lost between the laces

chapter 17

Today is the day my england U17s debut we are playing brazil the opening game if the world's cup group stage and im beyond nervous as well as excited about what's to come. We play Italy in 2 hours and we have just arrived at the stadium and we are in the stadium the girls have decided 'i need a break' so they are 'looking after ava for me' basically just a reason to obsess over her but ill take the break im just scrolling through my phone mum callrf me on the bus so im just getting in the zone.

ten or so minutes later i took ava back and went to change her and feed her before the game , ill do the same at half time, ava is layed on the changing table and im just finishing up when katie walks in
"hi" she says with a smile
"hi"i respond more focused on my daughter but still wanting to acknowledge katie. "i wanted to ask you something" katie states
catching my attention so i look at her "and what is this question cox ?"
"can i take you on a date tonight?" katie asked looking down at her boots and fiddling with her fingers
"yes ofc you can what time do i need to be read and what should i wear ?"i asked sensing she was nervous.
"um casual and dress ava warm i don't want her getting cold be ready for 6:30"katie stammered
ava? she had actually planned out first date around my daughter? nobody had ever gone that far bar in mum and sarah so i was taken aback. I rushed to agree so she doesn't have second thoughts "okay see you at 6:30 tonight now let's win"

We did it ... i'm stood on the pitch and i can't believe what has just happened we actually won. We knew we had a chance but it's brazil anything can happen im just stood on the pitch as my team celebrated sort of in a trance until i feel katie's hands snake round my waist and her head rest on mine "hi you alright" katie whispers
"im good you okay ?" i said barley loud enough for her to hear it
"yeah im good , do you wanna go get your girl" katie says referencing ava

~katie~

"ava what if i mess it up" i say straightening out my clothes and pacing
"katie your not going to mess it up i know that girl like the back of my hand tatum can't hide when she likes someone and she practically has hearts in her eyes 24/7 your going to be fine what have you planned?"
"i've planned for us to go to the mini golf course and the arcade with tatum and ava"
i say cautiously
"katie shes going to love it you'll be fine"
"okay well i'm going to pick them up from their room i'll let you know how it goes"
i take one last deep breath and leave

approaching tatums door i nervously knocked within seconds she opened the door and ushered me inside "hi" i said nervously "hi wanna get going ?" tatum smiled back at me.