“I have never lied to you.”
“Then don’t pretend I would have made the national team. Not after what happened in Paris.”
I shake my head. “You are going to let one loss define your entire career, Claire?”
“That one lossdoesdefine my career.”
“Because you are letting it.”
She leans closer, glaring at me. “You don’t get it, Otto. Youwin, under pressure. I…choke. I’m not cut out for big moments.”
“You think I?—”
“Caldy! Last bathroom call. You in?”
Claire glances at the group of her teammates, paused along the section of seats we’re sitting in.
One—Savannah Robbe—smiles at me. “Are you a Sox fan, Coach Berger?”
“I prefer football,” I state, leaning back.
“Oh, so you’re a Patriots fan?”
Reyna Rodman laughs. “They play with their hands, Sav.”
Robbe winks at me. “Just helping Coach adapt to local culture.”
Claire stands. “Only five minutes until boarding. Let’s go.”
I relax in my chair as the women walk away. I don’t have a chance to talk to Claire again before we board.
But we wind up beating LA, 0–4, in large part because of Claire, which hopefully reinforced some of what I said.
25
CLAIRE
Savannah leads us to a tiki bar down the block from our hotel. Fake bamboo and wooden carvings decorate the walls as we head for an open table.
“I’m in the mood for a mai tai,” Reyna announces.
“Mango mojito? Yes, please,” Tasha declares.
I open one of the sticky menus. The last time I was in a bar was my final shift at Paul Rebeer’s. The last time I went out for drinks with my teammates was…Daniela’s birthday last year, I think?
LA was ranked first in the league, and we kicked their asses earlier, winning by four goals. Daniela had a shutout. I got my first assist of the season.
So, when Savannah slyly suggested going out tonight, I shocked everyone by being the first to agree.
A waitress comes by to take our orders a few minutes later. I scan the four-page menu, settling on a margarita.
“To Caldy!” Tasha cheers, lifting her glass.
“It was a team effort,” I insist, thanking the waitress when she sets my drink down next.
“A team you fuckingcarried,” Reyna says. “Stop being modest and keep doing whatever you did to prepare for today.”
For the first time since the final whistle was blown, my smile wavers.
