𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 - 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥

𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦

As we pulled into Caitlin's driveway, a wave of emotion washed over me. The adrenaline from the final match was still fading, leaving behind an ache that settled deep in my chest. I had just said goodbye to my teammates, the Lionesses, and now here I was, stepping into Cait's world.

The moment the door opened, Jamie and Simone rushed toward me, their arms wide. I felt a rush of warmth as they embraced me tightly, their support like a soothing balm against the sting of defeat.

"Oh, Elena," Simone murmurs, her voice gentle. "We're so proud of you, sweetheart. You played so well out there."

"Thanks, Simone," I reply, my voice shaky but grateful for their kindness. Jamie squeezes me next, and I can feel her energy radiating.

"You did amazing! Seriously, you should have seen how many fans were rooting for you," she says, pulling back with a grin.

"Thanks, Jamie," I manage, still feeling the weight of loss pressing down on me.

"I'm going to make dinner for everyone," Simone announces, ushering us toward the living room. "You girls sit tight. I'll have something delicious ready in no time."

I nod, but as we move to the cozy living room, the heaviness of everything hits me all at once. The adrenaline that had kept me going throughout the match and the aftermath now fades, leaving a hollow ache in its wake. Without thinking, I sink onto the cushions of the sofa next to Caitlin, who immediately wraps her arms around me. Her embrace is warm, grounding me. I melt against her side, feeling her warmth envelope me like a shield against the world. In her arms, I find a sense of security, the kind of peace I didn't know I needed.

"Hey, you okay?" Cait asks softly, her voice filled with concern as her lips brush lightly against my temple. I nod against her shoulder, hoping to reassure her even though I'm still wrestling with the mix of emotions—grief, frustration, exhaustion. The bitter taste of losing is still fresh in my mind, but her presence takes the edge off.

Jamie flops down on the other sofa, her legs splayed out lazily as she watches us with a smirk. She rolls her eyes and feigns a dramatic gag. "Ugh, can you two be any more mushy? Seriously!" she says, pretending to gag further for effect. Her teasing is lighthearted, but it feels like a welcome distraction.

Caitlin doesn't miss a beat, her hand finding a pillow to throw at her sister. "Shut up, Jamie. You love it!" she retorts, her laughter infectious as it fills the room. I can't help but smile too, feeling a flicker of warmth in my chest, melting away some of the residual tension from the day. It's a familiar scene—the teasing, the banter, the way Cait's family just makes me feel like I belong here, even when I'm feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

Jamie grabs the pillow Cait threw at her, tossing it aside, and leans back with a grin. "Can't say you're wrong, but still, you two are disgustingly cute. Don't get too comfortable, Elena. She'll make you do all the cuddling from now on."

Caitlin gives her a mock glare. "And what's wrong with that?" she shoots back, squeezing me a little closer, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on my arm. "I'm the best cuddler."

I laugh softly, feeling my chest lighten with each passing moment. I reach for Caitlin's hand that's draped around my shoulders, intertwining our fingers, and begin drawing circles on the back of her hand with my thumb. It's a small gesture, but it brings me comfort. The steady rhythm of my fingers against her skin calms my racing thoughts, reminding me that, despite the world collapsing around me, I have this—her.

Jamie watches the two of us for a moment, her smirk softening into something more genuine. "So," she says, kicking her feet up onto the coffee table in front of her. "What have you been up to? You're not always stuck with Cait, are you?"