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Shay sat there in silence, her hands over her face. She couldn’t believe it. They’d done the impossible. She watched Layne run over to her and kneel down in front of her. Then, Layne wrapped her arms around Shay’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug.
“We did it, babe,” Layne said in her ear.
CHAPTER 36
Layne sat in her room, reading the text message for the millionth time.
Shay: They think it’s fine, but we’ll know more tomorrow. No signs of a tear. If it’s still swollen tomorrow, though, I won’t practice, which probably means I won’t play. I hate this. I wish you could just be here with me, and we could fall asleep with you holding me because this sucks. I might have come all this way and not be able to play.
Layne locked her phone and packed her stuff. They had tonight, tomorrow night, and the night after at this hotel. Then, they’d be gone, and she’d waited long enough. She opened her door and checked the hallway, finding no one walking around. She hurried across the hall and knocked on Shay’s door, hoping she could get to it without too much trouble to open it for her.
“Layne?” Shay said through the door before she opened it.
“Hi, yeah. I’m coming in.”
“What?” Shay asked.
“Babe, I’m coming in. Just step back for me. Actually, get back into bed.”
“Layne, you can’t be here.”
“Shay, you’re my girlfriend. You’re hurt. I’m taking care of you.”
“Babe, I’m okay. I just need to lie down. I’m icing it like–”
Layne pulled her roller inside the room and tossed her duffel bag into the bathroom since Shay was still standing there.
“Are you moving in?”
“For the next few nights, I am,” Layne replied and closed the door behind her.
“Layne…”
“You’re hurt. I’m here. You’re not sick. I’m not sick. We got tested before the game.” She pulled off her mask.
“You can get kicked off the team for this.”
“Shay, I’m taking care of you. What you and the others on the team mistakenly assumed was me not caring about basketball all those years, was really me understanding that there are more important things in the world than a sport, and you are one of those things to me.” Layne paused. “I love you.”
“You do?” Shay asked.
“Yes,” Layne stated. “And I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time now, but I wanted it to be in person, and I wanted us to be alone.”
“This is the first time we’ve been alone since…”
“Yes, it is.”
“I love you, too,” Shay replied and pulled off her mask. “And you don’t have to take care of me; the swelling is already going down.”
“Good,” Layne said. “Because I can’t wait anymore.” She moved into Shay and finally, after more than a year, pressed her lips to her girlfriend’s.
Shay kissed her back and wrapped her arms around Layne’s neck. Layne’s arms were around Shay’s waist, and she picked her up, not wanting Shay to walk. Shay laughed as Layne carried her over to the bed and sat her down on it, reconnecting their lips.
“How much of this visit was you wanting to take care of me versus you wanting to do that?” Shay asked.
“Sixty-forty, maybe,” Layne replied honestly.
Shay lifted Layne’s shirt and kissed her stomach.
