Summer Breakdown: A Deleted Scene

“Get out of your head.” Jasmine knows Frankie is frowning even though she can’t see her because her fingers flexed against the water and she’s the least subtle woman alive. The movement does lessen the number of bubbles in here by at least one percent, and Jasmine dropped the bottle earlier when Frankie pulled her top off, so she won’t give up her tell.  

Instead, she says, “You can tell me, you don’t have to cut yourself off.” Jasmine knows Frankie will tell her eventually. It could be tonight, or it could be in three weeks when she’s over thought it until it’s a mountain and not a molehill. Jasmine just must be patient. Her least favourite thing to be, but she’ll try her best because it’s Frankie. 

It takes thirty-three seconds and a carefully placed kiss to Frankie's neck. “I don’t like how concerned you are when I bring it up.” 

Jasmine hums. So, she’s thinking about her childhood. Jasmine could have figured that out after their day at the aquarium. Frankie bought Lani far too many stuffed toys the moment Jasmine dared to look away, but Lani did line them all up for story time this evening. An octopus currently sits around her shoulders as she sleeps, so Jasmine had to let it slide. She’s learning to pick her battles, but even then, she’s losing. Marcel somehow got a new skateboard on the drive home but then Frankie got a matching one. So, Jasmine has no choice but to let it happen because she thinks Frank will look cute with a helmet and knee pads.  

Jasmine follows a water droplet down the curve of Frankie's shoulder and presses her lips there too. 

“This isn’t concern, it’s me contemplating criminal activities,” she mumbles against Frankie's skin. She smells like vanilla and vaguely like the love of her life.  

Frankie laughs, her entire body shaking with the force of it. “You love my parents.” That’s true. Jasmine does love them, but that doesn’t mean she has to love how they dealt with Frankie as a child. Frankie doesn’t need to hear that right now, even if it’s true.  

“Give me some of it,” Jasmine says instead of telling Frankie she’s perfect even though she is. It’s not what she needs because she’s rude and she won’t believe her. Even if Jasmine is always correct. They won the quiz last week, and Frankie still doesn’t think she’s the best thing in the world. Why is Jasmine even trying in the history round if it doesn’t make Frankie think she knows everything? “Your mind. Hand it over.” 

Frankie laughs again, a sweet melodic sound that she’ll have the nerve blush about when Jasmine is between her thighs later and tells her she wants to make it her ring tone. 

Frankie rubs her thumb over Jasmine’s ring finger. “What if you wake up tomorrow and you can’t cope with the crazy anymore?” 

Jasmine’s heart taps so violently against her chest that Frankie must be able to feel it. She’s kind though, she just kisses her palm. 

“My girl, I'm in the steamiest bath with you even though my curls were flawless today.” 

“You're unfair.”

“Well, you'll have to tell me why."

“You hold my girl hostage and use it when you want me to do something.”

Jasmine smiles against her neck. "Fibber. You'd do anything for me, I don't need ‘my girl’. It’s not my fault you like a little praise.”

Frankie groans. “You’re the worst.”

“I know, but you love me anyway.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Frankie replies fondly while she spins over. Water hits the tiles as she does, but Jasmine doesn’t mind. 

“So are your thoughts,” Jasmine whispers. “But I'm letting you give them to me anyway.” 

“I’m not good at this,” Frankie responds with far too much hope in her eyes. As if Jasmine would ever deny her anything. She kisses her on the lips this time. 

“I’m not asking you to be.” Her lips touch her cheek, then her nose, then her mouth. “I’m not asking you to be anything.” A pause. “Just stay.” 

Unedited. Just for fun. Please don’t rate me on GR.