Finding My Way To You

The First Breakup

Katie and Caitlin had always been best friends pretty much since the moment Caitlin joined Arsenal. At that time, Katie was happily together with Ruesha and Caitlin had quickly developed feelings for Lia who she moved in with very soon after joining the team. It was a Thursday night when Ruesha and Katie were just watching TV. Katie wasn't exactly bored, but she had noticed a lot less excitement in her relationship recently. With rueshas injuries, Arsenal, her national team, and prepping for a World Cup she didn't really want to do anything but lay down and watch tv. That was until she got a phone call from Cait. "Hey Caitlin!" She said answering the phone and heard Jordan say hey too so she she realized it was a group call.
"What's up?" Jordan said again when there was no answer from Caitlin. Instead all they heard were sniffles. "Cait you okay?" Katie asked, now concerned.
"Li- li- Lia and I broke up. Can I stay with one of you guys until I find a place to go."
"Yes of course" they both said in unison, but Jordan convinced her to come to hers since she lived alone and had a dog. Caitlin agreed and said she was on her way. Katie quickly joined in and said she was coming over too with wine and ice cream.
She headed over to grab her keys before Ruesha spoke up, " I thought you were tired."
" I am but Caitlin and Lia broke up and she's really upset."
Rue gave a little grunt that Katie chose to ignore and left out the door. She ran through the store and quickly headed over to Jordan's where she found a sniffling Caitlin on the couch laying on Jordan's lap.
"Hey Foordy"
Caitlin returned a small smile and returned to looking at the ground.
"Can I interest you in some wine or ice cream. Or your favorite chippies!"
There was a small smirk knowing that Katie was making fun of her from a previous tiktok video of Caitlin saying "chippies"
She grabbed bag and sat up muttering a small thanks in appreciation.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jordan asked
"There isn't much to talk about. We have been having small arguments for weeks and then tonight at dinner she just looked up and asked if I still loved her and I paused. I fucking paused. I tried to cover it up, but she noticed. Then she just went on and on about how this isn't working anymore. She gave me a chance to try and fight it but I was just mad and she was making valid points. I agreed with her and we decided to call it a mutual breakup. Why did I pause. I love her and I just didn't say it."
Katie spoke up first, "I bet she feels the same. I'm sure both of you will always love each other but maybe just aren't in love with one another right now."
The silence was loud. Caitlin knew she was right but didn't want to hear it. "Should I go to training tomorrow?"
"I think that's up to you," Jordan said, " when Leah and I broke up we both went to training the next day. It was awkward, but it felt good to be out there and it felt normal for her to be there. It was hard to look at her. It was even harder outside of practice like in the locker room. Eventually you'll have to play with her so might as well start now."
"I'll pair with you tomorrow for any partner drills," Katie offered as Jordan no longer played for arsenal. " and if you ever feel like it's too much pull me aside okay." Katie pulled her into a hug. Caitlin didn't move for a minute. Katie felt safe and Jordan rubbing her back was calming her down.
Then Caitlin's phone rang. She thought it would be Lia for a second, but then saw it was her sisters name. Her sister lived in Australia and clearly just woke up due to the time difference to a string of texts from Caitlin.
"I should take this. Katie go home I'll see you tomorrow. Jordan thanks for letting me stay here."
They both smiled at her as she got up to answer her sisters phone call.