Sunday Candy

New Zealand

"Mare, cmon, I believe in you, finish this" Horan said walking past me as it was a corner kick. Tobin quickly ran over to the side placing the ball on the line. After taking a few steps backs, she sends a beautiful ball to back post.

I got this.

I know I got this.

I will finish this.

Keeping my eye on the ball, I focus in on it coming towards me. I jump up as high as I can, a few inches above the defender to the right of me, hitting the ball into the top left corner.

It went in!

I yell celebrating and ran straight to Tobin who was clapping and also running my way. I jump into her arms hugging her as hard as I can.

"That was a beautiful ball Tobin" I tell her still smiling.

"I knew you were going to finish it." She gives me another side hug and runs back to our side to continue the game.

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The game quickly ended with us winning with 7-1 against New Zealand. I secured one goal tonight which definitely lifted my spirits, especially after our loss the last game. The team is currently in the locker room doing some slight celebrating. It's best if we don't get our heads too far in our asses considering our fight is nowhere near over. If we want to make it out of group stages, we absolutely need to win our next game. 

I was currently being checked up on by our trainers. I started having discomfort in my hamstring towards the second half of the game but figured it was serious enough to inform the trainers just yet. 

"Reign, tomorrow is going to be strictly recovery. No on pitch training. We can't afford to have you injured for our next game", the trainer informs me. I nod silently, wiping the remaining sweat off my forehead. I lay on my stomach, waiting for the trainer to remove the massage sensors from my hamstring so I can go shower and change into my clothes.

The door opens in front of me, Tobin sliding through.

"How're you feeling Mare?" Tobin sits on the swivel chair, pulling herself next to the athletic bed. I lay my head on my forearms, looking at her sideways before responding. 

"Just a lil discomfort toby, nothing too serious" She reaches over, grabbing my ponytail, playfully curling it. 

"You played really well today. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't fangirling a bit whenever you gained possession", Tobin chuckles before continuing, "and then that insane goal, Mare!" I laugh with her, feeling my cheeks redden intensely.

Why are my cheeks reddening? Why am I blushing with Tobin, oh my fuck.

"Mm, it was your cross that started the magic" I mumble. She keeps playing with my hair, occasionally running her hands down my back.

She stays silent watching me observe her actions, spinning slightly on the chair. Her thumb brushes my brow bone , and then down to my cheek. 

I inhale faintly, keeping my focus on Tobin.

"Hey Munchy, where have you been loca?" Kelley barges in. Tobin quickly takes back her hand, bringing it back to her side, "Oh...Hey Toby Bear" 

"Mare, I'll see you later and Kells, Monopoly deal on the bus?" Tobin stands up from my side walking over to Kelley, walking past her through the door. She pauses before exiting completely.

"Oh you know it" Kelley responds. Tobin glances at me once more, sending a smile my way. My heart flutters momentarily but I smile back anyway.

As Tobin walks out, Kelley walks over to me sitting on the swivel chair Tobin was previously on. The trainer removes the patches on my legs, wiping away the residue as well. 

"Mare, I hope you realize I'm not a blind chicken" Kelley says. My eyebrows scrunch in confusion as I sit up on the table.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I mumble, jumping off. The trainers walks back over wrapping an ice pack around my hamstring before letting me go.

"So what I just walked into with Tobin was nothing?" She asks. My heart drops at the mention of just before.

"I-I don't know. It was nothing" 

We both walk out of the recovery room and back into the locker room. It was nearly empty except a few members of our coaching squad. I walk over to my cubby, throwing a hoodie over my head. It's pretty hot out but the bruises on my body are a little to visible for my liking. I'm tired of being ashamed of them but I'm not ready for that conversation with Kelley or anyone else right now. It broke my heart enough with Tobin so I can't even imagine Kelley's reaction. 

"So you mean to tell me, that you feel absolutely nothing for Tobin? Like nothing at all?" Kelley asks from her cubby. I cross my arms turning towards her before responding. 

"I don't know Kells. I've never felt this way towards a woman before so I don't know what I feel" 

"Wait, Mare are you saying what I think you're saying?" Kelley gasps in shock. Her mouth drops wide but a smile quickly takes over nonetheless. 

"Maybe? I don't know if I'm gay but I'm very much attracted to woman. And Tobin has just been so...good, y'know"  Kelley squeals,  jumping up and down. I laugh, finishing packing up my cubby before zipping it up to leave. Kelley does the same.

"Are you coming out to me, Mare?" I smirk, tossing my bag over my shoulder.

"Yea, I guess it is but I don't want a label. Labels suck and my sexuality shouldn't be boxed up for the pleasure of someone else. But it does suck a bit. I think I'm attracted to Tobin but she's with Chris. And I love Chris so the last thing I want to do is tear that up" I say truthfully.

We walk out to the hallway, past the entrance, to go outside. 

"I see the way she looks at you Mare. I think you should tell her"

"I don't know. It's not my place. I'll be okay keeping it to myself. What's the worst thing that can happen?" She shrugs, not responding. As we reach the bus, there are still members putting away our bags in the under part. I say a quick thank you to them before walking up to steps and into the bus.

"We'll talk later" Kelley winks at me as she walks over to Tobin to play Monopoly Deal. I sigh a bit sad but head to the back of the bus anyway. 

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I just wanted to say thank you guys for your patience with me. I've been dealing with a family death for the past month and had just recently found the motivation to continue this story. I'm so sorry that I made everyone wait so long but I see the votes and comments and appreciate them so much! Also PSA, some of the scores of the games are going to be a bit different because I wanted to include some of Mare's goals. 

Thank you guys!!!!!!!