Page 35 of Take Her On

“Yeah. It’s for all the sports teams’ kits. Get ready for the smell. It stinks in there.” Maya dropped the kit bag off her shoulder and unlocked the door to the washer room with a code. In a quick movement, she opened the door, flung in the dirty kit bag, and slammed it shut.

The scent of smelly socks and cheese made its way into the hallway.

Jamie scrunched up her nose. “Jesus Christ.”

“Wednesdays are always the worst. Game day for everyone, isn’t it? And the basketball team’s kit is the worst for some reason. Smells like they went fishing in a pond full of dead fish.”

The sight of Luke Ingle leading Carly out of the Globe flashed behind her eyelids. She hadn’t heard from Carly since.

“It really gets right into the brain.” Jamie laughed, curling her lips and backing down the corridor. “Shall we get outta here?”

Maya blinked away the images. “Sure.”

They headed out of the building and into the crisp November air. There were a few students milling about campus, but instead of people lounging on the green, there were blackbirds strolling about, pecking at leftover bits of sandwiches. Golden light dappled the leaves, playing hide and seek with the shadows.

“Do you have to do that every week?” Jamie asked, shoving her hands into her tracksuit pockets.

Maya tried not to look at her. Jamie’s freshly washed, damp hair was oddly cute. “What? Clean up and stuff? Yeah. Captain’s perks.”

“The Harriers do it on a rota.”

She raised her eyebrows, surprised by the mention of her old team. Jamie had been very selective about what information she gave out. “Well, we’re not like the Harriers.”

“I’m just saying, it seems a bit unfair that you have to do it every time.”

“I don’t mind,” she answered honestly. She liked being busy; it made her feel like she was being useful. It did have its perks too, including a set of keys for the locker rooms, gyms, and store cupboards, but on days like today, it also meant more time on her hands to overthink everything.

“What about Coach?” Jamie asked.

They crossed the street, avoiding a cyclist carrying his shopping bags on the handlebars, and dipped into the snicket leading to the accommodation. This route was second nature. A wave of nostalgia washed over Maya when she realised she wasn’t going home to Hannah and Maddie. She missed them.

Hopefully Pot Noodle Night would be on the cards tomorrow.

“Coach has to get back to pick up her kids. She already does so much for the team and—why…why am I explaining myself to you?” Maya let out a sharp laugh. “You’re the one that should be explaining.”

“That’s easy,” Jamie said, her trainers clunking on the cobbles underfoot. She shot Maya a sideways glance and even had the audacity to look smug. “Nothing is going on between me and Leah.”

“Pah. You expect me to believe that?”

“Well…yeah. I’m telling you the truth.”

Maya shook her head, walking a little faster. Did Jamie think that she was that gullible? She’d seen the way she and Leah acted when they were together. She wasn’t stupid.

“What?” Jamie huffed, jogging to catch up with her. “Nothing’s going on.”

“Does Leah know that too?”

“Yeah, of course. We’re just friends.”

“Oh, that old chestnut.”

“She’s one of the first people that was nice to me here. It’s not as if you were so warm and welcoming, captain.”

The sarcasm irked Maya. “Yes, I’m sure Leah’s bed is very warm and hospitable.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Jamie snapped. “Are you always this fast to jump to conclusions? What exactly is your problem?”

Maya stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face her. “What?”