to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 25

October 13th, 2023

"And my heart was pumping,
Chest was screaming,
Mind was running..."

Beckett

This is not how today was supposed to go.

It's fine. You're fine. 90 minutes.

Shaking my head, I try to disperse the headache that's been causing havoc since I got on the bus earlier today.

Christ, why hadn't I taken medicine? That was my first mistake.

Checking my surroundings, I watch as the ref gives the all clear before raising his whistle.

Breathe, Beckett.

I watch as Clearwater passes the ball back for kick off, and then I make my move.

Clearwater is one of those teams that you want to beat simply because they need to be humbled.

They're good, I'll give them that. But they're not amazing, and they have weaknesses. We've watched film everyday this week before practice to ensure we found every gap in their game. If there was ever a time to beat them, it would be today. My guys knew that, and so did Clearwater.

Which is exactly why when the score was tied 1-1 with only ten minutes left, they got snippy. Refs were letting too many calls get away, and they took advantage of that.

They ran their mouths, and there's only so far I can go to stop my team's temper from rising. Caleb was going ballistic in the box, and tensions were high.

And for fucks sake, my head was pounding. I felt like everything was spinning and the only thing grounding me were the spikes on my cleats.

Focus, Beckett. You need this one.

"Davis, you alright?" Kyle asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

"I'm good," I huffed. "Get the switch and I'll go wide for the long ball on your left."

He nodded, unease coloring his features, and went back to the play. I snapped out of it, willing the pain in my head to hold off for just a little longer.

4 minutes. Please.

After what felt like hours, my team finally got control of the ball and followed through. I watched as Kyle took it up line before picking me out of the players, and striking.

Oh for fucks sake, another high ball?

Groaning, I ran where I needed to meet the ball, all without taking my eyes off of it.

That was my second mistake.

I felt the impact before I saw it coming. And then I felt the wind knocked out of me when I landed on the turf, and an instant ache in my jaw. Trying my hardest to catch my breath, I heaved and attempted to catch my bearings.

I heard the whistle, that much was sure, it was right above me. Sitting up, I could see Caleb getting held back by my teammates as he attempted to pounce at the other team's keeper, who smiled maliciously back at him.

"You just fucking clocked him!" He screamed, struggling against my Kyle's hold.

"I was going for the ball, and he ran into me," their keeper said. I took a deep breath despite the resistance in my lungs, and stood. Bringing a hand up to my jaw, I grazed where I'm sure there would be a bruise tomorrow. Sure enough, there was some blood. Not much, and that eased my worries some. But Christ, my headache seemed ten times worse.