April pinched her lips together into a thin, straight line, “Ok.”
“As much as I’m all for advancing things between us, I don’t think this is the right scenario for me to take your clothes off,” Jade smirked and let out a small laugh when she saw the blush creep up April’s cheeks. “Your t-shirt won’t give me the access I need to your shoulder," Jade explained. “Are you ok to get changed into a vest top by yourself, or do you need me to, erm...”
“I can change,” April said, “By myself,” more blushing...great! “Give me a minute, I’ll switch tops in the bathroom.”
A few moments later, April emerged in a loose cotton vest. Jade’s face came to life as she ran her eyes over April. She could feel those emerald eyes spark against her skin until she sat back down on the bed, and Jade returned her hands to assess April’s injured shoulder again.
April told Jade about Suzie and her opinion that the damage to her shoulder wasn’t accidental. She explained the ongoing grudge-match that seemed to be unfolding between them. Adding that it was a generational one, a continuation of that which their dads had started 25 years prior. Jade took on board the information, and April was relieved that she shared the same view about the damage being intentional.
With a better understanding of the exact motion that caused April’s current pain, Jade was able to better determine how to help with any damage it may have caused. They worked through a range of exercises and movements; most were fine, though there was occasional discomfort, which April could live with. The movements were helping loosen off her tight muscles.
“Looks like you were lucky, there’s no real damage, just aggravated it, but you’ll be uncomfortable for a couple of days. When’s your first match?” Jade asked as she continued to massage her thumb into April’s shoulder joint as she moved April’s arm in various directions.
“Not until the day after tomorrow. So, I can ease up my training more than I usually would the day before a match anyway and focus on heat rooms and ice baths.” April screwed up her face. “My favorites.”
Jade laughed, “They suck, I know, but right now you don’t have much choice if you want to last that match.” She stopped the movements and let her hands fall to April’s lap, still holding her right hand.
“Jade,” April started, “I...” she trailed off blushing at what was left unsaid.
“I know.” Jade smiled. “So, what do you want to do?”
“Get your number. Kiss you. See where this goes. Not necessarily in that order.” She could feel the blush creeping up her neck.
The smile on Jade’s face spread as she moved closer to April on the bed. April brought her hand up and slipped her fingers through Jade’s fiery hair to bring their lips closer. Faster.
They each melted into the kiss that had been two months in the making. In an instant, April completely forgot about the pain in her shoulder. Instead, she feltwhole. Like her body had been longing for Jade so badly, that the moment her body made contact with the other woman, it relaxed for the first timemonths. Her lips tingled and the fireworks from their first kiss? They’d grown into a full-blown New Year’s Eve display behind her eyelids.
Minutes passed before they parted enough to rest their foreheads together. April felt a weight lift off her chest that she hadn’t even known she had been carrying.
“Give me your phone,” Jade whispered.
April giggled.That’s right, giggled!She pulled her phone out of her pocket and unlocked it before handing it to Jade. A few seconds later, Jade’s phone rang. She held up both phones so that they faced April and grinned.
“There. Now I’m not losing you again.” Jade said, and for the first time, blushed.
“You say that like you missed me or something,” April said as she retrieved her phone and ended the call. Wasting no time saving the number on her phone.
“Or something,” Jade winked. She leaned in and kissed April again, briefer this time. “We’d better call your team back. I’ll update the scary one before I go, and you should get some ice on that shoulder.”
“My Dad,” April said.
“What about him?” Jade asked.
“The scary one, is my dad. He’s also my manager.” April explained, worry obviously written all over her face.
“Hey,” Jade lifted April’s hand and kissed the back of it. The gesture gave April some reassurance. “Granted, meeting the parents usually happens later, but I won’t say a word. You know all ofthishappens on your timeline, April. Even more so now that I realize what all you’ve got to lose.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve meeting someone quite so understanding, but...” April felt the lump rise in her throat, “Thank you.”
“We’ll figure it all out, together. For now, let’s get them back here, and please, get ice on that before I leave to reduce any inflammation that may be going on inside, ok? Please?” Jade raised her eyebrows and waited.
“Ok, ok, I’ll send them a message now and call room service for some ice, happy?” April laughed.
Jade grinned, “Very!”
Chapter 19
Jade
