Page 45 of Nailing Heat

“Let’s be smart here, people!” she calls out as she look around before punting the ball up the field.

I want to call back an apology, but I don’t. Instead, I decide that I have to work that much harder to keep the ball away from her. Or from that mistake happening again.

The whistle sounds and that’s the end of the first forty-five minutes.

“We have another half, people. Let’s focus on that,” I hear Mac calling out as we’re walking into the tunnel.

“Yeah, another half,” I grumble to myself as I head into the team room, where there will be more pep talks, which I hate. Iwant to be left to my devices to get myself locked in for the next half.

“Keep your heads up and hearts in this game! It is not over yet!” Coach Watts calls out as he gives us our halftime talk. I listen but keep my head down.

Jase calls to me. “Get your head up. It was one pass, and it wasn’t quite hard enough. She could have stepped, you could have stepped a bit or given it more power. We could sit here and saycould have should haveall night long but that’s going to get you subbed out of the game.”

I look over at him and smile. “Thank you for that.” He may be the goalie coach, but he always makes time for the other players. I appreciate it in times like now that even though he’s the goalie coach, he plainly saw how my fuck-up has affected me.

“You’re welcome. Now get the fuck out of your head. Next play, move on.” He pats me on the back and joins the rest of the coaching staff.

I nod and keep repeating his words to myself. “Next play, move on,” I say over and over again until it’s time to come out on the pitch.

The mantra works - maybe a little too well. I play a little too aggressively and end up slide tackling a Kanas City player that I don’t recognize. Even I know it’s questionable. I’m watching the ref with wide eyes, waiting to see if he’s going to card me.

“She did that on purpose. No way that was clean!” I hear the Kansas City coach yell.

“Fuck,” I say under my breath as I await the verdict.

“Don’t make me tell you again.” The ref points his finger at me and jogs away.

I nod and get ready to defend the free kick. Thankfully, it does not result in a goal. But when the end of the match comes, neither team has scored. We haven’t lost but we haven’t won either. Coach Watts was really looking for a win, and we couldn’t deliver. I try to console myself by saying that I stopped a goal bytaking her out. But I’m not sure how much I actually believe that.

I listen to the pep talk on autopilot and Hendrix has to pat me on the shoulder to get me to move.

“Come on, let’s get cleaned up and get on the bus. Apparently, it’s pizza in the hotel lobby before we hit the hay.”

I nod. It’s what Watts usually does when we don’t win or tie, and have an early flight. He keeps it a low-key night and makes sure we get a hot meal.

“Sounds like a plan. Maybe I’ll take a slice to my room,” I tell her.

“Oh no, you won’t. Everyone stays out there, and I won’t let you wallow. That was a badass tackle. If not a little questionable. But you did a good job.” She pats me on the shoulder. “Now chin up.”

“Yes ma’am.” I salute her as I make my way to my locker. It’s time to get ready to get out of here. I’m all for that.

Chapter Sixteen

~DEX~

The night that we had all hoped would have been more triumphant has turned a little more somber. This wasn’t loss. I heard Jase and Nate Watts say that time and time again. I wasn’t sure if they were looking to convince themselves or the others who were listening. The reporters have been attempting to talk to them and the players, but they’ve been held at bay by the PR team. August appeased them and spoke a bit about how confident he still feels in this team and their chance of making playoffs.

There is no doubt in my mind that he’s right. The Blaze is a hard-fighting team; we just can’t seem to finish the ball. Or at least that is what Nate has repeated a few times. It looks like Mac is taking it harder than anyone because she’s the striker, and as I heard Danny point out in the past, “It’s her job to score.”

“Hey, man.” A hand slaps me on the shoulder lightly and I turn to see Danny standing there.

Speak of the devil, I think to myself.

“Hey, I didn’t realize you were in town.” I turn to face Danny.

He shrugs. “This is a big game, so when I can make it to see her play away, I do.”

I nod. “How is the University of Tampa swim team looking this year?” I walk towards him smiling.