Page 6 of Unrivaled Love
I work my jaw from side to side to release some tension as I think about his latest victory. The frustration at Bryson receiving the glory before me settles into my already tense shoulders.
Our families are here today and I haven't asked yet but I'm sure there are plans for a happy hour or meal together.
I sit down at my locker and get some quality towel time in as I text my sister, Alexandra. Al for short.
What are the plans for later today?
Drinks at the rental house and then dinner at Lapis. Todd has been dying to go.
Kay, what time.
Drinks around 6 probably. The kids are still on mountain time so we can push things a little later.
Everyone's going?
Do you want me to ask if “he who we do not name” will be there?
Leave it to a sister to read through my curiosity. But there is no world in which I am ready to be in a room with Bryson Svoboda.
Do you mind?
Kay, HO.
The abbreviation for Hold On makes me chuckle. We're probably the only people on the planet who use it but it became an inside joke when I was first in college and my older sister would check in on me.
While I wait for her to respond, I turn towards my locker and run through my skincare routine. All the sweat that builds up during games and practices is brutal on my pores so I make sure to double cleanse inthe shower and follow it up with a cocktail of toners, serums, oils, and moisturizers. I keep a travel set of my essential products in my backpack so I’m never without it. This is the one area where I truly splurge. I’ll buy skincare in a heartbeat and in times of boredom find myself adding potions to carts across the internet.
With my skincare completed, I slip into my white tank bodysuit and struggle to get it buttoned between my legs. Seriously, I’m a professional athlete with above average strength and flexibility and it is not easy. No one was meant to button their own baby onesie.
Once the snaps are done, I step into my mini skirt. I slide my feet into my Mary Jane wedges and give my air drying hair a shake before pulling the top half back in a claw clip.
I finish getting my stuff together and head down the tunnel towards the team bus. All of us are staying at the same hotel which makes it feel like an away game. And, considering most of us are from other parts of the country it kind of is.
My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my back pocket expecting an update from my sister.
Instead it’s a group text with my agent Dick Donaldson, and Salt Lake City FC rookie Peyton Pendleton. She got added to the US Team roster a few weeks ago and I tried my best not to grumble about it. I just feel like you need to earn your spot on this team and while, sure, she’s good, she’s not battle tested like I am.
I am not the mushy, emotional teammate. I believe if we all show up and put in the work we’ll win. So when Peyton walked into SLCFC training camp earlier this year like the sun shone out of her ass, I immediately disliked her.
Also, in my head I call her Pee Pee.
DICK
Jo and Pey great game! The phones were ringing off the hook.
PEE PEE
Thanks! It felt good to play!
While my thumbs hover trying to come up with a response Dick’s next message breaks in.
DICK
You're both being considered for an EPIC sponsorship.
PEE PEE
Awesome! I'll take it.
