Before Us (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 9

Lainey woke up as the late morning sun shined through her tent. She rubbed her eyes as her head pounded. She rose from her sleeping bag and looked at her clothes sprawled everywhere. Lainey scratched her head trying to remember what happened last night. All she could remember was the kiss with Jess and nothing really more. She got dressed and began to pack her stuff up.

Once outside the tent, everyone was packing the car up with their stuff. She seen Jess who also looked rough after last night. Everyone seemed quieter this morning. Lainey grabbed her sleeping bag and began rolling it up.

Jess made her way over to Lainey, "how are you feeling?" She smiled, rubbing her arm. Lainey looked at her blatantly. "I thought so, here." She said as she handed Lainey some Tylenol and water.

Lainey smiled slightly as she took it with a sigh of relief. "Did- anything happen last night-" she stopped as she was interrupted by Jess.

"No, no. I just helped you into bed. You were looking pretty rough. We had a nice talk, but nothing happened." Jess smiled with her sweet red cheeks.

Lainey knew she was telling the truth, but did nothing happen because Jess didn't want it to or because they were equally as fucked up? Lainey strapped up her sleeping bag and handed it to Jess as she began to pack up her duffel and tear down her tent.

The ride home was quiet, and for some reason, Lexi drove back with Chase while Becks drove with Jess and Lainey. Lainey sat in the front seat, slumped against the window, listening to the soft music and watching as flashes of green trees flew past her window on their way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At work that night, Lainey still felt out of it more than hung over, but she enjoyed her Sunday night regulars and of course Jess on her shift. The two of them together made a great team on Sunday nights.

It was nearly the end of their shift when a tall blonde walked through the doors, with Jess in the back taking stock, Lainey smiled and greeted the customer. She looked up from her cellphone and smiled back, "Well hello yourself, darling. Will you get me a rum and coke?"

"Sure thing." Lainey smirked and turned behind her to the alcohol, filling the cup in front of her.

"God, I love a woman who can make a drink." She replied as she sipped her drink, a sigh of relief coming afterward.

It registered what the customer said, but Lainey thought of a reply as she placed the alcohol back on the counter. "And I love a woman who loves woman." She smirked and they both laughed. "What's your name?"

"Sydney." She stretched out her hand for Lainey and Lainey took it and shook it.

"I'm Lainey." She smiled back and they talked a while more.

Sydney looked around the bar and focused back on Lainey. "Is it just you here tonight? Looks dead." She asked as Lainey filled her second cup.

"Who wants to know?" Lainey chuckled and smirked watching her behind the drink.

"Well, I was wanting to take someone home tonight, but it looks like you're my only option." She smiled and locked eyes with Lainey.

"Only option? Way to make a girl feel special." Lainey laughed and leaned against the counter, closer to Sydney than before, "even if I did go home with you, I'd make sure you felt special." She smirked and walked away to clean the bar top.

As Lainey got to the counter near her, Sydney grabbed her hand, stopping her, "what if I didn't want to take you home?" She smiled, "what if I wanted you here?"

Lainey shook her head laughing, she said nothing, but she walked out from behind the counter, making sure she made eye contact before walking into the bathroom.