“I don’t like what you’re insinuating, Gwen, and I don’t like you talking about Callan like I’m only with him for what he can give me.”
Gwen grabs the pizza from the desk and sets it on the bed between us. “I didn’t mean any offence, babe. You know I think the world of Callan. It’s just exciting, and I’m happy for you.” She flashes me a grin before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “It’s great that life is going so well for one of us.” The smile drops off her face, and pain glimmers in her eyes before she lowers her gaze, avoiding me.
“Has something happened?” I softly ask as Gwen opens the pizza box.
“I have officially completed my diversion program, and my case has been dropped. I won’t have a criminal record.”
“That’s a good thing, so why the sad face?”
She hands me a napkin with a slice of pepperoni pizza on it.
Gwen leans back against the wall with her legs stretched out in front of her. A slice of pizza rests on a napkin on her lap as she stares up at the ceiling.
I scoot up alongside her, taking a bite while I wait for her to gather her thoughts. While I’ve been preoccupied with Callanthese past few weeks, Gwen has been handling a lot, and I feel for her. I make a vow to be more patient. I know if she’s lashing out she doesn’t mean it.
“I just feel like my life is going nowhere.” She eyeballs me as she speaks. “People look down on me now because of one stupid mistake. I’m not loving college as much as I thought I would. I’m not sure if I want to be with Scott anymore. It feels like I’m losing you to your boyfriend and your new friends, and I feel aimless without Gran.” A sob erupts from her mouth.
“Aww, Gwen.” I slide my arm around her, and Gwen’s head lowers to my shoulder. “I know you miss her so much, and I promise I’m always here for you. You won’t lose me.”
“But I’m going to when you move to London. Who do I have in my corner then?”
Guilt is immediate because the truth is I didn’t give much thought to my friends when I made the decision to follow my boyfriend to England. My family was my biggest concern, but they are supportive and encouraging. Mom thinks it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to explore the world. “That won’t be for months, and we can keep in regular contact. You can visit.”
She lifts her head. “I guess that would help.” Her entire face lights up, and the pizza flies off her lap when she turns to me on her knees. “I just had the best idea! I’ll come with you for spring break!” She grips my shoulders. “We’ll have the most amazing time. We could catch a show and go shopping and visit Buckingham Palace!” Her voice elevates with every spoken word, and excitement literally exudes from her pores, but how do I tell her I’m not sure my boyfriend will like this idea?
Her eyes study my face, and I watch the glee fade from her features. “You don’t want me to come.” Her arms lower to her sides, and she gulps before looking away.
“Of course, I do,” I blurt, taking her hands. “It’s just Callan had plans.”
“I thought you said he’d be very busy. I could keep you company. We can visit all the sights together while he’s off doing his thing. Please say I can come, Azzie.” She pins me with doe eyes. “Getting out of Vermont is exactly what I need. A break from everything that’s trying to drag me down. I won’t get in the way. I promise.”
“I’ll ask Callan.”
“You’re the best.” Gwen flings herself at me, hugging me to death. When she eases back, there is no hint of her previous melancholy. If a trip to London means this much to her, I don’t see the harm in letting her tag along. Callan is going to be working most of the time, and I’d prefer company when I’m exploring London instead of being on my own. Hopefully, my boyfriend agrees.
46
CALLAN
“When does your girlfriend arrive?” Joel asks as we leave the training center together, walking toward the car park.
“Her flight gets in at eight.” My smile is instantaneous. I can’t wait to see Astrid. It’s been a lonely—but busy—six weeks.
“We’re looking forward to meeting her.”
“She can’t wait to meet you either, mate.”
Joel Ekman has been playing for Thamesford FC for six years, having moved here from Stockholm at eighteen. We are meeting him and his wife, Tamara, for dinner on Thursday night in a top spot in Central London. Tamara is a fashion buyer for a designer brand, and she’s very career-oriented. She insists I come over for dinner once a week, and I really enjoy their company. I think Astrid will love her.
Joel and I bonded over our love of Swedish cursing, and he’s taken me under his wing, helping to show me the ropes, because he remembers what it was like at the start. How overwhelming and isolating it can be. The team were welcoming, but it’s quite cliquey, and I was feeling out of my depth those first few weeks. Joel has been a godsend because there’s been a lot to take in.
It’s been stressful, and I’m grateful I have Astrid. Talking to her helps to keep me grounded and sane, and her pragmatic approach to things never fails to reassure and comfort me. I can’t wait until she’s here because I need her more than she realizes.
The sheer size and scale of the operation is daunting. The club employs over two hundred and fifty people, with most of them not being directly associated with the team. Chefs, kitchen staff, receptionists, car park and stadium attendants, groundskeepers, office staff, security personnel, and they have a massive marketing and public relations team. I’ve had media training to help me navigate the massive personal interest in me, and I’m grateful for the support because it’s a minefield.
The team dietician works with the chefs in the canteen to create weekly plans for the team that are high in carbohydrates and protein and lower in fat. She gave me suggested meal plans and recipes for when I’m home. The importance of eating right, getting quality sleep, and following a specific training and recovery plan has been overemphasized. A lot of this isn’t new to me, and I’m no stranger to discipline, but this is on a whole other level.
My schedule is insane. Meeting daily with the team for training, meetings, and strategy sessions. One-on-ones with Colin, my manager, and Markus, the assistant manager. Two strength and power workouts a week. Ice baths and time in the jacuzzi. Sessions with the team physio. A match every Saturday or Sunday, and mid-week games too. Media interviews. Signing merch. Photos with fans.
