SUNSHINE

sixty

Casey had gone through all the legal proceedings that she scarcely understood, but a week later she believed she was done with everything having to do with the death of her parents. She had received several calls from family members to make sure she was alright, and she assured them she was fine, but she still had not returned to the field. She could not bring herself to do so, for playing soccer was something she enjoyed alongside her parents. Now that they had both passed, she did not know what to think or feel. She felt numb, and although playing had been a distraction through the death of her mother, she had at least been able to say a last goodbye to her.

Alessio had tried to urge her to do things they used to do, such as go on runs with Atlas or head to Orlando to hang out with Alex. She had not been herself, and although he knew that she was grieving, he had never seen her like this, and it scared her. He was seeing his old self in her, and he did not want her to fall down the rabbit hole he had.

It had now been a few weeks since her father passed, and Casey Radcliffe had not made her return to the Orlando Pride. Marc had told her to take as much time as she needed, and he kept in touch, but she did not know what to tell him now.

"Casey, I know you're mourning, and I will be here through it all, but are you ever going to play again?" Alessio asked her one Saturday afternoon while they were laying in bed. The Orlando Pride was playing that afternoon, and that was now the second game she missed during her time off.

"If I'm being honest, I don't know. I mean, I love it, don't get me wrong. I just don't know if I can go back to it. He died while I was playing, and I didn't get to say goodbye. I have missed so much because of this, and I don't know if I can do it anymore." Casey explained to him with sorrow in her voice.

"What are you going to do?" He asked her slowly, but she did not answer him. Her eyes were glued to the movements on the television, watching her backup goalkeeper let in a goal just out of her reach, causing her to groan internally. The whistle blew and the game ended with the Orlando Pride taking their second loss of the season, back to back. Casey turned off the television and sighed, leaning back against the pillows. They laid there in silence for a little while, Alessio stroking his fingers through her haid. He planted a kiss on her forehead and got up, grabbing his phone off the charger and stepping out of the room. He could not believe she was giving up her dream job, and he knew he had to do something about it. He dialed Alex's number and put the phone up to his ear, heading downstairs so he was out of earshot. It took a couple rings, but eventually she answered.

"Hey Alessio, is everything alright?" Alex asked. He typically did not call unless it was to do with something important.

"Al, I need you to come over when you can." He sighed into the phone.

"What's going on? Is it Casey?" She asked. The commotion of the locker room settled down, and she assumed she had stepped outside.

"Yeah. We were talking and I think she might be considering leaving the game." He told her quickly, and there was silence on the other end of the line.

"Out of the last couple years I've known her, she's always been so strong. I can't believe she'd step away." She sighed out of disbelief.

"I know, and I know Patrick's death has been hard on her, but she needs to know life goes on. I have an idea, but I'm gonna need your help. First, can you try and talk with her?" He explained.

"Yeah, I'm on my way now. I'll see you in thirty minutes." She said before they hung up with one another. Alessio sighed, setting his phone on the counter. "Hey Casey!" He yelled upstairs.

"Yeah?" She called back. He heard her get out of the bed and saw her emerge at the top of the stairs.

"I've got to go to the bar a little early today. It's stock day." He fibbed, knowing he should probably get out of the house before Alex came over. She bought it though, for it was something that he had to do at least twice a week.