Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 15

Meghan's POV:

The next day goes well. We have training in the morning like we usually do and then recovery in the afternoon. Somehow I got roped into doing an ice bath. I don't end up hating it as much as I thought I would much to Carli's pleasure. We also have some team bonding after dinner and up playing some Never Have I Ever and watching movies. It is a good time and I am getting really close to some of the girls which is nice. We all head back to our rooms and tonight I don't even have to ask Emily if we can sleep together. She just climbs into my bed and pulls me close. And man am I not complaining.

I don't really know what we are. We act like an old married couple most of the time. We bicker and fight but then two seconds later makeup and are cuddling. The team thinks it's hilarious. They keep trying to get us together but we keep resisting. As much as I want to be with her I am not ready for anything more than cuddles and cute dates. So I don't know what's going on.

Anyways it is now the morning of our game with Australia. For some reason, Coach is starting me although I don't think I'm good enough for that but clearly she disagrees. I'm nervous but more excited than anything.

I have woken up in Emily's arms. It is a little bit before we actually have to get up so I let her sleep a little more. I just enjoy the moment. I watch her chest rise and fall so peacefully. I study the freckles that are scattered across her face. She is so pretty I can't even take it.

"Hi"

I gasp slightly startled. "mm Hi" Is all I manage to get out. I can feel myself blushing. But luckily she doesn't mention it.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?"

"Perfect" I state, still trying to control my blushing. She totally just caught me staring at her in her sleep. "And you?"

"Same" she replies grinning. Well, that didn't really go the way I had planned. Oh well. We lay in the same position for many minutes, neither of us wanting to move.

"Are you excited for our game?" she asks, breaking the silence.

"Mmm, I am. I'm kinda nervous though."

"Hey! You will do great I know it," she says reassuringly.

We eventually get out of bed and get ready for our game. Breakfast is pretty quiet as we are all focused on the upcoming game. Soon enough it is time to leave and we all get on the bus.

Rose and I sit together as we have since that first day. We make small talk for a few minutes but then both put headphones in doing our pregame hype up routine. I listen to my music. I'm not really one to have super specific music taste but my pregame playlist is very particular. I always listen to 60's music. Not because I have a particular affinity for it but because it reminds me of my mom. She used to play it when she was doing things around the house and it just brought back such good memories. It also grounds me and reminds me why I am here and that they are watching over me.

Soon enough we arrive at the stadium. There are already so many fans here. I didn't really know what to expect but this was definitely a little overwhelming. We make it into the locker room and everyone changes into their practice gear. Once we are in the locker room I no longer am in control of the music I am listening to. Between Sonnet and Pinoe we all get pretty hyped up.

We have a quick warm-up before again returning to the locker room. My locker now has a jersey hanging in it with my name on it. Hull is written in bold across the top. The number 26 is written on the back. I just stand there for a moment admiring the fact that I made it this far. I guess Kelley noticed my still form.

"Hey! You will do great. I will be right with you the whole time." she whispers and places a hand on my shoulder.

"Ya... I can't believe I made it this far.'' I voice my thoughts.