ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ | ᴋᴏ ✔︎

7

"Scotty, ball!"

I obey the call from Pinoe, laying it off for her as she sprints through the back line. I run in line with her, waiting for her to cross the ball into the box. When she does, I attack it, pushing my legs harder as I jump for the header. I get my head to it, watching as it sails towards the upper 90, only to be punched away by Hope at the last second.

"Well done, well done!" Laura yells as she blows her whistle, calling us in. "Okay, team. Great work, nice link up play Megan and Logan, I want to see that on the field. Hope, as always, a great save. Hit the showers, we're done for the day."

Although she tells us to, most of the team heads home to shower, simply feeling more comfortable in our own surroundings. I'm at the sidelines of the field, untying the laces of my cleats when I'm flanked by Pinoe and Solo.

"Have you decided yet?"

It's been the topic of discussion the last few weeks - which Nation I'll choose to represent. I'm no further along with my decision, which frustrates the Americans on the team, as well as the Canadians.

"No, I haven't." I chuckle as Pinoe throws her arms in the air, dramatically.

"What's so hard about the decision? You obviously have to rep The States." Keelin throws in her opinion.

At the start of this debate amongst the team a few weeks ago, Keelin, as Captain, tried to keep the team off of my back and shield me from everyone. Now, though, she's all for Team USA, obviously.

"No, she should suit up for Canada." Zurrer and Kyle chime in, being the Canadians on the team.

"Why would she want to rep Canada?" Pinoe asks, mocking disgust.

I watch my American teammates argue with the Canadians, finding it entertaining, while van Egmond and Fishlock watch with me. Putting my Nike's on, I throw my cleats in my bag, fixing the strap on my shoulder. Jess puts her arm around my shoulder too, only adding weight to my already sore upper back.

"You should pick Scotland or England, then you could fly back to the UK with me." She bumps me with her hips, and Emily laughs as the Americans and Canadians suddenly stop bickering and tune into our conversation.

"You should let her go, Jessica. That's Kelley's girl." Hope warns, and although it's playful, Jess rips her arm away in fear.

"No way! KO finally grew the balls to ask her out?" Pinoe asks Hope, not me. "Wait...that's a weird sentence." She mumbles to herself, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"She did." Solo laughs, while the other girls smirk at me.

"Aww. Our very own Scotty." Keelin beams, pinching my cheek like an annoying mother, which she kind of is. I slap her hand away, rubbing my face while she laughs.

"I ain't scared of no O'." Emily sings in the Ghostbusters theme as she wraps her arm around my shoulder, leading me away from the ruckas of my teammates. "So, Kelley, huh?"

"That's why you dragged me away, so you could ask me yourself?"

"Of course. I'm Australian, gotta keep the mysterious act going. Can't rely on my accent forever." She winks, before we both laugh. I shake her arm off of my shoulders as we near the parking lot. "Seriously though, about the National Team situation. Pick who you want to represent, don't pick a Nation because you feel pressured into it."

"Thanks Em." The Australian nods as I hug her, saying goodbye as I climb into my truck. Despite the shade I get for it, I still drive the bucket of shit. Saving up for a new car is not as easy as one would think, especially when I spend my money on my brother.