ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ | ᴋᴏ ✔︎

11

I climb out of the car after paying and thanking my Uber driver. Turning where I stand, I face the stadium and inhale deeply.

This is either going to go well, or I'm about to get kicked off the roster before even kicking a ball for the team

I try and push all negative thoughts from my mind and focus on breathing as I approach the entrance. I greet the security staff and the secretary who lets Laura know I'm here. Being a rookie, I didn't just wanna waltz right on in.

I'm kept waiting for 30 minutes, and in those minutes my mind runs rampant. I've managed to convince myself that I'm being fired, cut, thrown back out into dead end jobs and minimum wage.

"Logan?"

I snap out of my reverie when I hear Laura calling my name and I follow my boss into her office when she motions to. My nerves only quadruple when I take a seat across from her, her intimidating desk. Okay, it's not really intimidating but my thoughts are gathering pace and imagination the longer she stays quiet.

"What happened, Logan?" She finally asks me but at this point I'm so nervous that I'm starting to feel sick. "Relax, kid. I just want to know what went down."

I take a breath to steady myself, my hands clenched into fists as I recall the incident with my mother, why it pissed me off, Kevin being taken from us and my being arrested. I clench my jaw, trying to suppress the anger I can feel rising in me and I'm thankful when I get to the end of my story.

I watch Laura intently, waiting for her to change her mind about not firing me. It takes me by complete surprise when she stands from her leather chair and walks around her desk to sit on the seat next to me, placing her hand on my knee, comforting me.

"I'm sorry, Logan. I didn't know things were like that at home for you." She apologizes needlessly. It's not her fault after all. "I don't feel right about you going back to live with her, though. I want you somewhere safe."

"Yeah, same." I mumble, frowning a little. "I'm saving up. Should be easier now that..." I trail off, not wanting to utter my brother and his lack of presence at home. "Is there anything else, boss? I gotta get home to get my kit."

"No. You can go."

I nod, and leave in a hurry. I order an Uber as I walk through the hallways and back out of the front entrance. By the time I get curbside, the driver is there waiting for me and we head home to get my kit.

______


"How you holding up, Scott?" Megan asks as we take a break, the 'keepers continue their own training.

"I'm good. You?" I reply vaguely, because our other teammates are around, and I don't need everyone in Seattle knowing my business.

"Really?" Pinoe asks, taking me by the arm and gently dragging me away from prying eyes...and ears.

"I'm sure, don't worry." I push by her, walking away, noticing Hope's eyes following me as I go but I simply don't want to talk about this here.

We eventually finish our break and Laura gets us started again. The game against Chicago is coming up and fast. We're worked hard to get us up to an acceptable standard.

____________

| Kelley |

I'm stepping out of my shower after a run, when my phone starts blowing up. I ignoring it until it starts to ring. Sighing, wishing I had time to at least finish getting dressed, I answer it.

"Kel?"

"Hey, Hope. What's up?" I ask my national teammate as I look for something to wear.

"Have you spoken to Logan lately?" The mention of the recent college grad makes me freeze where I stand.

"Why? What's wrong? Where is she?"

"Relax, Kels." Hope chuckles, much to my bewilderment. "She's on the bus with some of the team before we head to Chicago."

"Then...why are you calling me?"

"She's acting weird. Closed off-"

"That's funny. Megan told me she's always like that."

"More than usual, Kelley. Ever since that stuff with her brother and her mom." She reminds me, and I begin to wonder about the girl. We talk every single day, but she always seems fine. I should know better though, her brother is everything to her, it can't be easy not seeing him.

"Let me know when you land in Chicago, I'll call her then."

I hang up with Hope, internally scolding myself for not thinking about it before. I unlock my phone again and open WhatsApp to message Kevin.

KO🐿 - "Hey Kid! How's things?"

PeeWeeKev👶🏽- "Hi Kelley. It's okay, missing Lo, u?"

Poor kid.

I continue talking to Kevin for the remainder of the afternoon, having already gotten my workouts done. It was officially 'me time', that is until my phone goes off and I see the text from Hope letting me know that they've landed in Chicago and I should call Logan in about 30 minutes. I make note of the time and focus on Netflix until it's time to call the rookie.

__________

| Logan |

Even though Laura told me that the incident with my mom wouldn't have any impact on my standing in the team, I'm beginning to believe otherwise. It's been almost a month since the season started and I haven't started a game yet. I came off the bench during our game against Chicago which ended in a draw. Since then, the team has been on a losing streak and I haven't kicked a ball.

"You gotta relax, kid." Keelin pulls me to the side after another frustrating practice before our game against Sky Blue. "Are you worried about playing against Kelley?"

"No. No. She called me before the Chicago game, helped me through some things. I'm just worried about not playing at all." I confide in the captain once we're far away from the rest of the team. "It's frustrating."

"I know." My captain squeezes my shoulder, trying to comfort me. "You just have to be patient, you'll get your chance."

I only nod, not wanting to sound like a whining little kid and I pack the rest of my stuff before getting on the bus that takes us back to our hotel here in New Jersey.

I'm roomed with Hope, and happy about it since she's who I'm closest too in the team. She keeps to herself and doesn't bother me once we're back in the room. We relax before dinner, resting for the game tomorrow.