Chapter Twenty-one
The bus jostled from side to side, and Razor grabbed her ribs tighter, trying to control her discomfort.
She wished she hadn’t told Ashton she was good to ride alone when she’d helped Razor into her seat.
Pride really could be a foolish thing. Plus, she didn’t want to take up any more of Ashton’s time.
She cautiously stretched and saw Ashton was near the front of the bus.
Damn, she was too far away to discreetly ask her to return.
The bus rocked again, and Razor tensed. Judging by the rough ride, they were around Jacksonville.
They’d smooth out once they hit Marion. Hopefully.
She’d woken up that morning, taken her ibuprofen, and applied her arnica—feeling less tender than the previous day—then slowly packed her bags.
The entire time, she’d kept a close eye on Summer.
Her mood was sullen, and she was uncharacteristically quiet.
At game time, Razor noticed the lack of interaction between her and Harper, which was unusual.
They were always glued together during games, talking about which pitches worked and which ones didn’t.
Razor loved it because it meant when she retired, the position of catcher would be in good hands.
Now, though, Summer and Harper couldn’t be more distant.
In the end, their estrangement had as much effect on the outcome of the series as Razor’s injury did, and the Hornets drove out of Henderson with two wins and two losses. Not too shabby for a wild weekend.
The roads transitioned from ragged to smooth, and the tension eased from Razor’s body. She lay back, intent on a nap, until she felt somebody plop down next to her.
“Whoever this is, I’m really tired, really sore, and I just want to get a little rest right now.”
“Once I ask my question, I’ll leave you alone.”
Razor cracked an eye and saw Courtney. She had that same look as when she’d walked into Slugfest three months ago.
“Why did you turn down my offer to be my assistant coach?”
Razor tried and failed to adjust to a more comfortable position before answering.
“At the time, I didn’t think I’d be any good at it.”
“Why not?”
She tilted her chin toward the front of the bus where Nancy sat.
“I didn’t want to be like her.”
Courtney nodded. “Yeah, Nancy was hard on us a lot, but she did get results.”
“At what cost?” Razor asked. “Coaches like her forget this is a game. It’s supposed to be fun, for everyone but especially the players.
Then you start adding trophies, championships, coaches pitting players against each other for roster positions and…
it’s too much like a job. They’re already studying to be what they want to be when they grow up.
Let them have fun playing softball. If you do that, then everything everyone considers more important will happen on its own. ”
Courtney smiled and gently patted Razor’s leg. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“You get what this is about. It’s about fun. Good coaching allows the game to stay fun while achieving those goals universities are always striving for. You know what else makes it fun?”
“What?”
“Collaboration,” Courtney whispered.
Razor nodded. “I can agree with that.”
“Which is why, during your recovery, I want you to help me call pitches.”
Razor was stunned. “Seriously?”
Courtney nodded. “You and Summer proved yourselves out there yesterday, so I plan to continue with your autonomy when you’re well. Until then, we can keep the momentum by having you join me on the call. Besides”—she nodded in Nancy’s direction—“I don’t trust the way Nancy calls pitches.”
“I see,” Razor mumbled.
“So, will you do it?”
Razor sighed. “Sure. Why not. But I have one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Have Harper join us in the film room. She’s going to be the starter for a while. Plus, if you decide to give her and Summer the same autonomy next year, it’ll get them in sync.”
“Next year, I hope to have a new assistant coach on my staff and won’t have to put so much pressure on my players,” Courtney said with a wink.
Razor looked at her in disbelief. She didn’t want to say no, but she didn’t feel right saying yes and undermining Nancy.
Yes, Nancy was controlling, but she was still the coach and deserved at least a modicum of respect for all the time and energy she’d put into getting the team where they were now.
So, Razor gave the noncommittal “I’ll think about it. ”
Courtney moved to hug her.
“Injured!” Razor said, stopping Courtney’s momentum.
“Fist bump?” Razor held hers out and Courtney bumped it. “I’m going to get out while I’m ahead and let you get some rest.”
Razor tilted her head back and closed her eyes before Courtney vacated the seat. A while later, someone grabbed her shoulder, and she groaned, frustrated.
“For the love of God, let me rest, and just wake me up when we get to Jonesboro.”
“Razor. We’re home.”
Her eyes popped open, and she saw an amused Ashton standing over her.
“What happened?”
Ashton chuckled. “We’re back. You’ve been asleep for an hour.”
“Oh.”
Not the best retort, but what could Razor do when she’d obviously missed some time.
“Come on.” Ashton grabbed her firmly under her right arm. “Let’s get you off this bus and someplace more comfortable.”
Razor planted her right hand on the back of the seat to propel herself to standing. Together they slowly got off the bus.
“I’m going to grab your bags, and then we’re getting out of here,” Ashton explained as she leaned Razor against a nearby light post.
“We?”
“Yes, we. You’re not driving in this condition.”
Before Razor could object, Ashton entered the group of players seeking out their luggage. Razor’s heart swelled. It’d been a long time since someone wanted to take care of her. It felt nice.
She tracked Ashton’s movements and noticed Summer.
A few feet away, she saw Harper pulling out her equipment bag, then making a hasty exit toward the dorms, ignoring Summer as she passed.
Summer looked on the verge of tears at the easy dismissal.
She quickly located her bag and took off in the opposite direction.
“You have too much crap.”
Ashton waddled toward her with four bags in tow.
“Not all of that is mine,” Razor replied.
“Okay,” she said, breathless. “We both have too much crap.”
Razor turned and hit the remote to unlock her truck. “So, do you want to follow me out to Walnut Ridge?”
Ashton looked at her incredulously. “What are you doing?”
“I thought we’d take my truck. You can drive it, but then how would you get back?”
Ashton grabbed the keys and reengaged the locks and alarm.
“I said you weren’t driving tonight. You’re staying with me.”
“I am?”
“You just rode three hundred miles on a rocking bus. Do you really want to travel another half hour when my house is right around the corner?”
Razor surrendered. “Okay.”
Ashton looked stunned. “Okay? Just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that. Plus”—she gently pulled on Ashton’s shirt and drew her closer—“it’ll give us more time to…explore.”
Ashton smiled seductively, leaned in, and whispered, “Not gonna happen.” She winked, then picked up the bags and walked to her car. Razor stood, momentarily confused, but then she laughed. She couldn’t help it. Ashton was amazing.
She gingerly slid into the car and got settled while Ashton put their bags in her trunk. When they pulled out of the parking lot, Razor turned and said, “Hey Ashton?”
“What?”
“Thank you.”
Ashton smiled. “Let’s get you home and settled. If you’re good and take your medicine, I might even order a pizza.”
Razor clapped lightly. “Can we get toppings I recognize this time?”
* * *
Razor’s mouth tasted so good. The hints of tomato and spices from the pizza they’d consumed heightened the intensity of Ashton’s drive to devour this woman inside and out.
What started out as a simple flirtation, sampling the toppings each had gotten on their respective pizzas—Ashton her usual and Razor spicy pepperoni with mushrooms and peppers—led to fingers being pulled seductively between lips.
Soon they were trading light pecks on the lips, until it wasn’t enough, and they were full-on kissing each other senseless.
Ashton’s lips lingered and teased. She pulled back enough to entice Razor forward, only to give in easily and trace Razor’s lower lip with her tongue before diving fully into her mouth once more.
She grabbed Razor’s face, anchoring them together, feeling happy to finally be able to do this without wondering or questioning. Most importantly, without interruption.
As if it was summoned with the thought of the previous evening, Ashton’s mind latched on to the words she’d been avoiding since they were spoken outside her hotel room.
I’m worried you’re romanticizing all hearts and rainbows without considering any consequences.
Ashton squeezed her eyes and threw herself farther into Razor’s lips.
This was not the time or place to be rational.
It was a time to feel and explore. She needed to banish Nancy to the farthest reaches of her brain.
She levered up and nearly toppled Razor backward on her leather couch.
She needed to be immersed in this woman, in this desire.
Now. She felt Razor’s hands slide up her chest and shove her back.
“Whoa,” Razor rasped. “Take it easy. I’m still injured, remember?”
Ashton stopped and focused. Razor’s gaze held the still present desire, but there was the strain of physical discomfort in the tight skin around her eyes. Slowly, she climbed off and pulled Razor into a sitting position, then wiped her mouth.
“Sorry, I got carried away.”
Razor groaned as she settled more comfortably on the couch. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that all about?”
“What do you mean?”
Razor raised an eyebrow. “One minute you were all sensual and taking your time, then the next you were frantic and desperate. What’s going on?”
Ashton rubbed her hands over her face and through her hair. If Razor noticed the shift, then she needed to come clean right now.
“After I left your room last night, I ran into Nancy. I was supposed to meet her down at the bar, and when I didn’t show, she came looking for me.”
Razor’s lips formed a perfect O. “Did she suspect anything?”
Ashton snorted. “What do you think?”
Razor groaned and leaned back against the couch. “Is she going to say anything?”
“I don’t think so. But she did say something that I have been thinking about, and I really don’t want to because I’ve waited so long to be with you, and we’re both adults, and…”
Razor sat up and wrapped her arms around Ashton’s shoulders, effectively stopping her rambling.
“What did Nancy say?”
“She said that I was romanticizing my relationship with you too much. Said there’s too much to lose if we pursue this.”
“Hmm,” Razor said. “I don’t like how she phrased it, but you have to admit there’s a lot at stake.”
Ashton sighed, dejected. “I know. Even though I’m not your direct supervisor, I’m still in a position of authority over you.”
“And with all the work you’ve put into getting your doctorate, I’m not going to put your position in jeopardy.”
Razor pulled Ashton in until her head rested on Razor’s chest, then slowly eased them back into the couch. It felt good to be held so lovingly, so comforting, and Ashton’s stress over the situation eased.
“Do you think we can wait?”
“We’ve waited years. A few more weeks isn’t going to dissipate our feelings.”
“It could be a few months if we make it to the postseason,” Ashton mumbled.
Razor’s body tensed under her. Guess she hadn’t thought that part out.
“Well,” Razor said, clearing her throat, “I can be strong, as long as we can have moments like this to help us through.”
“So, hugging is okay?” Ashton snuggled closer and caressed the area under Razor’s breast, right over her bruised ribs. She smiled when her hand was gently moved.
“Hugging—just hugging—is definitely okay,” Razor said. “But if you keep doing that, all restraints are off. Consequences and injury be damned.”
She smothered a laugh into Razor’s chest. “Sorry. I don’t mean to tease.”
“Just keep it to a minimum, please. And, of course, kissing will be allowed.”
Ashton looked up at eyes so adoring and pressed their lips together. They smiled, sweetly, tenderly, then Ashton rested her head on Razor’s chest and listened to her steady heartbeat.
“This isn’t going to be easy, is it?”
Razor sighed, then kissed the top of her head. “No, it’s not. But it’ll be worth it. You’ll see.”
She snuggled closer and wrapped her arms around Razor’s waist and squeezed lightly. She should get up and make the spare bedroom but couldn’t be persuaded. Not when Razor’s arms were so perfect around her.