2017
Kelley’s cleats hit the ground as she stepped out of her car, breath curling into the air. Sky Blue’s training facility stood tall in front of her, familiar yet distant after a few months away. The offseason had given her time to rest, to reset, to celebrate Christmas and to spend time with her family during the holiday season. But to be honest, her mind had been anything but quiet.
It had been stuck on her.
Emily Sonnett.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Kelley had spent recent times trying to stay on track, always focused and professional. But ever since that national team camp just over a year ago, ever since Emily appeared, something changed.
It’s nearly been a full year since Emily joined the league but after the Olympics, Sonnett had been in and out of national team camps. It was difficult for her. Kelley also missed seeing her face and being in her presence. She had had a way of getting under Kelley’s skin. Not in an annoying, rookie-mistake kind of way. No, Emily was good. So good that it was almost infuriating. Confident on the ball, fearless in challenges, smart in ways most players her age weren’t. And off the field? Off the field, she was even more dangerous. Sharp-witted. Always laughing at something or someone, always looking at Kelley like she knew something Kelley wasn’t ready to admit.
Kelley shook her head, running a hand through her ponytail as she entered the building, throwing her duffel in her designated space in the locker room. She shouldn’t even be thinking about this. But ever since that night when they hung out with Moe, something definitely changed between them. And it was wrong. Unprofessional. Five years wasn’t a massive gap, not really, but in soccer years, it felt like a lifetime. Emily was new to this world, still finding her place. Kelley had already been through it, had made her mistakes, had so much more to give, and had learned how easily lines could blur if you weren’t careful.
And yet, as she jogged outside towards the pitch for her first training session back, the thought of seeing Emily again at the next national team camp - whenever that may be - was enough to make her stomach flip in a way she really didn’t want to analyze.
But for now, preseason was just about to begin. It was time to get her head on straight.
Time to forget Emily.
Or at least, try.
****
Two weeks back with Sky Blue and already she had to leave and catch a flight to Pennsylvania because she had made the roster for the SheBelieves Cup.
And so had Emily.
The short time being back in New Jersey had done little to clear Kelley’s head. Preseason was in full swing, the grind of double sessions, weight training, and film study leaving her exhausted. It was a quick distraction, but it wasn’t enough to stop thinking about her.
Kelley had told herself it would fade. That being away from the national team environment would help her, but it only made Kelley miss Sonnett a little bit more.
Kelley had read the email twice, the excitement hitting her before she could talk herself out of it. She had expected to be called in - her spot wasn’t in question - but still, it was a relief every time. And then there was Emily’s name, just a few lines down from hers.
When she arrived at the hotel, her room assignment was waiting for her at the check-in desk. She glanced over the paper in her hand and nearly groaned.
Of course they were roommates.
Kelley had barely set her bag down in the room when the door swung open. Emily walked in like she owned the place, dropping her duffel loudly onto the other bed. She looked up, saw Kelley, and grinned.
“Rooming with you? Solid upgrade.”
Kelley rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the smile pulling at her lips. “Don’t get too excited, Sonnett. And make sure Horan doesn’t hear that.”
“I’ll tell her to her face.” Emily flopped onto the bed, stretching out like she was already at home. “Miss me?”
It was playful, teasing, the way Emily always was, but it still made Kelley’s stomach flip.
She shouldn’t have missed her. Not the way she did.
But she had.
****
After their first training session back as a group, Kelley was more than ready for caffeine. The team had gone through drills, small-sided games, and many fitness tests, and by the time they got back to the hotel, she was wiped.
Alex stretched beside her in the lobby, rolling out her neck. “Coffee run?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“Obviously,” Kelley said, pulling out her phone to search for a decent café nearby.
Pennsylvania wasn’t a place Kelley knew well, but there had to be something better than the hotel’s sad excuse for a coffee. She found a place a few blocks away with solid reviews, and she and Alex threw on their sweatshirts before heading out into the crisp March air.
They were halfway down the sidewalk when her phone buzzed.
Emily Sonnett: if you love me even a little, bring me back a cortado.
Kelley sighed, but she could feel the smile forming before she could stop it.
Alex peered over her shoulder, read the text, and groaned. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Kelley said, locking her phone.
Alex gave her a look. The kind of look that made it very clear she was about to be annoying. “This is getting ridiculous.”
Kelley furrowed her brows, feigning ignorance. “What is?”
Alex scoffed, nudging Kelley’s shoulder as they walked. “You. And your little crush on the rookie.”
Kelley nearly choked. “I do not have a crush on Emily.”
“Mmmhmm,” Alex said, completely unconvinced. “That’s why you lit up like a Christmas tree when she texted you?”
“I didn’t-” Kelley stopped herself, shaking her head. “It’s not like that. She’s- she’s just a kid.”
Alex snorted. “She’s 23.”
“That’s five years younger than me.”
“Oh no, five whole years,” Alex said dramatically. “That’s basically illegal.”
Kelley shot her a glare, but Alex just grinned. “Look, I’m just saying, you act differently around her. And she definitely acts differently around you.”
“She’s just…” Kelley hesitated, unsure how to finish the sentence.
Emily was what, exactly? Just a friend? Just a teammate?
Alex smirked, clearly watching her spiral. “Just text her back before she gets cranky,” she said. “I can’t stand them all when they’re in a bad mood”
Alex was talking about Mal, Lindsey, Sam, Rose, Moe and of course Emily. They’re usually the energetic group, but when they’re not happy, it’s one of the most annoying things to deal with. Kelley knows, because she’s had to experience it a few times now after ditching her friend group and hanging out with them all.
Kelley groaned, but she unlocked her phone anyway.
Kelley O’Hara: One cortado coming up. You owe me.
And if she walked a little faster to the café after that, Alex didn’t need to know.
By the time Kelley and Alex reached the café, Alex was still smirking, clearly enjoying herself way too much.
“You’re so annoying,” Kelley muttered as they stepped inside, the rich smell of espresso hitting her immediately. She was grateful for the distraction - anything to get her out of this ridiculous conversation.
Alex, unfortunately, was relentless. “I’m just saying, it’s cute,” she said, stepping up to the counter to scan the menu. “You getting all flustered over Sonnett.”
Kelley groaned. “I am not flustered.”
Alex raised a brow. “Uh-huh. And yet, when she texts, you drop everything to bring her coffee.”
“I was already coming here!” Kelley argued. “It’s not like I went out of my way-”
“You practically speed-walked,” Alex cut in.
Kelley shot her a glare, “ Look, she’s more of an annoying little sister than whatever you’re making it out to be.” At this point, Kelley knew herself she was lying. But she needed to get Alex off her back. She couldn’t get rid of her feelings if someone else knows about them, especially her best friend.
“If you say so, Kell.”
Kelley sighed and turned to the barista. “Two cortados, please.”
The barista nodded, and Kelley moved to the side to wait. She pulled out her phone, staring at the text Emily had sent before.
God, Emily was dramatic.
Kelley started typing again.
Kelley O’Hara: Hope you know I’m risking my life carrying this back to you. If I spill it, I take no responsibility.
Emily replied instantly.
Emily Sonnett: you’re an athlete. i trust your hands.
Emily Sonnett: kinda
Kelley snorted.
Alex leaned over her shoulder again, glancing at the screen. “See?” she said, grinning. “This is flirting.”
“It is not flirting,” Kelley said quickly, locking her phone and stuffing it in her pocket.
“Sure, sure,” Alex said, voice dripping with amusement. “Totally normal sister behavior. I ask you to bring me coffee all the time, and I don’t get cute little texts.”
Kelley ignored her, reaching for the drinks when the barista set them down. “We should head back.”
Alex followed, still grinning. “Just admit it,” she teased as they stepped outside. “You like her.”
Kelley rolled her eyes. “I don’t.”
“You can’t keep denying it, you know that.”
Kelley stayed quiet as they walked. She wanted to argue, to say Alex was wrong - but the problem was, she wasn’t completely wrong.
It was just… complicated.
And if Kelley knew what was good for her, she’d keep it that way.
****
By the time they got back to the hotel, Kelley had convinced herself to drop the whole conversation. Alex was just being Alex - always looking for something to tease her about. It wasn’t a thing.
Except when she stepped off the elevator onto their floor, coffee in hand, Emily was already waiting in the hallway, leaning against the doorframe of their room like she’d known exactly when Kelley would get back.
“Oh my God,” Kelley muttered under her breath.
Alex, of course, saw her hesitation and smirked. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it,” she whispered before walking off toward her own room.
Kelley shot her a glare, but Alex just winked before disappearing.
Emily, oblivious to Kelley’s internal crisis, pushed off the doorframe and grinned. “Tell me you didn’t forget my drink.”
Kelley held up the drink. “You act like I’d risk my life getting this for just anyone.”
Emily gasped dramatically. “So you do love me a little.”
Kelley rolled her eyes, trying not to let the words get to her. Emily always joked like that - casual, teasing, just having fun. But Kelley was way too aware of the way Emily’s eyes lingered on her as she took the cup from her hands.
Emily took a sip, humming in approval. “You’re officially my favorite teammate.”
“Oh, wow,” Kelley said dryly. “What an honor.”
Emily just smiled, wide and effortless. “You’re the best, Miss Kelley.”
It wasn't the first time she had used this nickname for kelley. But for some reason, Kelley felt the need to look away.
She reached for the door, pushing it open. “C’mon, Son,” she muttered. “You’ve got, like, ten minutes to enjoy that before we have to get ready for the meeting.”
Emily followed her in, still grinning, still completely unaware of the absolute mess she was making of Kelley’s brain.
And Kelley?
Kelley was absolutely screwed.
****
The SheBelieves Cup had been, in a word, disappointing.
The team had come into the tournament with high expectations, but things hadn’t gone their way. A loss to England. A brutal game against France. By the time they scraped out a win against Germany, it didn’t feel like enough. The mood in the locker room after that final match was tense - silent in a way that only happened after failure. No music. No post-game excitement. Just the weight of knowing they hadn’t been good enough.
Kelley had been through tournaments like this before. She knew how to take the sting of disappointment and turn it into motivation. But it was harder this time. Maybe because she had wanted to see the younger girls win, to see Emily win. Maybe because she had gotten used to seeing her every day, and now, they were heading back to different parts of the country.
The team moved through the airport like ghosts, exhausted and lost in their own thoughts. Players said quick goodbyes, some headed for different gates, others disappearing toward baggage claim. Kelley and Emily ended up lingering near security, both knowing this was it until who knows when.
Kelley shifted her duffel bag on her shoulder. “Back to Portland?”
Emily nodded. “Yeah.” She sighed, shaking her head. “We should’ve been better.”
Kelley exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. “Yeah.”
They stood there for a second, neither one ready to say goodbye.
Then, Emily smirked - tired but still teasing. “At least you got to be my roommate. That was a win, right?”
Kelley rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. “Highlight of the tournament, honestly. Way better than a medal.”
Emily grinned, but then the playfulness faded just a little. She looked at Kelley, really looked at her. “I’ll see you next time?”
“Yeah,” Kelley said, softer than she meant to. “See you soon.”
For a second, she thought Emily might hug her. Instead, Emily just gave her a small, knowing smile before stepping back, grabbing the handle of her carry-on.
“Try not to miss me too much, miss Kelley.”
And then she was gone, heading toward her gate alongside Lindsey, leaving Kelley standing there, watching her go.
Kelley shook her head to herself, sighing.
****
The next national team camp felt off from the moment Kelley arrived.
She went through the motions- -checked into the hotel, found her room that she was now sharing with Mal, got her training gear sorted - but something was missing. It took her a full day to admit what it was.
Sonnett wasn’t there.
When the roster dropped a few weeks earlier, Kelley had scanned it automatically, searching for Emily’s name. When she didn’t see it, she had told herself it wasn’t a big deal. Emily was still young, still fighting for a permanent spot. The coaching staff rotated players all the time. It didn’t mean anything. In Kelley’s opinion, Emily should’ve made the roster. Biased or not. She deserved to be there with the team.
Camp didn’t feel the same without her. There was no sarcastic commentary in her ear during drills, no exaggerated gasps when Kelley beat her in fitness tests. No texts asking if she wanted to grab coffee between meetings.
It was just… weird.
Kelley didn’t text her about it, though. If Emily was frustrated, she’d bring it up when she wanted to. Besides, they both had the NWSL season to focus on now.
And then, as the months passed, the game popped up on the schedule.
Portland vs Sky Blue.
In New Jersey.
Kelley had seen it coming but still felt something shift when June finally rolled around. She and Emily had been keeping in touch with texts here and there, mostly jokes and memes sent by Sonnett, the occasional check-in from Kelley. But a few days before the game, Kelley found herself typing something different.
Kelley O’Hara: You wanna stay at mine after the game? If you don’t fly out right away, we could hang out for a day or two.
She sent it before she could overthink it.
Emily answered almost immediately.
Emily Sonnett: miss kelley, are you inviting me to a sleepover?
Kelley rolled her eyes but felt herself smile.
Kelley O’Hara: Take it or leave it, Sonnett.
Emily Sonnett: oh, i’m taking it. you making me breakfast too?
Kelley huffed out a laugh.
Kelley O’Hara: Now you’re pushing it.
Emily Sonnett: wow. i’ll remember this betrayal.
Kelley didn’t respond right away, just stared at the screen, thumb hovering over the keyboard.
Eventually, she typed back.
Kelley O’Hara: Fine. I’ll make you breakfast
Emily Sonnett: great! see u soon
****
Game day in New Jersey felt different this time.
Maybe it was the heat - June settling in with its thick, humid air. Maybe it was the fact that Sky Blue had been struggling to find rhythm in the season so far, and Portland was, well… Portland. A powerhouse.
Or maybe it was the fact that Sonnett was here.
Kelley told herself she wasn’t thinking about it. That it didn’t matter. That she was locked in, focused, ready to take down the Thorns. But the moment she stepped onto the field for warmups and spotted Emily across the pitch, all easy confidence and sharp focus, she knew she was full of shit.
Emily caught her eye as she stretched, grinning like she wasn’t about to try and run Kelley off the field for 90 minutes. Kelley rolled her eyes, but she didn’t look away.
And then, it was game time.
From the opening whistle, the game was intense. Portland played the way they always did - fast, aggressive, relentless. Sky Blue matched the energy at first, refusing to back down. The first twenty minutes were a battle, Kelley found herself locked in duels with Emily more than once and then Lindsey just had to go and score.
Emily had gotten even sharper since the last time they saw each other. She was quicker, smarter, and way too good at knowing exactly where Kelley was going before she even got there.
At one point, Emily picked off a pass near midfield, and Kelley had to track back hard, forcing her wide near the sideline. Emily shielded the ball, glancing over her shoulder with that trademark smirk.
“Getting slow, miss Kelley,” she teased, nudging the ball past Kelley.
Kelley huffed out a laugh, cutting her off before she could do any damage. “Talk to me when you’re back in camp, jerk.”
Emily gasped dramatically. “That’s low.”
Kelley just grinned, stealing the ball and playing it upfield before jogging back into position.
Portland scored another, a second goal from Lindsey in the 42nd minute that had Kelley swearing under her breath.
But Sky Blue had the opportunity to respond with a penalty kick in the 56th minute, which they missed. The final third minutes were chaotic. End-to-end. Neither team were willing to settle.
Then, in the 89th minute, Emily got the ball just outside the box just after a corner.
Kelley saw it happening a split second before it did - Sonnett’s first touch, the way she opened her body to shoot. Kelley closed the space fast, throwing her body towards the blonde. She had knocked the both of them over and watched as the ball roll out of play
The referee immediately blew her whistle and issued Kelley a yellow card and gave Portland the free kick.
Emily groaned as she got up after the challenge from Kelley, hands on her hips. “You suck.”
Kelley smirked. “You love me.”
Emily rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.
The game ended in a win for Portland. And after the final whistle, Kelley jogged toward midfield, scanning the crowd of players swapping jerseys, shaking hands. Emily was already heading her way.
“Hell of a game,” Emily said, breathless but grinning.
Kelley nodded. “Not bad, Sonnett.”
Emily bumped her shoulder. “You owe me dinner.”
Kelley snorted. “For what?”
“For ruining my goal,” Emily said, like it was obvious.
“Your goal? You’re acting like that was going to go in.”
“Yeah, it would’ve!”
“Son, you would’ve been miles off! I was doing you a favor by saving you from embarrassment.”
Sonnett raised her brow and Kelley rolled her eyes but shook her head, knowing damn well she wasn’t about to say no to spending more time with her.
“Fine,” she said.
Emily just grinned. “And I'm still expecting breakfast tomorrow.”
“Anything else?” Kelley said, with a hint of sarcasm.
“No, that’s all… Wait, maybe-”
“NO” Kelley shouted before jogging towards the tunnel.
“Wait no, Kell… Kelley, wait up.” Emily followed behind her.
****
Less than two weeks after their last match, Sky Blue was headed to Portland for the rematch.
And then, the text came in.
Emily Sonnett: so… you wanna stay at mine after the game?
Kelley snorted, shaking her head.
Kelley O’Hara: Are you mocking me?
It took Emily exactly ten seconds to FaceTime her instead of texting back.
Kelley sighed dramatically before answering. “Ever heard of responding like a normal person?”
Emily grinned at her through the screen, sprawled out on her couch in Portland, hair damp like she’d just showered. “This is better,” she said simply.
Kelley rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. “So you are mocking me.”
Emily gasped, fake-offended. “No! I’m just being nice.”
“Uh-huh,” Kelley said, leaning back against her pillows. “You sure you can handle me invading your space?”
Emily shrugged, her smirk softening just slightly. “I think I’ll survive.”
“Will you make me breakfast?” Kelley asked.
“Who’s mocking who now, huh?”
They kept talking, about the upcoming game, about Emily’s latest dramatic retelling of a team meeting, about how Kelley was still bitter about her team losing. It was easy, like it always was.
Somewhere in the middle of Emily ranting about the humidity in Portland with ‘I swear it feels different than anywhere else, don’t argue with me, Kell’, Kelley realized how late it was. And how tired Emily looked.
Kelley was mid-sentence about something when Emily yawned, blinking slowly. “I’m listening, promise,” she mumbled.
Kelley smirked. “Yeah, sure you are.”
Emily hummed in response, eyes slipping shut. A few seconds later, her breathing evened out.
Kelley exhaled, shaking her head fondly. “Good talk, Son.”
She didn’t hang up. Not right away. Just watched for a moment as Emily slept, completely at ease.
Then, Kelley ended the call, plugging in her phone and setting it on her nightstand.
This was getting dangerous.
And she wasn’t sure she cared anymore.
****
The second Kelley saw Emily’s name on the November camp roster, she smiled.
She didn’t text her right away, though. She figured she’d let Emily have her moment - wait for her to bring it up first. But, of course, Emily was incapable of playing it cool.
Emily Sonnett: guess who’s back, baby?
Kelley rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin forming.
Kelley O’Hara: Took you long enough.
Emily Sonnett: missed me?
Kelley O’Hara:I miss having someone to nutmeg in training.
Emily just sent an eye-roll emoji and a middle finger.
Yeah, Kelley had missed her.
****
The first match in Canada was brutal.
Cold, physical, and exactly what everyone expected when playing Canada on their turf. The U.S. had control early, but Canada fought back, equalizing in the second half. By the final whistle, it was a frustrating 1-1 draw.
In the locker room afterward, no one was thrilled, but the energy wasn’t miserable either. It was just one of those games.
That night, after the team meeting, Kelley found herself in Abby and Sam’s hotel room with Lindsey, and, of course, Emily. They lounged on the beds and floor, half-watching some random show on TV, half-rehashing the game.
“I swear,” Kelley groaned, stretching out on the carpet, “that ref had it out for me.”
“You did literally shove someone over,” Lindsey pointed out.
“She ran into me!” Kelley argued.
Sonnett snorted, nudging her foot with hers. “Maybe try not fouling people next game.”
Kelley threw a pillow at her.
Sonnett caught it, smirking.
The rematch in San Diego was a different story though. The U.S. dominated from the start, pressing high, controlling possession, and finishing their chances. Kelley played her final 90 minutes of the year and by the time the final whistle blew, it was a 3-1 win.
And with the international window wrapped up, club season over, and nothing but offseason ahead, the girls started peeling off in different directions.
Some were heading straight to vacation. Others back home.
Kelley and Emily?
They were going to Atlanta.
Emily flopped into the window seat, sighing dramatically. “Offseason, baby.”
Kelley smirked, buckling her seatbelt. “Two days before you start texting me about running drills?”
Emily groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
Kelley just chuckled, leaning back against the headrest.
Offseason was finally here.
And for some reason, she had a feeling it was going to be an interesting one.