Can I just say, that I'm totally flabbergasted by how many people are interested in reading this story! Makes me all giddy - Thanks :) Two chapters in and somehow this has gained over a hundred followers? Whaat? You do realize this is a soccer(!) au fic? :D
Thanks for your follows, favorites and uplifting comments!
Note: For the purposes of this story women's soccer is widely popular in Canada and the players are professional athletes and get paid handsomely! :P And I repeat I know nothing of Canadian soccer or teams or how professional teams train – all made up here.
xoxo
The Rockets were filing in their locker room the next morning for their practice. Gail ventured in and scowled seeing that she had a new person sitting next to her. Chloe Price. Gail huffed a little at that. Andy had been moved to the other side of Traci. And Jen, who earlier had been sitting next to Traci was moved to the far corner next to.. Holly. Why didn't I get to sit next to Holly, Gail sighed disappointed, until she realized that now she did at least have the opportunity to pump Chloe for information on Holly. They were friends, right? Gail would get some inside information on Holly and her likes and dislikes. Maybe that would help her to smooth out their current situation.
Gail strolled slowly towards her locker, while subtly sneaking glances at Holly. The brunette had already changed into her padded long sleeved red training shirt and black pants. Her gloves were resting on the bench next to a pair of electric blue cleats. A small smile spread on Gail's face at the sight of Holly. The goalkeeper was a beautiful thing to see even so early in the morning, Gail thought as she sat down next to Traci.
"What?" Gail glared at Traci, when she noticed the dark skinned woman grinning at her.
"Nothing." Traci smirked and went back to lacing her cleats. "She's nice to look at. Look." She teased whispering with a wicked grin remembering Gail's 'look, look' in awe sighing, when the striker had first seen Holly at the Border club.
"Shut up." Gail snarked embarrassed at being caught staring. "Just tie your laces.. So you don't fall flat on your face out on the field."
"Uh huh." Traci scoffed winking. "I think, if anyone's gonna fall on their face.. It's gonna be you, if you keep ogling her like that." She sing-songed.
"Thanks for your concern." Gail sneered shooting a glare at her friend. "I'll be fine." She added with a huff.
"Fine?" Traci snickered softly. "You're an accident waiting to happen."
"Am not."
"Are too. What now?" Traci sighed with an eyeroll, when Gail's eyes narrowed as she gazed to the corner.
"They are all smiley and.. irritating. Look at Jen! Slobbering all over our new goalkeeper in her excitement. Touching her." Gail hissed between her teeth as she watched Holly laugh at something that Jen had said. And Jen then gently shoulder bumping the taller brunette. "Totally unprofessional." Gail growled unhappily.
"You'd know." Traci countered eliciting a gleeful snort from Chloe, who had come back from the bathroom.
"Got something to say?" Gail glared at the new forward.
"Oh, me? I do. I got plenty to say.." Chloe started seriously, meeting Gail's eyes. "But since I am a professional, which you seem to appreciate.. I'm just gonna say that.."
"Oh what? What are you going to say?" Gail taunted hoping to shut the woman up. Quickly.
"If you hurt her ever again, I'm gonna take my baseball bat and break your knees." Chloe said sweetly and with a pleasant fake smile painted on her lips. "And maybe your face too." She added in a menacing low tone with her narrowed eyes blazing, before continuing to busy herself with her cleats.
Gail fell silent feeling guilty. And a bit appalled at seemingly sweet Chloe's Jekyl and Hyde type of personality. So much for getting any helpful tips from her to woo Holly. Chloe hated her. Gail never wanted to hurt Holly, but it was obvious that she did. She knew she had. Holly's friend knew she had.. Gail snuck a quick glance at Holly and then Traci. Holly was still talking excitedly with Luck, while Traci was giving Gail a symphatetic, a slightly pitying look. Gail sighed and began to change her clothes, while pondering if she had the balls to go to Holly and apologize. She decided, that she had to. She wanted to.
.
"So, why are you sitting in the corner Luck?" Gail asked trying to sound nonchalant as the goalkeeper came to fetch a bottle of Gatorade from the cooler the same time as the blond.
"I volunteered." Jen gave a sly grin. At least that's how Gail interpreted it. "I get to sit next to Holly."
"Right." Gail
"Yeah. It's the goalkeepers' corner." Jen chuckled happily.
"Ah." The keeper was in a cheery mood, Gail noted. Luck wasn't usually this.. chirpy. She was almost as moody as Gail. Not as snarky though. Holly must be a miracle worker to make Luck's eyes twinkle like that, the blond scoffed.
"Holly's really nice, you know. After Erica it's really great to get a genuely lovely girl to train with. She also seemed to hit it off with our goalkeeper coach too. Chris I mean." Jen said smiling as she turned to go back to her seat. "Holly is so sweet and friendly. "
"Yeah and I'm not.." Gail whispered, before going back to sit between Traci and Chloe. "I need a miracle."
"Stop pouting." Traci patter Gail's thigh. "This is the first training for her. You have time to.. get close to her?" She finished questioningly.
"Close?" Gail smirked a little.
Gail truly wanted to get close to Holly. To get to know her better and maybe.. It could turn into something. Something more. Gail was somewhat shocked by her inner thoughts. She had never wanted to have something more with anyone. At least not since getting burned a few times. Her walls had been up, but now Holly was chipping away at them without even trying. I'm so off balance, Gail groaned realizing the beautiful brunette had really gotten under her skin.
"So. Gail..." Chloe said making the blond turn to her. "Let's be civil, okay? We have to sit next to each other. And we're teammates after all."
"Whatever." Gail said tight lipped.
"Good." Chloe said squealing happily, while Gail cringed at that.
"Did you know that athletes have worn cleats since at least the 1500's?" Chloe pointed at Gail's still unlaced shoes.
"No." Gail rolled her eyes and started to lace her cleats. She needed to get ready fast and get away from the ray of sunshine sitting next to her. Chloe was.. weird, Gail assessed.
"Henry VIII, you know the king, had a pair made for him. He wanted hand-stitched boots to play football. They cost a pretty penny. Good thing we don't have to pay for our cleats huh? Sponsors and all. The League Cup was the first league to get a sponsorship. Interesting right?" Chloe rambled.
"Very." Gail spat sarcastically hoping the other woman would just take the hint and stop talking. But no.
"This was in England, you know. 1982 the cup was sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board and since then it was known as the Milk Cup. Funny huh?" Chloe continued. "Nowadays there's also some minor sports getting big sponsors, you know. Like.."
"Oh my God! Could you get any more annoying? Stop talking!" Gail snarled, when Chloe just seemed to keep talking and talking about random things and jumping from topic to another. "Just stop! Shut up for God's sake! My ears are starting to bleed."
"Yeah.. Sorry, I kinda talk a lot." Chloe shrugged, but didn't look that sorry or apologetic in Gail's eyes. In fact the brunette looked anything but sorry with that cheeky grin decorating her face. "It's my thing. I talk."
"From now on, you won't. Not to me." Gail snarked. "Don't talk to me." She stressed hissing as she got up and bolted out the door.
"Sure! Nice chat! We'll talk later!" Chloe hollered after her getting a snicker from those still sitting in the locker room.
.
As soon as everyone was out on the field Coach Shaw ordered them to run warm-up laps around the field.
"Go on." Traci encouraged, when she noticed that Holly was jogging alone a little bit ahead her and Gail. "Go talk to her."
"Yeah? Now?" Gail swallowed unsurely. "But what if.."
"Go." Traci pushed the blond on the back and watched her jog more briskly to catch up with the brunette.
"Hey." Gail said softly as she caught up with Holly and started jogging beside her.
"Oh." Holly turned her head to the side to meet Gail's eyes, before watching ahead of her again. "Hey."
"So.. Um, welcome to the team We're.. uh.. lucky to have you." Gail stammered with a little wave of her hand.
"Thanks. Seems like a nice bunch. I think I'm gonna like it here." Holly had a small smile on her lips as she glanced at Gail.
"Good… Good.." Gail breathed nervously. "So.. Uh.. About, you know.. Montreal.. I'm sorry."She said slightly awkwardly.
"Okay." Holly sighed with a little nod.
"Okay? But what.." Gail started to ask where they stood. Was that 'okay, I forgive you' or 'okay, you're still an asshole' or 'okay, we'll talk later', she fretted, but never got to ask as she got cut off by their coach demanding attention loudly.
"Ladies! Enough laps! Holly and Jen with Chris and the rest of you lot with me. Hussle, hussle." Oliver barked from the center field.
"Shit." Gail sighed watching Holly jog towards Chris to the other end.
.
"Okay ladies!" Oliver boomed almost 45 minutes later. They had been going through different drills in smaller groups. Now they were having a little breather with everyone sipping some sports drinks.
"Break's over. Let's play. Everybody line up here so Dov can divide you into two teams and give you all a vest. Red or yellow. We'll go over some plays for next weekends practice match against Montreal." The coach motioned with his hand towards his assistant coach.
And then the game was on. Gail was in the yellow team and they were approaching Holly's goal. Traci had passed a high ball to Chloe, who had taken it down expertly and now the brunette was showing her speed advancing near the sideline. Gail's eyes were on Chloe waiting the forward pass the ball inside the penalty box.
Gail glanced around taking in the defenders and.. Holly. Gail's eyes immediately got glued to Holly. The goalkeeper with her long dark hair in a fishtail braid, was in the zone, concentrated on the game letting nothing distract her. Holly looked hot and focused. Really focused. Gail not so much. Well at least not on the game. Gail's eager blue eyes latched on the brunette's firm ass as she flexed and moved in anticipation of the opposing team's next move. Gail was transfixed.
"GAIL!" Chloe suddenly roared making Gail flinch and turn to the sound of her voice.
The blond had a fraction of second to realize, that the ball was coming straight at her face. Fast. The ball connected between her eyes with a loud thud. The blond dropped to her knees, before rolling onto her back groaning and covering her face with her hands.
"Let me see." As soft voice called out. Holly, Gail recognized. "Gail? You okay?"
Holly tugged Gail's hands off her face sweeping her eyes over Gail's face.
"Fuck.. That kinda.. hurt.." Gail moaned lying flat on her back on the soft grass, while gingerly wriggling her nose.
"I'm just gonna.. check.. Stay still." Holly said distractedly as she stayed crouching next to Gail, while concentrating on moving her fingers all over Gail's face and neck.
So softly. So gently. Holly's beautiful face hovering over her like.. that night. Holly's hand grazed the skin on Gail's neck again sending a shiver down the blond's spine. Gail felt like purring. Don't purr, she told herself.
"Nothing's broken. Your pupils are good. No cuts on your face." Holly told the blond, before pulling her hands away to Gail's regret.
"You really shouldn't receive the ball.. with your face." Chloe eyed Gail carefully from behind Holly.
"I'll try to remember that." Gail sneered, but grimaced as her face stung. I hope I don't have a ball impression on my face, she sighed.
She wasn't at all sure that the shorter brunette looking down on her hadn't sent the ball to her face on purpose. Sure Gail had been distracted, but still Chloe looked too.. happy to see her lying there in pain, Gail thought. But anyway Gail would take a ball to the face any day, if it resulted in Holly.. petting her.
"You can sit up. You're okay. Probably won't even get a black eye." Holly gave a hesitant smile, which gave Gail a sinking feeling in her stomach. Holly expects me to rip into her at any moment, she realized. Oh why was I such a horror bitch to her, Gail swallowed sadly.
"Holly.. Thanks. For helping." Gail met Holly's widening eyes. "Are you a doctor or something?" The striker smiled almost shyly.
"Just got my MD. So.. Maybe someday." Holly breathed smiling cautiously, until sauntering away.
"She's some sort genius." Traci told Gail, when her friend remained slack-jawed her eyes following the brunette now talking to her fellow goalkeeper.
"But.. She's like.. a featus and she's a doctor?" Gail turned her wide eyes at her friend towering over her.
"Yeah. Genius. She was in the University of Vancouver and just got her medical degree. She's gonna enroll in a pathology recidency in a few years I think. After getting some money from playing soccer."
"Oh.. So she is scary smart.." Gail lifted her eyebrows looking flabbergasted. "Oh.. Wait. How do you know this?"
"Holly and I talked earlier. We talk."
"You talk?" Gail said accusingly. "You talk with Holly?"
"I do." Traci snorted at Gail's jealous face. "If you want to talk to her, you just need to be nice."
"I want." Gail nodded resolutely. She needed to make things right with Holly. To explain. "What? I can be nice." She added offended, when her friend eyed her in disbelief.
"Well, you have your moments I guess." Traci shrugged.
"Shut up. I can be nice." Gail repeated, before adding. "To Holly."
"Ah. She's different isn't she? To you I mean?"
"I guess. I usually don't want to be nice to.. people."
"So, just talk to her. Apologize and befriend her."
"Befriend?" Gail snorted.
"Yes." Traci snapped. "And to befriend Holly I think you have to befriend Chloe too." She smirked.
"Oh crap." Gail plopped back down on her back burying her slightly stinging face in her hands. "But she's.. so annoying."
"Chloe is a sweetheart." Traci smiled sitting down on the turf.
"Sweetheart?" Gail moaned behind her hands. "The girl threatened to break my face with a baseball bat! She just tenderized it first with the ball!"
"Yeah, she has an edge I'll give you that." Traci shrugged nonchalantly.
.
"Aren't you coming?" Traci asked Gail, when the blond stayed hovering on the field, while others were going away. "You can't do too much on your own today. You'll get dehydrated."
"It's not that." Gail said as she bounced the ball on her knees.
"What is it then?"
"I don't want to be a pervert." Gail admitted quietly with a long sigh letting the ball drop to the ground.
"I don't get it." Traci shook her head.
"Holly's gonna be prancing around naked in there. Showering. Naked. Wet. Chloe's gonna end up whacking me with her bat!" Gail ranted anxiously.
"You're being special kind of weird. Just don't look." Traci scoffed.
"I can not not look.." Gail groaned heavily.
"You've been with us.. with women in the shower before Gail." Traci reminded calmly.
"So not the same." Gail spat getting more and more aggravated. "None of you are.. Holly. She's.. gorgeous."
"Okay. Feeling a bit insulted now." Traci huffed in mock offence. "So you're gonna get all hot and bothered seeing her shower?"
"I'm sure of it."
"Be glad you're not a man, because that would get totally embarrassing." Traci joked making a upwards motion with her hand eliciting a small chuckle from Gail.
"You're a jackass." Gail chided playfully smacking Traci's arm.
"Whatever. You can shower without getting it up anyway." Traci said. "Holly and Chloe are going to meet our personal trainer Sam in the gym just now."
"Oh. Great." Gail pouted slightly.
"Oh, great?" Traci parroted. "Don't look so disappointed." She teased tugging the blond towards the others.
.
Thanks for reading :)
A/N More Holly (and maybe even some Holly plus Gail) in the next chapter.
A/N I wrote this one pretty quickly so it might be a mess. I'll edit later. - And done: edited a bit (on the 30th). fixed a few typos and added a few words.