“I’m sure they’ve seen it all before,” Charlie said.
They had a ridiculous smile on their face, but they couldn’t stop it. They were utterly smitten with her, and anything she did could only be looked at that way.
“Remind me to bring my waterproof blanket on the next trip,” Olive said.
“Sure,” Charlie responded, trying to ignore the way their heart beat quicker with the words.Next trip, next trip, next trip,echoingall around their brain.
“Now you can shower,” Olive said. It was a reference to something Charlie had said earlier, but had quickly forgotten about. How could they when Olive just took them on the best roller coaster of their life? Olive stood and Charlie slowly followed, wondering how the woman was even able to stand after all they had done.
In the shower, Charlie gently lathered Olive, making sure to treasure each body part and mark. They kissed the inside of her legs, not for the eroticism of it, but for the pure demonstration that each part of Olive was worth treasuring, and this part of her most of all.
Olive returned the favour, and they gently cleaned each other off, kissing lightly as they did. It was sweet and calm, the opposite of what Charlie was used to in every other part of their life. When they stepped out of the shower, Olive handed them a fresh robe, and she put one on as well.
Back in the bedroom, Olive stripped the sheets and dug around in the hotel closet for a fresh duvet sheet, which she laid on top of the exposed mattress. Charlie still couldn’t believe that they had won the gold medal game, and that they were now here with the one person they wanted to be near the most. It was mind-boggling, in the best way.
“It will have to do,” Olive said, lying back down.
“Why don’t I get us a new room?” Charlie asked, laying down next to her.
“With what money? I read that national athletes don’t really get paid,” Olive stated.
God, Charlie loved that she had looked that up. She laughed.
“I’ll have earned at least a small bonus. I was on the winning team, and we won gold.”
“That’s nice at least. I watched the ceremony, everyone looked so fabulous. There were a lot of you, though. I don’t think I realized that.”
“Yep, twenty-three players.”
“Oh my God. How do you remember all their names?”
“I don’t,” Charlie admitted, which made them both laugh. Now facing each other, Charlie could take a moment to appreciate how nice this was. Just to be in Olive’s company.
Olive turned towards her, placing her hands under her head as a makeshift pillow, and Charlie reached out and grabbed one.
“Are you sick of me after nearly two weeks?” Charlie asked, hoping it came out cute and not as anxious as it felt.
“Not yet,” Olive said. It was a response that Charlie had come to expect from her, but she still found herself slightly disappointed.
“What’s wrong?” Olive asked, smoothing down the wrinkle on Charlie’s forehead. They hadn’t even realized they were furrowing their brow.
“Nothing…” They were going to let the situation go unresolved, but they realized they owed it to themself to be more honest. With the gold medal burning a hole in their tote, it was clear that their trip was coming to an end, and they’d be back in Canada all too soon.
Olive seemed to recognize that Charlie was struggling with what to say, because she kept rubbing their face gently, waiting for them to continue. Charlie was both touched and annoyed that they were so easily readable to her now.
“I was wondering… well, I was hoping… I was thinking we could hang out when we’re both back in Toronto.”
“Sure,” Olive said. She said it with the same nonchalance she had used earlier, and Charlie wasn’t sure whether to be upset or relieved.
“I know you’re probably not in a place where you want to commit to someone. Especially me, who may have to move around and travel and God knows what else with my career, but I think it’d be nice. To give this a try. If you want to…” Charlie forced themself to stop talking before they embarrassed herself any further. The last time they had laid out their heart like this to Olive, it hadn’t quite gone this way.
“I do want to, but I can’t promise you what you want yet,” Olive said. She had an apologetic look on her face, and Charlie hated that they were some part of it. “But you’re the only one I’ll be hanging out with like this, if that helps.”
“That’s more than enough,” Charlie responded, and meant it.
And with the smile on Olive’s face, Charlie knew it was clear that Olive meant her part too.
EPILOGUE
