The woman’s visible annoyance softened, the tension in her shoulders seeping away. “I didn’t know that.”
“How would you? You’ve barely spoken to me.”
“Yes, well, try not to take it personally.” Erin bent to pick up Gerrard, who melted into her arms with a satisfied meow. “So, you ready for the weekend?”
Saturday marked Albion’s Super League season opener against Everton, and Lia couldn’t wait. She was the best version of herself when she was on the pitch, and it had been months since her last competitive game of football. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Erin shrugged. “First-game jitters.”
“Surprised you care.”
“Of course I care.” Erin looked affronted. “I want us to win, and we need goals to make that happen.”
“Even if they’re mine?”
Tilting her head, Erin pursed her lips. “Well, it makes your signing worth it, doesn’t it?” With that, Erin turned and headed back toward the stairwell, leaving Lia staring after her, unable to believe what had happened.
She hadn’t realised Erin was capable of having a civil conversation.
At least not with her.
* * *
“And, finally,” the announcer at Salford Albion Stadium bellowed, voice carrying around the stands, “please welcome your new number thirteen—Lia Ashcroft!”
All around Erin, the crowd erupted into rapturous applause as Lia walked onto the pitch to join the rest of the Albion players. She took Erin’s place at the end of the line, her smile seeming somewhat forced as she glanced around the stadium and took it all in.
Beside Erin, Maisie clapped hard. She was excited to watch Lia play. Over the last month, she had asked about her more times than Erin could count, seemingly disappointed when her aunt couldn’t tell her much about Albion’s exciting new signing.
Watching the team take their places on the pitch, Erin clenched her hands into fists and shoved them into the deep pockets of her hoodie. Sitting in the stands for the two friendlies hadn’t lessened the ache she had to be out there with them.
Part of her wished she’d stayed at home. With being out injured so long, she wasn’t obliged to attend every game, but Maisie had asked if they could go, and Erin had never been good at saying no to her.
Plus, it wasn’t often they got to watch an Albion game together. Maisie came to as many as Jessica could bring her to, of course, giving Erin a running commentary of how she’d played once the game was done, but this was different.
“Are you okay, Auntie Erin?” Big green eyes gazed at Erin as Lia kicked the game off.
It was Erin’s turn to force a smile. “Yeah, honey. Don’t worry about me.”
“Mum said you might not want to come today.”
“Your mum should know that I wouldn’t pass up the chance to hang out with my favourite niece.”
“I’m your only niece!” Maisie giggled and reached for a handful of sweets from the bag stuffed into her coat pocket. “What do you think the score will be?”
Albion’s opponents had finished in the bottom half of the table the previous season, though that didn’t necessarily mean it would be an easy ride. A lot of things could change over the summer, with players coming in and players leaving, as well as changes behind the scenes. Still, she had to back her team. “3-0.”
“Do you think Lia will score?”
Erin glanced toward the pitch. Everton were playing a high defensive line, leaving acres of space behind them. If Erin were on the pitch, she’d wait for a picture-perfect pass from midfield to run onto and slot home.
Which meant Lia would probably do the same.
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
When Lia had her first shot on target five minutes in—expertly pushed around the post by the goalkeeper to groans from the home support—Maisie all but melted back into her seat. “She’s so good. I can’t believe you’ll get to play with her!”
I can’t believe it, either. But Erin couldn’t deny it—Lia was at home on the pitch. Her movements were quick and sharp, and her passes pinpoint. Begrudgingly, Erin had to respect the start she’d made. How effortless she made everything look.
