Page 68 of Bless This Hot Mess
Against all odds, we fumbled,
So much wood and then a spark.”
Carrington kicked lightly at a pebble in their path, sending it skittering ahead of them. They weren’t usually like this. Usually, they knew exactly what they were doing. Exactly how to steer things. Exactly when to push, when to pull back. This? This felt… different. They set caution aside and added a verse,
“Against all odds and the judgement we feared,”their gaze flicked sideways toward Ronald.
“Half our lives veering off course.
Against all odds, I found you,
Drivin’ the hoop and playing horse.”
They reached a crosswalk. Stopped. Waited. Not because the traffic was heavy. It wasn’t. But because stopping meant standing close. Close enough that Carrington could see the faint dimple in Ronald’s cheek when he smiled. Close enough that Ronald could notice the tiny fleck of gold in Carrington’s eyes when the light hit just right.
The signal changed. Neither of them moved right away. Then they did. At the same time. Their hands brushed. Stayed connected. Just for half a second longer than necessary.Pulled apart. Then, a few steps later, their hands found each other again. This time, neither let go.
Ronald swallowed, warmth climbing up the back of his neck,
“You walked onto my court,
Like you’d been there before.
Met me shot for shot,
That’s when I knew for sure.”
Carrington squeezed his hand lightly, not looking at him when they spoke.
“I’d decided I’d never meet a man,
Who could measure up to me.”
They tilted their head, finally glancing over, a teasing edge in their voice.
“You may only be five foot two…
But you’re bigger than what people see.”
Ronald let out a surprised laugh, bumping their shoulder with his as he corrected, “Five-three!”
Carrington grinned. “Debatable.”
The rhythm between them settled. Not perfect. Not practiced. But real.
“No more hiding our secret,
No more playing it safe.
No more wondering if love,
Has a time or a place.”
The words didn’t come out loud at first. They didn’t have to.
Carrington’s fingers laced more fully with Ronald’s.
“Your hand in mine feels easy,
