“Hey, Janice!”she hollered.“Have a great game.Kick ass out there!”
Janice turned and waved.She pointed to Tony, back to Giselle, then made a “blow job” gesture using her tongue to bulge out her cheek and bobbing a fist in front of her mouth.Coach Jess and the Rapids exploded in laughter and cheers.Mortified, Giselle’s face heated as she hid behind a sip of her drink.
The match began, and Giselle yelled and cheered every minute.The action proved intense.Having a championship on the line, the players elevated their skill and ferocity to a new level.Fouls and yellow cards flew.Beautiful plays, heart-pounding saves at the goal, and nail-biting turnovers dotted an exhilarating competition between the league’s stars.
Giselle shrieked in disappointment when the Lancers struck the first goal near the end of the first half.An amazing cross-field pass and a rocket to the middle set up an unexpected fast break.Caught by surprise, the Bolts defense scrambled too late to counter the opponents’ charge.The Lancer right-wing chipped to the sprinting striker, and a blast from a strong right foot sent the ball past the Bolts’ diving keeper.
In the second half, the recuperated Bolts displayed incredible persistence by tying the match within nine minutes.After a series of crisp passes and crafty maneuvering, a hard-charge at the goal resulted in a corner kick for the Bolts.The winger launched the kick from the left post, and Janice used her height advantage in a thrilling header to deflect the spinning ball into the goal.
The crowd roared its approval.Giselle shouted and nearly spilled her drink.Banners flapped in a frenzy beneath a crescendo of applause and shouts.Excitement infected the fans and spurred both teams as the feverish play continued.Precious minutes ticked by.During fierce exchanges, the head ref’s whistle blew in sharp control of the game.Tony’s flag snapped in accurate calls as he moved up and down the field.
Eleven minutes remained, and the Bolts found an opening.A clean defensive tackle deep in Bolts territory collapsed the Lancer’s punishing attack.Janice sprinted downfield and crossed into the Lancer’s defensive zone.The Bolts’ team captain dribbled through a knot of Lancers and shot the ball in an arc to the speeding Janice.
The Lancers defense smothered the penalty arc where she chested the ball.A quick turn and punt launched the ball to a zooming number five, the Bolts’ sweeper who had charged in out of nowhere.The sweep controlled the pass and fired the ball in one motion.A fierce spin sailed the shot in a curve.The beautiful arc remained true as the ball found the top corner of the goal and crashed into the net.
An explosion of cheers.The crowd leapt to its feet.The elated Bolts swarmed in a mass of tight hugs.Fists pumped.Giselle screamed and exchanged high-fives among her friends.
Soon the match resumed, and grim masks replaced smiles as the determined players regrouped for the kickoff.Down a goal, the Lancers came out swinging and managed a few nerve-wracking maneuvers and attacks.Their strikes missed the net or the brilliant keeper blocked the shots.The Bolts countered and moved downfield for a pressure campaign in Lancers’ territory.However, a solid defense prevented the Bolts from extending their lead.
The final whistle blew.The Bolts leapt into the air and crushed each other in a wild celebration.Ecstatic fans reveled in the bleaches and sidelines.Giselle waved her arms in triumph and hugged Coach Jess.The jubilation didn’t only represent the Bolts’ victory, but also a huge success and win for the River Rush County League.All city teams had worked incredibly hard and deserved triumph for providing such an enjoyable season for the players and fans.
After the trophy presentation at midfield, family and friends swarmed the grass to join the players.Hugs, photos, and smiles passed all around the bustling activity.Other people streamed down the bleachers on their way out.Remaining in her seat, Giselle said goodbye to her friends as they departed one by one.
She saw Tony cut through the ruckus on the field.He jogged over, a goofy smile on his handsome face as he handed her the famous soccer ball they had battled over.
“What’s this?”she asked.“Tired of my gift already?”He motioned for her to rotate the ball.She complied and saw his note written on the surface:Can I take you out tonight?
Giselle smiled, a warmth filling her core as she gazed into his eyes.“Thought you’d never ask.”She tossed the ball back.
“Ready to go?”Tony asked.
She nodded, and he helped her return to the parking lot.After dropping her off at home, he planned to return in the evening for a fun night out.For the rest of the day, Giselle completed some chores and read for a while, then wrapped a plastic bag over her cast so she could take a shower.
Afterwards, she dolled herself up and initiated a woman’s perpetual battle—deciding what to wear.Pants remained out of the question because she couldn’t slide them over her cast.However, no way she’d go out in baggy sweats for the sake of ease and comfort.Even though the weather may be too cold for the outfit she had in mind, she desired to look good for Tony.
Giselle slipped into an A-line long maxi skirt from Vince Camuto.She had found the piece on clearance at Macy’s—the only way a nineteen-year-old admin clerk could afford such a thing.But she loved the flowing black material, a silhouette style that allowed her to dress elegantly for tonight.
For her top, she chose another budget item but a pretty one from Kohl’s.The feminine ruffled detailing and trendy raglan sleeves on the blouse by Simply Vera Vera Wang paired nicely with the skirt.On the maroon-colored and black rose-patterned garment, Giselle loved the stylish tie front and comfy camisole lining.
Tony arrived at six p.m.sharp.Smiling in the doorway, he looked delicious in a charcoal-gray Pique Knit Blazer by Joseph Abboud.The soft, breathable cotton blend styled with a notch lapel and patch pocket looked great on his V-shaped frame.Sleek matching trousers ended in stylish, Crown Vintage Thoren shoes.He rocked the sporty set of kicks, the perforated upper and lace-up closure a casual yet sophisticated complement to his outfit.
Giselle invited him in.She leaned her crutches against the wall and slipped into his awaiting, supportive arms.His cologne intoxicated her.She sighed in his warmth, grateful for the opportunity to be together after a tough week.The texts and phone calls had been wonderful, but nothing beat an old-fashioned embrace and the feel of a body to snuggle against.
They became a couple while devoid of any formal announcement or circumstance.After he confessed his feelings, Giselle had played it coy and never committed anything in return—at first.She smiled against his chest.The hilarious make-out session and his scribbling on the soccer ball had confirmed their budding relationship.And that’s all I need from this handsome sweetheart, nothing fancy required.
She looked up, and their mouths met in an enjoyable kiss.Lips pressed and pulled in soft, unhurried suckles of two people who had communicated yet missed one another.This time, she grew aware of her predicament and didn’t allow passion to set her injured foot down.He held her steady, arms around her waist as she clutched behind his broad shoulders.
The heat and intensity increased.Her crotch warmed.To heck with going out.Take me to bed!However, Giselle really wanted to escape the apartment for an entertaining evening.She desired to spend time with Tony—in all aspects.We can finish later.That’s guaranteed.
She reluctantly pulled back and cupped his clean-shaven face.His dark hair looked amazing, styled and neat, unlike the sweaty or rain-soaked tendrils while officiating a game.“Ready to go, my line judge date?”
He nodded.“After you, my soccer striker date.”
The excursion turned out better than Giselle imagined.They began the evening in a cozy tea house.Fresh spices scented the air, pleasant odors of lavender, citrus, honey, and other rich herbs drifting in the establishment.Candles and a fireplace set a comfortable atmosphere, and comfy couches provided a relaxing space in the corner.She sipped on her hot beverage and chewed snacks, all the while appreciating the conversation.
She loved how Tony grew animated when speaking about physical therapy.He had been an athlete since his T-ball days when he could barely hold a baseball bat.As he aged and the sports increased in difficulty and physical challenges, he witnessed several of his friends and teammates suffer horrible injuries.
His friends had experienced immediate pain and suffering.However, Tony noticed the subsequent depression they had expressed while sidelined for months.Not able to play the sports they loved proved to be a tougher mental battle.Seeing his teammates in that condition motivated Tony to pursue a career in aiding athletes during recovery—not just in a physical sense, but mentally as well.
