Chapter 23 #2
Jess breathed a sigh of relief as Vivienne’s T-shirt neck slipped down her shoulder. Vivienne pulled it back up.
“Okay—” she started to say at the same time Jess said, “So—”
They both stopped, bashful.
“You go,” Jess said.
“Um, I was going to say…” More duvet twisting. “… that last night was really fun—”
“Really fun,” Jess agreed. Okay, maybe chill a little, Jess.
Vivienne’s lips curled. “But— Saturday is such a huge day, you know?”
“Oh … Yeah. Totally.”
“And, as much fun as this was, maybe we need to, like … not think about it until after the game.”
“Mm-hmm.” Jess imagined freeing Vivienne’s shoulder from the T-shirt again and leaving a trail of kisses along her soft, soft skin. “Yeah, for sure. You’re right.”
“Okay.” Vivienne looked relieved. “Good. Good, we need to focus. On volleyball.”
“Of course we do.”
Vivienne nodded. “Great.” Then she stood, back to normal Vivienne. “I’ll go find another shower. You can use this one. Veronica said breakfast was at eight thirty.”
“Okay,” Jess said.
Vivienne was almost out the door when she stopped, hand on the knob. “Wait, sorry … what was it you were going to say?”
I want you. I’m obsessed with you. That was the most amazing sex I’ve ever had. I want to have more sex just like that. How about right now? “Er, just … Yeah, the same thing, basically.”
Vivienne smiled, soft again for one second, then she was gone down the hall.
The kitchen hummed with activity. A continental breakfast buffet was laid out on the island and people were up and down from the long farm table collecting plates of food.
Smaller children who hadn’t been at the party the night before pelted around, and the whole room smelled of coffee and fresh-baked pastries.
A woman in screaming red lipstick who looked like Vivienne, except she was rounder and with paler skin, sat at the table next to a baby in a high chair and a pouting toddler rolling grapes off her pink plastic plate.
“Oh, Vivienne, there you are,” she clipped with an accent that was much more Manhattan than California.
“Interesting choice to miss your own party.”
“Scarlett.” Vivienne gave her a gruesome smile. “Shoot, are you having trouble telling time again? The party started at seven.”
“I had to put my children to bed first, Vivienne. In case you didn’t know, ‘responsibilities’ are—”
“‘Responsibilities’? Didn’t you bring your nanny?”
Aunt Veronica swooped in between them with a platter of chocolate croissants.
“Oh, that’s quite enough of that, my beautiful nieces.
‘Thank you for coming to the party, Scarlett.’ ‘Good luck in your big game, Vivienne.’ You should try basic manners sometime.
Honestly.” Then she saw Jess. “Are you feeling better today, love? I hope you’re not getting sick before the big game. ”
“Oh … Yes, I’m feeling much better, thank you,” Jess said, avoiding Vivienne’s eyes.
“Excellent! Here, have a croissant. Oh, I found a few books to send home with you.…” She nodded her chin in the direction of a wet bar, where two canvas Veronica Doyle book bags sat stuffed until overflowing. “I found some merch for you, too. There’re stickers and shirts and such.…”
Jess’s jaw dropped at the haul. It looked like a special-edition cover of Queen in Shining Armor poking out. And, no … Surely that wasn’t an advance copy of the sequel, Up All Knight? “Wow, that’s … that’s amazing, thank you. So kind of you.” Her fingers itched to dig into the stash.
“See?” Veronica raised a pointed eyebrow at Vivienne and Scarlett, who were still glaring at each other. “Basic manners.”
“So that was Scarlett,” Vivienne said as soon as they got in her car.
“It was nice of her to come?” Jess tried.
Vivienne punched the ignition button with extra force. “Was it? Was it ‘nice’? Or was it just another chance for her to feel superior to me?”
That this incredible, bold, brilliant, beautiful woman could feel inferior to anyone on earth … Jess curled her lips. “That explains it.”
Vivienne raised her eyebrow. “Explains what?”
“Why you are how you are.”
Vivienne started to grin despite herself. “And how am I?”
“You said I’m a hard shell with a marshmallow center … You’re a kitten inside a cactus. And Scarlett doesn’t hold a candle to you, Vivienne.”
Vivienne dipped her head, cheeks maybe flushing pink, and turned the music on. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
They didn’t talk much on the drive home aside from their pregame plan—an easy workout today, watching game tape of their opponents after dinner over video chat, and a light practice tomorrow. Otherwise, Vivienne sang along to the music in a quiet, absent-minded way.
When they arrived back at Jess’s apartment, Vivienne got out and opened up the trunk for her. “Okay, well. Enjoy your workout. Video chat at seven?”
“See you then.”
Vivienne handed Jess her bag. Their fingers touched. “Make sure you get a good sleep. Drink lots of water.”
Jess wanted to lean over and kiss her. Instead, she just nodded and admired the long lines of Vivienne’s neck. “I will.”
Jess waved goodbye as Vivienne climbed back into the car.
The memory of Vivienne’s body in her hands, so soft and hard, strong and gentle, accompanied Jess as she climbed the stairs and knocked on Nelson’s door. The taste of her, the smell of her—
“Girl.” Nelson stroked Fleming’s head and raised a knowing eyebrow. “Tell me.”
Jess’s face burned. “Uh.”
Nelson hooted. “Jessicaaaa! Hell yes!”
“I … uh … Can I have my dog?”
“Nuh-uh.” Nelson pulled Fleming closer. “I’m gonna need more information. Details for dog.”
“Um…” Jess scratched her head. “We just … We sort of hooked up.”
Nelson wagged a finger. “That is not a detail.”
Jess gave in, raising clenched fists. “It was fucking amazing, okay? It was so good. She was … She’s just…”
Nelson put a hand on his chest. “Oh, holy shit. Did you go and fall in love with her?”
“No! No!… No, I didn’t fall in love with her! We’re not even talking about it, okay? We hooked up, and now we’re focusing on the game, and that’s fine. It’s fine. We’ll sort it out later, after the final.”
Nelson stared at her for a moment, then thrust Fleming into her arms. “Take the dog. Good lord. Take your dog, go home, and call her.”
Jess collected Fleming, dodging his pink tongue. “I can’t call her! We’re not talking about it.”
Nelson leaned on the doorframe and rubbed his forehead.
“Jess. If you had seen your face when I opened this door. You think you’re going to be able to play volleyball with her in front of the world, with all of this sexual tension between the two of you?
When all you can think about is grabbing her and—”
“Yes,” Jess yelped before he could finish that thought. “Yes, I can play with her. It’s going to be fine.”
“Right. So you said.” He tilted his head. “Listen. I care about you, Jess. Do what you need to do, okay? Do what feels right for you.”
“I will.” Jess leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I promise. Thanks.”
Fleming got a few more licks in on their way home before Jess unlocked her door and set him on the floor.
I should text her. Should I text her?
But no. She had other things to do. She fed Fleming, made herself a sandwich for lunch, and was about to search the laundry pile for workout gear when her phone buzzed.
Her heart leapt. But it was just Tania. A pang of guilt stabbed her chest. She had barely spoken to Tania since agreeing to play in the final.
How’s it going, Button? (Sorry, I had to use it one more time.) How have things been with Vivienne?
Jess’s thumbs hovered.
It felt wrong not to tell Tania, but she wasn’t sure she had the strength to withstand the phone call and thousand-million questions that would follow.
Plus, with Vivienne so unsure about it, who knew where things would end up?
She already had Nelson offering his opinions, and she didn’t want to tell Tania anything now if Vivienne decided to pretend nothing had ever happened after the game.
Good, she replied. A little bumpy at times but overall I’d say we’re connecting.
I knew you guys would figure it out. Have you done your workout yet today? Want some company?
If she saw Tania in person, she’d have to tell her. She felt terrible lying, but … Just started it actually. But thanks.
Okay. Well, get some rest. You guys have got this. We’re gonna be cheering for you so loud on Saturday. Marco is making a sign. Don’t worry, the rule was I had to approve it.
Jess had to laugh. Love you, T.
Love you, too.
Jess hurried to change into her workout clothes so her lie became more true, then went for a short jog and did some stretching and foam rolling.
After a shower, she roasted a few chicken breasts and ate one with a quinoa salad.
Then, at seven o’clock on the nose, she clicked the video-chat invite Vivienne had sent her and cued up the videos of their opponents’ playoff matches.
When Vivienne’s face filled the screen, Jess’s heart swelled in a rapid and concerning way.
Early Friday afternoon, they met at the pavilion for a light practice. Vivienne was all business, so Jess was too, even though it was hard not to think about Vivienne sprawled under her in the moonlight, putty in her hands.
“We’re ready,” Vivienne said when practice ended. “I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
Jess also had feelings … she just wasn’t sure if they were good or not.