The Player Swap Up

Chapter 43

Cristiano had to leave a few days after he showed up, they had a match on Saturday.

We worked out our problems and figured out how our relationship will work. We are going to do a long distance relationship and whenever either had time wed visit each other.

The day before he left Cris gave me a jersey, a Ronaldo jersey. He told me to wear it whenever I watched Real play.

In return I got him a jersey with my number on it. And I told him to wear it all the time.

I walked through the training center doors feeling light and calm.

I ran into Hope who was on her way out. "Hey where are you going?" I asked her

"I'm not feeling well." She said "There's a stomach bug going around and I got it."

I nodded "Hope you feel better... Hope?" I laughed

She smiled and waved goodbye. I walked into the field where everyone was.

Abby came over and used me as an arm rest while Jill talked. "Okay. So the match coming up... is a fun but important game I think. We've never played this team before."

"What?" I looked at Abby confused "I'm pretty sure we've played every country?"

Jill rung her hands "Well... we aren't exactly playing a women's team."

Ugh. I hate playing guys. They are always assholes.

Jill cleared her throat "We are having a friendly, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma foundations charity, with Real Madrid."

I groaned "They are going to be so annoying."

Abby laughed "You know their weaknesses though. So you can teach all of us and we can beat em."

I rolled my shoulders "Okay well let's start with Marcelo he is ticklish in his sides so..."

_____________________________

We've all been training hard since we found out we had a friendly with Real. We wanted to win. Bad.

Tobin, one of my best friends, came up to me during today's training. "Dude, is it wrong to feel like we are going to get creamed?"

I shrugged "I think we can take them."

Tobin laughed "Are you serious? I have all the faith in the world in this team but Real? C'mon."

"We are just as good as them."

Tobin ran her hands down her face "I hope you're right."

________________________________

This is torture. I'm currently on the drive to the US home stadium for the friendly.

I've never felt so nervous in my life. If we lose, I will never hear the end of it. Ever.

I've been texting Cristiano, who hasn't said much about the match, and told him we were on our way.

I looked at Tobin, who was sitting next to me on the bus, "Okay. Now I'm starting to get nervous."

"I'm actually not feeling it. Why don't you do your meditation now? To calm down a bit."

She was right.

I nodded and closed my eyes putting my headphones in. I set it to my pregame playlist and let it play.

I took a deep breath imagining walking onto the field. Greeting the fans, warming up.