“It was a good goal,” the coach said in a heavy accent.“But there’s no instant replay here.The flag has authority.”
“And the Bolts are just going to play keep away for the last minute,” Giselle remarked.“It’s over.”Coach Jess responded in a reluctant, solemn nod.
The game resumed.As predicted, the Bolts used low-risk tactics to run out the clock.The Rapids managed a turnover near mid-field, but the seventeen-second possession failed to produce even a shot on goal.The final whistle blew, and Giselle’s chance at championship glory ended after an offsides call.
Chapter Two
Shower Scrum
On the sidelines, the discouraged Rapids huddled for a final pep talk from Coach Jess.She meant well, but the coach’s grief-stricken face and halfhearted tone betrayed her attempt to cheer up the team.The girls smashed together for a farewell group hug, then each player collected their belongings and slowly dispersed.
“Nowthe rain stops,” remarked Vanessa.The team captain glanced up as a sliver of sunshine poked between the thick gray clouds.
“Won’t do much to lift my spirits,” Giselle replied.She laid a hand on Vanessa’s shoulder.“Nice calls out there, Cap.You did great all season, and I loved playing with you.”
Vanessa worked up a lackluster smile, the weight of the loss evident in her expression.Mud spattered her face, and her soiled uniform wore a coat of muck.“Hey, we’re not done yet.It’s the losers bracket for us.Anyhow, that was a beautiful goal.We tied that shit.”
Giselle nodded.Despite her exhaustion, sleep would be tough tonight, something she needed more than anything.“Thanks.I’ll see you next practice, Cap.”
“Go get laid or something, it’ll make you feel better,” Vanessa said, laughing.“See you on the pitch.”
Most of the raincoat-wearing fans had departed, the sidelines cleared and the bleachers empty.Around the area where the match took place, the Stone Bluff Sports Park housed several fields where the county held its league games in Giselle’s very own Wood Hollow.
Baseball and softball diamonds, football and soccer pitches, even tennis and pickleball courts packed the popular sports complex.In a large building near the middle of the expansive park, a community center also housed pools for swimming and diving competitions, lockers, showers, and a gym.
Giselle tossed a wet towel, her water bottle, and an extra set of cleats into her sports bag.She zipped it closed and caught movement further down the field.The linesman who had destroyed the Rapids’ season also packed his things.She sighed, torn between giving him another mouthful or walking away.
Deciding to approach him in a civil manner—as long as my temper holds—she threw the bag over a shoulder and picked up her muddy practice ball.She strode up to him and tucked the ball under an arm.Overhead in the gray sky, the sunlight pushed through another crack in the clouds and showed promise of a warming afternoon.
“So what’s your deal?”she asked, keeping her tone even.“First, the corner kick.That Bolts player almost eviscerated me, and you said nothing.Then the offsides call.Did you have money riding on this match or something?”
The linesman used a towel to dry his hair and pat his face.Like the players, mud also caked his uniform and dotted the skin on his arms and legs.The scrubbing done, he dropped the towel into his gym bag.His fatigued—and annoyed—expression matched Giselle’s mood.He seemed younger than he did when she first yelled at him.Being nineteen, she figured this guy couldn’t be much older than her.
“What’s your name, number nine?”he asked.
“Giselle Chalmers,” she stated.
“Tony Rinaldi.”No hand extended as he seemed to brace himself for an argument instead.“Listen, Chalmers.Regarding the corner kick.In those thirty seconds of chaos,boththe Rapids and the Bolts committed at least eight fouls in front of the goal.Including your jersey grab.”
Giselle’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed.He saw that?I could have cost my team a penalty kick!If the Bolts scored off that, then we really would have lost through nobody’s fault but my own.
Tony read her reaction as he continued.“Yes, I see everything in that mess.I could have called fouls on both teams, but no one wants a game to end that way.Sometimes it’s best to just play it out and let talent decide the outcome.”He shrugged.“Anyone else might have raised a flag or blown a whistle, but not me.Maybe that’s why I’m not a linesman for the World Cup.”
Giselle crossed her arms.“Lettalentdecide the outcome?That sharp set of nails in my gut by the opposing player doesn’t represent playing skill.What if the Bolts had scored off that cheat?”
Tony finished packing his things.He zipped the gym bag closed and hoisted the strap over a shoulder.“If you had any talent at all, Chalmers, then things like that wouldn’t matter.”He turned and walked briskly away through the muddy grass.
Giselle’s mouth dropped open.No he didn’t!
Still gripping the practice ball, she tossed it on the ground a few yards in front of her.Observing Tony striding toward the parking lot, she measured the distance, calculated his speed, and determined the correct angle.
Giselle eyed the ball, then charged.Her toned right leg swung forward in a powerful kick.Mud and water drops sprayed.The soccer ball sailed toward its target and slammed into the back of his right shoulder.She had aimed for the back of his head, but the meaty smack of flesh and the jolt of his body provided sufficient satisfaction as she grinned in triumph.
Tony whirled around.From the long distance between them, an intense staring contest began.Neither kicker nor receiver moved.After a minute, he shook his head and picked up the grimy ball.Tucking it under an arm, he turned back around and walked into the parking lot next to the playing field.Popping the trunk of a blue sedan, he threw his bag and the muddy ball inside, then sat in the driver’s seat.He didn’t leave, but sat there checking something on his phone.
Giselle clucked her tongue.Keep that ball as a souvenir and reminder to watch your manners.Not wanting to soil the inside of her car with her wet clothes and filthy body, she picked up her sports bag and headed for the community center to hit the showers.
Inside the locker room, she placed her bag into an empty cabinet and stripped down.Not having a lock, she closed the metal door and stepped into the open shower area where a dozen nozzles poked from the tiled wall.Standing to the side of one, she turned on the water and hoped for the best while recalling the lady’s words at the front desk when she checked in.
