Page 17 of Couple Goals

Coach puts the whistle in her mouth ready to signal the start of the game.

Maeve tries to clear her mind. But Kira winks at her from the centre-circle. Maeve’s blood starts to boil.

Then the whistle sounds, and there isn’t time to think. Adriana pings a perfectly weighted pass, and Kira is off like a bullet charging towards the ball and Maeve. Her body takes over, reacting as it’s been trained to do, mirroring and monitoring Kira’s movements, staying stuck to her, trying to pre-empt and get in the way of every move she makes so she can’t turn and get a shot away.

They’re a match.

Maeve notes with satisfaction that Kira is surprised at being unable to escape her defenses, with Maeve’s marking doing the trick and keeping Kira quiet so far. Kira calls for the ball, which flies over from Rebecca, but it’s Maeve’s foot which sends it flying back to Liv, getting to it first.

‘Urgh!’ shouts Kira in unabashed frustration.

‘Better luck next time,’ says Maeve.

Kira’s body tightens like a spring, Maeve’s success fuelling her to raise her game. But Maeve’s clearance has resulted in her team on the counter attack towards their winger Zuri, who dribbles up, managing to get past Rebecca and shoots – but it sails over the crossbar.

Maeve watches Adriana whoop loudly too, clapping her teammates to get them going. It’s amazing how quickly this friendly has become tribal – Maeve really does feel like the bibs are her enemies. Normally Maeve and Adriana catch eyes after a goal is scored or missed, out of habit, but today,Adriana’s eyes are going over in the opposite direction. To where? The technical area again? What is she playing at? And does she really have to let down her curls right now, in a move Maeve first noticed her doing in mixed matches when they were teenagers, Adriana knowing her flaming hair would attract the eyes of men in the stands?

Maeve doesn’t have a chance to read into Adriana’s behaviour for much longer though, because Elisa takes her goal kick, and the ball is flying up the pitch and played in towards Kira.

‘What the–’

‘Fu–’

Kira is relentless. Kira darts, feints, sprints and springs. But Maeve is keeping up, staying with her and marking her player. She’s in her flow, rock-solid against Kira’s constant attempts, their bodies jostling as she puts another well-timed tackle in to clear it this time.

But even a rock can get worn down if it’s constantly chipped away at. The more frustrated Kira gets at Maeve’s defense, the more aggressive she becomes to try and assert herself.

With the bibs on another attack, the ball is played in from Milo – Kira pauses, and then barges hard past her, her ankle kicking just a breath away from being a foul.

‘Fuck!’ shouts Maeve.

But it’s too late. Kira has broken free and is through on goal. Kira’s sent the ball flying towards Charlie in goal – and scored.

The bib team whoop with cheers, Milo, Rebecca and Adriana running over to clap her on the back. Kira and Adriana high five, Adriana shouting loudly. To Maeve’s jealous eyes, Adriana really does seem particularly keen to be seen having a good time in this match.Is she really that obsessed with befriending Kira and could she really ditch her so soon after all these years of friendship?

Maeve kicks the air.

Kira strolls up to Maeve, her face inches away from hers. For a crazy moment, Maeve thinks Kira might kiss her.

‘Ha! You really can’t handle an aggressive player, can you, Murphy? You know, some might say you’re too much of a good girl.’

Maeve’s cheeks burn, and her breathing hitches.

Is Kira trying intentionally to distract her with… flirty trash talking? Or is Maeve completely misreading? Regardless, she needs to refocus. She faces up towards the pitch, but Kira just will not leave her alone.

‘Is this your attempt at having sharp claws, Murphy? It’s more like you’re worried to break a nail.’

Despite having been sprinting about the pitch for a good twenty minutes now, Kira seems completely composed, as she gets right up in Maeve’s face after the restart. Her body is pressed up against hers. Maeve glares furiously back, breathing heavily, her muscles rigid and primed for fight or flight. Maeve knows that Kira is goading her. But knowing something doesn’t stop it from working.

‘I thought you wanted to stay Captain of theTigresses? It’s going to be so easy to take it from you when you’re playing like this.’

Maeve sees red. It’s all too much. A deadly combination of the adrenaline of the game, their sweaty bodies so pressed against each other.

Maeve lashes out, shoving Kira.

It all happens so fast. One second, Kira is up in her face, and the next, Kira’s falling backwards, having lost her balance from being caught off-guard. She reaches out for Maeve’s shirt, determined to bring her down with her.

‘Ouch, Jesu–’

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