Page 49 of Nailing Heat
I glance down at my own leg to see it a bit of red already forming. Yep, the turf has burned me. I shrug it off.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I tell her, breathing heavy still from my quick run and wipeout.
“I’m sorry,” number eight says as she approaches.
“No worries,” I tell her with a sweet smile. But in my head I’m thinkingWhat the fuckbecause that was a dirty move. It’s not like we collided; she grabbed my jersey with the sheer intent of pulling me onto the turf.
“It’s going to be a free kick, so please give me that ball!” I hear her call out to Mac.
Mac sends the ball sailing back to me. I trap it with my foot. I’m not sure if this kick is mine to take or not, so I look to Watts.
“Cassie!” I hear him calling.
I nod and back up.
“You good, girl?” Cassie asks me, after she makes her way over.
“Yeah, I’m alright, thanks.”
I don’t miss the daggers she shoots at the Bay FC player whotook me down. I smirk and wait for the ref’s whistle. Cassie sends the ball up perfectly to Mac, who she is back charging for the goal.
Mac is fast! She looks like she’s flying as she’s heading towards the goal. I can see the bright, green-colored goalie moving back and forth, anticipating Mac’s next move as she waits for her to strike. I hold my breath hoping for a goal.
Mac fires and it’s sent over the keeper’s head. Her arms are reaching above trying to get a finger on the ball to stop it from sailing into the net. But she can’t; the ball hits the back of the net.
“Yes!” I’m shouting, jumping up and down, rushing with the rest of my teammates towards Mac.
We hug her and celebrate. The coaches, the bench and the fans are going crazy. It’s a great day to be a part of Tampa Bay! The buzzer sounds and that is the end of the first half.
“What a way to come off of that field!” Coach Watts is excitedly telling us in the team room, where we are all drinking water and listening to his halftime praises. “That is what I’m fucking talking about. Now we are playing soccer!” The whole room erupts in cheers. “Amelia, are you good?”
I beam at him, “I’m good, coach!”
“That’s what I like to hear. You took a nasty tumble, but it led to a hell of a goal by Mac!” More cheering is erupting.
“I would like to relinquish my assist to Amelia. She has more than earned it for the last turf takedown.” Cassie reaches over and places her arm around my shoulders.
The room erupts in cheers. But I shake my head. “No, you earned that from your kick. I’m happy that the foul led to something good.”
“So modest,” I hear Hendrix tease just low enough so that I’m the only one that can hear her.
I shake my head ever so slightly, hoping no one else notices.
“It was a great effort from all of you, and you all deserve theaccolades for it. Way to keep it together, girls, and show the Blaze what we are made of!” Coach Andie calls out.
Everyone cheers along with in her in agreement.
“Alright, let’s turn this over to your captain and see what she makes of this game.” Coach Watts pats Mac on the back as she takes the center sage.
“There is so much heart out on this field, that is what I make of this game. We have beenneedinga game like this one for so long. Now it’s our time to wrap up these next forty-five minutes and make ourselves proud. We are going to take this win because we have earned the hell out of it!” More cheers come from the team, and I look over to see Dex clapping along with everyone else.
He catches me watching him. I don’t know why, but I blush when he looks at me. He gives me a two-fingered salute and motions for me to turn my attention back to Mac. I wink and look back up just in time to hear Coach say that we are heading back out onto the pitch.
The sun has completely set, and the lights are shining bright against the Tampa Bay skyline. I can’t believe how humid it still feels in September. I had hoped for a reprieve, but I guess not. Either way, I love a good night game.
The Blaze and Bay FC take their places on the field, and we wait for the next forty-five minutes to get underway. I sigh and look around. I see fans are returning to their blue and yellow seats, filling the stadium with noise and excitement. This is definitely a change from when we first started playing. The fans no longer leave at halftime, and they are always there to celebrate the win and see us through a loss.
Once the whistle blows, I stop taking in the atmosphere that feels electric. I let all of the cheering and the music that is pumping through the speakers fade into the background. The only thing that matters to me is keeping this lead and making sure that Hendrix keeps her clean sheet.
