ғᴏᴏᴛsᴛᴇᴘs | ᴋᴍ ✔︎

JACK PT II

Rachel parked outside the stadium and walked to Vera's office as quickly as possible. She wanted it all to be over with as soon as possible. She was tired of the secrets and the lies, she felt like a high school kid again, and wanted to be done with the drama that ensued.

"Rachel, have a seat," Vera instructed after letting the Englishwoman into her office. A few papers were strewn on the table, steam rising from the hot cup of Joe on the desk. Rachel did as instructed and sat opposite her coach. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. I don't want to be rude but can we just get this over with?"

The sass didn't seem to bother the coach as she nodded and gathered the paperwork on her desk before sliding it across to the Englishwoman. The atmosphere was brutal. Daly didn't want to sign anything unless it was an extension of her Dash contract, but life seemed to have other ideas.

She just wanted to get home to Jack and clear everything up before anyone else had the chance to tell her.

"Thank you, Rachel."

Rachel doesn't verbally respond, only offers a small nod and a handshake before leaving the stadium to drive home. Getting in the car she glances at the suitcase on the backseat, knowing she'll have to book a flight by the end of the day.

"I know this is awkward, and I know you know that I know it's awkward and I know that you know it's awkward--"

"Jack." Christen interrupts the stressed younger woman. "You're rambling. So shut up, breathe and tell me what's wrong."
The blonde takes a large inhale of oxygen, before slowly exhaling and repeating the process before unleashing a barrage of information on the veteran player. "I know it's awkward--"

"If you say awkward one more time," Christen threatens but chuckles lightly. "I guess you've tried talking with Rachel about how she's acting?"

"Of course I have, but she just avoids the conversation, I mean she literally flees the scene, Chris."

The older woman bites her lip and silently thanks God that Jack can't see her slightly flustered state. She was overjoyed to be talking to Jack again, and to be called Chris so lightly and not the flatly pronounced 'Christen' that she's been subjected to recently.

"Maybe she just doesn't know how to say whatever it is she needs to say, Jack."

The blonde groans, "Stop being so mature and unbiased. Tell me I'm right to be annoyed and frustrated."

"You're right to be annoyed and frustrated."

"Are you just saying that cause I asked you to?" Jack quizzes, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"I don't know, am I?"

"You know, you can be so fucking annoying," Jack groans which illicits a laugh from the brunette. "Stop laughing!"

"Sorry, but if you wanted someone who would blindly agree with you, why not call Cody?" Christen asks.

"Because I know her. She would agree with me, then call Kristie to find out what the hell is going on. I just needed..."

"Needed what?"

"I needed y–"

Jack is cut off when the front door swings open and the source of her sour mood returns, and just like that the carefree conversation with Christen ends. The lightheartedness replaced with a sinking feeling.

"I gotta go, Christen."

Jack hangs up without Press getting the chance to say goodbye, and turns to face Rachel who leans against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest after hearing Christen's name.

"Talking to Press again, huh?"

"Talking to me for once, huh?" Jack snaps back, not in the mood to be played with.

"Don't start, Jack." Rachel sighs before sitting down next to her girlfriend.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Jack asks after a moment of silence.

Rachel stares at Jack's face, trying to memorize every detail, the way blonde wisps of hair fall over her cheekbones, the small dusting of freckles over the bridge of her straight nose, the furrowing of her eyebrows as she waits for an answer but Rachel stares for too long and before she knows it Jack is standing from the couch and leaving the room.