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I look around, realizing we’re on the plane. We played Blackfriars, and though we were certain we’d win, we managed to get only one point. It’s not a loss, but it’s not ideal if we want to climb up the standings.

“Just a nightmare,” I reply, taking a deep breath. “God, it felt so real.”

“What was it about?”

I can’t tell her. Not when the guilt of hurting her has been plaguing me every time she touches her knee.

When Raul first got the team together, she did mention to him that it’s been bothering her, but they’ve been working on it. She’s said over and over again that she’s all good now. That didn’t stop me from watching her until I believed her. She doesn’t limp or favor her other leg. She is fine. And I need to remind myself of that.

It was just a stupid nightmare.

“Doesn’t matter,” I tell her instead. “How are you feeling after the match?”

“I’m good,” she says. “A bit disappointed, but at least we got a point out of it.”

“Yeah, but I know we could’ve won.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Valentina. We played well. Blackfriars just had a good day. The conditions sucked, too. The grass was all slippery, and we couldn’t see for shit when the rain came straight at us.”

“I know, but I still feel like I could’ve done more. I could’ve scored a goal.”

She takes my hand and squeezes it. “You’re the best midfielder in the league, and you proved it again today. You gave me the perfect assist. Don’t doubt yourself. You’re a beast.”

I smile and lean in to kiss her. “You’re too good to me.”

“You deserve it,” she says, and kisses me.

We part, and I look around the plane. It’s pretty quiet, except for Daisy and Bernie who are laughing about something on their phones. I know we’ll land soon, and then we’ll go home and rest. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted.

I lean back on my seat to relax, closing my eyes. I hold Lexa’s hand, my fingers intertwined with hers. I let her touch ground me in the moment.

Her other hand drifts to her left knee and rubs it, slow, the way it does after every wet match. It’s nothing. She’s told me a hundred times it’s nothing.

She’s my rock. She’s all I need. And no nightmare, no guilt, can take that away from me.

CHAPTER 28 – Isabella

Thursday, November 20

“Ihave great news,” Patricia says, looking around the conference table.

We’re in our Thursday meeting, debriefing and discussing the next steps. I love the progress we’ve made and the atmosphere of excitement in the room.

Everyone looks at her with interest.

“What is it?” Carmen asks.

“Thanks to our fantastic third spot in the standings, our ticket sales are through the roof,” Patricia answers. “We’re sold out for the rest of the home games this season. And Sunday is gone. All fifty thousand seats, and half of that gate is ours.”

“Heritage Night,” I say. Caleb’s big party celebrating my ex-husband’s legacy, and we’re taking half the money.

“Exactly,” she confirms. “Half a sold-out gate at that stadium covers payroll until Christmas. And that’s not all. We’ve also received a lot of media attention, including requests for interviews and features. Dawnbreak is officially on the map.”

The room breaks into cheers and applause, and I join in. I’m so proud of my team, and of both my daughters. We’ve all worked so hard to deserve this recognition.

“That’s incredible,” Alycia says, beaming. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile like that since Friday. “I’ll put together a media plan, and I’ll use the momentum to try to attract more sponsors.”

“I’ll never say no to more money,” Patricia grins.