Beca had never planned on being a soccer mom. In fact, she’d actively avoided any sport that involved running, dirt, or yelling parents in folding chairs. Yet here she was, in an oversized hoodie and sunglasses, standing awkwardly on the sidelines while her seven-year-old son, Eli, enthusiastically chased after a soccer ball. Being a single mom meant you didn’t have a significant other to offload the less fun childrearing tasks onto.
She clutched her coffee like it was her only lifeline. She didn’t know the rules. She didn’t care. All she knew was that if Eli scored a goal, she was supposed to cheer and not make it obvious that she had no idea what was happening.
“First time?” a voice asked beside her.
Beca turned her head and nearly choked on her coffee.
The woman standing next to her was stunning—red hair, bright blue eyes, and a smile that could light up the entire field. She was wearing a soccer mom sweatshirt that somehow made her look even more attractive, which should’ve been illegal. And if those were mom jeans she was wearing, well let's just say Beca had a new appreciation of the frequently maligned garment.
“Uh… yeah,” Beca admitted, clearing her throat. “I don’t really… know what I’m doing.”
The woman laughed. “Yeah, you’ve got that ‘what have I gotten myself into’ look.”
Beca scowled. “I do not.”
“You do.” The redhead smirked. “I’m Chloe, by the way. My daughter, Lily, is on the team too.”
As if on cue, a small, red-haired whirlwind sprinted past, aggressively kicking the ball and yelling, “DESTROY THEM!”
Beca blinked. “...That one’s yours?”
“Yup.” Chloe sighed dramatically. “So proud.”
Beca actually laughed, a real one, before she realized she hadn’t introduced herself. “Oh, um. I’m Beca. My son, Eli, is the one currently staring at the clouds instead of playing.”
Chloe followed Beca’s gaze to Eli, who was indeed marveling at the sky while the game continued around him. She bit her lip like she was trying not to laugh.
“He’s got his priorities straight,” Chloe said.
Beca smirked. “Right? Who needs soccer when you have a perfectly good sky to look at?”
Just then, the ref blew the whistle, signaling half-time. The kids ran toward the sidelines, Eli taking his sweet time, while Lily sprinted like her life depended on it.
“Mom!” Lily skidded to a stop in front of Chloe. “Did you see me annihilate that kid’s soul with my footwork?”
“Sweetheart,” Chloe sighed, “we talked about sportsmanship.”
“Right, right.” Lily rolled her eyes. “Did you see me respectfully annihilate that kid’s soul with my footwork?”
Chloe turned to Beca. “You see what I’m dealing with?”
Beca grinned. “Honestly? She’s kind of a legend.”
Lily gasped. “I like you.”
Eli finally arrived at Beca’s side, slightly out of breath from… well, walking. “Mom, I’m done.”
Beca frowned. “The game’s not over.”
“Yeah, but I tried, so…” He shrugged.
Lily looked at him in horror. “You tried?”
Eli blinked. “Yeah?”
Lily turned to Chloe. “Mom, we have work to do.”
Chloe patted her shoulder. “Go easy on him.”
Beca snorted. “Please don’t.”
Lily nodded solemnly. “He will be a warrior.” Then she ran back onto the field.
Chloe turned to Beca, tilting her head. “So, since our kids are obviously about to become best friends, I think it’s only fair that we do too.”
Beca raised an eyebrow. “Best friends, huh?”
“Well,” Chloe said, grinning. “Maybe more.”
Beca nearly dropped her coffee.
Chloe just winked and jogged back towards the sidelines.
Beca stared after her, heart pounding.
Maybe being a soccer mom wasn’t so bad after all.