Off Limits

18: The One With: The Texts

The thought of seeing Izzie again loomed over me as I knew it was bound to happen at some point, our lives just became a string of run ins once we got to know each other making it easy to form a connection through the brief conversations we would have each time.

I was happy that Izzie avoided the game this weekend. I didn't know if Cassie had mentioned something about letting her little secret out, if she had Izzie had failed to reach out at this point.

It was Monday though, and Monday was a day which I would aim to keep free for her. It became a day where we would avoid planning anything else unless it came to work, the day would be crossed off for each other.

Izzie: you coming to the lake today?

I peered down to my phone seeing the text come through as I sat comfortably on my sofa. It did cross my mind to show up mainly so I could hear her side of why she hid a relationship but also why she made me believe I had a chance.

Izzie: Leah?

She messaged again, presumably from the fact I had her messages open, giving her the hint I was reading them.

Leah: are you in a relationship?

Izzie: are you coming and I can explain?

Leah: yes or no.

Izzie: yes
Izzie: can we talk?

My heart sank in that moment. Although it had already been confirmed, there was a small hope within me that thought maybe they weren't together and Cassie just wasn't aware.

Maybe they had broken up and no one knew.

But no, everything Cassie had mentioned had just been confirmed.

Izzie: please can we talk.

Leah: we spoke for 2 months and you failed to mention it, you want more of my time?

Izzie: please let me explain.
Izzie: It's not a healthy relationship

My replies were slow as I tried my best to keep calm right now. It wasn't only about saying the wrong thing over text, it was also about not breaking down. Not again.

Leah: a relationship is still a relationship.
You knew my intentions.

Izzie: what I did wasn't right but
please let me explain.

Leah: let you explain? Izzie I gave
you so much of my time. I let you in
and I find out not even from you but
from a teammate. That is fucking low.

Izzie: please open the door

Leah: go home Izzie.

I entered the changing room Wednesday evening as we go ready for a cup game. The room was loud and filled with laughter however my mood although not low, was slightly reserved.

"Leah mate play something upbeat or give the aux away please." Katie mocked as The Reason by Hoobastank came on after the third Adele song had just finished.

"Yeah Leah you're depressing me with these choices." Cassie chuckled.

I raised my eyes from doing up my boots, a soft chuckle from my lips as the two of them stood over me. 

"She does laugh, who the fuck hurt you to get DJ depresso on the mix" Cassie added.

"No one mate, just in my feels at the moment." I pulling my phone out to change the playlist as I had just continued the playlist I had in the car.

"Fred Again, now we're talking" Katie cheered causing a laugh from some of the girls as she bopped along and started clapping her hands.

We ran out to a lovely crowd at Meadow Park. I paired with Beth as usual during the warm up which only helped lift my mood even more.

As we got into some game play, Cassie slid past to retrieve the ball causing me to jump over her body.

"Cassie." Alex called over even though we all knew there was no taming Cassie's aggressive, tackling nature. That's what made her a strong defender, her love and great ability of those messy tackles which usually always managed to avoid punishment from refs.

I turned looking over to Alex with a smile on my face, "contact sport coach." I said mocking Cassie as I reached for her hand, helping her to her feet.

Alex rolled his eyes, "just be careful we have a game in 20 minutes and I need you both starting." He chuckled.

As we finished our last drill I headed back to the dressing room with Cassie as we ran through a few bits preparing for the game. I followed her wave into the stands, finding Izzie sat in the friends and family section near my mum.

Her smile shone through as she waved back, her eyes shifting to me as I felt my jaw clench.

The game went well with a strong solid performance from Cassie and I at the back as we started to solidify our partnership on the back line. Our signals became well know between each other now and only grew strong with each game and each training session that passed. We still had a long way to go but we were on track to getting there.

As I walked out of the Borehamwood grounds and into the parking lot, my eyes met Izzie who was stood beside her car which I couldn't help but assume she had parked next to mine on purpose. She pushed her body off her car as I approached mine.

"Not now Izzie." I whispered as my eyes shifted to the fans stood on the other side of the gate.

"Leah, I only want 5 minutes." She replied in a low tone.

"Not here." I stepped past her, unlocking my car.

"Then where, I just want to talk. Please." There was a pleading tone to her voice, something that only added to the aching I was feeling inside.

I opened the back seat door dropping my training bag behind the passenger side as Izzie was stood by the drivers door.

"Leah, I'm not asking for you to forgive me but I just want to-"

"Not. Here." I replied in a broken sentence as I approached my door.

"Where?"

"When I'm ready I'll let you know." My body inches from hers as I opened my door. My eyes locked with hers for the first time in what felt like forever.

The state felt long as I got lost in her brown eyes like I had many times before but was only held for a few seconds until I sat in the d rivers seat.

I closed the door without saying anything else, peering over to Izzie as she moved out the way before driving off.

There was a part of me that wanted to let her speak but another that really also didn't. She had weeks to tell me everything, weeks of leading me on.

I knew I would eventually cave and hear her out. I was never one to shut people out, even if they hurt me. There was something about Izzie that I also couldn't let go of, she was on my mind even at the most unwanted moments.

_______
A/N: do we think Leah will forgive Izzie or should she move on?

Please vote and comment ❤️
1177 word count