“I can’t believe this is real life,” Number 11 murmurs.
Number 7 pinches her and she shrieks.
“You’re not dreaming.” Number 7 grins.
Carla laughs and rounds up the girls. “Okay, here’s how this is going to work. We’re going to break into groups and work through some drills. Ale is going to coach you through some shooting exercises, Andrés’s on defensive blocking, Luca has passing and dribbling drills, and I’m working you through conditioning. Think of this like a fun twist on a boot camp. We’ll spend twenty minutes on each section before we break and gear up for a friendly.”
“We’re really going to play?” Number 24 asks.
Ale grins at her and her eyes widen. “We’re absolutely going to play,” he promises.
“¡Venga! ¡Vamos!” Carla says. Let’s go!
She divides the girls into groups and I bring my squad of four players over to a section of the pitch. My group is comprised of Maria, Anna, Julieta, and Carmen.
“Okay, girls, we’re going to spend about ten minutes on passing and ten minutes on dribbling. I want us to start with a one-on-one gate attack…” I pause to gesture toward the cones I set up. “And then, we’ll work on pacing. I want to focus on accelerating while keeping control of the ball. We’ll wrap up with some passing gates and give-and-gos. Vale?”
“Vale,” the girls agree.
We begin the first drill and I watch how they work together, admiring their skill level and clear communication. I know Carla hasn’t been coaching them for long, and they had a strong foundation prior to her taking over, but the cohesive way they work together impresses me.
I glance at Carla. She’s down the pitch, her hair pulled into a high ponytail braid. It trails to the center of her shoulder blades, a rope I’d love to wrap my hand around and tug. Her body, athletic and lithe, moves fluidly as she demonstrates an exercise for the girls. She’s so natural, so in her element. It strikes me what a phenomenal coach she is. How much she gives to her players—even beyond the game.
When I first suggested they come to the stadium, she waved me away, saying it was too much. But I wanted to do something for her, a just-because surprise, to prove that I’m in her corner. Hell, I’m rooting for her every damn day.
Carmen whistles and I snap my neck toward her.
She exchanges a look with Julieta and the two of them giggle.
I smirk. “What?”
“You’ve got it bad, DiBlanco,” Julieta voices.
“What?” I laugh, feigning dumb. Because…am I that obvious?
“Don’t blush,” Carmen advises. “It’s cute.”
“Yeah, I bet every man who passes Carla on the street falls a little in love with her,” Maria shares.
“She’s awesome,” Anna says, nodding.
“She is awesome,” I agree. “The best. Let’s focus on the next drill.”
The girls burst out laughing. Julieta throws her head back and practically cackles.
“Look at him changing the subject,” Anna murmurs.
“I hope it works out for you, Luca,” Carmen says, grinning.
I chuckle and dip my head, knowing I’ve been made. “Yeah? So do I.”
The girls giggle again.
“If you need us to put a good word in…” Carmen trails off.
“You guys would be really cute together,” Anna says, thoughtfully.
“Grazie. Now, the next drill?” I point to the cones.
