Arsenal Womens OneShots

In Between Lines-Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord

The sun was setting over London Colney, casting a soft orange glow over the training pitch. Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe stayed behind after practice, kicking the ball back and forth lazily. Most of the squad had already retreated to the locker rooms, but for them, this was the best part of the day — when the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.

Katie grinned, the corner of her mouth quirking up as she sent the ball skimming across the grass towards Caitlin. "You've got to do better than that, Foord."

Caitlin caught the ball under her foot, letting out a mock sigh. "I'm trying to make you look good, babe."

Katie laughed, her eyes sparkling in the fading light. It was always like this between them, playful banter that never quite stayed on the pitch. They'd been dancing around their feelings for a while, but here, under the open sky, with the quiet of evening settling in, it felt like they didn't need to hide anymore.

"Bet I could score from here," Katie said, stepping back and eyeing the goal at the far end of the pitch.

"Bet you can't," Caitlin teased, knowing full well that Katie was about to prove her wrong. But she didn't care. Watching her—really watching her—was enough.

Katie took the shot, her left foot striking the ball with that familiar, fierce precision. It sailed perfectly into the top corner, a flawless goal. Caitlin didn't even move to block it. She didn't have to.

As the ball hit the back of the net, Katie turned, a smug smile on her face. "Told you."

Caitlin laughed, closing the distance between them and pulling Katie into a quick, playful hug. "Yeah, yeah. You win."

But Katie didn't let go. She stayed close, her hand lingering at the small of Caitlin's back. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside the pitch seemed to disappear.

"We're good together, you know?" Katie said softly, the bravado in her voice dropping just enough to let the sincerity show.

Caitlin smiled, her heart fluttering in a way it only did when Katie was near. "Yeah, we are."

And in that quiet space, under the soft glow of the sunset, they knew it wasn't just about football anymore.