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I smile. “We did good, sis.”
She smiles back. “Yeah, we did.”
We look at each other and I see the love and the bond we share. There were months this year when we barely spoke, and we still haven’t had the discussion we’ve been putting off. But with everything we’ve been through, I think we’re closer than we’ve ever been.
We’re building our own families, but we’ll always have each other too.
CHAPTER 34 – Lexa
Sunday, December 21
Last Christmas, I kissed Valentina at a league party in New York, then drafted five texts and deleted every one.
I love the lights and the music, all of it. I also love spending time with my family and friends, and this year, I have a whole new group of people to celebrate with. This year, I get to share it all with Valentina.
I’m sitting on the couch, my leg propped up on a cushion, and a blanket over my lap. I’m wearing a sweater and sweatpants that are loose enough to fit over my brace.
They released me from the hospital yesterday, giving me a whole set of instructions on how to take care of my healing knee. I have to be very careful and patient with it.
Valentina is in the kitchen, making hot chocolate. She’s wearing a red Santa hat and she looks adorable. She’s been my nurse since the injury, on top of everything else, and I’m so grateful for her. She’s been so supportive and attentive. She’s the best girlfriend ever.
She comes back to the living room, holding two mugs of hot chocolate, and sits next to me. She hands me one and I take a sip. It’s delicious.
“Mmm, this is perfect,” I say, snuggling closer to her.
She puts her arm around me and kisses my temple. “I’m glad you like it. I made it extra special for you.”
I smile at her. “You’re so sweet, Val.”
She blushes. “No, you are.”
I laugh and kiss her. She kisses me back and we get lost in each other for a moment. I love her so much and I can’t believe she’s mine.
I groan in pain when she shifts slightly, and her hand immediately goes to my knee. “Sorry, sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I tell her. “It’s not your fault. It’s just a bit sore.”
She looks at me a second too long when I say it, and then she smiles, and the moment’s gone.
“Maybe we should take a break,” she suggests.
“No, I’m fine,” I say. “I don’t want to stop. I want to enjoy this. With you.”
She smiles and caresses my cheek. “We’ve got the rest of our lives. But first, we need to make sure you heal well.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “I just wish it could be faster. I want to be back on the field, playing with you.”
“Me too,” she says. “But it’ll happen. Trust me.”
“I do,” I say and lean my head on her shoulder. “I trust you with everything.”
The doorbell rings, and Valentina jumps up.
“Raul said they’re getting out of the hospital today,” she says. “It could be them.”
“Yeah,” I say and grab my crutches. “Let me help you with the door.”
I make a move to get up, but Valentina shakes her head.
