“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Alex said.
His smile widened impossibly further. “Excellent. Well, I’ll let you two clean yourselves up, and I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Dad.” Erin fell into step beside Alex as they walked back indoors. She couldn’t wait for a shower—and a rest; she was exhausted.
A few of her teammates congratulated Erin on her return as they passed her.
Lia was one of them, her smile soft as she pressed her fingers briefly to the back of Erin’s shoulder. “Great to see you back out there, Erin. Can’t wait 'til you’re on the pitch for real.”
“Thanks, Lia.”
Before they stepped into the locker room, Alex stopped Erin with a hand on her shoulder. “Sooo, what’s the deal with you and Ashcroft?”
“What? There is no deal.” Erin glanced over her shoulder, checking that none of their other teammates were nearby. “Weren’t you the one telling me to get along with her?”
“Yes, but I never expected you to listen.”
“Sometimes you have good ideas.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “So it’s a good idea, talking to her?”
“Why do I feel like you’re trying to make this out to be something that it’s not?”
“Because I think it is something. You acted like she was the devil incarnate when she signed, and now you’re best buds?”
Crinkling her nose, Erin shook her head. “We are not best buds. We talk—sometimes. It started because Maisie is obsessed with her and kept dragging me over to her. But she’s not so bad.”
“Not so bad? Coming from you, that’s almost a declaration of love.”
“Oh, fuck off.” Tired of the conversation, Erin made to push past Alex. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I?” Alex’s voice echoed behind her as Erin shouldered open the door. “Or am I right on the money, and that’s why you’re being so defensive?”
Erin didn’t dignify Alex with a response. Of course they were being ridiculous. Erin had a rule, which Alex knew full well. Just because she was talking to someone didn’t mean Erin had feelings for them.
What a preposterous idea.
* * *
“All right, team, last one!” Ayla yelled from the side of the pitch. “Then let’s call it—I think you’ve worked hard enough today.”
Lia had to agree. Sweat dripped down her back as she readied herself for one final drill. It was a simple one. All she had to do was cross the ball to Erin and watch her shoot for the goal.
So far, Erin had put them all away with ease. It was her third training session with the team since her injury, but it was like she’d never left—she was still sharp and still able to find the back of the net with lethal accuracy.
Shanice passed her the ball, and Lia used one touch to roll it into Erin’s path. The pass was ahead of where she seemed to expect it, so Erin had to stretch forward to make contact with the ball—and as she did, she let out a shout.
A hand clutched the back of her right leg; she stopped short with a grimace.
“Shit.” Lia raced over to her, guilt flooding her stomach; it had been her pass that had caused Erin to pull up. “What is it?”
Frustrated tears shone in Erin’s eyes as she shook her head. “I think it’s my hamstring.”
Lia didn’t get the chance to say anything else as Erin was swarmed by Ayla and the team physios. All she could do was stand and watch, along with the rest of the team, as Erin limped away, no doubt for tests and scans.
“Maybe I should’ve called it quits earlier.” Ayla’s sigh was heavy. “But I’m sure Erin will bounce back—and she wouldn’t want any of you to worry about her. And you never know: Maybe this is all an elaborate ploy on Erin’s behalf to get out of cocktails and salsa dancing in the hotel bar tonight.”
Few people laughed at the joke. Lia glanced at Alex, who stared at the place from where Erin had disappeared with a frown etched onto their face. After all Erin had been through, after how hard she’d fought to get back to training with the team, Lia couldn’t imagine how Erin felt.
