The Captain's Armband

19. Matchday part 2

We enter the stadium, gathering in the main lobby.
"Ok girls, I want us all to grab a cup of tea or coffee and go to the conference room around the corner." Sarina says to the group. I get myself a coffee and take a seat in the conference room.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, I look up and see Leah standing next to me.
"Move over." She says.
"You're going to boss me around now?"
"Didn't hear you complain last night."
My face turns red. I look around to see if anyone heard what she said.
"My god Leah. Don't do that."
She gives me a smile. "I checked to see if anyone was around, I like teasing you a bit."
"Just wait till I can get back at you." I say while I bite my lip. Her mouth opens slightly, letting out a soft gasp. "Ok. I deserved that."
"Ok girls, I want to take this opportunity to say I really enjoyed our first weeks together. I love the spirit this team has, I love the way you all fight to be better every day, how you lift each other and help where needed. I'm proud to be your head coach and I hope we will accomplish wonderful things together." Sarina is giving a wonderful speech. I look to the side, to Leah. She is looking at Sarina, she has a look in her eyes, a proud look. She is so beautiful.
After the speech we go to the pitch to inspect. Leah and I walk next to each other. "How are you going to cover the bite mark? You can't wear a collar on the pitch."
She smiles at me. "Yeah. I know. There isn't much I can do, let's hope people don't notice."
"Yes. Sorry again, didn't mean to get you in trouble in any way."
"Don't say sorry. If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't change anything about last night."
I get a shy smile on my face. "Me neither. I loved every second of it."
She bites her lip and looks at me.
"Leah.. don't." I look into her eyes.
"Sorry. I'll stop, I need to focus on the match anyway."
It's crazy, when I look into her eyes it feels like all the surroundings fade away, like it's just me and her. Leah shakes her head, like she is shaking off all the naughty thoughts she is having.
"Ok captain, let's get to work."
She gives me a smile and we walk back to the rest of the team.

We just did our warming up and we are having a dance in the dressing room, all the girls are jumping and singing to Leah's playlist. How can you not love this team, they are all amazing in their own way.
Sarina saying a few last words before we walk out, I'm the last in line, Leah standing in front of me.
Before we walk through the door she closes the door and at the same time she pushes me against it. It all happens in a split second. She presses her body and lips against mine, kissing me so passionate.
"I wanted to do this all day." She smiles and opens the door. Leaving me speechless.
I can hear her shouting in the hallway. "COME ON GIRLS, LET'S GET THEM!" 

I take a seat on the bench, I sit in between Beth and Russo. The girls are just as invested as I am, we all cheer the others on and shout to the referee if we disagree on a decision, Sarina even told us to keep it down a bit. This is what football does to us, it moves us. The squad is having trouble to get the ball in, Luxembourg park the bus and we can't seem to get around. We have scored 3 goals though, so we shouldn't complain. It's halftime and we all walk back into the dressing room. Leah is raging.
"How is this possible guys, come on. Why can't we get that ball behind the defence?"
Sarina is as calm as always. "Breathe girls, we are in front, keep your head in the game and try to look for openings."
Leah takes a deep breath and goes to talk with Sarina.
"Ok, Mead, Lewis and Russo, you three can do a intensive warm up, I want to bring you in the 60th minute or so." Sarina says. I'm so happy. I give Beth and Russo both a high five. We immediately leave the dressing room to start the warm up. We run along the pitch while the others get ready for the second half. Some of the fans are cheering us on every time we pass by. Just as the second half started Alex Greenwood gets a goal, wonderful shot from outside the box making it 0-4.
"You three get ready, your coming in." Sarina shouts. I'm so excited, it's an indescribable feeling to get to play for England with this amazing team. We get on the pitch, Leah clapping for us and giving me a little wink as I pass by her. My first touch immediately is an assist, Beth shoots it in the back of the net. We've been on the pitch for just a minute. Beth jumps on top of me, making me fall to the ground, we both laugh. "DREAM TEAM COME ONNNNNN" Beth shouts. The rest joining us in the celebration. "Well done Rookie." Leah says while she puts her arm around me. Ten minutes later Millie Bright makes her first ever goal for England, making us all celebrate again. I have a try at goal as well but it hits the woodwork. I do give 2 more assist, 1 to Beth and 1 to Russo. We have a massive win, beating them 0-10. Beth scored a hattrick so she is giving a post-match interview.
"You joining us in a box to box run? Run off all the adrenaline?" Leah asks.
I agree and join them for a short run. After that we go see the fans who travelled with us. Talking with them, signing autographs and taking pictures.

We fresh up before we head back to the hotel. All our stuff is already brought to the coach.
"Everyone ready? Let's go." Sarina says
We all walk to the coach, most of the girls are already inside when I feel I need to go to the bathroom.
"Hang on, I really need to use the bathroom before we leave."
Some of the girls sigh. "Sorry." I apologise. I feel stupid for not going earlier.
"I have to go as well." Leah says.
We walk back into the stadium, side by side.
"Do you really need to use the bathroom?" I ask her.
"No. But now they have two people they can nag to." She smiles at me.
I smile and look down. The things she does to me... god.
We arrive at the bathrooms, Leah walks in with me and starts to look at herself in the mirror.
I walk into the stall. I take a second to take a deep breath. I'm so in love with her. Should I tell her how I feel? Maybe it's better to wait, see what next few weeks will bring.
I get out of the stall again and see her standing with her back against the sink, her hands leaning on the sink, staring me right into my eyes.
"I wanted to tell you, I'm really proud of you. The way you played today, you did good baby."
"Thank you." I tell her with blushed cheeks.
She is still staring me into my eyes. "Your eyes are setting my body on fire." She says with a soft voice.
"The chemistry between us is unreal. I have never felt like this before." I confess to her.
She gets a smile on her face. "I know. Me too." She says while she steps aside, letting me wash my hands. Without saying anything we walk back to the coach. It's like we are both processing the feelings we are feeling. We get on the coach that brings us back to the hotel.

The girls are being loud. Everybody is chatting and making noise. I'm sitting with Keira, next to us, on the other side of the walking path, sit Leah and Georgia.
"Cute pic of you and Beth." Georgia shows her phone, showing a picture we made this afternoon.
"We look all right."
"Let me see." Leah says. Georgia gives Leah her phone. "This is a really good pic, can't lie." Leah gives me a smile.
"GUYS JORDAN SAYS HI." Beth shouts from behind us, holding her phone in the air while having Jordan on FaceTime. I keep forgetting that Leah, Beth AND Jordan play together for Arsenal. The girls wave and shout to Jordan, how they miss her and they hope she will return to the squad before the Euros. "Good game girls! 10 in the net, wonderful!" Jordan says.
Beth takes a seat again, making it impossible for us to understand what they are talking about.
I keep my eyes on Leah. She acts calm.
"What is that on your neck?" Georgia says to Leah. Oh boy, here we go.
Keira is looking at me, pressing her lips together so she can hide her smile.
Leah is acting all innocent. "What do you mean?"
Georgia points out to the bite mark on her neck. "That."
"Oh yeah one of the Luxembourg girls really got to me, scratching me every change she got."
"Downside of working with girls only." Georgia says as a joke. "They can be so sneaky."
"They sure can." Leah response.
Beth gets up again, walking towards us, she isn't on her phone anymore. She leans over the seats and looks at Leah.
"You really need to text Jordan back, she says she texted you a hundred times."
Leah sighs. "I know."
"And she asked if you are coming straight home or you stop by your parents first, just text her okay."
It feels like I can't breathe, my heart is pounding in my chest.
Home? Did she really say home? They live together?
Keira is looking at me. She puts her hand on my knee.
"You didn't know?" She whispers.
I shake my head. No. No I didn't know Leah is still living with her ex.