The forward cuts inside, trying to cut a shot towards the far post. But I read it early, grabbing it swiftly and smothering the ball against my chest.
The crowd roars.
The Blaze bench roars.
The forward throws her hands up. “Seriously!”
I toss the ball to Dana, letting her dribble it up and fire it towards the offense. “Time to pick a new hobby.”
Elyssa, who is hanging back to make sure that I’m covered, laughs. The ball is launched up field. And suddenly the Blaze are off the counter.
Mac sprints off into space like she’d been shot out of a cannon.
“Go, Mac, go!” I call from my position at the goal.
“I’ve got a shot, pass it, pass it!” Kelsey, one of our forwards, yells.
Mac ignores everyone who is cheering or shouting instructions at her. She destroys the defense, from what I can see from my view the field. She hammers the ball into the top corner like she’s trying to break the net.
The crowd explodes into cheers.
The Blaze bench is going crazy.
Mac turns around and yells, “Let’s go!” as she rushes towards the rest of the offense, who are grabbing her up in hugs.
“Way to go, Mac!” I hear Amelia call from the bench, where she’s been forced to watch the games from since her injury.
I jog up from my box. I can’t wait to hug her!
Mac meets me halfway and jumps into my arms. I hug her so tightly.
“I’m so fucking proud of you!” I scream.
Cassie comes over, yelling, “You are amazing!”
“Get in here!” Mac holds her arm out, motioning for her to join us.
Cassie joins our hug and before long, the rest of the team joins us. And I’m caught in a big group hug.
On my way back to the goalie box, the Gotham forward jogs past me, shaking her head.
“You’re insane.”
I shrug. “We defend pretty goals.”
“And celebrate like a bunch of toddlers.”
“Toddlers who win games,” I shoot back.
“You’re impossible,” she says, shaking her head.
“Thanks,” I reply, jogging back to my box.
By the time the final whistle blows, we’ve won.
I’m sweaty, breathless, and smell like a winner. I feel lighter than I have in weeks. The moment the locker room doors swing shut behind me, the noise explodes.
Mac bursts in first, arms raised like she just won the lottery. “We own Gotham! We own this city!”
