New Beginnings

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter 18:

Dinner went as smoothly as two girls pretending not to date could be. Alex managed to not taint Cindy's vision of her perfect daughter by not bringing up the parties, sex, and alcohol. Tobin controlled herself and didn't touch Alex in any way that was not "just friends." Cindy was glad to tell embarrassing stories about Tobin as a child which made Alex happy to no end. The night came to a close with Cindy going back to her hotel and an invitation to watch the game tomorrow.

"Wow, I never thought that was how I was going to meet your mom. Do you think she is going to be upset when we reveal that we are actually dating?" Alex inquired as they headed towards the dorms. "I mean it seemed like she liked me so that's always a good thing but you can never be sure, you know? I hope I wasn't too embarrassing or too loud or..."

"Shush, Alex, you did great and she loved you. I think she will be happy that we are dating," Tobin interjected, "right now, you just need to focus on your game tomorrow."

******

"Hey, you can stay here tonight. I think Alex is staying with Tobin since Amy is gone," Kelley said while pouting as Hope gathered her things.

"I would love to but I have a game tomorrow so I need a clear head, plus I would have to walk all the way to my dorm in the morning to just come back this way to the field," Hope reasoned and continued to put her shoes on.

Kelley loved spending time with the keeper and wasn't ready to let her go yet, "How bout I stay with you then? I can give you a nice back massage before you fall asleep and ensure that you are well-rested for your game." She put on her best puppy eyes and smallest smirk to try to convince the senior.

Hope sighed, debating on the way she should answer to make sure she didn't hurt her, "Kels, I would love to cuddle you but tomorrow's game is super important. We are playing the fifth best ranked team in the country. We need to get this win early on in our season." She made her way to the freshman and planted a firm kiss on the corner of her mouth, "Tomorrow night, I'm all yours."

That immediately made Kelley smile, "Okay, I hope you keep your clean sheet because then we can dirty yours." A mischievous wink followed that comment which made Hope actually blush.

******

Alex tugged at the covers because she was freezing only to find that Tobin had a death grip on them. "Fucking ass," she mumbled to herself before deciding to just get up and get ready. She left the dorm as quietly as possible before making her way down to her own room, hoping Hope and Kelley weren't having earlier morning sex. Thankfully, Kelley was fast asleep since it was only 7:30am. Alex quickly changed into a soccer hoodie and some sweats before heading out to grab a quick breakfast and bringing something back for her sleeping girlfriend.

"Um hi, can I get two breakfast burritos to go and a small latte?"

The worker quickly typed in the order before looking up, "Alex?"

Alex stopped digging in her wallet and looked at the campus worker. Her eyes went big as she realized who she was talking to, "Oh hi, Serv. I forgot you also went here. Small world." He was the last person she wanted to run into. All she wanted was her burritos and to leave. Thankfully, the long awkward pauses meant her burritos were already made and in the bag. Alex quickly slapped down a $10 bill before rushing out.

After speed walking for a couple of minutes, she soon realized that she had forgotten the coffee and definitely underpaid. The moment of guilt quickly passed when she remembered why she was in such a hurry to get out of there. A shudder ran down her spine before letting out a sigh of relief when she stepped foot into her dorm building.

******

Tobin stirred, reaching for Alex but her arm hit nothing but mattress. Letting out a groan, she turned face down into her pillow because she did not want to know the time. A weight sat down next to her and a hand started playing with her hair.

"Wake up, sleepyhead. I got you food," Alex's calm voice rang throughout the room."

"Time, what is?" Tobin managed to mumble out, turning deeper into the sheets.

Alex moved on top of her girlfriend, "It is time to eat with your superstar girlfriend o'clock." That got Tobin laughing.

"Okay get off of me and I'll eat with you." Alex stood back up and dropped the bag on the edge of the desk, "One breakfast burrito for you."

Tobin stretched her arms, yawning, "No coffee?" She was only joking but Alex cringed at the question, "Hey, I was only kidding. I can grab some before your game."

Alex pulled Tobin's desk chair over to the bed, "Yeah sorry, I was trying to rush so I could get back before you woke up, but apparently that wasn't happening anytime soon."

The two ate in relative silence, scarfing down their food. "Are you nervous about today?" Tobin asked sensing something was up. Alex shifted her legs underneath her, "No, yeah. I don't know it's our first game against a ranked team and I don't want to fuck up or something." This was a partial lie because the incident from the morning was still in her head.

"You're. Going. To. Do. Great." Tobin emphasized with a kiss after every word. Alex smiled at the kisses before laughing, "You just lost your bet, dumbass." Tobin tilted her head in confusion before realizing what the bet was, "Damnit, I was doing so good with not kissing you. I guess I was just too nice to see you sad."

Alex was about to open up about what really happened but Tobin's phone rang, "Hey, mom! Yeah, the game is in like 3-4ish hours. Alex has to leave soon to go to the trainers and have a team meeting so I can meet up with you soon. Yeah, we can get lunch. See you soon."

"I'm gonna meet with my mom and walk the beach then get lunch and headover to watch the little superstar." Tobin explained before tossing the empty wrapper perfectly into the trash, "You better go shower and get packed."

"Wanna join me?" Alex poked with an eyebrow raised.

Even though Tobin badly wanted to, she had some work to get done before going out for the day, "Next time."

******

Tobin spotted Kelley in the stands when they arrived to the stadium, "Kelley! This is my mom, Cindy." Kelley politely stood and shook the older woman's hand, "It is so nice to meet you. I love hanging with your daughter."

The three socialized for awhile when JJ walked up and introduced herself. Soon the powwow of four were chatting along while watching the teams warm up. Finally, the game started with the bleachers packed.

Both Alex and Christen had opportunities but nothing fell. The backline was a slight mess but Hope made some pretty good saves to keep the game even going into half.

"Wow, Tobin, I wish you were out there. You could easily open up the midfield," Cindy offered knowing that her daughter missed the sport.

"I know but I don't mind being in the stands. The girls will clean it up in the second half."

Kelley scoffed, "I hope because Hope is bound to miss a shot eventually and I don't want to deal with her being all brooding and sad later."

Cindy was shocked that Kelley was so close to the keeper because the roster said she was a senior, "Oh, you're friends with the keeper? Did Alex introduce you two?"

For some reason, Kelley didn't filter what she wanted to say and just blurted out, "Oh no, I met Hope at a party and we kissed drunk, so now we're kind of a thing."

JJ and Tobin whipped their heads around to Kelley with wide eyes. Tobin gulped because she has never known how her mom viewed the LGBTQ+ community. Cindy was taken back a bit but eventually responded, "Well I hope it works out for you two. And I hope she manages to keep her goal empty."

Tobin let out a big sigh but Cindy continued talking, "JJ, are you dating anyone on the team?" It was now JJ turn to freak out internally, "Um yeah, Christen, the other forward. We went to high schools near each other."

Again, Cindy just nodded and looked at her own daughter. "Tobin, I may be a mom but I also have a masters so don't peg me for being dumb. But, I think you left out an important detail last night over dinner. Are you and Alex more than friends?"