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Jess and Jo are talking the morning after Jess discovered that Carson was sleeping with Greta.
//
“Did you know about Greta and Shaw? I saw them together last night, in Greta's bed.”
Jo rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know about it. Saw it coming from a mile away. I told Greta I thought it was risky as hell to get involved with someone on the team.”
“I had a hunch about them. Still, it was pretty startling to actually see it. Greta is usually so careful. And Shaw…who would have guessed.”
“Greta started it. If they get caught, it’s going to be her fault.”
“Don’t worry, I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thanks, Jess. I figured you would look out for them if you found out. I’m not worried about you or Lu. Maybelle would probably keep quiet about it, if she finds out. I’m worried about the rest of the team, and Sarge.”
“Gotta admit, though – Greta has balls,” Jess says, smiling and shaking her head in a gesture of admiration.
“Yeah, but underneath it all Greta is capable of being hurt, just like the rest of us. I’ve seen her go through hell before. I don’t want her to get hurt again.”
“I hear you...but Jo, maybe give them some slack. Haven’t we all done risky things?”
“Amen, sister. I just hope we don't end up getting burned at the stake for it.”
//
After practice, Jo finds Greta alone in her room ironing a pile of laundry. She enters and closes the door behind her.
Greta can tell from the look on Jo's face that something is wrong.
“Bird, I don’t know if Jess told you this already, but she saw you and Shaw sleeping together. You gotta be more careful.”
Greta's eyes open wide. She puts down the iron.
“Oh my god. Does anyone else know?”
“Jess promised she won’t tell anyone. I trust her.”
“Okay, I screwed up.” Greta sighs. “You were right, as always. I won't do something like that again."
“I know you’re trying to act like this is casual, but I haven’t seen you like this with someone in a very long time. You’ve got it bad for Shaw.”
Greta shoots Jo an anxious look in response.
Jo reaches for a pack of cigarettes in her shirt pocket, lights one and hands it to Greta, then lights another for herself.
//
When Jo leaves the room, Greta takes a deep breath and reflects on what Jo said.
Jo is right – she is falling for Carson. Hard.
Who could have imagined that a nerdy femme from Idaho would be so irresistible that she would break all of her own rules? Never in a million years. Affairs with married women are supposed to just be fun.
Carson was making Greta question what the next part of her life would be like. Will she be able to fully recover from her feelings after Carson goes back home to live with her husband? What if she isn’t able to find someone else that warms her heart - and other body parts - the way Carson does? What if someday Jo finds someone that she wants to settle down with, while she remains single?
The future is uncertain but for the time being, the most important thing is to stay safe.
//
“Please don't get up on my account, Shaw. I’m enjoying the view.”
Carson is on her hands and knees on the floor of her room. She’s still wearing the slacks and button-down shirt she put on after returning home from practice. She can’t see who is speaking but immediately recognizes the playful tone in Greta’s voice.
Carson stands up and turns around. Greta is standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. She’s already dressed for bed in her satin robe and pajamas.
The din of soft laughter can be heard in the distance. Most of their teammates, including Jess and Shirley, are in the living room playing cards.
“I was, uh, trying to find something that fell under the bed. Can I help you, Greta?” Carson brushes a loose strand of hair from her forehead while she tries to not look too obvious about noticing the way Greta’s robe clings to her curves.
“Actually, you can, Coach.” Greta’s voice is back to its usual cool, breezy tone. “Could you please come to my room for a minute?”
Greta closes the door to her room before taking Carson’s face in her hands and giving her a sensual kiss.
“I needed to say goodnight. I think that’s all we can do tonight, unfortunately.”
“Every night it’s getting harder to let you go,” Carson sighs. The disappointed look on her face is melting Greta's heart.
“Promise me that you’ll continue to be careful, okay?" Greta says, brushing her thumb over Carson's cheek. "I won’t be able to forgive myself if something bad happens to you.”
“Did something happen that I should know about?”
Greta, who is a much better liar than Carson, shakes her head and replies calmly, “Nope, nothing happened. I’m just so grateful that we have this time together. It means so much to me.”
Carson isn’t sure that she believes Greta’s response, but she doesn’t want to tarnish the moment. She takes hold of Greta’s hands and strokes her fingers over them.
“I’m going to miss you tonight.”