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“We’re Stanmore!”

“And we’re gonna kick some ass!”

“And we’re gonna kick some ass!”

Rebecca beamed. “Excellent. Now, let’s get dressed and get out on the pitch.”

They did, and excited chatter went through the room. Rebecca touched Jamie’s arm.

“Jamie, could I speak to you in my office?”

Jamie swallowed, but nodded, and followed her new manager. Rebecca closed the door behind them and the sound died down. Jamie shifted her weight between her feet, unsure if she should sit down or remain where she was. She hoped this was a conversation that wouldn’t be too long. Being singled out on the first day was already tough. If she were late, she didn’t want anyone under the impression she was getting special privileges.

“Obviously, a lot of people are confused by why you’re here,” Rebecca said, tucking a lock of curly auburn hair behind her ear. “But from what I understand in my discussions with your agent, this was your choice.”

Jamie nodded. “It was.”

“Why?”

Jamie opened her mouth to give her carefully prepared answer, but Rebecca stopped her before she could speak.

“And don’t give me the bullshit you gave the press about wanting to prove yourself,” she said. “I want an honest answer from you. Why now? And why this club?”

Jamie chewed her lip, racking her brain. “Um. . . can I ask you something first?”

“Sure.”

“Has my father been in contact with you?”

Rebecca smirked. “As a matter of fact, he has.”

Jamie’s heart sank. “And did he tell you to ask me this?”

“He did.” She leaned against the desk and folded her arms over her chest. “But I told him to fuck off. This is my team, and how I deal with my players is my business.”

Jamie blinked, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. “You did?”

“Yeah. Sorry if that puts you in a bind.”

He’d be calling to complain, but Jamie shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“I’m asking you this, Jamie, because I want to know what your intentions are. As you saw, what we’ve accomplished means a lot to us. You’re a great footballer, and I have no doubt you’ll do well here. I want to know if you’re in this for you, or if you truly want to be a part of us. And what we’re building here.”

Jamie glanced out the window and watched her new teammates milling about. Neriah braided Kiri’s hair, and Sofia adjusted Niamh’s headband to keep it in place. Monika laughed with Mai while Eliana and Paige did some sort of secret handshake. Zahra and Salma were helping each other stretch.

“I want to be a part of this,” Jamie said, facing Rebecca again. “I’ll admit, I came here for selfish reasons. Something happened at City, and I. . . couldn’t be there anymore. I wanted to come home to London, and Stanmore said they wanted me.”

Rebecca’s brow furrowed. “Something happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m fine. Everything’s fine. I want to move on.”

“Understood.” Rebecca paused for a beat as her features relaxed. “I hope you know that you’re safe here. And anything you tell me or them—” she nodded toward the team. “It won’t get to anyone else.”

Jamie wanted to believe it. Desperately, she wanted to trust them. But her father had eyes and ears everywhere. One slip up, and he’d know.

“He Googles me every day,” she blurted out. “My father.”

Rebecca only smirked. “Do you know how long Neriah and Eliana have been together?”