The Big Secret

Big Game

"Good luck! You'll be fine!" he gave me a big hug "I'm proud of you" with that he left me standing outside the home team changing rooms. I took one big breath and walked in "Erin what took you so long" my coach was the first one to moan. "Conor woke up late" I facepalmed. "How is he? I haven't seen him in ages" all the girls knew I was moving in with him. "Yeah he's good thanks, he's here today" she patted me on the back.

"Right girls no matter what happens today, this season you've been amazing!" We played, well the girls, have played epically. "Conroy" I popped my head up "you're starting today, put on the number six shirt" I widened my eyes at the coach. "Congrats! Finally getting on the pitch" our Fly half and captain walked up to me "the first games worrying but you'll be fine! We've got this" I nodded at her and carried on getting changed.

The stadium looked so much bigger when you're standing on the pitch. The Scotland team looked fierce. I knew I would take some hits in this game I've seen them play many times. The game kicked off and I had this rush of adrenaline.

Caitlin passed me the ball and I went sprinting but was soon slammed down by the defence line. The game reset and the defender helped me up "tell Conor that's for him" I looked confused at her "he may be able to beat my brother's team but well beat you" she whispered and I ran quickly away from her joining our team.

Halftime came and we were losing by three points, we only need a penalty to draw or a try to win. "What did that number one say to you? You looked angry" I shook my head at, Caitlin, "Don't worry, the Scots have always hated us" she laughed and walked off. "Right girls, not a bad start but you need to pick up the pace and stop making silly mistakes" the coach didn't look happy. "You've given away too many penalties! Use Conroy, she is on top form" I felt my face go red.

I followed the girls through the tunnel and took our places on the pitch. The Scots fly-half kicked the ball, landing in my hands. I passed to Aisling, the right wing and she went sprinting. I followed her sprint but on the left side of her. The scots looked angrier than ever. Every time we took our line forward we got knocked back.

We were right next to the try line. "ERIN" The tight head prop passed to me and I found a gap in the defence line. I grounded the ball under a pile of defenders. The stadium roared and I opened my eyes to find the ball just passed the try line with my hands still gripped on it. The girls pulled me up and jumped on me. "Great first game" "you should play with us more often" "you've won us the game" Caitlin scored the conversion with no problems at all.

The whistle blew and we all started hugging each other! "You got the woman of the match" our coach joined us on the pitch. "Well done! You're joining this team permanently you're too good to be sitting in the reserves" I couldn't help but hug her as well. We all run off to the changing rooms! "Shall we go for celebratory drinks?" The captain shouted, "don't worry you're coming to, Erin!" There was no way I was getting out of it.

I met Conor outside the stadium, I ran up to him and he caught me luckily "you didn't tell me you were starting!" "I didn't know until two mins before the game!" I protested "come on we'll get some food" "I can't, I'm going out with the girls" he raised his eyebrow at me "I won't be long. Can you drop me into town after I've got ready?" I flashed him a smile and he rolled his eyes "yes of course"

Conor dropped me into town outside some bar where I could see the crowd of girls outside it. "I won't be long I promise, I'll get a taxi back" I kissed him on the cheek and hopped out of the car "just be safe" I saluted him and he drove off.

"Ready to party?" I nodded "just get with him already" Aisling laughed "him? Ew no!" I pointed at Conor's car leaving. "He's not bad on the eye and I bet he's a good" I knew exactly what she was getting at "don't want to think about that"

The bar was not busy "to today's win" Caitlin raised a toast with a shot we all mirrored her and downed the shot. The girls went hard on the drinks but I was taking it slow "I'm going to Conors game tomorrow I can't" as some of the girls pushed drinks my way. "You're so sweet, you have a crush on him" one girl laughed "what are we twelve?" I laughed even harder.

I wanted to go to bed my legs were aching and I couldn't cope with this drinking I text Conor:

Can you get me, please? My legs hurt xx

Within ten minutes I got a phone call "I'm outside" I said my goodbyes to the girls who called me boring. One of the girls walked me out to his car "Hey Conor" she slurred "Emma, how are you doing?" "I'm drunk!" She screamed to the street. "I can see" he laughed "here's my number you should text me some time" she winked handing over a little piece of paper and walked back inside.

"She's not bad" I slapped his arm "pervert" he looked offended. "Good time? You wasn't out long" I nodded "got your game tomorrow ain't we? I can't be hungover for that, especially for an England game" he laughed.

"night night Roomie" he waited for me to get into the hotel room before leaving me. "I'm proud of you" he shouted from the doorway of his room. His room was two rooms away from mine.

Can't believe I got the woman of the match on my first proper game!