Chapter 3

  Tyra sat at the back of the conference room, reading a book on her phone while everyone watched the movie. It was lovely to see the team hanging out together and the more experienced players were doing a great job of including the new players. These tournaments were always tricky; three months was such a short time to get a team to gel together and when it didn’t work, the tensions always bled onto the field and affected the results. At least Tanya and Avery were snuggling together again. Every group of lesbian friends had one disaster couple; dysfunctional yet unable to resist each other; and it was just Tyra’s luck that she had to deal with that on her team this year. She’d played with them both before and was pretty sure she knew how to handle them. She breathed in deep and tried to focus on her book. Both Tanya and Avery were professional on the field, and she could trust them to bring their best selves to the games. They both seemed to thrive on being dramatic, so it was none of Tyra’s business unless it affected the rest of the team.

  “Are you doom scrolling your socials?” Gwen nudged her in the side. The gentle touch of her elbow shouldn’t be nice, it should be just like the way teammates nudged each other during a game. Being touched by Gwen really shouldn’t register at all and it especially shouldn’t send a shiver across her skin.

  “Hush. I’m reading.” She needed to push Gwen away a little.

  “Like, a book?”

  “Yes, like a book. I can read, you know.” She wasn’t just a cricket player, although she’d played at the highest levels since she was out of school, so most people pegged her as only a sports person. She did a quick calculation and realised she’d spent almost as long being a professional cricketer as she’d been a child.

  “Batting Lessons By Bradman.”

  “That’s not a book.” It should be—imagine if the legendary Don Bradman had written a book on batting technique—she’d read the fuck out of a book like that. She glanced over at Gwen, whose lightly tanned white skin looked softer in the dim light of the room, with shadows flicking over her as the movie played.

  “Isn’t it? I always imagined you would read some cricket book.”

  Tyra grinned. If only Gwen knew. “Yeah.”

  “I knew it. Which cricket book are you reading?” Gwen leaned in closer.

  “Softest Kinksters by Ali Williams.”

  Gwen’s mouth hung open for a second. “Hold on. What?”

  She navigated back to the cover and showed Gwen.

  “Hot.”

  “Yeah.”

  Gwen leaned in closer. “You like a bit of kink?”

  “To read.”

  “Oh.” Gwen’s disappointment would’ve been amusing on literally anyone else, but for some reason Tyra wanted to fix it, to show her that she could try some of the things she’d read about. Fuck, would she ever be bold enough to ask someone to tie her up? No, she liked being the captain; on field and in bed too. Loud bangs and crashes from the movie filled the room, and Tyra glanced up to see some half-naked man with sweaty skin fire a gun at some other bloke. Whatever.

  “What other good books have you read recently?”

  “I have a soft spot for Fiona Zedde’s work. I think I’ve read everything she’s written, and obviously I’ve read all the big name sapphic historicals, like Jae’s Backward to Oregon and Olivia Waite’s The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics. I loved KJ Charles’ Proper English.”

  “That’s a thing?”

  “What’s a thing?”

  “Sapphic historical fiction.”

  She grinned. “It’s a big old world out there. There’s a book for everything.”

  “Like?”

  “Fuck, I don’t know. Sports romance is huge but it’s mostly USA sports, like ice hockey and stuff.”

  “Cricket?”

  “You know, I don’t think I’ve heard of a cricket romance.”

  Gwen’s top lip curled up. “Why not? It’s the second biggest sport in the world after bloody soccer.”

  “I know that. I guess it’s because ... actually I don’t know. I’d definitely read a cricket book.”

  Gwen giggled. “I wouldn’t. Imagine how fucking annoying it would be if they got the details wrong.”

  “True. Maybe I’ll stick to cricket non-fiction.”

  Gwen leaned in closer. Her breath whispered against Tyra’s ear. “How did I not know you were a big reader?”

  She swallowed. “We haven’t talked much.”

  “We chat online all the time.”

  “About cricket.” Tyra wasn’t even sure how they started chatting online. It’d started so long ago. The movie rattled on, with more violence and drama. Judging by the whispers around the room, her and Gwen weren’t the only people ignoring the movie.

  “I remember the first text you ever sent me.”

  “You do?” She was floored by that because she didn’t. Remember, that was. It seemed like they’d been sledging each other for years via text messages. If she was asked about her friends in cricket, she’d definitely add Gwen’s name to the list because they always sledged each other in their DMs and chatted about every game. It was unusual to find someone as obsessed with their sport as herself; many of the other players were passionate but not obsessed.

  “Yes. Absolutely. You were the captain of the opposition when I did my hamstring and you sent me a lovely text about healing quickly.”

  Tyra swallowed. It hadn’t meant anything—just politeness—so why did the atmosphere between them crackle? “All captains should do that if someone gets injured in a game.”

  “And then you sent me another one when I returned after four years away.”

  “You are a classy batter. I was pleased to see you back on the field.” She would do that for anyone returning from injury, if she had their phone number or was connected on socials. This sport was a big community with everyone supporting each other, or at least, that’s how she wanted it to be, so that’s how she tried to act. When money and competition came into it, the ideals of community weren’t always upheld by everyone. Other people’s jealousy was a bitch that made it tricky to stay idealistic sometimes.

  Gwen grinned. “It was nice. And I loved your humility when I sent you a gif of me smashing the ball right back over your head three games later.”

  “It was a shit ball, way too short. It deserved to be treated like that.” Tyra grinned back because she knew where this was going.

  Gwen rested her hand on Tyra’s forearm. “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself.”

  She’d shrugged off the gif because she knew something Gwen didn’t. Being hit back over her head was a bowler’s worst nightmare—the rudest way a batter could show dominance—but she’d gained her revenge quickly, and her smile widened as she winked at Gwen. “I’m not being hard on myself. I got you out in the next over.”

  “What? No. I got out trying to sweep McMillan.” Gwen was technically correct, and her confusion sent a warm satisfying glow through Tyra’s chest.

  “Yes. And I was captain and I set you up for that.”

  Gwen leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. The movie had changed from gun fight sounds into two people arguing. Gwen closed her eyes, whispering to herself, her fingers drumming lightly against her arm. After a few minutes she sat up straight and pointed at Tyra.

  “Huh. So you did. You sly dog.”

  The initial satisfaction grew and she puffed out her chest as she tapped her finger on Gwen’s forearm. “You’ve always had a weakness against leg spin, especially with the field set the way I had it. After that first shot off a bad ball, I deliberately tempted you into some big shots during my over, then I shut down your favourite shots against McMillan with field placings, and you let your previous success get to your head with an attempted sweep. Top edge. Caught by Tanya. Gone.”

  Gwen bit her bottom lip. “I shouldn’t admire your captaincy when it worked so well against me. Damn it.”

  “Thank you. I’ll take that compliment.”

  “I will say that I’m glad you are my captain, not the opposition. This season is going to be fun.”

  “Yes, I hope so. We don’t really have any super stars, except Aditi, but we have a well-balanced side who are consistent players.”

  “Consistent?”

  “It helps with strategy because I can ask a player for a specific thing and know that they’ll deliver.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Tyra elbowed her, just as she had earlier this evening, and the same buzz spread over her skin again. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

  Chapter 4

  Gwen’s hamstring held up well through the first three weeks of pre-season training, and tomorrow would be their first game of the Cricket Slam season. She wasn’t worried about the game, more concerned about how she would keep herself fit and healthy through the season, because she’d fought so damned hard to be here. They had fourteen games in the season, basically two per week, so her fitness was going to be tested. Her opening partner and roommate, Aditi, finished up her call with her parents.

  “Want to go down to dinner?”

  “Sure.” Gwen put her phone on charge and followed Aditi out of their room and down the hall. The team had hired the whole floor for the season, and it’d quickly become familiar. Not home, but close enough. Tyra stepped out of her room, staring at a pile of papers. Her head was freshly shaved, and it made her cheekbones look amazing. Not just her cheekbones. Everything about her. Gwen breathed in slowly—imagine what that freshly shaved skin would feel like between her thighs. Tyra was incredibly beautiful. Simply stunning. And the worst—best—part was the Gwen had seen her naked and knew how fabulous she was under her loose training uniform.

  “Careful.”

  “What?” Tyra looked up absently. “Oh. Sorry.”

  “What are you sorry for?” Gwen asked.

  “Did I? No. Never mind.” Tyra made zero sense, a nonsense babble that only made sense if Tyra was nervous about tomorrow’s game. Tyra shuffled her papers. Yeah, definitely pre-game nerves.

  “It’s a home game, Tyra. We inspected the pitch yesterday and today. It’s nice and even, with no cracking and should play truly.”

  Tyra shuffled the papers. “That’s what I’m worried about. It looks like a batter’s pitch, so we need to win the toss and bat first.”

  “And make use of your two brilliant opening batters.” Gwen elbowed Aditi who chuckled.

  “Don’t stress, Captain. I’ve scored more runs chasing than batting first. It doesn’t matter which way the toss goes, I will bat well,” Aditi said.

  Tyra glanced at Aditi. “Is that supposed to reassure me?”

  “Yes. We have the home crowd advantage.”

  “Crowd? What crowds? Women’s Cricket Slam doesn’t get the same crowds as the men’s game.”

  Aditi grinned. “They do at home.”

  “Not all of us get to play in the Indian Leagues. I’m so jealous of your crowds. What an atmosphere that must be.” Playing in India was on Gwen’s bucket list. Imagine playing in front of a crowd of fans; like real fans of the game; who came for the sport, not to drink beers with mates, or to tell other people that they supported women’s sport because they’d been to a match once and it’d been “surprisingly good”. Saying their games weren’t as crap as expected was hardly a supportive comment.

  “It’s amazing.” Aditi’s grin got even bigger. “And wait until you hit a six there.” She didn’t need to say more because Gwen could imagine it. The roar of the crowd, absorbed into her body, resonating through her, from the moment the ball left the bowler’s hand until she guided it with her bat with a satisfying crack of leather on willow, and seeing that 142g ball sail over the boundary rope into a crowd of fans all cheering. Hands reaching up to try and catch the ball, then some lucky person grabbing it, rubbing it on their chest, and throwing it back onto the oval to the fielder waiting for it.

  “Bring that energy tomorrow and we’ll be fine.” Tyra’s voice was terse.

  Gwen nodded. “Should be a decent crowd.” She nudged Tyra.

  “Let’s just focus on winning. Then you can have your glamour moment.”

  “Glamour moment?” If Gwen was texting, she would’ve assumed Tyra was roasting her, but she was still frowning at her pieces of paper.

  “Yeah. Opening batter. You’re all about the glory.”

  Gwen ignored Tyra’s stressed tone and decided sledging would be better. “I’m there to take the shine off the new ball. Glamour and the big shots go to the number three and four.”

  “Between my parents talking for too long and you two going on and on, I’m starving. I’ll see you two at dinner.” Aditi wandered off. Should she follow her roommate?

  “Do you think she’s worried that I’m worried?” Tyra asked.

  “No. You are the captain. You are supposed to be stressed about that stuff, so that we can all focus on our jobs.”

  Tyra blinked. “I suppose that is true.”

  “Do you have something you usually do to help with pre-game nerves?” Gwen had a routine. She put on her gear in the same order and stretched carefully. Each muscle at a time, easing her hamstring into the work she was about to do. Tyra’s skin darkened.

  “Are you blushing?” Now she had to know how Tyra got rid of nerves.

  Tyra touched her own cheek with her palm, the papers shaking slightly in her other hand. “Fuck. It’s nothing.”

  “Doesn’t look like nothing.” Gwen waited, and then right before her eyes, Tyra squared her shoulders and stood up taller. Gwen barely had time to think ‘how interesting’ before Tyra tucked her wad of papers under her arm and leaned in close.

  “I masturbate. Orgasms help relax me.” Her whisper sent heat flickering all over Gwen’s skin. She had a million questions—like, why tell her that?—but there was only one that she could say.

  “Does it work?”

  “Yes.” Tyra stepped backwards, her dark eyes sparkling. “Are you offering to help?”

  “Jesus, Tyra.”

  “I’m kidding.”

  Gwen’s face was too hot and her stomach clenched. “Did you say that because I embarrassed you?”

  “I’m not embarrassed. My body is my job. I take care of it in the best way that I can.”

  Gwen swallowed. “Um, that’s cool.” She wasn’t going to ask her captain if they were flirting, just before their first game.

  “Come on.” Tyra slapped her on the shoulder. “Let’s go down to dinner.”

  Gwen nodded and walked beside Tyra, pushing away any disappointment that she’d only been kidding about helping her out. Tyra was a stunning human; not just her athletic body; also in her kindness and the way she flirted and left Gwen wanting more. Hell. Apparently she was expected at dinner with her whole team while pretending that this enlightening, confusing, conversation had never happened.

  After dinner, a few of the team stayed back to play cards. Tyra tapped her on the shoulder.

  “Yes?” She shouldn’t respond to this, not in the context of their pre-dinner discussion in the hallway, except she had—had—to know more. With a desperation that was beyond anything she’d felt for another human before. Tyra did something for her that she was going to find incredibly hard to resist.

  “I want to discuss a few things. Gwen, could you come with me?”

  “Sure. You want Aditi too?”

  “No. I’ve already talked to her.” By which Tyra meant that Aditi was a proven international performer and used to the pressure of competitions more intense than this one. Gwen was the liability. She’d only played at state level, and she’d spent so long off the scene due to her injury. She stood up and followed, ignoring the way everyone tried not to notice. It was only about the game tomorrow; nothing else. The rest of the team would assume it was Tyra wanting to get a handle on Gwen’s mental state heading into tomorrow. If she wanted it to be about their discussion in the hallway, well, that was her business and likely to be a disappointment. It’d been Tyra’s nerves talking. It wouldn’t translate into anything real.

  “I appreciate your advice. It’s a big step up for me.” She spoke slightly louder and it did the trick. People went back to the games and their chatter, and she followed Tyra out of the room. She followed her all the way up the elevator, along the hallway of their floor, and into Tyra’s room. A room she hadn’t stepped foot inside since the first, and only, night she’d spent there. She hadn’t slept very well that night; far too aware of Tyra’s naked body in the bed on the other side of the room. Tyra’s soft breathing hadn’t helped much either. The room hadn’t changed since then, although the bed she’d slept in was being used as storage with Tyra’s things spread all over it.

  “We’ve gone over the strategy enough, Tyra. I understand my weaknesses and strengths against each of their bowlers. We’ve gone through all the scenarios.”

  “I know. This isn’t about that. I can’t get our conversation out of my head.”

  Gwen stopped breathing.

  “About helping me overcome my nerves?”

  Gwen didn’t think she could be more shocked. “It was your conversation, really?” She’d assumed it was an anomaly and Tyra would ignore it.

  “Yes, Gwen. I want to have sex with you.” Tyra’s breathing was all wobbly, just like her own, and Gwen was suddenly hyper aware that they were alone in Tyra’s room. In a good way. Just ... Instantly wet and ready to slip right over the edge into Tyra’s waiting arms.

  “You are my captain.”

  “And I know you well enough to know I can trust you with this. That we can keep it just about ... um, physical help.” Tyra held out her hands, an open welcoming gesture that Gwen ignored. Gwen wished she had a best friend to talk to about this, someone she could invite for a drink and unpick this whole conversation, but her friends tended to be cricket friends (and she wasn’t going to tell them) or lawyer friends (who really wouldn’t get the team dynamics and potential issues).

 

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