Page 165 of Unrivaled Love
I can tell she's getting frustrated. Or worried. I can see the little crease between her eyebrows and the way she bounces on her toes while the ball is on the other side of the field. I keep my eyes glued on her, even if we’re too far apart to lock our gaze I want her to feel it. I’m so fucking proud of her it hurts.
"I'm breathing but I don't think I have circulation in my arm. Let go dude."
Oh yeah, I was also gripping his arm for dear life.
"C'mon Jo! Let's go!" I yell out and use my now free hands to clap loudly.
USA makes a substitution and Pee Pee enters the game. She sets up at forward across from Jo and Keira moves to a striker position in the middle. Their midfielders have been grinding it out but they stay in the game. USA throws in the ball on the far side of the field and Pee Pee traps it before turning and dribbling up field.
It's a team sport but I really want Jo to get the go-ahead goal, not her.
"Okay, that's fine, up the field, look for Jo, do you see Jo? She's open. Right there, cross it!" I mumble and then yell at the end.
She hears me. Pee Pee sends the ball across to a charging Jo as she turns to the center of the field, switching spots with Keira who is heading to the outside. Jo traps the pass, dekes to create some space and then takes a shot off her left foot.
It's ugly but it's quick and the goalie wasn't expecting the shot so all she can get is a finger on it which isn't enough.
The ball hits the post and ricochets into the net.
"Holy shit! Yes! Fuck yes!" I yell as Duncan wraps me up in a hug. Everyone is screaming and I see Jo’s parents in the row ahead of me crying.
I look back up at the field and see Jo surrounded by her teammates.
Her smile shines through the crowd and I can feel her joy in my heart. I know what it feels like to score a go-ahead goal in a do or die game. I can taste the adrenaline coursing through her veins. I know the task of settling in and playing solid for the rest of the game. I know what it feels like when the job still isn't done.
We hug and high five in the stands a little more and when the game resumes we focus on the pitch.
The final minutes fly by as the US Team maintains possession for most of it with a few more strikes at the net mixed in. Ireland just can't get themselves organized to stage an attack. Pee Pee stays in position and listens to her teammates; maybe she's learned this is a team sport. The final whistle trills and it’s over.
USA moves on!
We file out of the stands and my friends head back to the house they rented. I stick around with my family and Jo's to try and catch her on her way to the bus.
Security is tight and there are already fans lining up along the fences but we manage to get a spot at the end. We wait, discussing the highlights of the game with each other and make plans for dinner as we wait for the team to trickle out.
Finally I see Jo emerge at the end of the tunnel and I can't contain my smile. Hers is wide and she looks so fucking good.
"Nice game, Killer!" I yell and she turns towards us. She runs over and jumps into my arms. I hold her close and even with the fence between us I love the feeling of her in my arms.
"You're unbelievable Josie. A fucking legend." I tell her as we pull apart.
"Thank you." She gives me a quick peck and then turns to her parents and gives them hugs. She hugs her sister and I help lift her nieces and nephew up to give her a hug, too.
She turns to me and her eyes sparkle with emotion. "One more?" She asks.
I smile, pull her in for a hug and whisper. "One more."
One more game.
One more hug.
One more moment where we belong to each other.
Chapter 51
Jo
World Cup Level HAB
