‘How could you sit there and tell me about how I’ll have so many opportunities? How we’ll both be on football teams in the future? Were you planning on taking my spot the whole time? Was it all some sick joke?’
Maya’s eyes widen. ‘Is that really what you think? That I was sabotaging you?’
‘You knew how important this match was for me. What else am I supposed to think?’
Maya’s face hardens. It reminds me of the first day of secondary school when I walked into class late and interrupted her. The way she zeroed in on me. It’s like we’ve gone back in time, like everything that’s happened between us since then has suddenly been erased. ‘Did you ever think that you’re not as amazing a player as you think you are? You made a stupid mistake and got yourself injured for your big match. Maybe even if youhadplayed they would have picked me. Maybe it’s the best player who got that position.’
If there’s one thing Maya knows how to do, it’s twist the knife in deeper. I feel her words in my chest, like a stab to the heart. But I don’t let her see just how much she’s hurt me.
‘Fuck you, Maya,’ I say, my words soft, but I know that she hears them. I know that’s all she needs to hear, that’s all I needed to say. Then, I turn around and walk away. Some part of me wants Maya to call me back. Wants her to take back her words, so I can take back mine too.
But Maya doesn’t call me back, and I don’t turn around.
This is it, then. I’m done with football, and I’m done with Maya.
Forever.
Chapter 24
Maya
Ten days to the match
‘Wow, you guys are really good,’ Nadine comments, as the two of us watch the latest match between Westbrook and St Totnes. She texted me a few days ago, saying she’d be in the neighbourhood, but the only time we could make work was during the match. Surprisingly, Nadine actually seemed excited about it.
‘We’ve been practising a lot,’ I say. And we have been. Ever since we agreed to the match with Dina and her team, the girls have stepped up their game. Their focus has been razor sharp and they are playing better than ever. Even Laila is doing better, especially now that she and Jade are hanging out. We had two matches lined up before this one, and Westbrook won both with ease. Instead of making me happy, the whole thing makes my stomach clench with worry.
I have been trying to keep Dina out of my mind after the fundraiser, if only because thinking about her constantly is driving me a little mad. But it’s proving to be increasingly difficult, especially with our match on the horizon.
‘Why do you look so down?’ Nadine frowns at me. It’s weird how the two of us have barely talked in the past nine years but now that we’re back in contact, it feels likenothing at all has changed. Like she can still pick up on my little ticks, and almost read my mind.
‘I’m not down.’
Nadine just raises an eyebrow at me, and I sigh.
‘It’s … a long story.’
Nadine nods at the time on the scoreboard. We haven’t even hit half-time yet. ‘We’ve got a lot of time.’
So, in-between watching the match, I end up filling Nadine in on everything. The match with Dina, the fundraiser and everything else.
‘I can’t believe Dina is back in the picture.’ Nadine shakes her head in disbelief. She was my confidante during our break-up. When I was heartbroken and devastated, with no Dina to speak to anymore, I turned to Nadine. And as any good best friend would, she told me about all of Dina’s faults and all of the reasons why I was far better off without her. I knew she was just saying it because she was my friend. Of course, she liked Dina, the way everyone liked Dina.
‘I know, I know.’ I sigh. ‘I shouldn’t even be thinking about her after everything. I just feel weird about the match. I mean, our team has so many advantages compared to hers. It doesn’t feel totally fair.’
Nadine frowns, considering my words. ‘Dina’s the one who proposed the match.’
‘Because she’s headstrong, not because she thought it through,’ I point out. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s regretting the whole thing. I mean, I’ve seen them play. They aren’t … I don’t know.’
‘Dina isn’t your responsibility,’ Nadine says, drawing my gaze away from Laila and back towards her. ‘Neither is her team. You shouldn’t worry so much about her, andyou shouldn’t get too bogged down by her either. You … already got hurt once.’
I sigh. Nadine is right, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying.
When our match finally wraps up and I’ve said goodbye to Nadine with promises to see each other again soon, I pack up and start heading out of the park.
Of course, that’s when I spot Dina. I’ve been hoping to run into her since the fundraiser, but it’s today of all days that I see her. When I look totally dishevelled, and when Nadine has already warned me about being careful.
Dina’s sitting on a bench, her legs pulled up and crossed beneath her, and there’s a woman sitting right next to her. The two of them are so engaged in conversation that they don’t even notice me.
