The Captain's Armband

42. Business meeting

I wake up early and I see I've got two notifications from Leah.
'This date made me realize I miss you even more than I admitted to myself. Thank you for today, my mom and I had an amazing time and the food was great.'
'Let me know when you are awake so I can call you.'
I smile at my phone. I'm so glad that she enjoyed herself yesterday and I'm so glad that we talked a bit about the whole situation. I do as she asks and I text her.
'Good morning, I'm so glad you had a good time.'
My phone starts ringing after a few minutes.
"Hi Dani."
"Good morning Leah."
"Ohh god, I almost forgot how sexy your morning voice is." She whispers.
I smile a little shyly.
"But, that's not the reason I called. I wanted to let you know that yesterday was amazing! This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."
"You deserve the best Leah."
"You are so cute." She sighs.
"Hmm."
"I want to see you Dani. I want to talk to you."
"I know. But your schedule is crazy, two games every week and I can't travel yet."
"I know." She takes a deep breath. "Just focus on your recovery and try to get back on that pitch asap."
"Yes ma'am."
Leah starts laughing. "Sorry, did that sound pushy?"
"No, it sounded like you really want to see me."
"You've got no idea."
God, I've missed talking to her.
"Hey! Ever heard of knocking?" I hear Leah say with an annoyed voice.
"I heard you talking so I knew you were up." I hear another voice saying, I assume it's Jordan.
"That doesn't give you the right to just burst in here."
"Sorry. I just wanted to see if you wanted to have breakfast together."
"I'm on the phone right now."
"You can answer the question, right?"
"God Jordan, chill out. You can go have breakfast, I'll eat later."
I can hear Jordan mumble something and I can hear the door closing again.
"God, I'm sorry for that Dani, I don't know why but she has been acting up a bit lately."
"It's okay, no need to say sorry. Maybe she feels that you have moved on?"
"Yeah, maybe."
I'm not gonna lie, getting reminded of the fact that she still lives with her ex, the woman with who she was so in love, isn't the best feeling but I feel like she is handling it perfectly.
"I should go, got a long training day today." Leah says.
"Ok, good luck at training."
"Thanks, you do your best with physio today."
"I promise."

I get out of bed and take a shower. The warm water feels so good, especially in the morning. I'm daydreaming about seeing Leah again, and all kinds of scenarios cross my mind. I get out and I just put on my underwear when I hear the doorbell ringing.
"Dad? You home?" I shout but I don't get a reply. The doorbell rings again and I hear a familiar voice shouting my name.
"Dani?! You up? I got breakfast!" It's Vic.
I run downstairs and open the door for her.
"Sorry mate, what time is it? Am I late?"
She looks at me from head to toe. "Uhm. Get some more clothes on will you?"
I look down and start to laugh. "Shit, sorry. Don't know what's up with me today." I say as I rush up the stairs.
"And you aren't late, I wanted to know how your date went so I came early." Vic shouts.
"That's so sweet! I'll be right there."
I quickly put on some clothes and get back down.
"Ok. I'm here."
Vic is sitting at the dining table with a smoothie, fresh fruits AND a cinnamon roll.
"You went all out didn't you."
She laughs. "I wanted something healthy, we need you back on that pitch but I also craved a cinnamon roll, so I just got us all of it."
I take a seat and we enjoy breakfast together, me telling her all about the date and how things are going. She is really happy for me that it all turned out the way it did.
"So, now what?"
"Now we have to find a way to see each other and talk face to face and then we will see what will happen."
"See what will happen? We all know what's gonna happen." She says with a smirk.
"You don't know that. What if she can't get that image of me and Russo out of her head? Or It just feels different once we have seen each other? Or once we have talked? That we find out that we don't match as good as we thought we would..." I start rambling.
"Dani. Stop. Don't do this to yourself. Keep breathing."
"You are right, sorry." I say with a smile.
"We should go, you got everything?"
I check my pockets. "Shit, forgot my phone upstairs. You go to the car, I'll be right there."
Vic starts walking and I run upstairs to grab my phone. I see that I have 3 missed calls and 1 voicemail from Martin, my manager. I jump into the passenger seat. Vic is smiling at me as she starts the car. I listen to my voicemail.
"Dani, how are you doing? How is the ankle? I want to meet you tonight for dinner, call me asap."
I look at Vic. "Martin wants to meet me for dinner."
"You think there is a job offer on the table?"
"Maybe. I don't know, he didn't say."
"Call him."
I nod and do as she says.
"Dani. How's the ankle?"
"Doing better every day."
"Good. Listen, I've got some things I want to discuss with you and your dad."
"What things?"
"I rather say over dinner. 7 PM at my place? Your dad already agreed."
"Are you gonna make dinner or is Ellie going to?"
Martin starts laughing. "I wouldn't invite anyone over if I was the chef."
"7 pm, we will be there, see you tonight."
"See you tonight Dani."
"And?" Vic asks curiously.
"He wouldn't say."
"You got an offer Dani, that must be it."
"Maybe. But you know what we always said to each other; No winter transfer."
"Perspective can change. Maybe you should talk to Viv or Leah?"
"Maybe I should. Let's just wait until I know what's going on."