A game I can't lose

An unexpected reunion

After nearly a month of negotiation, Jordan had finally completed a transfer from Arsenal to the Portland Thorns.
There were a lot of positives: more time with friends and family, not being homesick, a likelier chance of selection for the USWNT etc.

Of course Jordan was nervous though. A massive negative hung in the balance though.

There was less of an excuse to avoid Mallory Pugh.

Who says that about their best friend? Jordan rolled her eyes at her selfishness and just then, her phone rang.

Who was ringing at quarter past eleven at night?
Jordan picked up the phone to find out and was pleasantly surprised to hear a cheery Canadian at the other side.

"Congrats Jords!"
"Jessie? We've not spoke in ages!"

Both players laughed, happy to be reunited over the line.

JF: Well...I wanted to congratulate you on your move to Portland!
JMC: Thanks!
JF: And also to tell you that...there will be a UCLA reunion!
JMC: No!
JF: YES!
JMC:NO!
JF: Your fellow bruin is coming to join you in Portland!
JMC: That's the best news I've heard in a while
JF: (chuckle) Well that's not the only good news
JMC: What? Jess, what is it?
JF: (squeal) Mal's moving to the Thorns as well!

There was silence as Jordan took the news in.
Things were a bit hard to stomach.

JF: Jordan? You still there?

Jordan had forgotten she was leaving Jessie hanging.

JMC: Yeah...yeah, that's good news. Sorry, I'm just tired, todays been hectic as you know. Speak to you tomorrow?
JF: Ok...

With that, Jordan ended the call before flopping onto her bed.
Looks like you're not getting rid of Mal anytime soon.

The next day was introduction day. Jordan, alongside others , was being shown around Providence Park and all the other facilities, as well as being photographed with the shirt among various other merchandise.

It was nice to see Jessie again. As for Mal...Jordan had to act normal. Although she knew that Mal knew that since the start of the year, Jordan had been doing anything but that.

At the end, they were introduced to their new teammates. Although Jordan knew most of them from the national set up.

After that, the trio were told that their first training session was tomorrow, in preparation for their potential debut against the Chicago Red Stars.

So they headed to Jordan's place, to "catch up" in Jessie's words.
The conversation was light at first, talking about a host of things, from their careers to what they thought of Portland's kit.
Then as the drinks rained down into their system, a cloud of seriousness came over.

"You know Jordan," Jessie rubbed an eye that was red with tiredness, "I don't know how you cope with all that happened."
The reference to her dads death was obvious, but Jordan shrugged it off, ignoring the concerned looks she was getting from both her friends.

"I just have to..." a deep breath was needed, "keep going, make him proud."
"He'll always be proud of you," Mal wrapped an arm around Jordan which caught her out, jumping at the contact forcing Mal to frown.
"S-Sorry," Jordan blushed, "I'm not used to being in...physical contact with anybody."

The drinks must have stirred something in her because Jordan was sure her sober self wouldn't have said that.
Mal looked to the clock which read half ten. "I better get going."
Jordan began to get out her chair. "I'll call a cab."
Clearly still hurt at her best friend, Mal shook her head. "I've not drank that much. At least not as much as you guys." She added, the look of disgust directed to the intoxicated women.

With that, she was gone and perhaps the effects of alcohol were beginning to wear off, as Jordan groaned and put her head in her hands, starting to realise how much she had hurt Pugh.
"Jordsss?"
Jordan turned around, forgetting for a moment there was someone else in the house.
"Yes?"
Jessie appeared uncomfortable. "May I ask a question?"
Jordan had no idea what it'd be but nodded anyway.
Looking around with a look of guilt in her face, the older player asked, "May I stay here? At your house? For a bit. Like moving in, in a way..."

Jordan nodded, the relief evident on her face that
question was asked.
Fleming stumbled out her chair, "Blimey, I think the shots were a bit much Jords." She muttered, getting a soft chuckle from her slightly less drunk friend.

" 'Night Flems." Jordan said, more to herself, as her new teammate slipped up the stairs.
Her eyes began to flutter shut, and Jordan knew that she wasn't going to be awake for much longer.
Before she reached snoozeland, Jordan's last thoughts were her relief that her favourite Canadian was here and her discomfort about the fact that Mal was suspicious about her behaviour.

But hey, as long as she never knew that her best friend was crushing on her, Jordan was perfectly fine with life.