I wasn’t planning on leaving the Chill. I had expected to stay, but when they unsubtly hinted—urged, really—that I check out different teams, and Rose got moved to my position on the team, it seemed pretty obvious that they thought I didn’t mesh with the group well either.
I’ll be curious to see how Rose fits in with the team. She and I have very similar playing styles; she’s just a couple of years younger than me.
I saw Winnie wave to Brynn and Taylor when they came in, Brynn immediately integrating herself into the crowd and Taylor staying near the edges.
“El, did you hear me?” I turn back to Winnie. She’s got a bemused smile on her face, as if aware that I was looking for someone.
“Sorry, I was looking for Taylor. I just wanted to—” She raises an eyebrow at me when I say that, and I feel a burn creep onto my face. “I wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“Right.” The face she makes tells me she doesn’t believe me, and I feel like I have to whisper this so that it doesn’t get out to the surrounding people.
“I swear, I want us to start off on the right foot.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
“You saidrightweirdly.” I push her gently, and she chuckles.
“Come on, El, we’ve known each other since Uni. I know what your type is, and she is exactly that.”
“Winnie,” I hiss, “I would never have a crush on a straight woman. You know that’s a cardinal sin.” She snorts, pushing me lightly. She and this whole team are so much more hands on and comforting than the Chill.
Ireallylike it.
Brynn takes this moment to join us and doesn’t comment on the conversation that we’re having. I don’t know if she’s heard us talking or elected to ignore us. Either way, I’d like to sink into my chair.
Winnie snorts. “Brynn, have you ever had a decade-long crush on a straight woman?”
Brynn gives her a confused look, and her cheeks colour, growing a dark red. “When I was younger. It’s a rite of passage, isn’t it?”
“But you moved past it, right?”
The droll look Brynn gives her makes me wonder how often Winnie says something like this. “Well, Ididhave several relationships since then. I am a practicing lesbian.”
“At least one of you is,” Winnie mutters. Brynn raises an eyebrow, and my cheeks are on fire.
“I need to go get a drink,” I say, coughing as I get up.
Winnie looks confused, and Brynn hits the back of her head as I make my way to the bar. I mean, I guess I should thank her for breaking the ice and letting Brynnknow I’m gay. It’s unfortunate that she’s not my type.No. Instead I have to go for grumpy, green-eyed women who despise my guts.
And are straight.
Maybe I’m a masochist.
It’s probably the only reason that makes sense when I sidle up beside Taylor at the bar. She’s got two empty shots in front of her and a drained glass, and I can’t help but wonder if I was the reason.No, don’t be stupid. You’re not the centre of her universe.
“Club soda?” I ask the bartender, and she nods, getting that set up for me while I blatantly ignore Taylor beside me.
I can smell her. She smells like lavender and peppermint and something lighter, a floral smell, and the heat of her arm has me wanting to lean in for more. She takes a shuddering breath, and when I turn to her, drink in hand, her eyes are focused on something on the bar.
“You okay?”
“You ask that a lot,” she says, sighing. “I thought I told you—”
“Yeah. I know.” I feel the side of my mouth pull up in a small smile. “But I’m stubborn.”
Her eyes drag from my hands to my face, and something tingles inside me. This is the first time we’ve had more than a few words without her shouting.
Positive.
