Chapter 10
The game against Sweden didn’t go as well as everyone had hoped. They didn’t lose, but a tie wasn’t really an ideal game ender whilst being in the World Cup. Ali was upset with her, feeling as if she had been off of her game. Ashlyn could sense her girlfriend’s detachment to the rest of the group when they got back to the hotel after the game. Sure the game hadn’t gone the way everyone wanted it to but all of the girls played their hearts out on the field, Ali included. She always got like this after a tough game; it was hard to stay confident when sometimes giving your best doesn’t always mean a good result.
It made Ashlyn upset to see her girlfriend in this state of mind. They had literally just gone through the same thing but vice versa. The only thing she knew was that she was not going to let this cause another argument. She noticed Ali making her way to the elevator so she began to jog to catch her. Before the brunette could get a foot in the elevator, Ashlyn grabbed her hand and linked their fingers together, pulling her in the other direction. Ali didn’t question it; instead she just followed the blonde girl without argument.
Ashlyn lead her out the back of the hotel to a small little sitting area. The sun was setting and there was a slight breeze in the air as the two girls took their seats. Ashlyn pulled Ali into her lap, wrapping her arms securely around her waist and leaning her head on her shoulder. She left a lingering kiss on the side of Ali’s neck, not caring that they were out in public where someone could possibly see them. She knew that all Ali needed was someone to comfort her and tell her she was good enough.
“Ali, baby, I know you’re upset. When you’re ready to talk I’ll be here for you.” Ashlyn said leaving another kiss on her girlfriend’s neck. Ali didn’t respond at first; instead she continued to look at the sky, toying with Ashlyn’s fingers. Ashlyn knew that her girlfriend was just trying to find the right words to say so she continued to be patient.
“Do you think I played well today? And don’t just say yes because I’m your girlfriend. I want your true professional opinion.” Ali finally spoke.
“I think you played great today. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t your best game but you went out and played with your heart on your sleeve like always.” Ashlyn said kissing her shoulder lovingly.
“I honestly just felt so off today, ya know?”
“The whole team was off today.” Ashlyn said squeezing her girlfriend. “You guys had strong chances to finish the ball and just came up short. I believe it was just one of those days. We are going to obviously start off shaky but you can’t let that get to your head.”
“I’m embarrassed because you saw me play that way and so did my family and it was probably disappointing.”
“It really wasn’t though, Ali. You weren’t at your best today but I have seen so much worse. Your touches were amazing like usual and you were helping everyone out. You can’t do everything perfectly.”
Ali fell silent after that. Ashlyn assumed she was going to just go back to hating herself for how she played but instead she turned in Ashlyn’s arms and buried her head into her shoulder. “Thank you.” Ali mumbled and Ashlyn couldn’t help but smile. It warmed the blonde girl’s heart to know that she could make her girlfriend feel better no matter what.
After a while the two girls knew they had to separate and get to the team dinner before Jill yelled at them for being late again. They walked together and shared some small talk, taking a seat at the table where Megan, Whitney, Alex, Tobin, Abby, Julie and Becky were sitting. Whitney kept giving Ashlyn a look every time they made eye contact and all she could do was raise her eyebrows in question. After about five minutes of receiving the look she was finally tired of it.
“What, Whit?” Ashlyn asked not realizing that everyone at the table was eavesdropping.
“Is it true that you and Ali had sex?” She asked quietly, a little embarrassed that Ashlyn couldn’t wait til after dinner to ask her about the look.
Ali choked on her drink and Ashlyn snorted, rubbing her face with her hands. “Really, Whit?” was all she could ask. This caught the attention of Abby and Becky who were now hoping to gain some juicy details. Ali excused herself from her seat to go use the rest room and Ashlyn stood up, pulling Whit to the side.
“Why on earth would you ask something like that at dinner?” Ashlyn asked with an incredulous look on her face.
“It’s just…I heard Alex and Tobin whispering about it the elevator and I was hurt that you didn’t tell me because ya know, we’re best friends.” Whitney said with a sheepish look on her face.
“For one, yes Ali and I were intimate and I was going to tell you. Secondly, the only reason Tobin knows about it was because her, Kelley, and Megan heard stuff because they almost came into the room the night it happened. Thirdly, I am going to kill them.” Ashlyn said the last line loud enough for Megan, Kelley, and Tobin (and Alex now) to hear.
The four girls quickly stood up and began walking over the elevator. Ashlyn excused herself from Whitney before following the four girls. She was irritated because she expected her friends to respect her and Ali’s responsibility and it kind of pissed her off that they thought they could just spread her personal business just like that. She caught the girls before they could get on the elevator and she stood in front of it with her arms crossed. From the corner of her eye she saw Ali walking over to see what was about to happen.
“Can you three,” Ashlyn said pointing at Kelley, Tobin, and Megan, “please tell me why you think it is okay for you to spread mine and Ali’s personal business? First Julie overhears you guys and questions me and now Whitney overhears Tobin telling Alex about something INTIMATE that happened between ME and MY GIRLFRIEND”
“Look Ash, we’re sorry.” Tobin said rubbing the back of her neck.
“I guess we just didn’t realize how big of a deal it was.” Kelley said looking at the floor.
“Not realizing how big of a deal it is? This is Ali’s first relationship with another woman; I don’t think she is quiet ready to come out to everyone. I also don’t think she is okay with her friends outing her either. I’m pissed too because this could be detrimental to my relationship which I cherish so much and want it to last.”
Megan let out a sigh. “You’re right. We are all in the wrong here and we swear something like this won’t happen again.”
All Ashlyn said was “good” before stalking angrily in the other way. Ali was quick to follow behind her girlfriend and caught her quickly. They walked in silence before Ali pulled her into a silent corner away from all wandering eyes.
“Baby, calm down.” Ali whispered.
“I can’t. I am so fearful that by them sating stuff repeatedly it could put our relationship on the line. I can’t lose you when I literally just got you.” Ashlyn said in distress.
Ali grabbed her hands and gave her a chaste kiss. “Stop. You’re not going to lose me. It’s you and me against the world. I don’t care if they keep talking and people overhear. As long as I have you I have no worries.”
Ashlyn smiled and have Ali a hug, feeling all safe and comfortable in her arms. They would be okay as long as they had each other.