The Family

16

Talia's POV

"You okay Freckles?" Christen asks as we walk off the field to get changed for our last game of SheBelieves. "You've been quiet since we went to breakfast yesterday."

"Julie knows about my addiction." I mumble.

"How'd she find out?"

"She found my 7 month sobriety chip."

"What happened then?"

"I told her everything." I say. "I mean it's not like I could hide it from her anymore."

"And how did she react?" Christen asks.

"She was very quiet. She asked a couple questions then she laid with me for a while and let me get some emotions out."

"Have you talked about it since?"

"Not really." I admit. "you know I don't like talking about."

"I know Freckles." Christen says and wraps an arm around me as we walk into the tunnel. "But when you talked to me, Becky, Kelley, and Amy about it you came to terms with it more and it got easier for you to get off the Xanax."

"I know." I mumble. "I told her this morning we can talk after the game."

"You'll be fine." Christen says as we get in the locker room then she kisses my cheek.

The two of us head to our locker then I take off my warm up shirt and put on my jersey. I then sit in my locker and listen to the pregame speeches for a couple minute then I get in line with the other starters. Moments later we walk onto the field and sing the anthems, shake hands, the captains do the coin toss, then I run to my position moments before We kick off.

Once We kick off I don't really pay attention to what's going on.

The only thing I'm thinking about is the talk I'm going to have to have with Julie.

UGH.

I really don't wanna talk about this.

"Are you okay Talia?" Becky says and rests her hand on my back as I lay on the ground.

"What happened?" I ask. "And why does my shoulder hurt?"

"You mean you don't remember?" Kelley asks.

"I don't have a concussion." I say. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"Okay?"

"So what happened and why does my shoulder hurt?" I ask once again.

"You went up for a header with a German on a corner and you both fell to the ground."

"Move out of the way please." One of our AT's says then everyone moves away.

The AT checks my shoulder and head then she helps me up and lead me off the field.

"Your shoulder is out of socket." The AT says as an EMT arrives

"Okay." I say then look at the fourth official. "Can I go back on now?

"Talia we need to go to the hospital to get you checked."

"We already know what's wrong. My shoulder is out of socket." I say. "Just pop it back in so I can go back on to the field."

"Ma'am." The EMT says

"Just do what she says." Ash says from behind me.

The keeper then appears in front of me with a towel.

"Here." Ash says and hands me the towel. "I'll hold you up while you bite on that and cover my ears."

"Deal." I say and bite down on the towel.