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CHAPTER FOUR. ❝ NEW YORK , BABY ! ❞
MY thoughts were scattered, drifting from one place to another, but they always seemed to settle on New York. The city, the lights, the rush—it was calling me. I had just been named captain, the one responsible for leading my team through the upcoming international matches. I should’ve felt nervous, but all I could feel was excitement. Football wasn’t just something I played; it was part of my DNA, passed down like an unspoken family tradition.
I remember those childhood afternoons, sitting on the sidelines, wide-eyed and captivated as I watched my Papa and Uncle Levi kick the ball around with the rest of my uncles. Their laughter, the competitive shouts, the thrill of the game—it was like magic. I adored them, eyes bright and heart full, already imagining myself out there with them. Papa always knew I had a spark for football, even before I did. He’d tell me how proud he was every time I laced up my boots.
And now, here I am, football flowing through my veins, not just as a sport but as a bond—a connection between me and Papa that’s forever. Every time I step onto the pitch, I feel him with me. It’s our thing. Football is us.
Earlier today, after the meeting at the grounds, I could barely contain the excitement bubbling inside me. My coach had looked at me with so much pride, it felt like I had already won something. My teammates were just as thrilled. Especially Lila, that giant ball of sunshine. She was practically glowing, beaming at me with her usual cheerfulness. I couldn’t help but grin back—Lila’s energy was infectious.
Just then, a poke jabbed into my side, jolting me from my daydreams. I blinked and turned to see Annika standing next to me, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. In her outstretched hand was a chocolate shake, which I accepted with a grateful smile. “What’s on your mind?” she asked, sliding into the seat next to me as if she could sense the whirlwind of thoughts swirling around my head.
We were lounging in the dorm we all shared—Cecily, Ava, Annika, Glyndon, and me. This place had become our sanctuary, our escape from the world whenever we needed to decompress. These girls? They had my heart, completely and irrevocably. I trusted them with everything.
Annika, always the social butterfly, sat there with her effortless grace. She was the prettiest girl in the room—except for Ava, of course. That girl was something else entirely. With her blonde hair, blue eyes, and that natural glow she seemed to carry, Ava looked like she stepped out of a magazine. But beauty aside, her nature was even brighter. She was one of the most genuine people I knew.
I took a long gulp of the shake, letting the cold drink settle before I set the glass on the coffee table and leaned back, stretching my arms behind my head. “New York,” I said with a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. Across the room, Ava raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“New York?” she echoed, tilting her head in curiosity.
Cecily leaned forward, her interest piqued. Even though she was usually quiet, I could tell she was just as curious as the rest. It was time to drop the news.
“Yeah, being named captain means I’ve got international matches in New York coming up.” I tried to sound casual, but the excitement laced my voice, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
Before I could even finish my sentence, the room exploded with cheers. My teammates were already hyped about the match, but the fact that it was in New York? That took things to a whole new level.
“Yaaas, girl!”
“Captain status, baby!”
“You go, Anna!”
Their enthusiasm wrapped around me like a warm blanket. It felt good. No, it felt great. Ava jumped up from the couch, tackling me in a tight hug that nearly squeezed the air out of my lungs. I laughed, hugging her back, patting her shoulder as she practically bounced with excitement. Ava was like a living, breathing Barbie doll—not just because of her stunning looks but because of her infectious energy. She was beautiful in a way that wasn’t just physical, and it was impossible not to adore her.
Glyndon, my ride-or-die cousin, clapped her hands together, then pretended to toss invisible dollar bills in the air like she was making it rain. “I knew you had it in you! Captain, baby!”
I laughed, shaking my head. There she was, Glyndon—my partner-in-crime, my sister in everything but blood. Yeah, technically we were cousins, but that never really mattered. She was my sister in every way that counted. There was no one I trusted more than her.
Cecily, ever the introverted one, squealed with excitement, leaning over to give me an affectionate pat on the head. “Veryyyyy good!” Her silver hair shimmered under the soft lighting of the dorm, a striking contrast to her shy nature.
Her hair wasn’t naturally silver, but damn did it suit her. She had dyed it that way a while back, and honestly, it made her look a lot like my mom. As for me? I had red highlights woven into my honey-brown locks—a little nod to my Aunt Kimberly, who used to rock bold green streaks back in the day. She’d shown me pictures once, and that had inspired me to get blue highlights initially. Now? I was all about the red.
Suddenly, Ava shot up, arms wide as if she had just been struck by a genius idea. “Guys, hear me out! We haven’t had a girls’ trip in forever, right? So how about this—New York! We can go, watch Anna’s matches, and have the time of our lives while we’re at it!”
For a split second, the room went dead silent as everyone processed her suggestion. Then, like a wave, the excitement rolled in.
“Yes!”
“Hell yeah!”
“I’m so down!”
I couldn’t help but grin as I shot my fist into the air. “Hell yeah! Let’s do this!”
Annika chimed in, her voice bubbling with excitement. “My brother has business in New York next week, so it’s perfect timing for me. I’m in!”
Glyndon nodded eagerly. “Yeah, Killian’s going to be in New York too.” Of course, her boyfriend. I rolled my eyes. The guy was alright, but ugh, he could be a real pain.
But then my smile faltered as a thought hit me. If Killian was going to be in New York, that meant his circle would probably be there too. And if that was the case, Vaughn Morozov would be there. Fuck. Vaughn fucking Morozov. The last person I wanted to deal with.
I sighed inwardly, pushing the thought aside. I wasn’t going to let him ruin this for me. This trip was about my game, Papa, and me. I needed to stay focused on that and nothing else. No distractions. Definitely no Vaughn.
For the rest of the night, we fell into our usual rhythm—watching movies, eating snacks, gossiping, and indulging in those late-night heart-to-hearts that only seem possible in the company of close friends. It was pure, unfiltered fun, and for a few blissful hours, I forgot all about the impending chaos that was Vaughn Morozov.
All I wanted was to focus on my game, on New York, and on being the best captain I could be. And maybe—just maybe—I could keep my distance from that Morozov guy.
