Judging from the shake of her head, Erin did. “You don’t know that. ACLs aren’t straightforward. And I’m not as young as I used to be—I might not be able to get back to my best.”
“That may be true, but I have faith in you. You are way too stubborn to settle for less than perfection.”
Erin’s nose scrunched. “Thanks?”
The look of confusion on her face—like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and for Lia to insult her—made her laugh. “You’re welcome.”
As England mounted an attack, Lia’s attention turned back to the screen, but it was snuffed out at the last moment by an incredible tackle.
“Can I ask you something?” Erin’s voice was quiet. “Something I’ve been wanting to for a while.”
Well, that was cryptic. It could be anything. “Go on.”
“Why don’t you play for England? You were born in London, right?”
Lia had not expected that question; she focused her gaze back on Erin. “Have you been reading my Wikipedia page?”
Erin’s cheeks tinged a delightful shade of pink. “Maybe. But it’s not long.”
Humming under her breath, Lia tilted her head to one side. “You’ve wondered that for a while?”
“Yes. I thought it might have been because you were afraid you wouldn’t be selected for the squad, but you’re good enough.”
“Wow.” Lia brought a hand to her chest. “That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Erin narrowed her eyes.
It made Lia’s grin widen. “I never made the decision based on how likely I was to play.” Her smile faded. “I told you a bit about my family the other day, but not all of it. When I was younger, once my stepbrother started playing football, getting into trials, I didn’t really exist to my dad or my stepmother. They were too focused on Brett. Getting him into a Premier League academy. I was good, too, but that didn’t matter to them because there was no money in women’s football. So I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, like I said. She practically raised me from the age of ten to sixteen, when I started at Wanderers. She took me to all of my practices and my games. She bought me all my gear, even though she couldn’t really afford it.”
Erin listened intently, her head cocked to one side, but never looking like she was going to interrupt.
“She was also a proud Welsh woman. I spent those six years in a village near Cardiff with her. So I decided to play for Wales, and the choice was worth it to see the look on her face when she watched me step out onto the pitch wearing that red kit for the first time.” Lia took a deep breath. “She doesn’t recognise me anymore some days. But the staff at the nursing home say she still smiles whenever they put the Wales games on—even if she doesn’t know I’m one of them.” Her vision turned hazy, and Lia hastily blinked away the tears that threatened.
“I’m sorry.” Erin rested her hand on the back of Lia’s, her touch warm. “I know I haven’t been very nice to you since you started.”
“Are you nice to anyone?” Lia tried to make light.
Erin cracked a rare smile. “I suppose you have a point there. But I usually ignore everyone else—with you, I’ve been downright hostile.”
“Because you thought I was stealing your spot.”
“Can you blame me for thinking so? You’ve hit the ground running. Even better than I did.”
“There’s only one Erin Finch. You’re irreplaceable.”
“I think you’re proof that I am.” Still, Erin kept her hand on Lia’s. “And I don’t like being confronted with my own mortality. You’ve got your whole career ahead of you, and I have a few more years, if I’m lucky.”
“And you’ll still be outplaying every opponent. I meant what I said when we were talking about Gerrard. You were my idol when I was younger.”
Erin’s lip curled. “Idol. I hate that word.”
“Why?”
“Put someone on a high enough pedestal and you’re setting yourself up for disappointment when they inevitably tumble off it.” Erin smiled. “As I’m sure I already have for you.”
“No. Don’t get me wrong—I thought you were arrogant, cocky, and an egomaniac, but when you can back it with the skill you have, I think I can forgive it.”
Erin grinned. “What a coincidence—I think exactly the same thing about you.”
