“Shit Tina!  Are you alright?  You are bleeding!”  Tina looked over at her knee and cursed.

“Damn, well I always do that and when that guy threw me on the ground it reopened a wound.  Damn it was almost healed!”  Tina quickly wiped it up with her sock and dumped water to clean it a bit.  Bette cringed and couldn’t believe how at ease Tina was with her wounds and bruises.  Bruises..fuck soccer is brutal.

“Tina lets get you cleaned up before we eat.  And then I can talk to you straight.”  Bette seemed uncomfortable with the idea of her wounds and outcome of hard play.

“Bette it’s normal trust me.  Ask Lara or Dana.  In fact look at them, they look like me or worse. Lara!  Shit need a band aid?  Ow, your elbow!”  Tina was looking at Lara’s elbow that had opened up.  Tina handed her her sock.

“Thanks T, yea gross huh?  Why do you always use socks to mop up blood?  No wonder you buy so many!”  Lara looked at Bette

“Bette its normal trust me.  In college it was worse and we play with broken bones sometimes.  Get used it.  Tina will play with the flu or in a coma.”  Bette smiled at the thought that Tina had such a passion for a sport.  Bette wanted to see this Tina swim..and race her.  Competition is healthy for a relationship…relationship?

“Tina, do you need to go home first before we eat?”  Lara was laughing at Bette.

“No way Bette, Tina I am guessing is hungry and want to go eat.  Bette, just get used to the smells and blood at our games.”

“Bette I am good, thanks though.  Ready?”  Tina stood up and smiled at her friends.

“We gonna see you all at Hodads?”  Tina grabbed Bette’s hand.  Bette looked sort of grossed out seeing that Tina’s hand was covered in sweat and god knows what else.  She liked that Tina was comfortable with the cute gesture.

“T, we will see you there at Hodad’s.  Gonna grab Papi and Alice as well.”  Bette thought, no not Alice!

“Ok, see you then.  Come on Bette parking is a bitch on Newport on Friday nights.”  Bette was pulled by Tina to her car and Tina leaned in for a quick kiss that became more passionate.  Bette forced her tongue into Tina’s mouth and pulled her close to her body.  Tina moaned in Bette’s mouth dueling with her tongue as well.

“Nice, is that my reward for winning?”  Tina had a grin on her face.  Bette like the taste of the salt on Tina’s lips.

“Your reward is coming soon Tina, you will see.”  Bette kissed her one more time and traced her mouth with her tongue.  Tina wanted another kiss, but Bette scurried around the car.

“You hungry babe?”   Tina couldn’t believe how at ease she was with Bette.  She expected to be nervous and retarded with her.  Tina never thought it would be so easy to talk to someone and be attracted to them at the same time.  Is that how it is supposed to be?

“Yea I am starving.  You sure you want to go to Hodad’s?  I mean we can go somewhere else, like In-n-Out?”  Bette looked over and smiled. 

“Tina, where ever is fine, if it is with you.”  Tina wanted to just die.  No one has ever been so kind to her.  Eric ws charming and funny, but not as caring as Bette.  Tina reached over for Bette’s hand and smiled.

“ I didn’t think it’d be this easy for me to be with you.  Being with you makes me feel comfortable and safe.  Can we take this slow?  I want you, I do, I want it right though.”  Tina could feel her voice crack and dry up.  Bette squeezed her hand as she parked the car.  Bette reached over took Tina’s face in her hands and kissed her softly.

“Baby, we can take it as slow as you want.  I want this too, not just about me wanting you, but knowing you.”  Bette winked and gave her best smile she could and kissed her again.  Tina parted her lips and wanting her tongue to be in Bette’s mouth.  They kissed for a few minutes and looked at each other.

“This will be fun, yes?”  Tina had worried eyes as she looked at Bette.

“Of course Tina and more than fun, romantic.” Bette looked into Tina’s eyes touched her face and kissed her one more time