Wow - thanks a million for all the encouragement you have continued to give this story, and to me as a beginner. I can't tell how happy it makes me that you have bought into this alternative storyline.
PolishCalzonaFan - thank you for your super kind words.
This is just a short chapter that I've been writing tonight that I thought I'd post before I go to bed so that you are not waiting too long.
Next chapter is forming in my head so hopefully it won't be too long.
As Arizona watched the players line up at the start of the game for the official photo her eyes were drawn to Alex. It was so strange seeing her again having had nothing to do with her for the past year other than get divorced.
Callie sat in the stand with other other subs and watched Arizona clearly check Alex out. They had spoken about this moment and Arizona had admitted that she was feeling nervous about seeing her ex, but Callie found herself feeling just as nervous. She was developing feelings for Arizona and she didn't trust Alex one bit.
The game started at a very high tempo with both teams attacking from the whistle. Spurs were very much lunching above their weight against the superstars of Chelsea where pretty much every player was a top international for their country. Spurs had Callie who was on the bench and at most had 30 mins in her.
Having said that, the Spurs players were organised they followed the game plan and frustrated Chelsea, breaking the ball down before venturing forward themselves to try for a goal.
This went on for the first twenty minutes and the central defenders did an excellent job at tracking Alex's runs off the ball. The Swedish striker was totally being marked out of the game and Arizona could hear the familiar sound of Swedish swear words a sure sign she was getting frustrated.
Arizona used to love watching Alex play. She was such a clever player, running into spaces that other players couldn't see. As Arizona watched her ex wife in the ball she saw that she had picked up a habit in Spain of falling to the ground the minute any sort of tackle was made on her, and unfortunately, the referee seemed to be buying it.
Just before half time Alex was deemed to have been fowled and Chelsea were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Spurs penalty box. Alex lined the ball up and took her trademark three steps back before she closed her eyes momentarily and took a deep breath. Arizona had watched her score so many free kicks and could tell from the position of the keeper that she was going to score. She jumped up and yelled to the Spurs goalie to move over, but it was too late. The Swedish striker's foot made perfect contact with the ball to loop it up over the jumping wall of defenders and sending in flying into the back of the net.
"Shit!" Arizona said frustratedly as she kicked a water bottle before taking her seat back next to Sam.
"Chill mate." Sam said surprised at seeing her normally calm and collected boss get so worked up "we're still in this game"
Arizona looked over in Callie direction and saw a paid of brown eyes staring back at her giving her a reassuring look. Arizona smiled at Callie and took a deep breath and realised that she had let Alex get under her skin.
Half time came and Sam and Arizona worked quickly on the players who had indicated feeling some tightness, giving them quick assessments and massages and if necessary pain injections.
Arizona took Callie to one of the small treatment rooms explaining that she wanted to double check her strapping. Once alone Callie looked at Arizona with concern.
"How you doing?" The brunette asked, kinda already knowing the answer
"Arghhhhh she's rattled me and I don't know why!"'Arizona replied
Callie remained silent not wanting to say what she was thinking. Not wanting to vocalise the possible reason 'because you still have feelings for her'.
"She's asked to meet me...after the game...to talk" Arizona told Callie
"Talk about what?" Callie scoffed as she felt her own irritation levels start to rise.
"I don't know."
"Are you going to see her?" Callie asked
Arizona looked at Callie for a few moments before answering "I don't know Cal." Arizona saw the concern on the American's face.
"I need you to know that I would NEVER do anything with her. I could NEVER do that. I don't want to do that OK?" Arizona held her girlfriends gaze.
"We've a lot of history, and I guess I kinda feel that I should be able to see her and talk to her without it being a big thing."
"But it clearly is a big thing to you Arizona" Callie replied "I've seen you watch her on the pitch".
"You are right. She has irritated me more than I thought she would, but when I'm looking at her I'm not wishing we were back together, I don't want that, I promise."
"So what do you want from her?" Callie asked
"I guess I need closure. I need to not feel irritated by her, to not care at all when I see her. I was massively in love with her, for many years, whether I like it or not, she is a big part of my life history." Arizona paused and took a deep breath. "The last time she saw me...I was a mess. I was packing my things from the house in Madrid preparing to move back to UK and I was, for all effect, broken hearted."
Callie reached over and took Arizona's hand and gave it a squeeze. She hated Alex for treating Arizona that way, for hurting her.
Arizona smiled "I think...I think the closure I need is to tell her that I've moved on."
"I think I need to see her so I can tell her that I'm happy...really happy...and I need her to know that. I think I need her to know that she didn't break me and that I'm happy without her, and that I'm with you."
"What? You're going to tell her we're together?" Callie said in shock
"Shit No way! I would trust her one bit." Arizona said calming Callie down "I'll just tell her that I've met someone new...someone...special"
Callie felt her eyes well up as she listened to Arizona speak. Shiiiiit she was developing serious feels for this woman.
Callie walked up close to Arizona and stared deep into those blue eyes before placing a slow soft kiss on her lips.
There was a knock on the door
"Second half guys" Sam's voice shouted from behind the closed door.
"We good?" Arizona asked
"We're good. Will you come round tonight and tell me what happens?" Callie asked
"Of course. I'll come straight over." Arizona said smiling softly before adding "you ready to kick some Swedish butt?"
"I'm so ready!" Callie smiled back.
--
I'm really enjoying writing this story where the characters can do things right. In this case Arizona told Callie before she spoke to Alex which was 100% the sensible, drama free thing to do.
I hope I have been able get across how seeing Alex made Arizona feel and you can understand why she wants to talk.
Take care. S x
