It was an odd feeling for Dana. She was so fucking excited that she kicked his ass up and down the court, but she wasn’t stupid. They were teammates and would be for the next two years once this season was over. There was something to say about restraint, and it was something Dana was becoming increasingly good at.

Finally Dana broke the silence. “I hear bald is beautiful,” she said with a goofy smile.

Scott looked into Dana’s eyes and didn’t see any gloating. Shaking his head in wonder he let out a disbelieving laugh, to the surprise of everyone watching the scene unfold. “You got a pair of balls on you Fairbanks.”

“I still think you are a fucking asshole,” Dana replied with a shrug.

“And I think you’re a bitch.”

“Well, as long as we understand each other.”

**

The athlete burst through the door dropping her bags to the floor and immediately picking up her redheaded girlfriend, spinning her around.

“Baby you should have seen it! I totally kick Scott’s ass today.”

“Ew.. Dana gross… you’re still all sweaty… put me down.”

Dana obliged, setting the redhead down, leaning in to kiss her only to have Lara lean back.

“What,” Dana asked confused at her girlfriend’s behavior?

“You’re late, Dana,” Lara said crossing her arms, in anger.

“I know I’m a little late. That is why I just grabbed my stuff and got here. I just need fifteen minutes to shower and change and we’ll go. It’s no big deal.”

“Damn-it, Dana! It is a big deal. Now we are going to hit traffic and there is no way we are going to make it before the show starts! This is so typical of you…”

“Hey! I am never late. This is the first time I’ve ever been late to anything. Now are we going to argue all night or can I grab a shower so we can go,” Dana said picking up her bag making her way to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, as promised, Dana was ready to go and the couple was walking in uneasy silence to Dana’s car.

“Are you just going to give me the silent treatment all night,” the brunette asked exasperated once they had been driving in silence for a few minutes?

“I am just so tired of coming in second to everything else in your life,” Lara replied with a slightly angry tone.

“What the hell are you talking about,” Dana asked confused? “I got tied up at tennis. How is that coming in second in my life?”

“Dana! You put tennis above everything… it’s the reason you were late…. It’s the reason we can’t even go out were people might recognize you….”

“Oh… don’t you dare start this shit again Lara… not today…” Dana said pulling onto the 134.

“I just want to know when Dane. I mean next month we will be together for a year… 365 day… and I can count the number of people on one hand who know we are together…”

“Laaarraaaa! Just because I don’t yell it from the damn rooftops that I love you doesn’t make it any less than a fact…”

The ‘l-word’ was something still very new in their relationship. Usually when Dana said it, Lara would just melt a little inside. But this time Lara felt nothing. “Whatever… you care more about your so-called tennis career than me. I mean it is the reason you hide in that closet…”

Taking a deep steadying breath, Dana exhaled before answering, “First of all I am not out for a number of reasons… and you knew this when we got together… God… I feel like a broken record when ever we have this argument… and second… you and tennis are in two different categories….”

Pulling into a parking space at the theater, Dana turned, to face Lara before she continued. “You spend all your time cooking… I don’t hold you wanting to be a chef against you… ”

Sighing, Lara decided just to give up because Dana obviously didn’t get what she was trying to say, “You’re right. Look we are here. Let’s just enjoy the show.”

Without another word the redhead got out of the car.  

**

TBC