Slam Dunk Pt. 4
“SSTRRIIKKEEE ONE” Maybell announced playfully as her bowling ball took out all the pins in the alley
The team clapped as she mocked a curtsy and Jess high fives the blonde women before going up to the lane
It had been a long day at practice and Carson suggested that they go do something fun to get their mind off baseball for once
Lupe was hanging out with Jo at the back of the crowd watching and smoking, just having a good time relaxing
“Hey where’d you go last game Lu?” Jo asked leaning against a bench
Lupe raised her eyebrows pointing at herself
“Yeah Bev was about to leave without ya.” Greta joined an arm around Jo
“I just forgot my mitt, sorry didn’t know you were all in such a hurry.” Lupe jabbed back watching Jo and Greta give each other a look
Lupe had been thinking about that brief encounter more than she wanted to admit
The way you leaned in she swore she could smell the perfume on your dress, and the playful wink you left her with felt permanently embedded in her memory
“What?” Lupe asked seeing Jo and Greta staring at her more intensely
“Oh nothing.” Greta replied, eyes not leaving Lupe, almost hoping to catch her slip up and reveal something
But Lupe’s lips were glued shut, she didn’t need her team in her business, even the ones she trusted
“Well if you won’t tell us…oh Jeeesss!” Jo called to the Canadian who was seated next to Maybell
“Oh Christ.” Lupe mumbled as Jess strode up to the crowd of queers
“What’s this about Lupe’s head being in the clouds?” Greta asked playfully
“Oh who you got your eyes on now hermano?” A chorus of ooos sounded amongst the girls
“Jeeze aren’t we supposed to be bowling?” Lupe attempted to change the topic but with little success as the girls teased her about a crush
Of course Lupe didn’t reveal anything, she didn’t even know if you were queer
The last thing she wanted was to be crushing on a girl who would never be hers. She’s been through that before and she can’t afford silly distractions with baseball season was back
Though she was secretly hoping to catch your glance again, it felt lucky
The evening was passing over you and Arthur’s shared apartment as he tried to convince you to go out to the bar tonight
Ever since Vi’s place was raided and shut down, you had been terrified to go out to the bars
You and Arthur were both there that night and hardly escaped with your dates, and now he was trying to persuade you once again
“You’ve gone out before on your own, you don’t need me Artie.” You say flipping through the book in your hands
“Y/n pleeaassee.” He begged. “I need my wingwoman tonight, some of the guys are going out, with their ladies of course, ugh but Roy will be there!” This made you look up from the book
“Artie, don't tell me.” You begin to say before getting cut off
“Look look, they’re going to Red Dog tonight ok, you know the place.” You did indeed know the place. There was a great back alley that was a hotspot for queers and hidden away from the rest of the bar customers
“Is he even, you know.” You gestured with your hand. Arthur nodded enthusiastically.
“Seriously?!” You sit up on the couch. “How, how’d you find out? Artie you have to be careful, we don’t have Vi’s anymore and if people found out -“ you rambled on starting to overthink
“No no it’s ok I have a plan promise” he reassured
It’s an hour later and you and Arthur are inside the bar. The LED sign glowed in the night, Red Dog it read
Arthur spotted the coworkers, Roy who you recognized with a woman sipping a drink next to him. And another man and woman standing at the same table.
The bar space wasn’t packed when you and Arthur arrived but crowded enough that you felt small. Sticking to Arthur like glue as you followed him through the sea of people towards the table with Roy and the other couples
“Artie, Y/n you came!” Roy’s date, who you recognized as Ann from work squealed. She gave you a welcoming hug while you awkwardly patted her on the back. Oh how you craved your couch right now. You fiddle with the waistband of your skirt watching Arthur make conversation with Roy.
You trusted Arthur, you knew he’d be safe, so you excused yourself to get a drink at the bar. Nursing a daiquiri making sure to keep an eye on Arthur.
You both had a couple of signals at the bar you used to communicate with each other. Each one developing after a different incident
A wave over with 2 fingers indicated suspicion from a stranger, you two needed to be near each other to look like a couple
A nod across the bar meant everything was ok, you both made sure you could always see each other in these spaces
If one of you approached the other and offered a kiss on the cheek that meant you were going to disappear with someone for a bit. You could only do this in established spaces where you knew you could find them in case trouble started
And the sentence “I’m gonna head out for a smoke.” Meant we need to leave now
Red Dog was the perfect for hookups and also quick getaways with the hidden back alley
Nothing was out of the ordinary as you caught Arthur's eyes as he gave you a brief nod, you nodded back
Turning back to the bar, you saw a group of women enter the area. Laughing and talking enthusiastically
Some made a beeline to the dancefloor, while others picked a table and a couple flocked to the bar
Despite the dim lighting of the space, you instantly recognized her. Lupe Garcia, sporting a nice button up and black slacks, didn’t see you as she walked up and took a seat at the other side of the bar.
Hesitating for a moment you looked back at Arthur who was laughing along in casual conversation with the group of men and wives at a standing table
Taking a breath to hype yourself up, you swing back the rest of your drink and hop off the bar stool
Her side profile was illuminated by the dim lights of the bar as the bartender passed her a beer
You walked up slowly next to her and before you sat down she sat her eyes snap towards you
“Hi there stranger.” You say
Lupe’s posture straightened immediately, your voice ringing in her ears
“Hey.” Lupe responds with that crooked grin you remember and you giggle at the way she sits up
“Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon. Whatcha doin here pitcher?” You take a bold seat next to her, leaning your elbow on the bar
Lupe ducked her head chuckling to herself. “The team wanted to have a night out.” She said casually taking a sip of her beer before trying to act casual. “And, you can call me Lupe. If you want.” She said fully facing you
You smile at her confidence feeling your heart skip a beat seeing her look at you. You held out a hand to her.
“Nice to meet you, Lupe. You can call me y/n.” And Lupe took your hand gently in her own, her voice laced in honey as she spoke.
“Pleasures all mine y/n. So what are you doing here? Or are you just followin me around” Lupe teased, it was taking everything in her to not smile like some idiot.
Here you were, right infront of her, your lingering touch still in her fingertips. You made her nervous, not that she wasn’t the picture of confidence but she often was the one pursuing.
Girls took a look at her and how she presented and either want to turn the other way or wanted her to fuck them. Like Lupe had said, not everyone’s butch
But she had to admit that woman rarely pursued her, they waited and watched. Wanting her to show them direction
You had tossed her that baseball back, gave her a wink at the stadium, and now approached her at the bar.
“No no, not at all.” You said bashfully. Seeing Lupe from afar was much different than talking to her up close. Her energy was addicting as if she was pulling you in
“So what're you drinking?” Lupe offered before waving down the bartender
The two of you ordered and soon enough it the nerves calmed down. Lively swing dance music played in the background as the bar slowly filled up
Lupe never thought she could get so lost in comversation. She was giggling and laughing right alonv with you. The conversation would jump from one topic to another
You learned how Lupe left her home in Texas to pursue her dream at playing baseball. She would talk so passionately about the game you felt like you were right there with her. Pitching the ball, running the bases and getting up to bat.
She told you about the uniform rule and pants outside in public.
“I know Beverly’s gonna fine me when we get back to the house.” Lupe shook her head after explaining the lengthy list of rules the league made them commit to
“Ok enough about me.” Lupe leaned in closer than you expected, a bold move in such a public place. “What brought you to Rockford?”
“Work, not as exciting as baseball I’m afraid” You said hand on the cold beer. “There weren’t a lot of jobs back in my hometown, moving to a bigger city was just a better bet than staying and being someone’s housewife.” Lupe nodded along, indicating her listening ear
You smile reflecting on your travels. “I ended up cargo train hoping to get here. I was dirt poor and had like 3 shirts and a pair of shoes, and I had talked to some guy who helped people catch the train at night.”
“Damn that’s insane, how long did it take you to get here?” Lupe asked, their drink growing warm in her hand as the conversation deepens .
“Around 3 days I guess.” You tilted your head up in thought and Lupe’s eyes unconsciously traveled down your neck
“It was a bit of a dangerous ride from Pennsylvania, which is where I started; but long story short I jumped off here and applied for a factory job.” You remember the long nights of traveling through the country
You were about to continue when you noticed a shift in Lupe’s posture, her eyes darted behind you.
“Heyy honey I’ve been looking for ya.” You instantly recognize Arthur’s voice before his hand lands on your shoulder. “I’m gonna step out for a quick smoke.”
You instantly recognized the underlying panic in his tone. “Alright dear I’ll be right there.” You tapped his hand reassuringly
“Everything ok?” Your head turned hearing Lupe ask hesitantly, you saw some suspicion in her expression.
You offered a warm smile, eyes locking on a spare napkin behind her. You lean and snatch the napkin and a pen stuffed into your shoe (an old habit)
Lupe’s heart froze for a moment when you leaned to grab the napkin, your arm had bumped her shoulder lightly
She saw you lean over the bar scribbling on the napkin before sliding it towards her quickly.
“It was nice talking to you, Lupe. Maybe I’ll see you around again.” You say before hoping off the stool and hurrying towards the front of the bar
Lupe watched you go then eyes darted to the napkin. A smile tugged at her lips as she saw your handwriting
Your phone number written in quick slanted numbers and two words
- Call me