Page 102 of Take Her On

Finally, the teams returned. Millton FC were re-energised, meeting each aerial ball, contesting every challenge and pushing the other team deeper into their half. The promise of a goal was in the air.

They leaned closer in their seats as space opened up for the midfielder, Taylor Rider, to run into.

“Shoot,” Jamie urged. “Shoot!”

Before Rider could take a shot, a member of the opposing team tripped her from behind, and she sprawled on the floor. The crowd erupted, and the referee blew for a free kick.

“That should be a red, ref!” Chris shouted. “You’re useless!”

Jamie’s eyes caught on Jenny Larson, the Millton FC head physio, as she rushed onto the pitch with her first aid bag. Maya had been talking about her obsessively for weeks, eager to learn as much as she could if she was called for an interview. Jamie also now knew this woman’s favourite colour was orange and her dog was called Rolo.

Maya suppressed a little squeal, leaning forward to catch a better glimpse. Jamie prayed to all the gay gods that she’d get her break. She deserved it for working so hard, and if the way she’d looked after Jamie’s ankle was any indication, she’d be fantastic at the job.

Maya whispered something under her breath. “Assess the dangers…specific injured structure…decision making.” Jamie loved when she got nerdy like this. Maya revising all the physiological words for their January exams had been such a turn on.

What? Jamie loved her brain. Maya’s brain was hot.

“Do you know you’re talking out loud?” she teased.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. You adorable nerd.”

Thankfully, the player got to her feet. Her teammates gathered around her, probably discussing who was best to take the free kick. Just outside the edge of the box, it was a fantastic goal-scoring opportunity. Jamie wished she could run on the field and take it herself.

Taylor Rider claimed the ball, then nudged the rest of the team out of the way. Jamie knew her stats; she’d made six goals from a similar position this season, but the angle was a little trickier here. The ref blew her whistle, and the crowd collectively held their breath.

She ran up and struck the ball with force. It arched over the opposition’s wall, out of reach of the goalkeeper, and into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted. Everyone leaped to their feet. Jamie linked her arm around Maya, and they cheered as the Millton players celebrated on the field.

Just fifteen more minutes, and they’d be playing WSL football next year.

* * *

They were all riding the high of the Millton FC promotion as they stepped inside Hannah and Maddie’s apartment. Chris, in particular, wouldn’t stop talking. Maya seriously thought about strangling him with her Millton City scarf.

“What a game!” he enthused, kicking off his shoes at the door. “Did you see Rider’s free kick? Inch perfect.”

Maya was sick of his motormouth. She’d bitten her tongue more than a few times for Hannah’s sake, but now she was eager to get the evening over with. His last test was awaiting him in the cupboard.

Little did Jamie know, it was awaiting her too.

She and Jamie collapsed on the sofa, and Maya draped her legs over her. While Chris continued spewing word vomit at anyone who’d listen, Hannah filled and boiled the kettle. Once he’d finished talking about what qualities would make a better ref, he turned to Hannah, catching her putting a selection of Pot Noodles on the counter.

He huffed. “This isn’t what I pictured when you said leftover noodles.”

He wasn’t what I pictured when Hannah said “the nice guy from badminton” was joining us, either.

“Do you have a problem with Pot Noodles?” Maddie asked deadpan, her eyes burning into him.

Maya had to press her lips together not to laugh. All Maddie needed was a wig and gavel.

“Nuh. They’re okay. Kinda makes the pie and Hendo’s look more appealing though, eh?”

Any attempts to coax Maddie into joining his laughter were ignored. Maddie 1 – Chris 0.

“What about you?” Maddie directed at Jamie.

Maya felt her fidget under her on the sofa. She shot her a questioning glance. “I, uh, like them.”