The Captain's Armband

16. Matchday -1

"Dani."
"Dani, baby, wake up."
I open my eyes. What is going on? Leah is looking at me, she has a worried look on her face.
"There you are. You had a bad dream."
I need a minute to realise what's happening.
"Come on, take off your shirt, it's soaking wet." Leah helps me to take off my shirt, leaving me in only a boxer short. Leah hands me a bottle of water, commanding me to take a sip.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I think so. What time is it?" I say confused.
"Time to go back to sleep." Leah responds as she takes the water bottle from me.
I lie down again, Leah crawling up against me. "It's okay, go back to sleep, I'm right here." She says as she holds me tight and gives me a kiss on my shoulder. I find so much comfort in these words.
I close my eyes and before I know it I'm back into a deep sleep, feeling completely safe in Leah's arms.

I wake up because I feel cold. I'm lying on my back, no blanket left to cover my body. I look to the side and see Leah in a deep sleep, holding all the blankets close to her. I turn to my side so I can observe her better. She is so beautiful, how can I even be mad she stole all the blankets? I mean, look at her. I stare at her for a few minutes.
She opens her eyes and gives me a soft smile. "Good morning."
"Good morning to you too."
"I have slept great. God, remind me to get into your bed again tonight."
I give her a smile. I honestly would love to feel her body close against mine again.
"Oh I will remind you, don't you worry about that."
"I bet you do."
"Can you give me my t-shirt back please?"
"Oh sorry Rookie. I have to be honest though, I like the view." She looks at my body, her eyes moving up and down. She grabs my t-shirt from the floor and gives it to me.
"Is that why you stole all blankets?"
She starts to laugh. "Is that what you think of me?"
"Well, miss Williamson, there is a lot I think of you."
"Oh yeah? What do you think of me?"
I can tell she is desperate to hear everything I have to say about her. I look into her eyes and before I know it my breathing is getting faster. Fuck. Already? I just woke up.
"I think it's best I keep these thoughts to myself for now."
"Why?"
"Because we have to train together today and be around each other all day, without anyone finding out about us."
She takes a deep breath. "You are right."
"I know I am."
"Maybe it's best to let go of some of the tension before we join the rest." She looks at me with longing eyes, her mouth partially open, inhaling deep.
"Leah...."
"Dani..."
"Fuck. What is it that you do to me."
"Maybe we shouldn't go there." She puts her hands over her face, covering her blushed cheeks.
"Get out and get dressed, we should go to breakfast."
"Yes ma'am." Leah says with a cheeky smile on her face.
We both get ready to join the rest for breakfast, we don't say much, both doing our thing.
"You ready?" Leah looks at me while I look in the mirror one last time.
"Let's go."
Leah puts her hand on the door handle when I stop her.
"Wait."
She looks at me.
"I just wanted to say, I really felt safe in your arms last night. Thank you."
She gives me a smile and walks up to me, she stands on her toes and gives me a kiss on my forehead.
"If only you knew what you mean to me." She opens the door and walks out before I can react.
As soon as she walks the door, she is Captain Williamson again. Focused and professional.

We enter the dining room, I look around the room, most of the girls are already here. We get ourselves something to eat. I look at her and smile. "I'm going to sit with Hemp if you don't mind."
"Ok Rookie, see you later." She smiles back at me. I walk to the table where Hemp is sitting, she is joined by Russo and Toone.
"Morning girls."
"Hi Dani, excited for today's training and starting 11 announcement?"
"I'm always excited for training, the starting 11 not so much, I don't have any illusion that Sarina will put me in from the start."
"Don't talk yourself down Dani." Russo says firmly.
"I'm not, I'm just being realistic. It's fine, I don't have any expectations. I'm having an amazing time with amazing girls, what more do I want?"
"Begin in the starting 11?" Toone responds.
"Smart-ass." Russo says while hitting Toone on the arm.
"I get what you are saying, you just joined the group, you already made your debut, you fit in the group perfectly, a lot has happened the last few weeks." Hemp says.
"Exactly. I'm grateful for my time with you guys, even if I don't get selected again, it's something I will always cherish."
Russo looks at me with a smile on her face. "I like the way you think. But I'm sure that you will be selected again."
"You two actually really think alike, you know that?" Hemp says.
"I think you are right. You know what they say, great minds think alike." Russo says.
I give them both a smile and nod. Russo is a sweet, kind girl so I'll take it.