pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ THE WHOLE WAY „

˗ˏˋ 'ˎ˗

There was an ache in Tate's chest as she sat in the press box, ready for the match against Coventry City.

She hadn't visited the locker room before the match began, something she had done before every game since she had become friends with the team. But Sam was still giving her the cold shoulder, the rest of the team following his lead without knowing what to do in such a previously unthinkable situation. 

Her phone buzzed, and Tate glanced at the text as the boys started to walk onto the pitch for a pre-game photo, all wearing their Richmond zip-ups over their kits.

New Message from Callum Brooks:

Want me to pick you up after the match? I need you to help pick out my suit for tomorrow, since you're so good with ties ;)

She rolled her eyes at the stupid joke he made, too anxious about so many things in her life that she didn't see the humor in it. How many times had she mentioned to him the amount of stress Richmond's streak of ties caused her?

Message Sent to Callum Brooks:

Sorry, I've got plans with Keeley. Next time, though. Promise.

She felt worse for lying, but she didn't have long to think about what she had just done as murmurs from the crowd gained her attention. Brows knitted in confusion, she studied the players on the pitch, finding exactly what caused the commotion. 

All of the players had covered up the Dubai Air logo on the front of their kits with black tape. 

Pride bloomed in her chest, but she felt like an outsider. She only knew what was happening with Dubai Air and Cerithium Oil because of Keeley. 

But those were her boys down there, making a stand for what was right. 

「☺ ☺ ☺ 」

Tate was anxious as she made her way down to the locker room post-match, following a text from Keeley threatening to send Roy after her if she didn't join the celebration. 

She slipped into the room just after Sam and Ted did, having heard their cheers from the hallway. The boys were littered throughout the room, still in their taped up kits with bottles of beer in their hands. 

"But we lost?" She heard Sam ask as she lingered by the door. The boys hadn't noticed her yet, something she was grateful for despite the ache in her chest and the jovial mood of the room. 

"Yeah, but we broke the tie streak." Zoreaux explained, no doubt easing Sam's worry. Cheers sounded throughout the room once more, settled only by Jamie calling out, hand holding his bottle in the air as he approached Sam. 

"A toast to Sam, who did something incredible tonight. The little Nigerian prick stole my thunder." Jamie declared, grinning in amusement, his arm going around Sam's shoulders. Something in Tate's chest loosened at the sight, in recognition that it was incredibly important to her for the two of them to get along. Sam had been a fixture in her life for nearly two and half years, and Jamie was quickly taking up more and more space in her heart. "No, but seriously, to Sam."

Kit man Will pressed a beer into Tate's empty hands, and she gave him a grateful smile as she raised it along with the team. 

"To Sam!" The sentiment echoed through the locker room, and she took a sip of her drink. 

Tate watched, soft smile curving the corners of her lips as Sam clapped Jamie's hand, pulling him in for a bro-hug. They spoke quietly to each other, and though she was unable to overhear, she knew it was something positive, based upon the grins on both their faces.