Athena's Story Ch 7

Blair is good at pickleball. Athena knows she’s been biased against this girl because of the things the others said. She expects her to be super intense on the court and also a big jerk. Blair doesn’t seem to be either. She’s obviously more skilled and experienced than the others, but she’s not trying her hardest, and she’s not mean. Maybe a little distant and aloof, but nothing compared to how bad Athena used to be in that department.

“You good?” Blair asks as they wait in line at the juice bar. The rest of the crew is done for the day. Athena’s worn out, although her stamina is improving quickly. She has agreed to play on. These will be uncharted waters: playing against people who aren’t her friends.

She considers the question, then smiles. “Well, for once I’m stressing over something other than the dumpster fire of my life.”

“Good for you.”

“Yeah. I think I’m starting to get my shit together.”

Blair raises a fist in solidarity. “Hell yeah.” It never sounds like her heart is in anything she says, but Athena’s pretty sure it’s not malicious. Blair just seems sad, somehow.

They get their juice and return to the courts, where they quickly find a game against two doctors. These two know the game, but they’re in no better shape than Athena. Blair’s skill makes the difference, and Athena is pretty sure that Blair missed a few shots on purpose to create the illusion of a closer match.

“Good game,” the tall doctor says after they shake hands. “We’re gonna take a quick break, but do you guys want to go again?”

Athena looks uncertainly at Blair, who smiles. “Sure,” she says.

They sit with the doctors, who shake up bottles of protein powder. The tall one checks her phone. “For fuck’s sake. Can you not?” she mutters.

“Brittney again?” the shorter one says.

“She’s posting about fucking Israel and Ukraine and Palestine and Russia again. Like, let it go. Live in the now. They’re all horrible and it’s none of your business. Can you just not say things that’ll get you cancelled? I didn’t send you to Purdue to be this dumb on the internet.”

Blair’s brows rise. “Horrible?”

“These scumbag countries deserve each other.” The doctor shakes her head with a laugh. “I just need my daughter to quit posting about it until after she gets hired at least. Jesus.”

Athena senses danger. She opens her mouth, but Blair speaks first.

“You guys know about the Ludlow Massacre?” she asks idly, looking at her fingernails.

“Huh?” the doctor replies.

“You know. When Colorado miners went on strike and the United States sent soldiers to fuck them up, and they shot up all the miners’ wives and kids and stuff? Sorry. You were talking about scumbag countries.”

The doctors aren’t sure how to reply to that. Blair doesn’t hold back in the next match, and it’s a nasty blowout.

“Good game. Have a good one,” Athena says, forcing a smile and waving as the doctors stalk away in silence afterward.

Blair’s back is turned. Athena watches her uncertainly. Blair finally looks up.

“I’m sorry,” she says, and it’s obvious that she means it. She sighs. “There’s a reason I never have a partner. I’m sorry,” she repeats, and Athena can’t find a reply. She just watches Blair leave.

ATHENA'S STORY

Wrapped in a towel, Sal stops in front of the couch and changes course, grabbing her phone from the table by the door. She’ll never tell anyone, but hotel rooms just make her feel naughty. She’s full of weird, unreleased energy that she doesn’t quite understand. It’s not sexual frustration. It’s stress, curiosity, and excitement. All at once. There’s so much going on that it’s overwhelming, but it’s also fun.

She tosses her phone on the bed, takes off the towel, and rubs herself down before flopping naked on the covers to Facetime Athena. In the instant that the call is starting, she has an impulse to point the camera at something NSFW to shock her wife, and she masters that. That’s what it means to be a grownup. Self-control. Besides, who knows who is in the room with Athena? Maybe her pickleball friends are at the house or something. Sal doesn’t want to flash them.

“Hey, babe. You have chocolate on your face,” she says when Athena picks up.

“I know. I’m stress eating,” Athena replies, licking her spoon. “Are you naked?”

“I’m not just naked. I just said no to having drinks with twins. Twins, baby. Twins.”

Athena looks alarmed. “OK, what?”

“Actually, no. Wait. You first. What are you stressing about?”

Her expression turns lethal. “Oh, hell no. Tell me about these twins.”

“OK, well, their names are Missy and Sissy Woodcock. They are professional tennis players, and they’re modeling for us. We did a photo shoot together, and they invited me for drinks.”

“Were they flirting with you?” Athena frowns. “Is that something that twins do? They were probably fucking with you. Were you drooling over them like a creep?”

“Probably.”

“They were messing with you. What would you even do with twins, Sal?”

“What would I not do?”

“No, seriously. Super serious.” Athena’s eyes only grow more intense. “What would you do?”

“Is this a phone sex thing?”

“Answer the question!”

Sal thinks about it. “Um… hmm. I see your point. I could finger them both at the same time. We can do that weird three-person makeout thing you see in movies.”

“Does anyone actually do that?”

“I don’t know. Ask someone who does threesomes. But fingering two at once is badass,” Sal insists.

Athena frowns. “Hmm.”

“From behind.”

Athena raises an eyebrow.

Sal thinks hard. “Hmm. Hmmm. What else?” She wiggles. “I could get them both to go down on me. And they have to make out with each other, obviously.”

“Gross!”

“Don’t be a prude. Twin fantasies are…” Sal thinks quickly, trying to recall Annette’s words. “Ubi—ubi… shit. Twin fantasies don’t count as incest. No rules when it’s twins. That’s a real thing.”

“Jesus Christ.” Athena has her face in her hand.

“Maybe they could… DP me? With straps?”

Athena pulls her hand away, eyes wide. “You’re into that?”

“I’m just trying to think of stuff.”

“OK, well, I like the one where you finger them both at once. Are they cute?”

“Would we be using them as models if they weren’t?”

“Good point.”

“OK, your turn.”

Athena sighs. “My pickleball partner is an obnoxious, crazy person that nobody likes. And she hates America, I guess? I don’t know. Nothing is ever easy.”

“OK. Fair. Gonna find a new partner?”

Athena grimaces.