USWNT 2.0

22

Mal was standing in front of a very confused Carli Lloyd. The older girl was staring at her, waiting for her to finally tell her what's wrong. Mal shyly takes a step forward, so that she could make sure nobody was listening.

- You know, I-I... I didn't mean to invade your personal space or something, I really thought you were alone a-and..., Mal said, her voice was shaking.

Carli frowned. Maybe at that point she already knew what it was really about, but wanted to hear it from her young friend. Mal seemed to be uncomfortable, more than she usually was, and could barely look at Carli.

She sighed.

- Don't be mad okay ? she asked.

- Of course not kiddo, the brunette reassured her. Now, tell me what you saw.

Mal looked up at her.

- Well... you and... Hope... kissing ? she hesitantly let out.

This time, Carli was the one blushing and feeling uncomfortable. Her girlfriend and herself had decided to keep their relationship a secret from everybody, and now three people knew about it. She knew Allie found out, but still ; Hope told Ashlyn, and now Mal knew too. She couldn't risk the whole team to find out.

She finally looked at the youngster, trying to act normal.

- Yeah... about that..., she began.

- You don't need to explain, Mal immediately said, cutting her short. I'll shut my mouth if you want me too. I'm good in keeping secrets...

- Hope is my girlfriend.

Mal's eyes went wide, as the middy was trying her best not to laugh. Of course she didn't expect that. Of course nobody on the team did. They were very good in keeping secrets, and Carli knew it was for the best with the Olympics ahead.

- O-oh, Mal said.

- We prefer to keep our relationship secret because of the Olympics and stuff, Carli went on, willing to explain. You're one of the few people who know about this, so I count on your disclosure, okay ?

- Sure, the 18-year-old let out. Don't worry about that.

Carli smiled at her. It was kind of a relief for her to finally be able to tell someone. And since Mal and her got closer those past weeks, and that she was considering her more like a little sister than a friend, she was the perfect person. Mal looked up at Carli, before rushing into the Jersey girl's arms. Carli held her close, letting her chin rest on the top of Mal's head. She then closed her eyes.

Mal was the one breaking the embrace, looking straight behind Carli. The middy turned around, just to see Hope, putting her gloves on. Before the keeper was able to say anything, Carli pecked her lips, smiling at how surprised Hope was. When the dark-haired looked over at Mal, the youngster only smiled to her.

Hope then looked back at Carli.

- I thought we agreed on keeping this a secret, babe, she whispered.

- She walked on us kissing, Carli explained. Relax, she won't say anything.

- Fine, Hope let out, before raising her voice. C'mon girls, I thought you wanted to kick some balls !

***

Kelley woke up first.

She smiled at how cute Allie was. The freckled girl was lying on her back, while the other girl was cuddling by her side, her arm wrapped around Kelley's waist and her left leg above Kelley's. She was peacefully sleeping, so the Georgia girl was just admiring her. When did I get so lucky ? she asked herself.

When Allie slowly opened her eyes, she let a small groan out of her sore throat and kissed Kelley's chest softly.

- Hey baby, the freckled girl whispered, placing a quick kiss on her head.

As a response, she only earned another groan, more like a "mmh". She smiled, while the girl she loved slowly went out of her sleepy transe. Allie then straightened in order to climb on top of Kelley, her arms on each side of her head. She then kissed Kelley's lips softly, before winking at her, smirking.

Allie seemed pretty pleased.

- I know you must be tired to ear it, but Imma say it once again ; I love you.

Her whisper made Kelley shiver.

- It never gets old, especially when you're the one saying it, she said.

Allie kissed her again, and this time it last pretty long. Kelley was the one pulling away, kissing her shoulder with a big smile on her face. She then thought about something : did the team know about them ? It was pretty obvious that Becky, Pinoe and Christen knew about them because they were part of Allie's plan to get a date with Kelley. But what about the rest of the team ? What about Alex then ? Was she part of Allie's plan ?

When she saw Kelley frown, Allie looked at her, surprised.

- What's wrong ? she asked, concerned.

- Nothing, Kelley said. It's just that... What about Alex ? Did you guys make up ?

A big smile lightened Allie's face.

- She apologized about everything, telling me how she thought she'd lost me. She knows she fucked up, don't worry. But I forgave her, because at the end of the day, she still is my best friend. So then she helped me settle the date, and Tobin joined us. The whole car thing was her idea, actually. So she asked several of the girls to help her, while Tobin and I were getting the secret spot ready.

- Whoa, that sure is... cool, Kelley said. So she doesn't hate me ?

- Of course not ! Allie exclaimed, amused by Kelley's face. You're mine, and she'll have to accept that you're that big part of my life. I love you and you're probably the most valuable person in my life.

She then abruptly stopped, because Kelley was laughing.

- What ? she asked, confused.

- It's just that... I'd never thought you'd be that romantic person.

- Actually..., Allie said, smirking. I'm only romantic with you, it seems.

- And I love that.

Kelley pulled her closer, and their lips met once again. The feeling that grew inside both of them stomach was stronger than ever.