pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ THAT WAY „

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Tate wasn't sure exactly how she wound up on the pitch during training, only that none of the coaches were exactly shocked to see her—though she was certain Nate had mumbled some comment about it being unprofessional.

She had been in the middle of trying to convince Dani that it would be a terrible idea for her to join in on the drills, that not only was she overdressed, but she also hadn't played in weeks, and wasn't up to embarrassing herself, when a voice called her name from the tunnel.

When she turned towards the security guard waiting, she felt everything go in slow motion.

One minute, she was getting teased by Dani about joining training, the next she was looking at her parents, standing on the edge of the pitch.

"Miss Greene, you have visitors. They say they're your parents."

Ice cold dread ran through her veins, rooting her feet to her spot. But she recovered quick enough that hopefully no one was able to pick up on her reaction, and gave the guard the confirmation that they were in fact her parents, keeping the fact that they were supposed to be in America to herself.

"Fuck me," She muttered in complete disbelief, hands slack at her side. The coaches and a few of the players began closing in towards her in confusion, having no doubt grown curious about the strangers on the pitch. "I've had fucking nightmares like this. First, my parents show up. Then Rebecca fires me, and they take me back to America."

And as if she had been summoned, as if it really was one of her nightmares, Rebecca Welton opened her office window and stuck her head out.

"Tatum, are—!" The club owner began, causing the blood to drain from Tate's face, no matter how foolish it was.

"No!" Dani shouted desperately, interrupting whatever it was that Rebecca had been about to ask. "You cannot take her from us! We will not allow it!"

Shouts from the rest of the boys filled the air, too, declaring that if she was fired, they would leave the club.

"What are you on about?" Rebecca asked, face drawn in confusion. Tate watched, half-grinning and half stunned about what was happening around her. Because as much as she was in absolute shock over her parents' sudden appearance, her boys had never failed to amuse her. "I was just going to ask Tate if she had lunch plans or if she would like to dine with Keeley and I—"

"Tatum is busy today." Her mother called out, Rebecca once more getting interrupted. Embarrassment colored Tate's cheeks, but her mother wouldn't back down. Jamie found his way to her side, protectively, brows knitted together in a silent question she couldn't answer. "Tatum actually needs the rest of the day off, and possibly even tomorrow—"

"No, I absolutely do not!" Tate shook her head, squeezing Jamie's forearm before heading towards the tunnel, toward her parents. She could feel all the eyes on her, but she wanted nothing more than to disappear from sight.

"Hello, Tatum," Her mother greeted when she finally drew close, her father stoic and silent at his wife's side. The story of her childhood, clear in just one interaction.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here?" She countered, not bothering with niceties. Her parents gasped at her crude language, and she knew she needed to barrel on or risk getting a lecture. "Do Chase and Tommie know you came here to ambush me?"

"No, we figured we would surprise you all."

Several different emotions bubbled inside Tate, but none of them she could express under the watchful eyes of AFC Richmond.