The Captain's Armband

38. Switch

Dani's POV:

I open my eyes and I smile, it takes me a second to realize that I had a dream about Leah and that none of it was real. Reality slaps me in the face. Fuck, I really miss her. I grab my phone to see if she already read my text message from last night. I look at my screen and I see a message from Leah, I'm scared to open it but my curiosity wins in a heartbeat.
'Ok. I will'
It's a short message and it feels cold but at least it's a reply and she is sort of agreeing to talk to me when she is ready so I'll take this as a win and smile. I take a deep breath as I turn on my back and stare at the ceiling. Today I'll have my tests at Ajax to see how bad my injury is. I already know it's not too bad, it hurts a bit and it's a bit sore but that's all, I needed to exaggerate to get out of camp. I get out of bed and take a shower. All I can think about is Leah, I really hope she isn't beating herself up because of everything that has happened or that she is blaming Russo. I'm the only one to blame in this situation. Ok. Time to keep my focus on Ajax.
I get out of the shower and get dressed. I walk downstairs and quickly eat my breakfast, Vic can be here any minute. I grab my bag and leave the house to take in some fresh air. I'm standing on my doorstep, inhaling deeply, when Vic arrives.
"Good morning mate, how did you sleep?" She says with her window rolled down.
I walk up to her and give her a kiss on her cheek. "I got a reply from Leah this morning, it's not much but at least she replied." I walk around her car and take a seat next to her.
"What did the text say?"
I show her my phone. Vic looks at me. "Well, it's something, right?"
I nod. "Baby steps."

We arrive at Ajax. I take a deep breath and look at Vic, she can tell I'm a bit worried.
"You got this mate." She says as she smiles at me.
"You always tell me I'm the worst liar...."
She starts to laugh. "You are! But you aren't completely lying right now. Everyone who watched the game saw how that girl kicked you on your ankle."
She is right. I should stop overthinking this. Okay, here we go. I get out of the car and walk inside the training center, a few of my teammates come running toward me to see how I'm doing. I don't say much about the injury and try to talk my way around it.
"The physio is waiting for you darling and I don't got all day." Vic says as she gives me a wink.
We both had international duties so officially we are still off for a few days, or at least, she is.
I greet the physio and take place on the treatment table. I explain to him what has happened and he is feeling and moving my ankle and feet.
"If the results from the X-ray are good, taping your ankle for stabilization should do it. " He says.
I look at him and nod.
"We made an appointment for you, it's scheduled for this afternoon, you can come back tomorrow and we will have the results and we can start with some light exercises."
"Okay, thank you, see you tomorrow." I say as I smile at him.
"See you tomorrow Dani, take some rest."
I nod and as soon as I leave the room I take a deep breath, I survived.

I walk around the training complex, catching up with some of my teammates before I walk over to Vic, who is waiting for me in the lobby. I walk up to her when my phone starts ringing.
It's Keira. I look at my screen, not sure if I should answer, I want to but I'm scared she will be angry with me and I don't feel like fighting right now.
"Who is it?" Vic asks me.
"Keira."
"She is Leah's best friend, right?"
"Yes."
"PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE!"
I gulp in fear. Just as I want to press accept, the call ends.
"Too late." I say to Vic.
"Call her back."
"What if she is angry with me?"
"She probably will be, you hurt her friend, but isn't this like the 4th time she has called you?"
I nod.
"Call her back mate." Vic insists.
"Ok. I'll be outside." I say as I start walking to the exit.
"I DON'T SEE YOU CALLING YET." I hear her shout from a distance.
I put my phone to my ear so she thinks I'm calling. I walk outside and take another deep breath.
I can't put this off any longer, I have to call her back and talk to her. You got this Dani, I tell myself as I press Keira's name on my phone to start the call. The sound of the phone ringing makes the nerves rush through my body.
"Dani, hi." A soft and kind voice sounds from the other side.
"Hi Keira."
"How are you mate?"
I wasn't expecting these words and I can feel myself getting emotional again. I try to hide my tears and I keep quiet.
"Dani?"
"Sorry. I'm here."
"How are you doing? I was worried about you."
"They are making an x-ray of my ankle today, I get the results tomorrow but they think it's not that bad."
"I'm glad. So, you want to tell me what the hell happened the other day?"
"My guess is that you already heard what happened."
"I heard one side of the story, yes."
It's hard to explain it all over the phone but I try my best to tell her what happened and why I did what I did.
"... and that's when Leah walked in."
I hear a big sigh coming from the other side. "What a mess you made there Dani."
"I know. How is Leah doing? She isn't beating herself up is she?"
"You should really talk to her and explain it all."
"I tried a few times but she doesn't want to talk to me."
"I know mate. For the record, she was really upset when you left without talking to her.. but you didn't hear that from me."
"She was?" This brings a smile to my face, I know sounds weird, but it means she still cares.
"Give her some time."
"Are you going to tell her what I just told you?"
"She knows that I've been trying to call you, I will tell her that we spoke and you explained to me what happened but it's up to you to tell her everything, that's not my place."
"You are right... and Keira?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. Thank you for wanting to hear my side of the story."
"Of course mate, every story has two sides."
"Tell the others I'm giving an update tomorrow, after my x-ray results. I didn't want to talk to anyone without knowing what exactly is going on."
"I will mate."
"Thank you."
"Hang in there... talk to you soon."
"Bye mate. Kick some ass at tonight's game!"
I put my phone away. I feel so relieved. Vic is walking up to me.
"How did it go?"
"Better than I was expecting." I say with a big smile on my face.
"Good to see that smile again." Vic says while looking me into my eyes.


Leah's POV: