You can't Outrun the Truth

Car Ride Conversations

Trigger Warning: Talks about abuse.

Leah's POV

November 13

Jordan, Beth, and I were back from the Lionesses camp and were hanging out in my and Jordan's flat. Beth had mentioned something about London having a match today against Scotland so we had turned on the tv to watch it.

"...and a surprising change in the line-up for the US. Forward London Adair is neither starting nor on the bench after just making her international debut in the US' last game against Portugal. The US staff has not disclosed any information about the young soccer star," The commentator said.

"What? Is she back in London?" Jordan asked confused.

"I don't think so. She hasn't been back at the flat. Daan spoke with her the other day and she didn't mention leaving early," Beth responds.

"I'll call her," I say. I dial London's number and put it on speaker. I set the phone on the coffee table and we watch it ring.

London's POV

"You can be discharged today, just no playing football for at least two weeks. Check-in with a doctor then and talk with them about playing," The doctor said. I was apparently leaving the hospital today.

"Alright, thank you," I smile. My English has mostly returned by now and I was, all in all, doing a lot better. Jill wouldn't let me go to the match against Scotland today so Sara was making me go back to London.

"So I can drop you back at your flat, explain things to your roommates-"

"None are home," I interrupt Sara.

"Beth should be I checked the Lionesses schedule and their last match was two days ago."

"Stalker," I mutter. "I don't know, I could go to the Netherlands."

"Nope. You need to be here."

"None of them even know I'm injured, Sara!" My phone started ringing and Leah's contact popped up on my screen.

"Perfect! Now you can explain it to her!" Sara smiles.

"I'll talk while you drive," I say. We were leaving now but I had to be in a wheelchair according to hospital rules. I answered the phone before they got back with the wheelchair.

"Hey, Leah, can I call you back in like five minutes? I'm in the middle of something."

"Hi London, yeah that's fine."

"Great," I hung up as the nurse walked in with the wheelchair. I got in and she wheeled me down to where Sara was waiting with the car. I got in and Sara drove away.

"I found your game on the radio," she tells me.

"Thanks, I need to call Leah back though." I can see Sara smiling out of the corner of my eye as I return Leah's call.

"You realize it has to be on speaker right?" I ask. My head was still pounding slightly, it was better with the medication the doctors had given me.

"Yep, here are some sunglasses," She hands me the glasses and I put them on despite the cloudy weather. It was spitting rain and cold out so hopefully, there was better weather in London. 

"London! I thought your phone was destroyed!" I hear Beth say once Leah answers the call. I sigh and roll my eyes while Sara laughs.

"No, it's fine. I've just been preoccupied. Which is what I need to talk to you about," I say.

"Is everything okay?" Jordan asks. 

"Um, it's better. I just was slightly injured," I explain.

"Slightly?" Leah asks.

"Yep, I am actually on the way back to London now, I was discharged a couple of minutes ago."

"Like from the hospital?"

"Yeah. I hit my head on.... what day was that?" I ask Sara.

"The eleventh."

"Yeah the eleventh, and I am out for two weeks."

"Two weeks!"

"That's only what? Two maybe three games?" I say.

"What happened?" Beth asks.

"I'll explain when we get there. I gotta go now though you're making my head hurt."

"Okay, bye."

I hung up and turned down the radio.

"We need to talk Elsje," Sara says in a serious tone. 

"About what?"

"Why am I your emergency contact? I have no problem with it, I just need to know why your coach and the hospital called me instead of your parents."

"They're in America,"  I tell her as if it clears things up. I could maybe swear her to secrecy like I did with Jackie but I'm not sure how serious she would take it.

"Also, when the doctors had to do an exam, to check your injuries,"  Sara continued ignoring what I said. I felt my stomach drop and I adjusted my sunglasses so she couldn't see my eyes. "They asked me if you were being abused Elsje. And I had no idea what they were talking about. So I asked if they called your parents, maybe they would know. They said I was the emergency contact, so I need to know Elsje. Do your parents abuse you?"

I sit there processing her words for a minute. "I didn't want to cause trouble in the family."

"God Elsje! I could've been helping you! I should have been helping you! Screw whatever trouble you're talking about your safety and health is more important! Does anyone know?" I blink away tears and spin my rings.

"Yes, the whole Washington Spirit team and Jackie."

"Jackie knew!" Sara asks. I look over at her and see her close to tears and gripping the steering wheel very tightly. 

"I'm sorry for not telling you. I wanted to but I didn't know how and everyone loves them so I thought maybe people wouldn't believe me."

Sara reaches over and grabs my hand.

"Of course I would believe you Elsje, you would never lie about something like this,"  She whispers.

"That's what I've been doing though. Lying."

"It's different and you know it." She pauses before asking another question. "Is that why you left America?"

"Yep."

"Well then it's a good thing I'm your cousin and you are currently in the car I rented. You can never escape me Elsje."

"Please don't tell anyone."

"Elsje,"

"No, I'm serious Sara. No one else can know. So you have to swear to me you won't tell anyone else."

"Can I tell my dog so I can at least talk about it?"

"Fine."

"Okay, and if you ever need anything my door is open. And Lola loves you!"

"Who?"

"My dog."

What was y'all's favorite Olympic match on Tuesday? And what are your medal predictions? Hope you enjoyed this chapter!