What are we?
Christen practiced her shot every day once she got the green light from the trainer. She was currently practicing her shot in the LA training center when she heard a familiar voice.
“Looking good there, Pressy!” A voice shouted from the sideline.
“What are you doing in LA?” Christen shouted back but she didn’t stop shooting the ball.
“Visiting my favorite person.”
Christen finished her last shot before turning and walked toward her teammate.
“Do you mean me or Hope?”
Kelley let out a big laugh. “Can’t it be both? I have enough love to spread around, you know.”
“I heard that Hope will be coming in today but I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeah…well I surprised her last night. Gotta keep the love alive, you know what I mean?” Kelley wiggled her eyebrows.
Christen choked on her drinks. She should have expected Kelley will come up with something like that.
“So where’s Hope?”
“Still stuck in the meeting. You wanna hang out with me till then? We can go for lunch.” The defender put up her hand pleadingly.
“Well..since you asked me so nicely. But you’re paying.” Christen laughed.
“Nope. But Hope is.” Kelley replied back cheekily.
They walked towards the small café located at the entrance of the facilities. They were catching up like old times when Hope walked into the café.
“Hey, Press.” Hope greeted her.
The keeper sat down beside Kelley but not before leaving a small kiss on the defender’s lips. Hope pushed her chair closer to Kelley so she can wrap her arms around her shoulder. Christen smiled at the gestured. Hope really was different when they were alone like this. Sometimes she even wondered what her friend saw in the ice queen keeper. But looking at how they interacted with each other, Christen’s doubt just went away.
“How’s the ankle, Press? Are you able to play in January camp?” Hope asked.
Christen just shrugged her shoulder. “Okay, I guess. But I don’t think I will be called up this time. I didn’t really play much and has been on the sideline for months.”
“Oh don’t be dramatic, Chris. I’m very confident that they will called you back. Even if you can’t play, Jill and Dawn still want to assess your fitness level. Your spot is already guaranteed in the team.” Kelley assured her.
“Enough about me, guys. Hope, how’s the interview? Did you get the job?”
Hope raised her eyebrows. “What do you think?”
Kelley squealed before she jumped onto the keeper. “Yeay! We need to celebrate! Chris, let’s go for dinner tonight. Hope’s paying.”
“Oh I am? Don’t I have a say in this?” Hope teased back.
“Nope and you are paying for our lunch too.” Kelley replied with a deadpan face.
Christen just laughed while she ignored the slight twinge of jealousy while looking at the pair. She once felt the same happiness before.
That same night, as soon as Hope’s red jeep parked on her driveway, Christen jumped into the back seat. She was however caught by surprised when she comes face to face with the other passenger in the back of the car.
“Oh…I forget to tell you. Tobin gonna join us for dinner. You okay with that right?” Kelley asked innocently from the front seat.
“Yeah..” Christen mumbled out. What is she supposed to say?
Throughout the journey to the restaurant, they can feel the tension at the back of the car but Kelley being her oblivious self-keep filling up the silence with her ramblings. Once they reached the restaurant, Hope pulled Kelley with her up front talking animatedly under their breath leaving Christen and Tobin by themselves slowly following the pair from behind. As they reached the restaurant door, Tobin grasped Christen wrist and slowly pulled her to aside.
“Hey, don’t be mad at them. They didn’t know I’m coming. I just caught them while they were making their way to the car. If this is making you uncomfortable, I can make up an excuse and just leave. Just say the word.” Tobin offered.
Oh. Now, she want to be nice. Now, she considered her feelings? Christen pulled her hand away roughly.
“I don’t care. Do what you want.” She replied before she stormed into the restaurant.
Christen avoid making eye contact with Tobin throughout the whole night while she try her best to act normally with her other teammates. They finished dinner quickly and as soon as Hope’s jeep stopped in front of her house, Christen politely thank the pair before she jumped out and dashed to the house. She was hoping that she can really put this night behind her. When she reached her front door, only then she realised her hand was empty.
“Chris, you left your purse.” A voice said from behind her.
She leaned her forehead against her door. Why does fate hate her so much? Why can’t this night just end? She took a deep breath before turned to face the midfielder.
“Thanks.” The forward said before making a grab for her purse.
Tobin pulled it away out from her reach.
“Tobin…this is not the time. I’m tired and I just want to go to sleep.” Christen said wearily.
“Then just tell me when. I just want a chance to explain to you.” Tobin insisted.
Christen just shook her head. “Why are you doing this? What is there to explain? You have a girlfriend then you broke up and now you suddenly realised you miss me? Please…I’m not that naïve.”
“I do miss you, Chris. Everyday. I think at least you owe me a chance to explain here. If you don’t want to have anything to do with me again after, then I’ll understand.” The midfielder persisted.
Christen looked up at Tobin’s face. “Just…just give me some time to think about this. You can’t just barged into my life here like the past few months didn’t happen.”
Tobin nodded in resignation. She passed Christen her purse and took a step back.
“I’ll be here till the weekend. If you are ready to talk before that just give me a call or text. I’ll be there.”
Christen opened her door and walked in without saying anything further.
Christen steamed about it for a few days. Is that it? That easy? Do I just let her explain so I can move on? Should I even give her the chance to explain in the first place?
“It’s worth to try. What else you got to lose? I mean she supposed to grovel until her knees bleed for what she’s done to you. But if she‘s willing to start somewhere, you should go. She knows that if she hurts you again, I’m gonna kill her.” Julie said on the phone firmly.
It’s harsh. But Christen need to hear it. She was relief that Julie was totally on her side for this.
Even though she was scared, she dropped Tobin a text the next day.