Chapter Text
It was one of those nights when the distance between Portland and Chicago felt like an ocean. Christen sat on her bed, leaning against the headboard, her legs curled up beneath her. The house she shared with two other teammates was quiet for once, save for the soft murmur of her voice over the phone. Tobin’s voice, warm and familiar, drifted through the receiver, soothing the ache of separation.
“You know,” Tobin said, her voice playful yet sincere, “I was thinking… maybe you should just move to Portland. Problem solved.”
Christen laughed softly, her green eyes sparkling despite the tiredness from having played a full 90-minute game just a few hours ago. She loved how Tobin always managed to make things sound so simple. “Tempting. But then who would keep scoring for Chicago?”
Tobin chuckled as she lay sprawled out on her couch, one arm behind her head. “I think they’ll survive. But I might not if I have to go another month without seeing you.”
The longing in Tobin’s voice made Christen’s heart flutter. She could picture her so clearly—that big smile, those brown eyes that always seemed to have a glint of mischief in them. Even from miles away, Tobin had a way of making her feel like the only person in the world.
“I miss you too,” Christen whispered, her voice soft but full of affection. “But two more weeks, right? And one month later, we’ll have the off-season all to ourselves. We can do this.”
Tobin sighed, the kind of deep, exaggerated sigh that made Christen smile. “Yeah, two more weeks. But when I see you…” her voice dropped to a teasing whisper, “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
Christen could almost see the playful smile tugging at Tobin’s lips, and the thought filled her with warmth. It wasn’t easy being apart, but they had found ways to make the distance bearable—late-night phone calls, random texts during training, and the small notes they’d leave hidden in each other’s bags after visits. Each message, each call, felt like a lifeline, pulling them closer even when they were far apart.