It has always been you

Chapter 8

Throughout the next days everyone was mostly busy with training and recovery. They had a game to prepare for in a couple of days. Besides that Ali and Ashlyn have mainly been focused on each other. Staying behind in the locker room for a minute or two just to get a quick kiss. Going to each other's room when they knew the other ones roommate wasn't there. Just to hang out and talk. Sometimes they'd just cuddle, others they'd end up making out on either Ali's or Ashlyn's bed. They were playing a dangerous game. And neither one minded one bit.

Once again after training they snuck off to go on another date. It was in secret and as much as they both hated hiding, they weren't even sure what exactly this was. They weren't officially girlfriends. They were just going along with what felt comfortable for both of them. But the habit of sneaking around and making out stuck very quickly. They spent much more time with each other than with any of the other players.
Kelley at some point noticed and asked Ali since they were pretty close friends. But Ali just said that she and Ashlyn get along really well and that she hadn't even noticed the amount of time they spent together.
That part was true. She really didn't notice. But she was glad Kelley didn't ask any further. And that she didn't seem suspicious at all. Ali had been denying herself how she felt all her life, how was anyone else supposed to know after all.

They walked around the same town they'd been in for the last 3 weeks and somehow circled back to the bench... That magical bench. It was the pace everything started. All of what was happening made Ali nervous, Ashlyn had somewhat planned their date and Ali had no clue what was going on.

3 minutes later they both sat down on the bench. Ali was sweating, she just how magical and important this place was to the both of them. But she for some odd reason was scared.
"Hey, Ali. You okay, babe?" Ashlyn asked.
Ali looked over at the blonde surprised. Not that she'd never called her babe before. They fell into the habit two days after their first kiss and Ali didn't mind at all. Though it was getting harder and harder to hide the relationship from their teammates.
She was surprised Ashlyn noticed how nervous she was. She was freaking out internally but her outside was fine. At least to a stranger. Ali felt like Ashlyn was somehow the closest to her, even though they'd only known each other for a few weeks.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Don't worry" Ali let out a nervous giggle. With that, Ashlyn just pulled her into a hug. Ali was surprised to say the least but she felt comfort in Ashlyn's arms. She immediately relaxed and she never wanted to pull away.
"So... Why are you so nervous? It's just me..." Ashlyn then softly said. Ali immediately started laughing which confused the blonde.
"I... That's exactly the problem. Because I like you, like really like you. And I trust you. But I don't know what you have planned and it's just making me anxious I guess" Ali then rambled.
"Oh Al" Ashlyn laughed softly as she held Ali's hands and looked in her eyes like they were the most beautiful thing in the world. A few seconds later she placed a delicate kiss on the brunette's lips.
"If I knew it would freak you out this much I would've just done this at the hotel or something. But I wanted it to be special... So.. Alexandra Blaire Krieger... Will you be my girlfriend" Ashlyn asked with the biggest smile on her face which if course was reciprocated.
"Of course I do" Ali laughed and finally pulled the blonde in for a passionate kiss.

They stayed there for another 30 minutes just enjoying the quiet. Everything was perfect. They had each other but nobody knew, so nobody could ruin it.

The more Ali thought about it though, the more excited she got to introduce Ashlyn to Kyle. She came out to him and he knew Ali liked her. And he'd keep quiet about things for as long as he had to.

Eventually they made their way back to the hotel. The met Megan in the lobby and were immediately dragged to someone's room. Apparently everyone was hanging out there. Ali almost wanted to just say no to that and take Ashlyn up to her room but she knew Megan would question then about it and she just didn't want to deal with that.

So they sat in what turned out to be Tobin and Cristen's room and played weird games and talked all night. Which of course they regretted the next day. Even though they had the day off.

Which lead to Ali decided to call Kyle again.
"Heyyyyy sis. How you doing?" He answered immediately which made Ali laugh.
"Hi Kyle. I'm good. Like really good actually" She smiled thinking about Ashlyn.
"That's good. My rehab is going pretty good too." He answered.
"That's good to hear. How long until you get out?" Ali asked.
"Uhm... I think about 3 weeks. Haven't been here that long. But I'll get through it. But only if you promise to call like at least twice a week." He started rambling.
"I will Kyle. And to give you a little something to look forward to... In 3 weeks when you're done with Rehab and my training camp is over I wanna introduce you to someone.." Ali trailed off, grinning like an absolute fool.
"Oooohhhh. Ashlyn right? Are you guys finally together?" He almost screamed into the phone.
"Yessss" Ali answered just as excited as Kyle was.
"She asked me to be her girlfriend today" Ali smiled.
"Awwww congrats." Kyle smiled on the other end.
They slipped into what seemed like an endless conversation. Talking about everything and nothing. In the end they talked for a good 2 hours with Kelley interrupting them a few times.