ғᴏᴏᴛsᴛᴇᴘs | ᴋᴍ ✔︎

The Newcomer

"If the fence is strong enough I'll sit on it"
SMITH, Sir Cyril
(1928 - 2010)

| Cody |

"Maxi, can we talk?" Jack asks abruptly, halting the conversations that were flowing between the others present.

"No." I insist, only for someone to kick my shin. I look across the table and see Tobin raising a brow. "Fine." I grumble, standing from my seat and walking out of the restaurant and into the dark street, Jack following behind me silently.

"I'm sorry about your leg." She begins, only stopping when I cut her off.

"Is that it? Can I go back in now?"

"Stop it, Max." She practically scolds, her arms crossing over her chest. I stop in my pursuit of the restaurant door, and turn to face my friend. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was moving here. I wanted to, I really did...but then all the shit happened with you and Kristie-"

"You've known for over a month, you didn't say a damn thing, but it's somehow Kristie's fault?" I close the distance between us, biting down on the anger I can feel bubbling just beneath the surface.

"That came out wrong." She holds her hands up, surrendering. "I was scared, okay? We used to be so close and now...now it's-"

"Complicated." I finish for her, suddenly understanding where she was coming from.

"Yeah. I thought if I pushed you away then it would hurt less, but it doesn't. It hurts more. I miss you, Maxi. Despite everything, you're my best friend and you always will be. I'm really sorry about your knee, for not shaking your hand. I acted like an asshole, and I wish I could take it all back." She holds her hand out for me to shake, and bites her lip when I hesitate.

"I miss you too." I finally shake her hand, letting her pull me in for a hug, and I hear her sigh when I hug her back.

We head back into the restaurant together to see that Kelley switched seats, leaving two empty ones next to each other, she definitely doesn't do subtle. We settle back into the friendly conversation between the two couples, both of us enjoying the company of our families while it lasts, knowing they'll be going home tomorrow.

______

We talk for a few hours, eating and joking with one another, as if no drama ever happened. Until Tobin stands up...

"Alex." She starts, gaining my mothers attention, and when I glance at Kelley I realize what's about to happen. I nod at Jack, oddly grateful when she pinches my thigh, stopping me from grinning like a lunatic. "I love you, I have for a long time now. You're my best friend and my biggest motivator. I knew I couldn't ask this without Cody being here-"

"Ask what?"

"Shh, don't interrupt, mom!"

"Anyway." Tobin chuckles before continuing. "Albert Einstein once said 'Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile', and I want to live my life for you, Alex." She pulls a small box from her jacket pocket and takes her knee, opening the box for my mom to see the ring. "Alex, will you do me the honor of being my wi-"

"Yes! A million times yet!" Alex interrupts, throwing her arms around Tobins neck as tears fall from her eyes.

"Aww, that was cute." Kelley ruins the moment, and we all turn to see her holding up her phone, recording the moment. "I'm sending that to the team." She beams, as her fingers fly over her screen at record speed.

| Jordan |

"When will Idaho be back?"

"Why can't you just call her Cody?" I ask my girlfriend as I absentmindedly scroll through twitter, not looking at anything in particular.

"Everyone calls her that."

"Yeah, because it's her name." I deadpan, receiving a slap to the head. "I don't know when she'll be back, she's with Alex." I tell Leah as I stumble across Jack's twitter, noticing that she's talking with Magdalena Eriksson about Idaho, but I can't tell if it's the State or Cody.

"Are you meeting up with some of the Man City girls tomorrow?"

"I didn't know they were travelling to London?" I answer in the form of a question, hoping that my girlfriend would understand that I want her to continue talking and she does, after she rolls her eyes at me.

"They have a game against West Ham, but apparently some of them want to meet our little rookie." She frowns.

"You sound protective."

"I am, and you should be, too!" Leah huffs, disappearing for a few minutes, only to return with a bottled water. "I mean, look" She holds up her phone, showing me that she's been stalking some Man City players on Twitter. I glance at her questionably before taking her phone and reading the most recent tweet.

"Does Cody even know Claire?" I ask Leah, handing her phone back.

"I don't know. Maybe Kim or Lisa introduced them?"

____________

| Cody |

"Will you get home safe, baby girl?" My mom asks, as she and Tobin stand outside the restaurant with me as I wait for the Uber I ordered. Jack, Hope and Kelley left already, leaving me with the newly engaged couple.

"Mom, will you relax? I'll be fine, and I'll let Jordan know that I'm on my way back." Tobin chuckles as I negotiate with my mom, who I'm sure is seconds away from telling me that she'll take the Uber with me, just to make sure I make it back safely.

"You let me know when you get home." Alex points her finger at me, seemingly threatening but the slight smile on her face ruins the mood she's trying to portray.

"I will." I laugh it off as my Uber pulls up and I open the door, only for two sets of arms to wrap around me.

"I'll miss you kid. Kick ass next game." Tobin rubs my back and steps aside to let my mom wrap her arms around me again.

"I'll miss you mom." I mumble into her shoulder, and smile when I feel her leave a kiss to my temple.

"I'll miss you too, baby girl. Get home safe, okay?" She pulls away, smiling as she runs a hand through my hair. "I love you."

"I love you too, mom." I wave as the car pulls away from the curb, settling into the silence until my phone goes off. I instinctively smile when I read the text.

From: Rival

Can't wait to see you, baby.

A/N - Sorry readers, I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.