Lunchtime
She found herself still thinking about the forward five hours later while Allie and Alex were bickering about the cake they need to choose from. They are sitting in the corner of the restaurant trying to decide on which flavor that everyone will like.
“What do you think Harry? Which one is better?” Tobin just shrug her shoulder.
“Both are good I guess.” Honestly she don’t think she can even remember tasting so many cakes before. Everything taste the same to her now.
“Urgh..you are useless. I guess that’s what happen when her girlfriend is not here.” Alex said.
“She’s not...” Tobin starts.
“Oh stop with the denial, Tobs. Just admit it you want her to be one. You better make your move because I don’t think Vero will let her go this time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well Press is the one that broke off their relationship because she trying to make her national debut here remember? Vero’s also suddenly coming here last year to play for your club. So maybe there’s some unresolved feeling there? I think she’s trying to get Press back.”
“No that’s not it. They are really just friends now.” Tobin insisted.
“Oh..Like you and her?” Allie asked. She doesn’t want to be cruel but she felt that Tobin need a little push.
“I’ve already told her not to do anything that I wouldn’t do.”
“Oh really?” This picked the interest of her two friend.
“Yeap…she promised.” Both Alex and Allie raised their eyebrows.
“Huh that’s weird Harry. That’s like really what a couple will do. Why would Press going back to her ex got anything to do with you? I mean she’s totally not obliged to you and she’s still single. She can have anyone if she desire.” Allie prodded her friend further.
Tobin shakes her head even though the doubt start to creep in from her friend’s words.
“Is Press gonna join us for lunch?” Allie asked again oblivious to the midfielder’s mixed feelings.
“I’m not sure. Let me text her and ask.” She quickly took out her phone to text the forward.
Tobin: Hey…you are still joining us for lunch right? I can pick you up?
15 minutes passed and no reply. Before she can send another text, her phone rang.
Christen name appeared on the screen and Tobin face changed from confused to happy.
“Hey Chris. What’s up?” She asked happily.
Alex and Allie just pretend that they can’t hear their friend one sided conversation.
“Uh huh....not much. They just bicker about the cake....nope….ok…but…...” Tobin released a sigh.
“Okay. Yeap...okay. I do…yes I do..I promise…what time? Ok. Uh huh..yeah...no don’t do that..I’m gonna wait… no Chris..we’ll wait. Okay bye.”
Tobin turned around after she ended the call and faced her two friends with a big smile on her face.
“Wow Harry whatever Press said that made you smile so wide?” Allie asked curiously.
Tobin grinned. “Well she said she’ll be here in 20 minutes top. She said for us to go ahead and order first but I told her we can wait.”
“Urgh…what if I’m hungry now?” Alex whines.
“Al..you just tasted like 15 different cakes. That’s like half a cake already. You can’t tell me you are still hungry?” Allie asked.
“Okay…I’m not but it’s nice to be ask once in a while you know.”
“Al..just accept it when it comes between you and Press, she will always be more important to Harry.”
Alex just rolled her eyes. “So what happen to Vero?”
“She need to go back to her hotel room earlier than plan.”
“Well that’s a good news then.”
“Yeap.” Tobin answered back happily.
“I’m just curious, if Press is just a friend, why is sleeping with you?” Alex asked out of nowhere.
The water that Tobin currently drinking spewed out of her mouth towards her unsuspecting friends.
“Oh god, Tobin. Gross!!!” Both her friend jumped in their seats trying to avoid the spraying water.
“Well Al, it’s all your fault either way. We didn’t sleep together if that’s what you are asking.”
“Why didn’t she slept in the guest room then? I know you have a bed in there?” Alex continued her question while wiping her face dry with the napkins.
“Erm..it’s just that she always getting cold at night.”
“Well that’s why we invented blanket Harry.” Allie jumped in.
“Oh…she helped me choose my bed too so it doesn’t feel right that she don’t share it with me you know.” Tobin explained.
“That’s like the most pitiful excuse ever but I’m gonna let it go. I can asked Press later either way.”
“No Al! Don’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want you to make her uncomfortable.”
“She’s a big kid Tobs. I’m sure she can take care of herself...”
“But..”
“No but. Now let’s order something first and no Allie I don’t care if Press will be late, I’m too hungry. Maybe Tobs can just order for her.” Alex instructed her friend.
Tobin just shrugged her shoulder.
When the waiter came to their table Tobin just ordered the food for both her and Christen.
“How come you know what to order for Press?”
“I just know. She ordered the same thing every time we eat here. Plus if she don’t like it she'll just take mine either way. I don’t mind.”
“Tobs how did you not see?” Alex asked.
“See what?”
“You guys are totally acting like a couple already so just woman up and asked her out.”
“Can you stop, Alex. Why can’t I just be close friend with someone without involving any romantic feeling?” Tobin said irritatingly.
“Tobs, what are you afraid of? She’s not Shirley.” Alex starts again.
“Enough, Alex. She’s here already.” Allie warned.
Tobin turned to face the entrance and sure enough Christen is walking towards them.
“Hey guys.” She greets when she came near to the table.
Tobin pulled out the chair beside her graciously and Christen sit down on it. Looking at the midfielder’s frowning face she leaned close and leave a kiss on Tobin’s cheek.
“You okay?” She asked while lovingly wipe her lipstick print off.
Tobin just nodded and gave her a small smile. “Yes. Don’t worry about it.” She grasped the hand holding her cheek and kiss the forward’s palm.
Christen stared hard at Tobin’s face only turning back towards her other teammates when she’s satisfied that the midfielder’s telling her the truth.
“Erm….you guys okay?” She asked curiously when both Allie and Alex look at her with their jaws gape open.
“You…you just kiss Tobin.” Allie starts.
“Yes...” Christen blushed.
“Well you kissed her cheek.” Alex added.
“Uh huh...”
“There’s lipstick...”
“Yes, Allie. Then I wipe it away. May I know where we are going with this?” Christen replied back teasingly.
She look at Tobin but the midfielder busy smirking at her friend while resting her arm on the back of the forward’s chair.
“Are you sure you guys are just friend?” Alex spoke up suddenly.
“Yes.” Both said at the same time.
Alex was interrupted from her question further when the waiter came in bringing their food. Tobin and Christen cut their meal in half and pass it to each other plate oblivious to the gaping stare of their teammate.
“You share food too? Even Serv and me didn’t do that.”
“It’s your loss then. This way we can taste each other food.” Tobin replied cheekily.
“Enough with the question Al. Let them eat in peace.” Allie reminded her friend.
“What’s your plan after this?”
“Nothing much. Waiting for Tobin here to decide.” She nudged the midfielder beside her.
“Really? You are letting her plan your outing? Sorry to tell you this Press, but you will just end up laying around on your bed the whole day.” Alex joked.
Christen shrugged her shoulder “I don’t mind.”
“Wow this is like the first time I’ve heard that anyone just okay with laying around all day.” Allie teased her.
They parted ways when they finished their lunch together. Allie and Alex continue their journey looking for the perfect wedding dress (of which Tobin swear she will join them but she doesn’t want to leave Christen by herself) while Tobin and Christen just went back to Tobin’s apartment.
They spend the next hour just cuddling on the couch watching Christen’s favorite show. But Tobin being herself start to feel restless when the forward ignored her.
“Do you want to watch something else?”
“Nope.” Christen just shakes her head and continue watching the show.
“But I’m bored.”
“Well I’m not. ”
“Chrissss… I’m bored.” Tobin whines.
“Play games on your phone then.”
“It’s charging and it’s too far away.”
“Just use my phone silly. You know the passcode. I don’t mind.” Tobin smiles and grab the forwards phone from the coffee table.
Once she settled back on the couch Christen quickly snuggled back to her side. Her eyes doesn’t even leave the tv shows. Tobin unlocked the forwards phone easily. She was just browsing through the forward’s picture when a message pop out on the screen.
Vero: Hey sorry for bailing out on you so early just now. Everything settled now. Do you want to meet before I leave?”
Tobin was frowning at the message.
She really don’t understand why Vero insisted to meet with Chris every time. It’s not like they can’t catch up over the phone. She was deciding whether to tell the forward or just ignore the message when Christen suddenly grab the phone from her hand.
“Is that message for me? Hmm..Vero asked me out again.” She started to explain.
“You can go if you want.” Tobin said.
She even surprised herself when she said that. But knowing how Christen is, she can let go some of her insecurities. Even though the forward is oblivious to her feelings. Christen just nod her head and replied her text. When she finished she just passed back the phone to the midfielder. Tobin was just opening the application for the game when Vero replied back.
Vero: Ok we’ll catch up another time then. Xoxox
Tobin can’t help the jealous feeling when she saw the sign. Why would she send hug and kisses to her girl. Yes Tobin admit that Christen is her girl. But the feeling tampered down a bit when she saw Christen replied.
Christen: Sorry, Vero. Already made plans with Tobin. Maybe next time.
“Huh? Did we have any plan?”
“What?”
“Did we plan anything for tonight?”
“Hmm no I don’t think so.”
“Then why did you said you have plan with me?”
“Why are you reading my text?” Christen faked glared at the midfielder.
“Oops..” Tobin replied back sheepishly.
“I thought I just hang out with you since we hardly spend any time together. Remember what I said this morning?”
“Yeah? Till I’m bored huh?”
“Yeap.”
Tobin smiles and bring her arms around the forward shoulder bringing her closer.
“Thanks.” She doesn’t know why she’s thanking the forward but her heart lighten when Christen chose to spend time with her. She leaved a small kiss at the forward’s temple and smile when Christen snuggled closer. For just a friend they sure don’t act like one but if it make them both happy why not just continue whatever they do without labelling it.