Chapter Text
“I told you!” Morgan screams bringing so much unwanted attention to the front desk of the clinic the following morning. “I told you Julie!” Morgan bounces in the chair excitedly as Julie and Christen exchange glances, furrowing their eyebrows before shrugging.
“Unless you bet money on this, I don’t know why you’re so excited.” Christen laughs slightly as she holds her hands up, backing away from the reception desk, taking the clipboard from under her arm and scanning through the medication list.
“You’re in a relationship, Chris, a real, life, relationship, with a really hot soccer player.” Morgan explains as though Christen hasn’t realized and as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Really?” Christen asks, tilting her head to the side. “Tobin plays soccer? I wish she would have told me.” Christen smirks, the sarcasm dripping from her tone as Morgan’s smile drops from her face and she glares at the vet.
Julie looks between both of her friends, stifling her laughter as she flips through the folder she has resting on the desk. “Leave her alone, she’s excited that you’re not lonely anymore.”
“I wasn’t lonely to begin with!” Christen exclaims, this time she’s the one to bring unwanted attention to the three of them. “Being single and being lonely are two different things, okay?”
“You were kind of – lonely.” Julie interjects, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth as she smiles sheepishly at Christen.
Pointing her finger at Julie. “Don’t you start.” Christen warns but the threat is empty. “I was quite happy to be single, it was fun.” Christen tries to defend her last couple of single years.
Morgan and Julie exchange a couple of raised eyebrows. “You went to bed at 8PM every night.”
“You bought Morena and yourself matching jackets.”
“You spent the entire month of November watching every single documentary that was on Netflix.”
“You made a Pinterest account.”
“You once called LA the ‘love of your life.’”
“You were such a dating trainwreck that Moe and I gave up trying to set you up.”
“Okay, okay, I get it.” Christen grumbles shutting Morgan and Julie up for approximately three seconds before the both of them start laughing at Christen’s expense. “You can both shut up now because I’m dating a really hot soccer player.” Christen grins cockily, reiterating Morgan’s words from before.
“I’m engaged to a football player.” Julie reminds her best friend, flashing her engagement ring, grinning.
“Me too.” Morgan adds causing Julie and Christen to both come to an abrupt stop and turn around to face Morgan. “Okay, so he’s a college football player and it was one date.” Morgan explains, blushing bright red. “Please stop looking at me, Chris I can see you judging me – just go and do your job.” Morgan mumbles, her cheeks getting gradually redder the longer she continues to talk, she dips her head and pulls the pet accessories magazine on the desk up to her face to cover her; muttering when Julie laughs loudly.
“I wonder if Zach knows him.” Julie teases which results in an eraser from the desk being thrown in the blonde’s direction but missing Julie entirely.
Christen’s just grateful that the topic of her new relationship isn’t suddenly the clinic’s preferred choice of conversation anymore and by the look of it with Julie leaning over the desk and trying to pry the magazine from Morgan’s hand; she’s not ready to let Morgan’s date go just yet. Christen takes that as her opportunity to slip back into her office; dropping her clipboard onto her desk as she crosses the room to open the medicine cabinet and start looking through; there isn’t a lot of things that Christen doesn’t like about her job, except for industry and having to put people’s pets down and witness the heartbreak on the owner’s faces – especially when there’s children, Christen can barely look at a child if she has just put their pet dog to sleep. Christen gets lost in the medicine in the cupboard, signing off on the sheet on the counter, it’s a boring job and Christen would much rather be doing anything else but the more work she does now; the earlier she can go home. Christen is standing on her tiptoes as she tries to reach a box of injections when she feels hands on her waist which causes the box of injections in her hand to slip and fall (luckily, the box was still closed), Christen jumps, feeling her heart rate accelerate at an alarming pace before she turns around.
“You scared the shit out of me.” Christen grumbles, pushing at Tobin’s shoulder playfully, breathing out slightly shakily as she tries to calm herself down.
“Hello to you too.” Tobin murmurs, leaning forward and kissing Christen quickly.
“What are you doing here?” Christen asks, finally feeling her heart rate fall back to a relatively normal speed; she turns around and drops the box of injections onto the counter before brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought you were – I don’t know – training?” Christen racks her brain trying to think back to this morning when she listened to Tobin talk about her day and Christen really did try to listen but she hadn’t had coffee yet and was not in any state to be responsive to anything that got said to her.
“I was but it’s over and I’m bored.” Tobin juts out her bottom lip expecting to receive a reaction from Christen, which she gets, but it’s Christen’s laughter as she walks past her girlfriend and over to her desk.
“You poor baby.” Christen mock sympathizes “- I can’t help you, I’m in work.” Christen reminds her, glancing over her shoulder for a second before refocusing her attention on the clipboard in her hand as taps maroon colored nails against the plastic of the board, scanning over the words.
“You could skip.” Tobin suggests, walking up behind Christen and wrapping her arms around her waist again, resting her head on Christen’s shoulder as she looks at her girlfriend who is trying her hardest to keep her attention on the second list of medication; well aware that Tobin’s breathing against her neck is a slight distraction. “I was in the reception and it looks dead.” Tobin pushes, leaning forward and pressing her lips against Christen’s neck which causes Christen to swallow thickly, closing her eyes and leaning back into Tobin’s touch.
“You’re a bad influence.” Christen mumbles out, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m not just going to blow off work because you’re bored.” Christen coughs as she regains her composure, and by regaining her composure; she hasn’t and is instead just gripping the table as her knuckles turn white as she tries not to give Tobin the satisfaction.
“You’re thinking about it though, right?” Tobin murmurs, as though she can read Christen’s mind which despite Christen’s reluctance to admit it and give her girlfriend the satisfaction; that’s exactly what she’s thinking about.
“Actually, I’m thinking about what to have for dinner.” Christen lies, slipping out of Tobin’s arms and walking around to the opposite side of her desk and crossing through her list of medication.
“Liar.” Tobin accuses playfully causing a small smile to tug at the corners of Christen’s lips.
“What will it take for you to go away and let me do my job?” Christen asks, lifting her head as she drops her pen to the table.
Tobin cocks her left eyebrow. “A kiss.” She decides already walking around the table.
“I suppose I can do that.” Christen grins as she rounds the table and stops in front of Tobin. “Only if you promise to go away afterwards.”
“Romance isn’t your strong suit, is it?” Tobin laughs melodically as she places both hands on Christen’s cheeks and pulls her into a kiss not giving her girlfriend a chance to respond. “Luckily for you, mine is.” Tobin mumbles out against Christen’s lips.
“Lucky me.” Christen swoons pulling Tobin back in when the brunette tries to pull away.
“I thought you wanted me to leave?” Tobin teases, smirking as she digs her fingers into Christen’s hipbone. “Not that I’m complaining.” Tobin shrugs before pulling Christen in for another kiss.
“Chris we need – oh hello.” Julie laughs as she stops at the office door, crossing her arms over her chest as Christen jumps and pushes Tobin away from her. “No making out on the job.” Julie teases causing Christen to blush madly.
“What – what did you need?” Christen asks meeting Julie’s eyes, ignoring the amused glint in the blonde’s eyes.
“I need that list.” Julie points to the papers on Christen’s desk. “Hi Tobin.” Julie grins, a teasing twinge to her voice.
“Hey Julie.”
Christen hands Julie the list of medication and tries to ignore the knowing glance that Julie is sending her.
“Stop.” Christen whines pushing Julie away before starting to laugh before Julie leaves making a big deal out of closing the door behind her.
“Actually-” Tobin’s voice causes Christen to spin around “- there is something I need to talk to you about.”
Christen feels her heart start to race as she nods, trying her best to keep her voice from wavering. “Yeah, sure, what’s up?” Christen slowly walks towards Tobin trying to rack her brain for any clues as to what Tobin might need to talk about.
“I have to report for camp next week.” Tobin says and Christen furrows her eyebrows.
“Is that a bad thing?” Christen asks, hoisting herself up to sit on the table, swinging her legs back and forth.
“No, no, I like camp; I’m just saying I’ll be away for a week or so and I was wondering if you wanted to come to the game, it’s in Carson next Thursday.” Tobin doesn’t know why she’s so nervous about this, it’s not like Christen hasn’t been to a few LAFC games in the last few weeks.
Christen can sense Tobin’s nervousness and holds out her hand for Tobin to take, pulling her girlfriend towards her, Christen smiles softly.
“Throw in your jersey and I’m there.” Christen jokes trying to lighten the mood and erase Tobin’s lingering nerves. “I’ll probably spend the day with my parents because I think my sister’s coming home from Sweden this weekend and I’ll just drive to the game later on.” Christen starts thinking aloud, momentarily forgetting that Tobin’s stood in front of her, looking at her with a bewildered expression. “Sorry.” Christen laughs, scrunching up her nose when she notices Tobin staring at her. “My sister Tyler, she’s coming back from three months in Europe this weekend and I’ve missed her, you’d like her-” Christen frowns when she notices the smile dropping from Tobin’s face.
“Are you trying to make me meet your family?” Tobin asks and she grimaces the second she asks it.
“What?” Christen asks, knitting her eyebrows together. “I wasn’t – what – why – is that a bad thing?”
“No!” Tobin exclaims. “It’s not a bad thing, no, that came out wrong, it’s just the last time I met my girlfriend’s parents it ended badly. I got stuck into the middle of her arguing with her parents over me and it was awkward but I couldn’t leave so I had to listen to my girlfriend scream at her parents that it was her life.”
Christen has to stifle her laughter. “I promise you, when you want to meet my parents there will be no arguing, unless there’s a game on and then my dad and Channing will be at each other’s throats.”
“I can handle that.” Tobin shrugs, although there’s a confident twinge to her tone. “If your family is anything like you, I’m sure I’m going to love them.”
Christen’s heart feels like it skips a beat. “I know my mom will adore you, just as much as I do.” Christen murmurs, wrapping her arms around Tobin’s neck. “Damnit.” Christen suddenly mutters. “I don’t know how you did it but now I want to blow off work.”
Tobin laughs before kissing Christen. “Don’t do that, I’m pretty sure Julie would come for my head. I’ll just see you after work.”
“My apartment?” Christen asks.
“I won’t be there, I’ll text you a time and place.” Tobin smiles, knitting her eyebrows together as she pieces together a plan on the spot. “I’ll see you later, love.” Tobin steals one last kiss before she’s out of the office.
“Young love.” Julie sighs, walking into Christen’s view. “It’s so sickly and gross, when you get to the arguing over what to watch on Netflix stage – give me a call.”
Christen just rolls her eyes before hopping off the table and walking back out into the reception.
*****
Christen has only just got back to her apartment when she hears her phone in her jean jacket pocket. She pushes open her apartment door, kneeling down as Morena comes bounding towards her; she scratches behind her ears as she pulls her phone from her pocket.
[Tobin Heath]
7:30PM
Christen stares at her phone until another text comes through and it’s just coordinates.
[Christen Press]
Coordinates, seriously?
[Tobin Heath]
Yes.
Christen frowns, focusing on the coordinates and wondering just where Tobin is taking her or what she has planned, it all seems too ominous. It’s a little after 5PM so Christen tries not to overthink the coordinates so much and takes Morena for a long walk, trying to relax, she’s not overly worried about what Tobin has planned because she doubts that Tobin would have had enough time to come up with an eerie plan, if anything, she’s only slightly anxious. After taking Morena for a walk and feeding her, Christen sits on the couch and tries to decipher the coordinates; it doesn’t take her as long as she initially thought it was; one quick Google search later and she’s heading to Venice Beach in less than two hours.
Christen doesn’t even question it.
Forty-five minutes later and she’s all but ready, she’s walking through her apartment; one shoe in her hand and the other on her foot as she looks for her car keys, she finds them in the kitchen and tries to keep her balance as she slips her other shoe on.
“Okay baby girl, be good and I’ll be home later.” Christen calls out to Morena who trots behind her and to the door; Christen spins, kneels down and hugs her before leaving the apartment. She leaves the building and gets into her car, driving to Venice Beach; the radio is on low as Christen taps along to the tune, maroon colored nails tapping against the steering wheel as she deals with (late) rush hour traffic on the way.
It’s a little after 7:30PM when Christen finally arrives; she gets out of her car and locks the door before walking down towards the boardwalk; she’s got her phone out ready to text Tobin when she swears she hears Kelley screaming; looking up, she’s right. In fact, it’s not just Kelley she sees, she sees Alex, Allie, Ashlyn, Ali and their kids and she’s wondering what’s going on when she feels a pair of hands covering her eyes.
“Guess who?” Tobin whispers in her ear.
“If this isn’t Blake Lively I’m going to be so disappointed.” Christen teases, spinning and coming face to face with Tobin.
“Ouch.” Tobin frowns placing her hand over her heart. “That hurt, Press.”
Christen humors her girlfriend. “You said guess?”
Tobin just shakes her head, laughing.
“So, what’s actually going on?” Christen asks turning around again and focusing on her friends who are already down on the beach.
“There’s a fireworks display tonight and everyone wanted to come out to watch it and I didn’t want to be the lonely one.” Tobin explains, slipping her hand into Christen’s. “I also just wanted to spend as much time with you before we all leave for camp.”
“Who’s going to camp?” Christen asks as the pair walk down towards the beach to join up with everybody.
“Me, Alex, KO and Allie; Ash would be but she’s injured.” Tobin rifles off. “Ethan isn’t happy because usually he gets to spend a few days with Ash when she’s in camp and he’s made Ash know just how upset he is that she’s injured.”
“Hey Chris!” Kelley shouts from where she’s lying in the sand; Olivia sat on her back as Ethan tries to wrestle her further into the ground, groaning when Ethan puts her into a (loose) headlock. “Tobin never told us you were coming, okay, Ethan dude, that’s enough; let me live.”
Ethan thinks about it but when he catches Ali’s stern gaze; he lets Kelley go and helps Olivia off Kelley’s back allowing the defender to finally get back to her feet.
“I didn’t know I was coming until a couple of hours ago.” Christen explains with a shrug as she walks to Kelley to give her a hug. “Tobin sprung it on me.” Christen adds, looking over her shoulder and smiling at Tobin.
“Hi.” Olivia walks up to Christen. “You’re Tobin’s girlfriend, right?”
“I am.” Christen replies with a warm smile.
“Do you love Tobin?” Olivia asks causing both Tobin and Christen to blush and for Ali to come up behind Olivia and place her hands on her daughter’s shoulders.
“That’s enough questions, Liv.” Ali tries to pull Olivia away but the five year old is pretty persistent.
“I like Tobin.” Christen replies nodding towards Ali to tell her she’s okay with answering whatever questions Olivia asks.
“You don’t love her?” Olivia asks, her eyes widening. “Poor Tobin.” She pouts, jutting out her bottom lip; Kelley’s laughter can be heard from behind Christen.
“I think – that one day I will love Tobin.” Christen lowers her voice. “I like her a lot.”
“Okay.” Olivia nods, sufficed with Christen’s answer.
Christen turns around just as Tobin reaches her, the midfielder slipping her arm around Christen’s waist and pulling her into her side. “You looked really cute.”
“Looked? Are you saying I don’t look cute all the time?” Christen teases, nudging Tobin’s shoulder in a playful manner.
“I meant with Liv.” Tobin continues. “So, you like me, huh?”
“I mean, I tolerate you.” Christen shrugs, playing it off coolly. “I think you’re okay.”
“You’re real funny.” Tobin deadpans but before she can say anything else; Christen is kissing her quickly.
The fireworks start a little after 8PM; Christen and Ali sit on the boardwalk, Olivia sitting in-between them, too engrossed in the fireworks to pay attention to the conversation that Christen and Ali are having.
“I’ve known Tobin for years, I played with her on the national team back when I played and I seriously love her like a little sister, I think that came around because Ash and Tobin always had a sibling-like relationship; Ash always looked out for her and the other way around, going back to their college days.” Ali explains. “I’ve seen Tobin date some – interesting women – but she’s never been like this, if I’m being honest, which I am, we never thought we’d see Tobin like this with somebody again.”
“What do you mean?” Christen asks, meeting Ali’s eyes and swallowing thickly as she notices a flash of hurt in Ali’s eyes though it’s gone so quickly that Christen thinks she may have imagined it.
“Back when Tobin played in France; she left as a player who needed a new experience, she needed to play overseas to find her love for soccer again but when she returned, something was bothering her but she wouldn’t tell any of us but we knew there was something up because you could see it in her eyes, something was missing.” Ali sighs, running a hand through her hair. “It took us weeks to break Tobin down and finally get her to admit what was happening, I’m not going to tell you because I feel like that is something that Tobin will have to tell you but I will tell you this; what happened in Paris screwed her over and she closed off so much so I guess I’m just saying that Tobin really likes you but she’s also still overcoming that hurt and patience will be key.”
“I like her; I want this to work between us.” Christen says determinedly. “I’m willing to be as patient as she needs me to be.”
“You’re exactly who she needs.” Ali smiles, nudging Christen’s shoulder, “- it helps that you two look really cute together.”
Laughter is what draws both women’s attention back to the beach; Tobin is running around the beach, Ethan on her back with his arms wrapped tightly around her, he’s laughing loudly.
“She’s also really good with kids.” Ali adds with a not-so-subtle smirk.
Ali and Ash are the first to leave after Olivia falls asleep in Ali’s lap. Ethan wraps his arms around Tobin’s waist tightly,
“Ma said we might be able to come out for the friendly, isn’t that cool?” Ethan grins looking up at Tobin. “But mom said we can only come if I do all my homework and eat my veggies.” Ethan pulls a disgusted face causing Tobin to laugh.
“Buddy, I want you at the game, you’re my number one fan so what are you going to do?” Tobin asks him.
“Do my homework and eat my veggies!” Ethan exclaims, burrowing his face in Tobin’s shirt as Tobin hugs him.
“That’s my boy.” Tobin kisses Ethan’s forehead before letting him go to go and hug Kelley, Alex and Allie.
“Number one fan, huh?” Christen wonders, sliding up beside Tobin.
“Oh yeah – Ethan stole that title the very first time he saw me play, you’re not stealing that title from him anytime soon.” Tobin smiles, it’s not a smirk and it’s not her usual dopey grin; it’s a warm, fond smile that Christen hasn’t seen before.
“He means a lot to you, right?” Christen asks seriously. “Both of them, Ethan and Olivia?”
“They mean the world to me, I was the first person that Ash told when Ali was pregnant with Ethan and even before he was born, I just knew I loved that kid. I love them both more than anything.” Tobin explains; her voice warm and gentle. “It would be the same if they had another kid or Allie had a kid or when Kel and Alex finally sort their shit out and have their own child, I’d love all of them.”
Christen’s heart swells with every word Tobin says and before Tobin can say another word, Christen has her hand around the back of Tobin’s neck and she’s pulling her in for a kiss.
“Oh – and on Kelley and Alex? That will never fucking happen.” Christen laughs. “Those two have been dancing around their feelings way too long.”
“Fifty bucks says it’ll happen before the season ends?” Tobin bets immediately.
“Oh, you’re on.” Christen holds her hand out for Tobin to shake. “Get ready to pay up.”
“I look forward to my money.” Tobin smirks.
“Me too.” Christen smiles sweetly.
*****
Christen is sitting on Tobin’s bed as Tobin rushes around her room trying to find everything she needs to pack before she has to leave.
“I told you to pack two days ago.” Christen reminds her for the third time in the last fifteen minutes. “If you had listened to me then you wouldn’t be rushing.”
“Are you just going to complain about my lack of organizational skills?” Tobin asks, sending Christen a quick glance over her shoulders.
“Yes.” Christen replies, leaning back in the abundance of pillows and cushions on Tobin’s bed. “Hey – I’m going to miss you.”
Tobin stops, a t-shirt in her hand as she turns around to face Christen. “I’ll miss you too.”
“I know we’ve done the whole away game thing before but camp is what? A week?” Christen frowns trying to remember how long Tobin’s going to be away for.
“You’re going to see me on Thursday?” Tobin reminds Christen, scrunching up her face as she tosses the t-shirt in the general direction of her suitcase. “It’s only what? Four or five days.” Tobin continues, albeit it absentmindedly as she continues to rush around her room to finish packing before Alex barges into her room and tells her that they’re leaving.
“I know that, but for the last week or so we’ve spent every day together; it will just take some getting used to again.” Christen rings together her hands before playing with the hem of her t-shirt.
“Hey-” Tobin’s stopped rushing now and she’s standing in front of Christen, reaching down to take hold of her hand to stop her pulling at her shirt, their fingers are intertwined. “- are you sure that’s the real reason?”
Christen hesitates. “It’s just me overreacting, I just, we weren’t together the last time you played away from LA.”
Tobin nods, already knowing where Christen seems to be heading with this. “Chris, hey, I told you, it’s only been you since that first afternoon.”
“I know-” Christen starts but Tobin shakes her head.
“- Let me finish, please.” Tobin says to her, rubbing her thumb across Christen’s knuckles. “I know your mind might be going crazy with different ideas but I promise you that you have nothing to be worried about and yes this is the first time I’ve been to camp since we started dating but if you’re worried just call me okay? If I don’t answer at first, I will call you back but it’s you, don’t forget that.” Tobin leans forward and kisses Christen’s forehead bringing a small smile to Christen’s lips.
“I don’t deserve you.” Christen mumbles.
An idea strikes Tobin, she leaves Christen’s side and walks to her closet, looking for something until she finds it; it’s white and Tobin throws it at Christen who catches it.
“This year’s jersey.” She says turning back around.
“Have you washed this?” Christen asks, her fingers tracing over the USA crest, fingers tracing the three stars.
“Uh – yeah you might have to wash it.” Tobin laughs, scratching at the back of her neck. “Promise me you’ll wear it?”
“I don’t know, I always promised I’d wear Kelley’s jerseys to games.” Christen teases though it was half true; after Christen gave up soccer after college; she promised Kelley whenever she went to a game she’d rep her ‘best friend, soulmate, love of my life’ – Kelley still denies being drunk when she made Christen promise that. “I’ll wear it, just don’t tell Kelley.”
Christen places the jersey beside her before standing up, “Okay, you have twenty minutes before you have to leave and you’re nowhere near finished packing.” Christen started grabbing at the clothes on the bed and folding them into the suitcase.
With Christen’s help, Tobin’s packing is completed in under ten minutes and the pair are in the living room waiting for Kelley, Allie and Alex to finish packing, trying to ignore Allie’s screaming at Alex over losing something, that part of the shouting neither Tobin or Christen can understand. Christen’s feet are in Tobin’s lap.
“I talked to my mom last night, she screamed when I told her I had a girlfriend; I felt like I was back in high school and I think she’s making me take Channing to the game with me to spy on you.” Christen laughs and laughs even louder when she notices the frightened expression on Tobin’s face. “I should reword that – yeah, I can’t reword that but Channing is really nice, it’s probably Tyler you should be scared of.”
“You’re not making this any better, Chris.” Tobin laughs nervously. “I swear if the next thing you say is your dad had to be bailed out of jail for punching an ex who hurt you-”
“Now that you mention it, there was this one ex-” Christen teases before starting to laugh and wrapping her arms around Christen’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, I’ll stop scaring you, I promise, they’re really nice, they’re intense at first but whose parents aren’t when it comes to their kids’ relationships?”
“My mom’s intense, she hates all my girlfriends, seriously, she’s never liked one.” Tobin shrugs, glancing sideways to catch Christen’s expression as she tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, anxiousness in her eyes.
“Oh – that’s not good to know.” Christen mumbles.
“It’s scary isn’t it?” Tobin smirks. “I’m joking, my parents are super nice and they will love you so much.”
“Okay, dude, you ready?” Kelley asks as she’s walking into the living room.
Tobin looks to Christen who just smiles, “Let’s go.”
Christen follows them outside the house, waiting for Tobin as Tobin locks the front door. Kelley takes Tobin’s luggage from her so Tobin can pull Christen into a hug; Christen wraps her arms around Tobin’s neck, burrowing her face into the soft material of Tobin’s hoodie.
“It’s only five days, right?” Tobin reminds Christen, pressing a kiss to the side of her girlfriend’s head.
“Four days, it’s Sunday, Tobin.” Christen corrects, lifting her head and smiling. “I think I can live without seeing you for four days.”
Tobin nods, already lifting her hand to Christen’s cheek. “I think I can live with that.” She smiles at Christen before pulling her in for a kiss. “You better wear my jersey.”
“Betrayed by own best friend!” Kelley suddenly shouts, she (playfully) glares at Christen before Alex pulls her into the car.
“I told you, Kelley takes promises very seriously.” Christen laughs as she waves to Kelley and blows her a kiss. “I’ll see you on Thursday, be safe.” Christen kisses Tobin again before she lets her head to the car.
Christen waves the car off as Allie pulls out of the driveway and starts driving away; Christen walks to her own car, reminding herself that it’s only four days and she can manage to get through four days before she sees Tobin again and instead she tries to preoccupy her mind with the fact that she gets to see Tyler for the first time in three months on Thursday, that should be enough to keep her mind off Tobin.