~ Traitor ~

Chapter Two

Rae's POV

I'd been in my new job for a small matter of two months. Today, was my first day off since then. I was completely exhausted. But today, wasn't avoidable. It was going to be our last game as a club, before the club is completely shut down. We'd already won the league, but we felt we owed it to the club, to finish the season right.

Not only it being the last game, I was also incredibly nervous because Jordan has decided he not only wants to come, but bring a team mate or two to the game. I agreed and here we are. I walked into the stadium, hand tightly gripping my bag.

I set it down on the side, knowing this would be the last time I got changed in my spot. I pulled on my kit slowly, wanting to savour every last minute of the changing room banter we all shared.

Heading out on to the pitch, made me feel even worse. I knew I couldn't afford to go to another club, so knowing this was going to be my last game of football for the foreseeable future was making me feel even sadder.

I start practicing my typical warm up. Shooting, crossing, through balls and a bit of defending. I practice in goal for a little bit too.
We head back into the changing rooms for a quick team talk. We used every last minute to just be in each other's presence. I pull on the captains armband and take my place in the line up.
We walk out and stand facing our supporters who stuck by us. Some were just as emotional as us.

I look to the right hand side of the dug outs and see my brother, sat with two other players. Returning the focus back to my game, I take my spot in the inner circle. The referee blows the whistle.

It was still 0-0 at half time. The weight of what was happening in the back ground was weighing heavy on our minds and there was nothing we could do to break them down. We were emotionally drained and physically tired.

We head back out and I look to my brother and his friends. 'You can do it' he mouths at me and I smile back.

Suddenly, the defence opens wide up. I shoot through and send the ball flying into the back of the net. I run straight to our coach and we all hug it out. We are awarded a corner, after a mistake from the opposition. Our right back hits it out and I'm stood just out the box. My instinct is turn and attempt and overhead kick. Which the keeper tried to save, but it just passed her gloves and hit the back of the net with force.

The game finishes and the emotion starts. We are left sitting on the ground, realisation hitting us. We weren't going to be able to pull this kit on again. Our coach comes round us, one by one. He helps us up. We lift our trophy and I'm asked to speak to the fans that stayed.

"First, I just want to thank everyone who came today. Deep down, I think we knew a while ago it would be the end for the club. For many of us, this club was our escape and release. For many of us, this club gave us everything - so for us not to be able to save them, really sucks. I for one, am incredibly grateful for all of your support over the last three years and I'm sure I can speak for all of the ladies that are kitted you today." I pause, trying to stop myself from crying. "On just a personal note, coach. Thank you for everything. You treated us like your own. You helped us with anything and everything you could. Back room staff, we appreciate everything you did for us as a team. Len, our coach driver. We love you man! Thank you for the memories of all our drives and journeys together. Finally, I just want to thank all these girls. You all have no idea how much you mean to me. I'm sorry that we're not going to be at the same clubs and I just wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do next."

We head inside to change. I shower and apply a little make up, considering I'd be meeting his friends. I tie my hair up in a bun and put on my after match gear. Shorts and a polo. I put on some perfume and left the changing rooms.

I walk out and look for my brother. I was already feeling nervous, this is the first time I've seen him since I moved out.
I turned to our club legend, Sylvie. She supported the girls section from the very beginning. She'd always check in on me when I was going through the court case. She was here, every game day morning, helping us set up, serving tea and coffee and helping out in general.

"Oh I'm so proud of you." She smiles at me.
"Sylvie, thank you." I mumble, feeling myself getting emotional.
"Rae. You are not to cry on me."
"You saw it through to the end."
"We all did Raelynn. My tattooed little angel." She smiles again at me. "You best go speak to that brother of yours."
"Come meet them. I know you've supported Liverpool forever." I smiled.
"Really?"
"Of course! You finish up and I'll go talk to them and you come over whenever okay?"
"Yes please." She smiles even wider.

I head over to my brother and his friends.
"Sorry I took so long. I just bloody love that woman." I tell them.
"I missed you." Jordan tells me and hugs me.
"I missed you too." I hug him back. "Hi guys." I smile at his friends.
"Rae, this is Trent and Virgil. Trent, Virgil, this is Rae."
"Hi!" They smiled back.

I notice Sylvie go to walk past us.
"Sylvie, you need a lift home?" I ask her.
"I'm okay, thank you. I'm getting the bus." She smiles at me.
"No you're not. I'll drive you home."
"You go spend time with your friends. I'll be perfectly fine."
"Sylvie, you literally live ten minutes away. We'll survive and after all you do for the club, it's the least we can do."
"As long as I can sit next to these boys, that's fine by me." She laughs and I shake my head before laughing.
"Do you guys wanna come to my place?" I ask them and they all look at each other.
"Why not?" Trent asks and goes to follow me and so does Virgil.
"Jord?"
"I'll need to drive my car, but yeah!"

Trent and Virgil come with me, as per Sylvie's wishes. By the end of the journey, she's admitted she was a huge Liverpool fan. They'd been deep in discussion about football and their latest champions league win.
"Fancy coming to the next home game?" Trent asked her.
"Oh I can't afford that." Sylvie smiles as I pulled up outside her home.
"I'll get you tickets."
"Oh you keep those for your family. Thank you though."
"We can get you some. We'll sort it for you, transport included."
"Thank you boys." She gives them both a hug before turning to me. "Listen you. I love you lots okay?"
"I love you too Sylv. You've got my number if you need absolutely anything alright? A chat, food, anything. Promise you'll call?"
"Of course I will. I still want you round for my once a week visits for your tea."
"Of course. Couldn't miss my tea dates with you!" I smile and hug her.

I watch her safely get into the house and we set back off on the journey to my house.
"Thanks for doing that boys." I smile at them.
"Not a problem. She's so kind." Virgil replies.
"She's a legend. She's like my second mum."

Once we get to mine, Jordan is outside waiting. We all head in.
"I have an excitable pup. He tries to come across as protective, but he'll lick you to death." I laugh and let them in.

"Marley!" I called. "Listen for the thud." I tell them.
He practically comes through the ceiling he jumps off my bed that hard. He comes bounding into the kitchen. He jumps up at me. "Hi baby!" I smile.
"He's adorable!" Trent smiles and I notice an instant love between them.

Marley didn't leave Trents side, all evening. It even got to the point he wedged himself between us. We were all getting a long and just having the nicest night. Typically, it would have set off my anxiety, meeting new people, seeing my brother again. But it felt like I'd known Virgil and Trent years. It felt normal just to be hanging with my brother again. Weird, but normal.