patted the keeper's thigh. "Talk to me and.. hit that." She finished making Holly groan.
"I know." Holly sighed keeping her eyes closed, but took Chloe's hand in hers giving it a little squeeze. "I don't think I have enough self-control to not.. You know."
"It'll be okay. If you're lucky, you both will be too tired to think about any hanky panky on this trip." Chloe said. "But.. if you're really lucky there'll be only a double bed in your room. You get to snuggle." She added cheekily, before putting the earplugs in her ears.
"Oh no." Holly gasped opening her eyes wide.
.
The evening practice on the Calgary Stingrays' stadium had gone well. After the quick dinner the team headed to the hotel. Holly and Gail had already gotten their key from the front desk and were strolling along the hallway with their suitcases in tow trying to find the right room.
"Here it is." Gail gestured with her hand. She slid the key card into the lock. The green light lit up and Gail pushed the door open. She let Holly get in ahead of her.
"Thank God for small miracles.." Holly muttered relieved, when her eyes fell on the two separate beds in the room.
"Did you say something?" Gail asked.
"Um, looks nice." Holly swept her eyes over the room.
"Yeah. Neat and.. clean." Gail stammered. Neat and clean? Oh just shut up! She scolded herself. "Very nice and.. neat.." Shut up!
"It is.." Holly cleared her throat. "Clean." Not awkward at all, she groaned inwardly. We have now established without a doubt that the room is nice and clean, Holly shook her head a little.
"So.. Um.. Which bed do you want?" Gail sputtered out. Why the hell is this so awkward? We're friends aren't we, she took a deep breath. Calm down. But a little voice inside her head reminded that she wanted to be more than friends and that was why this felt awkward. Sharing a room with someone you want to have under you writhing.. Don't go there.
"Whichever. I mean.. I not picky. Both look good. Right? I can sleep anywhere and.." Holly forced herself to pause mid-ramble glancing at Gail. "I'll take this one." She said rolling her suitcase next to the bed beside the window.
"Okay." Gail nodded and went to her bed. She stayed standing next to it hoping to figure out something to say. Something intelligent, but her brain was freezing and her notebook was still buried in her bag. So she stayed silent.
Silence was stretching and Gail noted Holly start to unpack her things. The brunette obviously had a system. Gail saw that Holly's bag was immaculately packed and organized. Her own not so much. She always sort just threw everything in and sat on the bag to get the zipper done.
"So.." Gail started making Holly meet her eyes. "Do you want to watch some tv or are we getting in bed now?"
"What?" Holly gasped looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"What?" Gail repeated baffled, but then her eyes widened as she realized what she had said. "To sleep. To sleep I meant."
"Ah. Um, I think I'll go see Chloe first." Holly said and practically ran out of the room.
"Shit." Gail slammed her bag on the bed after Holly had gone. "Are we getting in bed now? What the actual fuck?!" She snarled alone. "Stupid."
.
Holly had been sitting on Chloe's bed for an hour already dreading to go back to her own room.
"Go to bed Holly." Chloe finally said, when Naomi was starting to turn off the lights. "To your room."
"But.."
"I know Gail is there and you're desperately trying to keep your hands and.. other body parts off her, but it's getting late and it's game day tomorrow."
"I don't.. wanna get my hands.." Holly scoffed trying to look offended, but soon trailed off with Chloe's roommate Naomi looking at her curiously. "I'm going. Goodnight."
Holly shuffled to her room opening the door quietly hoping to not wake Gail. The room was dark and quiet and Gail was obviously asleep. In the sliver of light filtering through the cracked curtains Holly made her way towards her bed where she'd left her sleep tank and shorts. She had almost reached the bed, when she stubbed her toe on the chair leg.
"Shit!" Holly hissed in pain. "Nice job. Fuck.. Ow. That hurts." She groaned sitting at the edge of her bed and grabbed her foot in her hands.
"Holly?" Gail husked sleepily.
"I'm fine. Stubbed my toe." Holly sighed. "Go back to sleep. Sorry I woke you." She said fiddling with her foot.
"Let me see." Gail flicked on the night light and rounded the beds and knelt before Holly.
"What are you doing?" Holly gasped, when Gail pulled her foot in her lap.
"I'm checking." Gail's fingers ghosted on Holly's toes, while the other hand was massaging her calf.
"I'm fine." Holly said as she tried to pull her leg from Gail's lap. "Uh.." She breathed, when Gail held on and touched her leg so gently. The blond was obviously worried, but Holly was getting flustered. She could feel her cheeks flaming. Oh gods.. don't touch my leg like that. No, no, no.. Holly fretted inwardly. Her eyes were growing dark watching Gail needily. Get a grip! She's just concerned, Holly told herself.
"Does this hurt?" Gail lifted her eyes to Holly's. Holly quickly lowered her desire filled eyes. "Maybe you should see the doctor?"
"I am a doctor. I'm fine." Holly gave a tight smile. "Thanks." She grabbed her night clothes off the bed.
Holly managed to pull her leg from Gail's grasp and bolted to the bathroom wincing only a little before closing the door behind her. With a sigh she leaned her back on the door. I'm in so much trouble, she thought. Thank heavens we have separate beds, I'd be crawling on top of her otherwise already! Take a breath. Calm down. You are friends with Gail. Friends. An image of naked Gail wrapped around her flashed through Holly's mind. "Shit!" She exclaimed out loud, while burying her head in her hands. "Calm down and go to bed. Your own bed." Holly looked at herself on the mirror.
"Are you sure you're alright Holly?" Gail murmured from the other side of the door.
"Yeah. I'll be right out." Holly said more huskily than she intended.
"Okay." Gail accepted.
Holly took her time brushing her teeth. Finally taking a deep breath she opened the door turning off the bathroom light. The room was quiet as Holly stealthily made her way to her bed.
"Goodnight Holly." Gail said softly meeting Holly's eyes before flicking the night light off.
"Goodnight Gail."
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Thanks for reading :)