Page 122 of Made Better Together

I frown. What she says jostles memories of my parents’ warnings a couple of weeks ago.

Bree misreads my reaction. “Sorry, probably shouldn’t have used the B word.”

“No, it’s—I mean, it’s too early for a label, but you know me. I’m not a casual dater.”

Though now, our conversation triggers another worry. Will Connor be okay if I’m not available for huge chunks of time? Would he want a girlfriend who’s MIA a ton, if things keep evolving between us?

Suddenly, I’m stressed again and want to retreat. “I need to eat pretty fast, so I can get back to work. We can talk more once I survive this paper?”

She nods, and I head back to my room after I heat up a frozen meal. Not exactly the ideal lunch for an elite athlete, but whatever.

We don’t end up talking more about my situation, though, because the week is so jam-packed. Practice is especially intense because we’re playing a fellow contender for the NCAA championship, North Carolina, on their pitch.

For me, personally, the game carries extra weight because their striker, Gabby Michaels, is also a hot prospect for the US senior team. I’ve only seen her play a couple of times because she’s younger, eighteen, and a freshman.

The beginning of the game makes it clear that her skills have only improved. She blows past Alondra in the fifth minute, and curves a gorgeous shot around our goalie, Mo. Then she crushes a penalty kick in the second half that Mo never stands a chance against.

I score a meaningless goal toward the end, but we still lose 2–1. Not great. Our first loss.

Still, I do the right thing and congratulate her after the game.

“Looking good out there. I hope we end up playing again in December.” That is, at the NCAA College Cup.

“Me too.” She gives me a big grin as we shake hands. “Though I’m sure we’ll be playing against each other no matter what next year.”

It takes me a second to compute what she means. But then, oh—“You’re leaving school for the pros?”

“Yeah, I finally convinced my parents that it was the best move. College will be there later, you know?” She shrugs. “I mean, it’s great you’re finishing your degree. Admirable. But I don’t want to lose any more time before I’m in the pros.”

“Totally. Well, see you soon either way, maybe.”

Our conversation creates a residue of discomfort through the next day, as I work to get ahead of my homework for Monday. All my peers, now younger peers, are storming into the pros.

At the very least, the SoccerQueens interview is booked for tomorrow, so I can confirm my plans publicly and set up being under consideration for pro teams in the future.

I just hope I haven’t waited too long to claim my spot.

THE NEXT DAY

SoccerQueens YouTube

YELENA: Hi, everyone. Welcome to SoccerQueens Speak, a weekly interview series where we hear from the best of the best in women’s soccer. And I’m so excited to have this guest here today. The best player in college soccer, in my opinion, Eden Larsson.

EDEN: Hi Yelena, that’s so nice of you! I’m thrilled to be on.

YELENA: It won’t be the last time, I hope. I want to talk today about all sorts of things—your fight for the College Cup this year, what it’s like to be among the rising stars playing for the country, your goals for making the USWNT. But let’s start with some official news, about your plans for after the season is done…

35

CONNOR

Iwatch the snippet SoccerQueens posted on their IG this morning—the third clip since the YouTube interview loaded up two days ago—and have to resist putting a heart reaction on the soundbite.

“I officially plan to play in the NWSL next year. If a team will have me.” She smiles.

“Oh, you’re going to find a home,” the interviewer says. “And I can’t wait to watch.”

My hand twitches, knowing our secret dating means I shouldn’t interact. But when I put my phone down, I’m grinning as big as Eden was. So many good things are coming together, for both of us.