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morganamysticblog · 4 years

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Royal Romance - Book 2 - Fanfic - Part 4

Heather sat at her table in McDonalds staring at her phone after listening to Drake’s message. She had wanted him to call, to come after her, to come with her. But now, she wasn’t sure. Drake had family in Texas. If she told him who she really was, the princess of the Riley Oil dynasty, what would he think? Would he look at her the same way? He thought she was a simple girl from New York, a waitress, just a regular girl. But she wasn’t, was she.

Everyone wondered how she could fit in with the royals so easily. She had been trained for years, attending functions with her parents at various galas, award ceremonies, and parties at her own house. She was one year short of her own debutante ball when her world came crashing down. Her parents died in a tragic car crash shortly after her 16th birthday. Who knew a deer could cause so much damage.

Drake would see her as one of “them”. One of the nobles he hated so much. He would tell her she lied to him. And in a way, she did.

To her credit, no one asked her about her past. They never asked where she came from, about her parents, anything. They were content with who she was now. They all saw her as a strong, independent woman who could handle any situation. That’s exactly what she needed to be now.

Looking at the phone one more time, she opens a text message to Drake.

HEATHER – What do you want, Drake? (send)

HEATHER - Well, we’ll see what response I get.

Heather picks up her trash and throws it away, then leaves McDonalds to go back to her hotel room.

On the walk back to the hotel, she sees Liam still sitting on the bench in the park.

HEATHER – I can’t believe I’m even thinking this. I can’t believe I still have feelings for him. Ugh, why does he have to be so sweet? I should hate him. But I don’t.

Heather walks over to the park and to Liam.

HEATHER – Hey.

LIAM – Heather! I didn’t think I’d see you again.

HEATHER – Look, this is going to sound really weird, but consider this an experiment…for research purposes.

LIAM – Ok? (an intrigued look appears on his face)

HEATHER – I don’t want you to read anything into this. Like I said, it’s purely for research purposes.

LIAM – Of course.

HEATHER – Ok, so we’ve never kissed, right?

LIAM – Correct. Although that is definitely a regret I have.

HEATHER – Um, well, for research purposes, I want to. Just once. For research.

LIAM – For research purposes. You know I would do anything for you. If this helps, I am happy to help.

Liam stands and takes a step toward Heather, slowly placing his hands on her waist. They lean toward each other, lips touching in a soft, gentle kiss. After a few seconds, they part, but only for a blink of an eye. They come together again, this time more heated. The passion in Liam’s kiss, the feel of his hands sliding around to the small of her back. Heather’s knees go a little weak and she begins seeing sparks behind her closed eyelids. A minute later, they finally pull away from each other.

LIAM – Was that acceptable for your research? If not, I would be happy to continue.

HEATHER – I…uh, yeah, I think that was acceptable.

LIAM – Will I see you again before I have to leave for Shanghai tomorrow morning?

HEATHER – I don’t know. I really need to be alone for a while.

LIAM – Whenever you are ready for some company, I am always here for you.

HEATHER – Thank you. Take care of yourself, ok?

LIAM – I will.

Heather walks away and heads back up to her hotel room.

HEATHER – Oh my God, Jackson. Liam is a REALLY good kisser. Oh wow. Ok, did not see that coming. I mean Drake is good too, but it always seemed a little forced at first with him. But with Liam…fireworks. Ok…I need to think.

Just then Heather’s phone buzzes with a text from Drake.

DRAKE’S MESSAGE – I want to talk. Call me.

Heather – What do you think Jackson? Should I call him?

JACKSON – Aroof!

HEATHER – Ugh. Ok. (Dials Drake’s number)

DRAKE – Riley!

HEATHER – Hey. By the way, you do know my name is Heather, right? We’re not in the military. I don’t normally go by my last name.

DRAKE – Huh? Oh…yeah. I just, it’s just been my thing for a while now. Kind of a habit.

HEATHER – I know. So, what did you want to talk about?

DRAKE – I, uh, well…

HEATHER – Drake…look, I don’t want you to feel obligated to anything just because of the message I left you this morning. I get it. You don’t feel the same way. And maybe I read too much into things.

DRAKE – No, that’s not it, well, not all of it.

HEATHER – Right.

DRAKE – Riley…Heather…I know I haven’t been great with the whole opening up thing. Some walls are harder to take down than others. I do care about you. I’m just really not used to letting people in. And after this morning, it seems like the world is upside down. I don’t know how to handle that.

HEATHER – I think you need to decide how you want your life to be. Without the palace, without the drama, just you, like when you were in college. How does Drake Walker want his life to go? I know you don’t like thinking about your future, but you should. Especially now.

DRAKE – You and my sister must be sharing the same brain today. She pretty much said the same thing.

HEATHER – Well, I think you should take her advice.

DRAKE – I just don’t want you to think the last few months have been nothing for me. Because they’ve been amazing, actually. You’re amazing. I just…if we got together, what could I possibly offer you? I’m basically a homeless bum right now. The only place I could possibly go would be to my mom’s ranch in Texas. And I don’t know if you would even like being in the middle of nowhere, back in the States.

HEATHER – I don’t know what I want to do right now, Drake. Look, I think we both should just take some time, think about things, where we want our lives to go, where we want to be. Just promise me you’ll at least keep in touch, ok?

DRAKE – Of course I will. We’ll talk soon, ok?

HEATHER – Yeah, sure. Bye. (hangs up the phone)

HEATHER – Ugh, that could have gone a lot better. He still can’t let go of those walls, that defense against everybody, even me. I need some serious third party help here. (Heather dials her friend, Daniel’s, phone number)

DANIEL – Gurl!!! OMG where have you been? You disappear into thin air, then a few weeks later I see your picture in some foreign news feed, looking major hot by the way, and then some other pic with some dork rich guy. What gives?

HEATHER – I’m sorry, I totally should have called you a long time ago. It’s been crazy. That bachelor party you stuck me with? Yeah, the “bachelor” was actually Prince Liam of Cordonia. Some little country in Europe. He had to find a wife, so they brought me there to join in on the whole fight for the Prince thing. It’s been a major roller coaster since then.

DANIEL – Oh wow girl. Ok, so where are you now?

HEATHER – Paris.

DANIEL – Daaaaang!! Must be nice.

HEATHER – It’s beautiful here, but the last couple months have been hell.

DANIEL – Oh, I am so sorry Heath. What can I do to help?

HEATHER – Actually…I need your advice. I’m going to send you two pics. You tell me which one, just off looks, you would pick. Then I’ll give you more scoop to pro/con this.

DANIEL – Ooooh, check out hot guys for you? Any time girl.

Heather forwards the pictures of Liam and Drake to Daniel.

DANIEL – Oh dayum!! I only get to pick one?

HEATHER – I know, right?

DANIEL – Ok, so what’s going on? Why are we choosing only one hottie?

Heather describes what has happened over the past few months with Liam and Drake. All of the time she has spent with each of them, the betrayal from Liam, the closed off treatment from Drake, and the feelings she has for both of them.

DANIEL – Wow. I do not envy you at all. That is a rough decision.

HEATHER – Why do you think I called you? I need your help Daniel. Ugh, I am living The Bachelorette for real. Ok, so based on everything I told you, imagine you’re watching it on TV. Which one are you shouting at the screen for me to choose?

DANIEL – You know me so well. Ha ha ha.

HEATHER – I’ve watched enough seasons with you. Of course I know you.

DANIEL – Well, looks wise Drake is definitely hotter. And it sounds like you have some serious heat chemistry between you. But he’s majorly afraid of commitment. Liam, on the other hand, still hot, and sounds super sweet, romantic, the perfect TV fantasy prince. Major Prince Charming vibe.

HEATHER – Yeah, I know. But he lied to me. And not like a little lie like I don’t like peas, but I’ll eat them anyway because you cooked them kinda thing, like major life altering lie.

DANIEL – Yeah, but you said he’s been looking for this guy in the picture with you, right? And he said the only reason he didn’t tell you was to protect you from his father.

HEATHER – Yeah, I guess.

DANIEL – And which one of them came after you when you left this morning?

HEATHER – Liam.

DANIEL – And which one has been camped out in the park by your hotel all day?

HEATHER – Liam.

DANIEL – And which one called only to be cryptic extreme?

HEATHER – Drake.

DANIEL – If it were me, I know what decision I would make. And he’s probably still sitting right outside your window.

HEATHER – I hate when you make sense, you know that?

DANIEL – You wouldn’t have called for my expert advice if it was going to be an easy decision. But, in your heart, you know who you want.

HEATHER – You’re right. But how do I tell Drake? I mean, I told him I loved him on the message this morning. That he was the one I wanted.

DANIEL – I think after how he’s pushed you away and blown you off this whole time, he will understand. He may be hurt, but he pretty much did it to himself. Just be gentle with him, ok?

HEATHER – I will. Daniel, as always, you are the absolute best friend ever!!! Loves ya lots!!!

DANIEL – Loves ya too gurl!!! Don’t wait so long between calls next time, ok?

HEATHER – I won’t. I promise.

DANIEL – And I better get an invite to the wedding!!

HEATHER – You will. Take care.

DANIEL – You too. Bye.

Heather hangs up the phone and goes to the windows overlooking the Eiffel Tower park. Just as Daniel predicted, Liam is still sitting on the bench, still scrolling through pictures on his phone. Even from this height and distance, she can see he’s crying.

HEATHER – Come on Jackson. Time to go for a walk.

JACKSON – Woof!

Heather heads downstairs and across the street to the park…to Liam.

Liam hears Jackson’s bark from the end of the block. He looks up and sees Heather walking toward him. He quickly wipes his eyes and smooths down his jacket.

LIAM – Hello again. I wasn’t sure…

But before Liam can finish his sentence, Heather closes the distance between them and kisses him. Slow and gentle at first, but with progressing passion. He wraps his arms around her pulling her closer to him. Opening her mouth with his, running his tongue along hers. The rest of the world disappears around them, it is just the two of them together. Finally, reluctantly, they part.

LIAM – Wow. That was…there are no words. Let me guess, more research?

HEATHER – No. A decision.

LIAM – A decision? I don’t understand. I thought…wait, you’re saying…after everything, you want to be with me?

HEATHER – Yes. And don’t make me regret it either. If you EVER lie to me again…

LIAM – Never. I swear to you. Every thought, every decision, everything will be the truth. I must say, though, I am a bit confused. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely happy. But, I thought you wanted Drake. That he was the one for you.

HEATHER – I like Drake, yes. And I thought it could work with him. But I want someone who is open with their feelings, their thoughts. Someone who is not ashamed to open up, to yell at the top of a building that I’m the one they want. I don’t think Drake could ever do that. Something would always hold him back.

LIAM – I am so sorry you have had to endure all of this. I will do everything in my power to show you how much I love you.

HEATHER – I know you will. That’s why I’m here.

LIAM – You have excellent timing. I was actually getting ready to leave in a few minutes to go to the opera. I have been debating all day whether I actually wanted to go or not and just decided a few minutes ago that I would, just to take my mind off everything for a little while. I would love for you to join me.

HEATHER – I would like that, but I don’t think Madeleine would be very happy if I was there.

LIAM – She won’t be there. She’s working on our travel arrangements to Shanghai tomorrow. Something came up with the plane or the hotel or something and she insisted on handling it herself. I will have a private box all to myself.

HEATHER – No Madeleine? Private box?

LIAM – Yes. A private box for us if you’ll accompany me.

HEATHER – But I left all the gowns and formal wear on the train.

LIAM – I saw a boutique not far from here if you would like to pick something out. I’d be more than happy to get you anything you want.

HEATHER – Looks like we’re going shopping then. Oh…what about Jackson? Just let me put him back in the room really quick.

LIAM – Of course. And Heather…

HEATHER – Yes?

LIAM – Thank you.

HEATHER – For what?

LIAM – For believe in me. For being here with me. For being you. I promise we will get through this. I will continue my efforts to locate Tariq. I want to do everything I can to help clear the scandal my father caused. I want to be the one at the top of the building declaring my love for you to the world. And I want to be able to break off this engagement to Madeleine as quickly as possible. I want to be with you…only you.

HEATHER – We’ll get it figured out.

LIAM – Yes, we will. Together! Oh, I just remembered…Shanghai…you are coming, aren’t you? I apologize. What I meant to say is, would you please join me in Shanghai? This may sound selfish, but I want to spend as much time with you as I possibly can. And not to distract you or keep you from anything, but simply to be with you. My father will be there. We can find a way to confront him, get him to help us use his resources as well to locate Tariq.

HEATHER – I would love to go to Shanghai with you. We should get going if we’re going to the opera.

Heather gets Jackson back up to the hotel room. Hand in hand Liam and Heather stroll down the street to the boutique. Heather picks out a simple pink dress, changes, and they continue to the opera house and up to Liam’s private box.

This would tie back into the main story line with MC and Liam watching the opera together, or not watching…whichever version you choose.

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scouts-mockingbird · 6 years

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“Someday I’m going to call you and make you help me hook up with the hottest girl you’ve ever seen.”

JD beamed, “I promise.”

JD keeps his promise.

AO3 Link

JD tossed the stress ball some cheery-faced sophomore had handed him earlier up to the ceiling, catching it easily in his hand before tossing it again.

“Wow, fun night.” Heather Duke stood in his doorway, dressed to go out. “I knew you’d be a quiet roommate, but damn, you’re downright boring.”

He rolled his eyes. “Have a good night, Heather, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She shook her head, tossing her sleek auburn hair over her shoulder. “Nope. You’re having a good night too. We’re going out to a bar I heard about; they don’t card and tons of freshmen hang out there. We’ll meet people.”

“I don’t like people,” JD groaned, rolling over so he didn’t have to see Heather’s irritated and perfectly made-up face.

“Jason Alexander Dean, you are not going to sit in here all night moping about Veronica. I said we’re going out, and we’re going out. This is college and we’re going to have some fucking fun! Or else!”

“My middle name isn’t Alexander.”

“Do I look like I give a fuck?” Heather marched into his room and grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to face her. “Get up, get dressed. You have ten minutes.”

He didn’t have the willpower to argue with her, so after she’d left the room, he hauled himself out of bed to find a decent shirt.

Her critical eyes appraised him when he got to the door with five minutes to spare. “Oh good, you didn’t put too much effort in. I don’t want to compete with you for girls, y’know, since we have the same type.” Her smile was teasing, and her tone gentler than earlier, and JD got the impression that if he hadn’t shown up, she would have stayed in and watched a movie with him or something. A part of him wanted to ask her to, but she looked so excited.

“I don’t want to stay out too late,” He said, “I’m not exactly feeling social.”

She laughed. “Good, then you’re no competition at all.”

The bar was crowded, but not horribly so, and JD was pretty sure he recognized a couple people from orientation. That relaxed him slightly, and he managed to act somewhat naturally as he and Heather approached the bar together.

Abruptly, Heather stopped, gasping and digging her fingernails into his arm.

He stopped sharply. “Heather, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Her eyes had gone very round as she stared ahead, looking petrified. She choked on her words a couple times before finally squeaking, “She!”

JD’s eyes followed the direction she was pointing until he spotted the girl at the bar that had reduced Heather to this.

She was pretty, with short dark hair and wide, bambi-ish dark eyes that were currently staring absentmindedly at the shelves of bottles behind the bar.

Heather sighed. “Do you think she’s straight?”

JD looked at her again, tilting his head to assess her. She was wearing a crop top that said “Punk’s not dead” and a pink skirt so full it looked like it belonged in a ballet. He shook his head, “No way.”

“Oh my god, what do I do?” Heather looked up at him, as if he might have the secrets to hooking up with lesbians.

“Talk to her?”

Rolling her eyes, some of Heather’s usual attitude returned. “I can’t just talk to her! I don’t have anything to say! And she’s so… Shit, how the hell am I going to do this.”

A slow smile made its way onto JD’s face. “I could talk to her for you.”

Heather lifted one eyebrow, “And what would you say to her? Hey, my friend’s gay, you two should hang out!”

Snorting, JD shook his head. “No. I’ll go talk to her, and then you can rescue her from the annoying guy who’s trying to chat her up.”

“You would do that?”

“I once promised you I’d help you get with the hottest girl you’ve ever seen. I owe you.”

A smile broke across her face, so enormous JD swore the room got a little brighter, and she leaned in to hug him. “I love you. Don’t be a douche or anything though, I don’t want her to think I live with an asshole, or she won’t come over.”

“Don’t you think you’re planning ahead a little--”

“Just shut up and go talk to her!”

Laughing, JD obliged, sidling up to the bar next to the girl. “Hey.”

She looked up, snapped from whatever she’d been thinking about, and thoroughly unimpressed about it. “Hi.”

“So… are you a student?” He attempted a charming smile, but probably didn’t quite manage it. Everything about this girl screamed Not interested in you.

“Yeah, I’m a freshman.”

“What’s your major?” He was aware that he probably sounded like every asshole idiot that she’d spoken to since arriving on campus, but conversation with strangers wasn’t really his strong suit.

“Undecided.” She glanced away from him, fiddling with the straw in her almost empty drink.

“Me too, I was thinking english, but I’m not sure. I like music and architecture too.” After a long pause where she didn’t even look at him, JD said, “So, do you want another drink?”

With a beleaguered sigh, she looked up. “Look--”

“Oh my god, JD, there you are!” Heather moved in, shouldering her way between them. “Hi, I’m so sorry, my roommate is super awkward, was he bothering you?”

The girl smiled at Heather, glancing at her with less than subtle interest. “Not really. I’m Bex.”

“I’m Heather.” She held out her hand, and the other girl took it, presumably to shake, but both girls stood frozen, staring at each other.

JD backed away a step, watching as they dissolved into giggles, finally letting go of each other’s hands. Neither of them noticed his departure, so he backed further away.

After obtaining a much-needed drink, JD retreated to an unoccupied corner, keeping an eye on Heather to make sure she was doing okay. He watched her flirt from a distance, smiling unconsciously whenever she did. If anyone deserved this, it was Heather, and he hoped to god it worked out for her.

Eventually, just watching Heather have fun wasn’t enough to occupy him, so he dug out his phone and started messing around. He lost track of time, and was started when Heather skipped up to him almost an hour later.

“Guess who has a girl’s number and a coffee date on Tuesday!”

JD laughed and smacked Heather on the back. “Nice! I’m happy for you, Heath.”

She rolled her eyes at the nickname, but it didn’t dim her smile at all. “Ugh, I can’t believe that worked! You’re the best, thank you so much!”

They walked out of the bar together, and JD listened absently as Heather described, in perfect detail, every aspect of her conversation with Bex.

“I swear JD, she’s the coolest girl I’ve ever met,” She gushed, squeezing his arm.

“Great so I’m never going to have to do that again? I fulfilled the terms of my promise?”

Heather’s smile grew even broader, “And then some!”

#Heathers #Heather Duke #Jason Dean #Horseshoes and Hand Grenades #it's cute even if it's not super well written #I just felt inspired #enjoy

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mmroad · 7 years

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The Auction Chapter 12

Tobin strutted into Lexa's office at Clexa Corp. with a huge smile on her face after her morning off with Alex. Her skin was glowing. "Well if it isn't our own Casanova, Tobin Heath herself..." Lexa teased after putting aside her work on her desk and sliding her glasses farther down on her nose to get a better look.

"I sure hope whatever you were doing was worth it since you had to call off this morning...." Lexa joked. Tobin, clearly thinking of something else "I know, I know. I feel terrible for calling off, but I wanted to see Alex a little longer, and I didn't want her to just think I ditched her. You know I'm not a 'hit and quit it' type of girl. And Alex looked so peaceful while she was sleeping, and I..." Tobin would've kept rambling for hours had Lexa not stopped her. "Tobin! Tobinnnn...I was kidding. Geez, you haven't taken a single day off in years, and I have to beg you to not bring your laptop home on Christmas. You're fine. I hope your talk” she said with air-quotes “went well."

At that moment, Clarke waltzed in obviously entranced in her work, "Hey Babe, do you have the numbers for last month’s—” She finally noticed Tobin standing there. Clarke took one look and knew everything that happened the previous night. "Well someone had a good night with Alex Morgan." Clark cupped her hand around her mouth and nose toward her wife (as if Tobin couldn’t hear her) and whispered not too inconspicuously, "but how can you not with that body.” Lexa shook her head with a shy smile in agreement. "What. Whattt. I'm standing right here you guys. Plus, how did you know that we..." Tobin’s face was sanguine—if they weren’t sure before, they knew now—"did...yanno..." "Oh you're glowing, and besides, you smell like sex..." Clarke said matter of factly. Lexa hummed in agreement.

"Whaaaattt is with everyone thinking that you 'smell' after sex?" Tobin said to herself but also, unbeknownst to her, out loud. Her two bosses looked at her confused. Lexa ventured, "Uhm...you always smell after sex; it’s—" Tobin interrupted. "No, only you guys smell after sex," she pointed laughingly at them, "because you do it in small cramped places like your car in the parking lot" she counted on her fingers with grand gestures as if playing charades, “the storage closet down the hall that you had cleaned out but never repurposed,” Tobin had made her point but was just having fun now, “and don’t get me started on—” “OK Tobin, we get it,” Clarke interrupted. Tobin blushed, she hadn’t been able to concentrate very well recently, "I mean yeah, you guys aren't subtle at all..." she trailed off laughing nervously.

"On that note, I'm gunna get to work" Tobin said in an obnoxiously upbeat voice as she gave both of her bosses a thumbs up and sauntered out. As she was walking out, she could hear Clarke whispering, "I told you someone would notice.”

As Tobin left work that day, she hurried over to her house to grab a change of clothes and a few essentials for the night. At a red light, she pulled out her phone just to make sure one more time. "Bring an overnight bag;)" Ugh, did Alex know how much those little words rattled around in Tobin’s head?

Tobin pulled in Alex's circle drive way a little after 7 and parked her car before the tip of the circle so as to not block the beautifully lit house from the street. As Tobin was climbing out of car with her overnight bag, Alex walked out the front door. "What are you doing...?" Alex’s voice shout out; she looked puzzled. Alex had obviously re-showered after practice and was now wearing her hair up in a very tight, very wet bun. Wearing a Cardinal Red Nike soft cotton tee and some Nike sweats with the courage insignia on the thigh, Alex was obviously embracing her team.

"Oh I...I…" Tobin stuttered after pointing back to her car, "I was just parking my car, but I can move it to the street if you w—" Alex cut Tobin off. "Tobin, the street? Really? You act like you're some one-night-stand." Alex said with a confident smile and her arms crossed over her chest. Tobin looked back at her a little nervous. "Bring your car over here, and pull it into the garage," Alex said as she turned around and motioned Tobin to follow her by throwing her hand back over her shoulder. "I know I seem crazy, but I don't have four cars to fit in there" Alex reiterated. Tobin snapped out of her trance and smiled. Alex was treating Tobin like a long-term girlfriend, not a lapse in judgment—this was intentional. Some would be scared by the steps, the benchmarks, that had apparently been skipped in their relationship, but Tobin couldn't have been happier. Seven years had been too long. They needed to make up for lost time.

Alex opened up the garage door and Tobin looped around and pulled her car in, and Alex hit the button to close the door. Tobin walked up to Alex standing in the doorway. "V. I. P. treatment I see..." Tobin said with a smirk, "Do you do this for all your guests?" "Only the ones I really, really like," Alex said sensually as she caressed Tobin’s chin, up to behind her ear, and back into Tobin’s thick hair. "So, you really like me, aye?" Tobin pretend to be confused, trying very, very hard to stay on topic. "After last night, I think it’s pretty clear how I feel," Alex said in a low voice as she slowly leaned in to kiss Tobin. Tobin met Alex's lips with the same vigor. They both took in every crevice of the others soft lips. "Man, I could get used to coming home to this..." Tobin said softly after they pulled apart.

Alex just laughed and grabbed Tobin's hand pulling her into the house behind her. "C'mon silly, I made dinner" Alex said as she dragged Tobin to the kitchen. "Wow and she cooks, too" Tobin commented from behind. When Tobin walked into the kitchen she could see a few candles strewn around the countertops and the table along with 2 cups of red wine on either side of a pizza box. "Alexxxx, you said you made dinner," Tobin complained laughingly, "and last time I checked, your kitchen is not ‘Charlie’s Pizza and Italian Edible.’ " "Yeah, you see the thing is..." Alex explained half-heartedly in-between sips of her red wine, "Don’t tell anyone, but…I can't really cook." Tobin’s giggling erupted into a tear-extracting cackle.

Alex went on as if Tobin could listen in her state, "You made such an amazing meal the other night, and I wanted to repay you...but this is all I got," Alex said putting her hands up in, palms out, the air in defeat. When as the laughs began to trickle and she caught her breath, Tobin walked over to Alex who was turned around looking at the table and put her arms around her waist pulling Alex’s back to her chest. They both looked at the small yet momentous table-setting. So many nights were unjustly past with these two apart. Whether a four-course meal or a store-bought pizza, it was perfect; it was right. "I love it, thank you." Tobin slowly whispered into Alex ear and quickly progressed into a hot kiss in the middle of the kitchen.

When their lips parted, and their eyes met only inches apart, Tobin smiled. Then spontaneously, Tobin unraveled herself from Alex’s embrace and went straight for the pizza box, opened it, and pulled out a steamy hot piece of cheese pizza. A string of cheese came with the piece as she pulled it higher and higher as if each fiber were hanging on for dear life. She had gone nearly two feet from the table before the last filament accepted defeat and succumb to gravity. Tobin gazed with a twinkle.

With a mouthful of pizza, Tobin turned to Alex: "you remembered." Alex smiled back at the girl who seemed so much like a child. "Plain cheese is pretty boring, but yes, yes I did," Alex said with a smug smile as she pulled her wine glass up to her lips. For some reason, everything Alex said that seemed to fit with Tobin. They were like two parallel cosmic rays, together for eternity in their trip through the universe.

The girls gulped down their pizza and wine at warped speed. Once every crumb was picked out of the corners of the pizza box, Alex looked up at Tobin giving her big, knowing eyes. "I think we should talk now," Alex said as she stood up from her place at the table. Tobin nodded and followed Alex into the living room. They both planted themselves on the couch, each mirror images with one leg hanging off the sofa, and the other, under her to make a “4,” so they to look directly at the other.

It was quiet, Tobin opened her mouth and was about to make the first move, but Alex interrupted her and took control. "You did all the hard talking last night, Tobin. Let me start this one." Tobin silently agreed to allow Alex to lead this dance.

"Tobin..." Alex said looking into Tobin's eyes. Alex thought for a second. She remembered the very first time she ever took a free kick, way before she even met Tobin, way before she was getting paid to play, way before she really knew the beautiful game at all. In that moment with Tobin, Alex thought back to what Coach Press told her before she took that kick: ‘Trust yourself, Alex, and just do what you have to do.’ Trust yourself. Alex knew what she had to do. "I'm just going to come right out and say it: I love you, and I've always loved you. And I'm not trying to scare you, but I want, no I need, to be honest. I want whatever this is..." she motioned in between the girl with her hands "I want this and more. I don’t want this to be just a hook up. I want you to be my girlfriend. I want you to live in this giant house. I want to marry you." Tobin's eyes just about popped out of her head. Seeing Tobin, Alex clarified, "I want to marry you someday. Not today, but someday." Alex could see the sigh of relief as Tobin exhaled. "Like I said yesterday, this house is way too big for one person. I want to fill it with many little humans and to raise them with someone I love. I don’t want this to be too much for you; I don’t want to drive you away," she continued, "but you need to know where I stand and what I want the future to look like so that, if you're not game, we don't start something that will end poorly again." Alex took a deep breath as she finished her monologue and now intently looked to Tobin for her response.

Tobin took a second to let what the girl across from her had said sink in. She could see the anxiety hiding behind Alex's eyes. "Alex..." Tobin reached over to grab her hand and looked into her eyes, "I want every bit of what you just said.” She could see Alex's smiling pulling up her face. "But how about you let me have you to myself for a little bit before we bring any little ones into this picture," Tobin said with an even bigger smile. Alex laughed "Yeah maybe we should go on a real date first." "A real date?" Tobin questioned jokingly. "You don't consider Saturday's dinner a real date?" "Well, honestly, I’ve had worse.” They both giggled.

A cool sense of reality struck Tobin as the events of that night played through her head. "Yeah, you're right. We need something better." "Movie night...right now," Alex said as she shrugged her shoulders. "She's the Man?" Tobin tossed with a devilish smile. Alex rolled her eyes, "You're twenty-six, and that's still your favorite movie?" "You bet your ass it is. Amanda Bynes pre-breakdown, you can't beat it!" Tobin chirped back. "Whatever you want," Alex said as she turned off the lights around the room, opened the credenza, retrieved the Apple TV remote, and threw it to Tobin.

The soccer player plopped right down next to Tobin on the shorter part of the L-shaped couch and pulled her in close to her body. Once Tobin set up the movie, she wiggled into Alex’s body, placing her head in Alex's lap while sticking her legs out the length of the long couch. Tobin didn't look up to see if Alex cared that she was lying in her lap, but when Tobin felt Alex's long fingers running though her hair and, at the same time, gliding ever so lightly over her exposed skin by the arm of Tobin’s t-shirt, she knew Alex was more than okay with having Tobin there. The light touches seemed to lull Tobin straight to sleep. Alex noticed the slow, even breathing, but could not pull them up to bed before capitulating to sweet sleep. The rest of the movie played out in front of closed eyes.

#clexa #USWNT #uswntsoccer #alex morgan #tobin heath #uswntfanfic #clarke griffin #lexa #fanfic #the auction #soccer

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sportsandfitnessinfo · 7 years

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Smells Like Team Spirit: Altitude Training at Camp Brooks

The FBG/Brooks Running connection isn’t anything new. We’ve been part of their blog ambassador program for years (and that means you’re likely to find some affiliate links here, so if you see something you like, we’d be honored if you purchased through our link! Each year, either Jenn or I have attended the annual trip Brooks puts on for us (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013). I’m not alone in saying that we’ve formed a really tight knit community with the other bloggers in the program — seeing them each year is an absolute highlight.

I adore these women SO HARD. (Find all their blogs at the bottom of the post!)

But what I hadn’t realized until my recent trip to Albuquerque for Altitude Camp with Brooks is that this feeling of being a team? It’s not unique to the bloggers. It’s a huge part of the Brooks culture — a part that we saw firsthand while spending a weekend training and learning with the Brooks Beasts (a group of middle-distance professional athletes based in Seattle, but attending a few weeks of Altitude Camp in New Mexico).

(Before I tell you all about camp, let me be clear — Brooks generously paid for my travel and accommodations, and also hooked me up with some sweet gear that I’ll share later in the post, but I’m under no obligation to write about it all, so anything you read? That’s all me, baby. If I say it rocked, it rocked. The end.)

Meet the Camp Counselors

The weekend started on a hilarious note with an introduction to the Beasts who’d be our “camp counselors” for the weekend. They introduced each other, sharing their teammates’ accomplishments, some funny and surprising facts (like, I now know who really likes spending time in their robe, who will feed you pancakes … but only if you catch them in your mouth, and who’s been detained in a foreign country for unwittingly crossing the border on a long run without a passport), and the affection (not to mention admiration) they felt for one another was evident.

The introductions were followed by a fascinating presentation on the benefits (and risks) of altitude training by the team’s physiologist, Dr. Corey Hart. There was a whole lotta knowledge dropped in a short amount of time, but one of the key takeaways for those of us living at sea level is something I’d also learned in my USAT training: if you’re gonna race at altitude, either show up less than two days before your race or plan to be there for a minimum of 10-17 days prior to race day. In between? Nope, nope, nope.

Track Time

Then, it was off to the track, where the team building really got going. We were broken into several teams, each with a couple other bloggers, some other athletes/influencers/editors, and two Beasts as our coaches. Team Yellow (which was NEVER mellow) totally lucked out with Jess Tonn and Izaic Yorks — they were positive and encouraging gave us some great dynamic stretches, which you know I am all about.

Here’s the gear we were provided: Pick Up Tank (although, sorry, had to be there to get the Altitude Camp graphic), Juno Bra (not pictured but hella supportive) and 5″ Chaser Running Shorts — I’ve been wearing the heck out of my 3″ Chasers, and found the 5″ to be a nice option for days when I want to flash a little less booty. We also checked out the Greenlight Running Capris (not pictured here), which were a huge hit with the group.

I really loved having a chance to go all out in a group like this. There were some elite runners there, as well as some runners who were more my speed, but there’s something about giving absolutely everything you have in a workout — and knowing others around you are doing the same. We might not have run the same pace (lol forever), but we were all there, sweating and cheering each other on, and the energy was infectious.

(This is where I probably need to give a shoutout to my teammate Dan — who I’d known for all of maybe five minutes — for forcibly keeping me upright after that last 200m effort. Otherwise I might still be flat on my back on the track.)

Hey, it was St. Paddy’s Day — what was I gonna do, wear normal shoes?

Launch 4 pictured here. You can’t get the special St. Patrick’s day design anymore, but there are still a bunch of fun colors (plus Boston Launch 4)!

(Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing the workout with you guys soon. Stay tuned.)

After the track workout, we had a group dinner at the hotel while listening to Coach Danny Mackey talk about how he works with the Beasts, and how each one of his athletes works differently and it’s his job to bring out the best in them.

The most powerful part for me — and I think for a lot of people, really — was how passionately he talked about that team atmosphere, and how important it was that any new athlete joining their team not only bring the required athletic talent, but also the right attitude. That’s not to say there are no egos — this is an elite team of professionals, with Olympians and world record holders and people who are very much used to winning — but when you bring that kind of drive and pour it not only into your own workouts, but into your teammates’, you get some real magic. I’m so excited to see what the Beasts accomplish in the coming years.

Running Trails With New and Old Friends

I think everyone was seriously excited about the trail run at Michial M. Emery Bear Canyon Trail, but I’ll admit, I was also a little nervous. This is a fast group and even if I could keep up, I also wanted to enjoy this run and take in the scenery. Fortunately (for me — less fortunately for some of them), a few of my fellow bloggers were running a little slower than usual (pregnancy and injuries), so I had a photography-friendly group with me as I kicked up dirt and searched for sunbeams.

All of us were ready to run … and all wearing (mostly) the same gear!

All suited up here in the Caldera Trail-Running Shoe, which everyone seemed to really love (myself included) and Cascadia Shell Running Jacket, which — fun fact — has tons of ventilation and packs down into its own front pocket.

Running mountainous trails at an elevation of over 6,000 feet is not the easiest thing for a Florida girl who lives in a city with literally one hill, but I’d be shocked if I stopped smiling at any point. It was just too beautiful.

Cactus: not recommended. Calderas? Definitely recommend.

Well, maybe once, when I almost ran into a cactus. Pro tip: When running in the desert, don’t touch the cacti. You are welcome.

#WORTHIT

Lunching and Learning

After an inspiring run (seriously, the weather was just perfect, the company sublime … I wish I could bottle that feeling and take it home), we wrote down how running made us feel (I went with “invicible”) and headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and then lunch with Brooks Beasts’ nutritionist Kyle Pfaffenbach. His primary message: every body is different, so it’s important to find nutrition that works for you. And it’s not only about what makes one’s body function best — he also puts a serious focus on what each athlete wants, because forcing them to follow a diet they hate, even if it benefits their performance, won’t work in the long run.

But, as Dr. P said, you can’t outrun a bad diet — and that’s not only true at the elite level. (So eat yo’ veggies and protein, guys, and don’t skimp on the recovery drink. I’ll have more on this on Fit Bottomed Eats coming soon.)

The learning continued in breakout sessions. We shared our favorite running gear and apparel, discussed why we run, and then got the scoop on what really goes into designing new Brooks shoes. Hint: some of the athletes wear test and provide feedback on them, which not only helps the finished product rock, but also gives these world class athletes a real feeling of ownership over the shoes they’re wearing when they walk up to the start line.

Okay, granted, they don’t look super jazzed here. But I SWEAR it was a really lively conversation, and it was awesome to hear how passionate these runners (Nick Symmonds, Katie Mackey, Drew Windle and Garrett Heath) are about their shoes and the Brooks Running brand.

Eating Like a Champ at the Beasts’ House

Our final event was a trip to the house all the Beasts were living in while in New Mexico for a cookout. But first, we broke up into our teams one last time for an energy bar contest. Team Yellow came in second place (although I maintain we were robbed — who’s gonna vote against our Balls From Heaven?), and were rewarded with a prime spot in the beer line. It was definitely shaping up to be my kind of night.

Nice digs, huh? Wait ’til you see the view.

We enjoyed chips and guac, burgers (veggie with green chilies and cheese for me), but, most importantly, conversation. I chatted with lots of the Beasts about all kinds of things — Drew Windle about what he wants to do when he’s done running professionally, Katie Mackey about her 11-mile tempo runs (ZOMG), Garrett Heath about … how hard it is to find beach parking in Florida? Ugh, I am so awkward. I swear I’m more interesting than that. But hey, he was totally nice about it (and probably learned some very valuable lessons, right?). I also learned that Cas Loxsom has super fast reflexes during a heated game of Left, Right, Center. But this shouldn’t be all that surprising given what he does for a living, I guess.

It probably won’t make you even more jealous that I snapped this pic surrounded by a bunch of super-friendly pro runners, right?

If this seems like a long recap, let me just say that the amount I had to leave out is probably double what I wrote. Those Brooks peeps sure know how to pack in a weekend! But if you want to read a little more about our Albuquerque adventures, check out what the other bloggers on the trip had to say.

Jesica: rUnladylike

Anne: fANNEtastic Food

Janae: Hungry Runner Girl

Lora: Crazy Running Girl

Tina: Carrots ‘N’ Cake

Ashley: Healthy Happier Bear

Emily: Daily Garnish

Meghann: Meals and Miles

And I’d strongly recommend heading over to Instagram and checking out the #CampBrooks hashtag — you’ll get an inside look at the weekend, and I can almost promise you’ll find some fun new people to follow. I sure did!

But before you go, drop a comment below telling me why you run. Bonus points if you keep it to five words or less! I’ll go first: Because I CAN. —Kristen

Originally at :Fit Bottomed Girls Written By : Kristen

#Altitude, #Brooks, #Camp, #Like, #Smells, #Spirit, #Team, #Training #Fitness

#Altitude #Brooks #Camp #Like #Smells #spirit #Team #Training #Fitness

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