Lou's second orgasm was slower to build but devastating when it arrived—her whole body tensing, her back arching off the mattress, her inner walls clamping around Camille's fingers in rhythmic pulses. She came with Camille's name on her lips, tears streaming down her temples to dampen the pillow beneath her head.
Camille eased her fingers free and crawled up Lou's body, pressing gentle kisses to her collarbone, her neck, her tear-stained cheeks. Lou's arms wrapped around her, holding her close, holding her like she was precious and fragile and worth protecting.
"I love you," Lou whispered into Camille's hair. "I love you so much it terrifies me."
"I know." Camille settled against Lou's side, her head on Lou's shoulder, their legs tangled together. "It terrifies me too. But I'd rather be terrified with you than safe alone."
They lay in silence for a long moment, the room growing warmer around them, their heartbeats gradually slowing to match each other's rhythm.
"So what happens now?" Lou's voice was soft, almost hesitant. "With us?"
Camille propped herself up on one elbow, looking down at Lou's face—the vulnerability there, the hope she was trying so hard to hide. "Now we're together. Properly. No more hiding, no more secrets, no more pretending we're just teammates."
"You're sure? Even with everything it'll cost you?"
"I'm sure." Camille traced Lou's jaw with her fingertip. "But there's something else I need to ask you."
Lou's expression shifted to guarded. "What?"
"Come back to the team. Take back the captaincy. We have one more game—the Wildcats—and it's going to bethe hardest game of the season." Camille's voice was firm but gentle. "The team needs their captain. I need my partner on the ice."
Lou was silent for a long moment, her green eyes searching Camille's face. "You really think I can do it? After everything?"
"I think you're the best defensive player in this league, and I think you've been hiding from that because it's easier than facing what you're capable of." Camille's hand came up to cup Lou's cheek. "You're not just a good leader, Lou. You're an incredible one. And we need you. All of us."
More silence. Then Lou's hand covered Camille's, pressing it more firmly against her cheek.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I'll come back. I'll talk to Mara and Astoria tomorrow. I'll take the C back if they'll have me." Lou's voice grew stronger with each word, some of that old fire returning to her eyes. "But I'm only doing this if you're beside me. On the ice and off it."
"Always." Camille leaned down to press a soft kiss to Lou's lips. "Partners. In everything."
They settled back into each other's arms, the late morning sun finding cracks in the curtains and painting stripes of gold across the rumpled sheets. Camille's body was pleasantly exhausted, her muscles loose and warm, her heart fuller than it had ever been.
"Camille?" Lou's voice was drowsy, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Camille's back.
"Mmm?"
"I feel safe with you." Lou's arms tightened around her. "Safer than I've felt in years. Like I can finally stop running."
Camille pressed closer, breathing in the scent of Lou's skin, memorizing this moment—the warmth, the weight of Lou's arms, the steady beat of her heart.
"Then stop running," she whispered. "I've got you."
23
The locker room fell silent when Lou walked in.
The smell hit her first—equipment spray and sweat and the particular musk of a team preparing for battle. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everything in that harsh institutional glow. Twenty pairs of eyes tracked her movement—some shocked, some wary, some cautiously hopeful. Lou had been avoiding this place for days, hiding in her house like a wounded animal, letting the team struggle without her. Now she stood in the doorway with her gear bag over her shoulder and the captain's C burning on her chest like a brand, facing the consequences of her absence.
Mara stood at the whiteboard, marker in hand, her expression carefully neutral. The play diagrams behind her were covered in arrows and X's—preparation for the Wildcats game that would determine everything.
"Calder." Mara's voice gave nothing away, her face unreadable as stone. "Glad you could join us."
Lou swallowed hard, the taste of fear metallic on hertongue. "I'm sorry. For everything. For disappearing when you needed me most."
