Faulty Trust || Katie McCabe

11

Manchester United had proved to be a pain in the ass like they usually were, but I'd expect nothing less. I loved playing against them, even more so now that I was with Arsenal. Yet their ability to score last-minute spoilers was rather annoying. Sure, we needed to tighten up on our defence during the last fifteen minutes of play, but that's also when subs come in handy. Subs that weren't used.

As we talked amongst ourselves thanking our away fans, I watched as Alessia and Ella swapped jerseys. They truly were best friends and often reminded me of Wally and I when I first came to the WSL.

Turning my attention back to the fans, as I began clapping, someone bumped into me and appeared at my side. Smiling softly as I caught a glimpse of her brightly coloured boots, I glanced towards Katie. "Continuing the McCard name?" I quipped, teasing her for her ever-growing collection of yellow cards.

Katie rolled her eyes but didn't hide the grin that appeared on her face. "I'm just passionate about the game. A rough game keeps it interesting," she shrugged her shoulders.

"You've always played a cheeky game," I hummed as we fell into step.

"It's never hurt anyone." She shrugged again in nonchalance.

I stopped in my tracks with a frown on my face. Katie didn't immediately realise I'd stopped because she was scanning the crowds, probably looking for Ella. Though when she realised I had stopped, she turned back with a confused face. "What?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh." Katie scoffed and rolled her eyes in stubbornness. "Okay, maybe I play dirty sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"Yes sometimes."

"Whatever you say, McCabe," I hummed, raising my eyebrows for a split second before turning to walk back towards the team who had started to trickle down the tunnel.

"Hey," I could hear the double take in Katie's voice. "What do you mean by that?" Her brows were furrowed when I glanced at her for a moment. Debating if I really wanted to bring up that WSL match, but I decided against it. Now wasn't the time.

"Nothing, Katie," I hummed. Ending the conversation, which thankfully Katie acknowledged as we joined the rest of our teammates.

"Are you going tonight?" Katie broke the silence as we brought up the rear; we were the last of our team to make it to the changing room.

I thought about it for a moment; Wally had said she'd go if I went. That was enough of an incentive for me to go, so I'd have to tell her before she left today. I still needed to corner her anyway. "Probably, yeah. Are you?"

She hummed, holding the door open for me as I uttered a quiet 'thank you.' "Yeah, I think I'm catching a ride with Caitlin." I frowned at the mention of our Aussie teammate. I had nothing against her; I just... nothing. Never mind. Before I could mask my frown, Katie saw it, the corner of her mouth twitching up for a split second.

"Got something to say, Emely?" She leaned in closer, making me shudder. Her ability to catch the subtle shifts in my demeanour always annoyed me.

"No." I mumbled, sitting down and beginning to take off my boots. I could practically feel the smirk on her face, and I wasn't about to give her anything to jump on. Katie slowly realised this and simply chuckled before patting my head and walking to her cubby.

"What's up with you and Katie?" A voice appeared beside me, almost making me shoot out of my seat.

"Jesus Christ, Kyra, you scared the shit out of me." I clutched my chest while my heart continued racing. That girl might actually kill me one day.