Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
It took me a good 2 weeks to recover, and I missed our next game against Orlando Pride. But I did end up getting player of the match from the last game I played where I hit in the header and had an assist. 
I really was struggling to not be on the availability report, and it was before the season even started. 
I missed 2 of 4 games, and lots of practice, but that wasn't going to stop me. 
Some of our girls just got back from international duty, Ashley and Trinity included, so I was happy to have the latter back. 
I missed Trin like CRAZY, but I was so happy for her that she scored her first international goal while she was in Pennsylvania. 
She asked me to come pick her up from the airport, which I agreed to. 
When I got there, it turns out I was going to have to drive them all home except Hatch and Aubrey Kingsbury because their husbands came to get them. 
I leaned on my car and stood outside waiting for them. Then they all walked out in a bit group, laughing and looking happy. 
I smiled, and the first person that looked at me was Ashley, who had also scored her first 2 international goals in this pair of friendlies. 
She gave me a half smile kind of, and I was dreading driving her home. 
Then Trinity looked away from Hatch and to me, and she dropped her bag and ran to me. She squeezed the shit out of me, and everyone around laughed. 
"How do those teeth feel?" She asked. 
"Well I'm not chubby anymore, so they're feeling better." I laughed. 
"Hey kid!" Kelley gave me a hug too. "Thanks for the ride." 
"Well I haven't given it yet, so don't say anything that will make me leave you on the side of the road." I joked. 
"You don't look so ugly anymore!" Ashley said, fake smiling. 
"I can't believe you used to kiss me with that mouth." I said. 
I got hugs from Hatch and Aubrey as well, and then we all went in our respective cars. 
Trinity jumped in the front seat after loading her suitcase in the trunk, and Ash and Kelley got in the back. 
"So first international goals for you two!" I said happily. "Congrats!" 
"Only a matter of time before it's you." Kelley said. 
"Nah." 
"No, she's right." Said Trinity. "She's never wrong about that." 
"There's so much good midfield talent. I have no shot." I said as I pulled away from the airport. 
"Stop having things wrong with you and maybe you've got a shot." Ashley said. 
"Would it kill you to be nice?" Kelley asked. 
"Well I can't tell if that was a compliment or an insult." I said. 
"A bit of both." Replied Ash.
I dropped Kelley off first, and then Trinity because Ashley had fallen asleep in the back using her sweatshirt as a pillow and we all agreed it was best to let her sleep. 
I grabbed her suitcase from the trunk and put it on her doorstep, and then went to wake her up. I knew she was going to act irrationally, but it is what it is. 
I climbed over the backseat to gently tap her awake, and when she woke up she looked exhausted. 
"Come on, Ash. You're home." I said softly. 
"Where's Kelley?" She asked. 
"She's at her house." 
"Where's Trinity?" 
"At her house." 
"So it's just us?" 
"Yep." 
She yawned, we both climbed out of the car. 
I walked her to the doorstep for some stupid reason, and she looked at me like I was crazy. 
As she fished for her keys, I said "So congrats on those goals. They were pretty sweet." 
"Um, thanks." She unlocked the door, and she unlocked it, and I forgot I was leaning against the doorframe. 
"Okay. Well, have a good night." I said, starting to walk away. 
"Bye." She said. "Um, thanks for the ride." 
"No problem." 
----------
It's April 17th, and it's our second match up of the challenge cup against Gotham FC, and we're in New Jersey.
I was happy to be able to play again, and I hoped and prayed no injuries. 
Obviously Trinity healed up quickly, and she was able to play normal minutes and everything. 
I hadn't talked to Ashley since I gave her a ride home, and I was getting sadder and sadder as the days passed. I missed her like crazy, and I have no idea what to do about it. She hates me so much. 
But I'd hate me too.
In the locker room before the game, Hatch came up to me once we were ready to warm up. 
"Hey." 
"Hi. What's up?" 
"I have a question." 
"If it has anything to do with Sanchez-" 
"Nothing to do with her. I swear." 
"Okay then fire away." I said. 
"I have an extra ticket to go to the Nationals game a day next week. Do you want to come with?" 
"Sure!" I said happily. "I love baseball. My dad was a huge baseball guy." 
"Awesome. I'll give you more details later. I just didn't want it to slip my mind." 
She walked away, and I was all happy now. I haven't spent much time with Hatch really, so I think this is going to be fun. 
Trinity and I did our pregame stuff quickly before heading out to the field for the anthem and everything. 
I wasn't starting again, but it still didn't bother me. I'm just happy to be here.