Hotshot

by Clare Lydon

“Badger you?”

This is the second common-ish phrase that Sloane acts like she has never heard before. At least, in the Midwest, I have heard this numerous times throughout my life.

“But I also like like you, as you so quaintly put it. More than you could imagine. In a way that a friend really shouldn’t.”

Before she could talk herself out of it, Ella leaned towards Sloane. “In case there’s any confusion, I like you, too.” Sloane’s mouth quirked up at her words. Then before hesitation could stamp itself onto the moment, Ella covered Sloane’s mouth with her own.

Sloane held her gaze and gulped. She could still see Jess’s last message on her phone. The one that said she wanted to have a proper catch-up when she was over in April. The other reason Sloane didn’t want this out in public was Jess. Sloane wanted to deal with her once and for all, wipe the slate clean. Then she’d go public with Ella. It was just over two months away.

One need not be an avid romance reader to realize this is bad. If the miscommunication / lack of communication is subverted, so much the better, but I highly doubt it. If anything, this is just further foreshadowing the main, looming conflict (that is, Jess returning and Ella thinking Sloane got back with her because of the tabloids, and how Sloane acts about being photographed with Ella). This could quickly turn to garbage.

Ella thought back to the other morning when Sloane had seemed preoccupied, and had jumped when she’d asked what she was looking at on her phone. Maybe she was more worried than she’d let on. The injury had made her doubt herself, but she was back on form now. Her off-pitch life was solid, and that always translated to game-time. “You two seem good?” It was more a comment than a question, but Ella couldn’t help smile. They were better than good. They were flying. “We are, although it’ll be nice when we can be truly public.” She shook her head. “But I wake up happy, so I can’t complain.”

Honestly, Sloane does not deserve Ella until she can, you know, communicate? Ella is so sweet, and I know it should not be a big deal, but Sloane’s whole situation with Jess at present really rubs me the wrong way.

Ella’s cheeks flared red. “Pardon me for calling bullshit. Maybe the real reason you didn’t want to go public with our relationship was because you were keeping your options open? Waiting for Jess to come back to the UK. See which one of us you liked the most?” She glared at her with a ferocity Sloane didn’t even know existed.