Page 23 of The Longshot

Rowan nods with a big munch on the biscuit.

“Really?” I question, accepting the notes from her hand as I make change. “I can only imagine how expensive that must be.”

“It is, but thankfully, Rowan’s best friend, Georgie, well, Georgie’s older brother is the captain of Crawfield and paid for us all to get season passes. Had he not, we wouldn’t have been able to afford it.”

My heart warms at the gesture as I hand her her change, smiling wide as Rowan licks the chocolate from his lips. “Wow. That’s really sweet.” I can’t help but admit. “He sounds like a really generous guy.”

“Oh, he is,” she agrees. “He’s everyone's favorite in town. He even got us these jerseys, too. A real catch if you ask me.”

“Is he single?” I jokingly remark. “If so, tell him to give me a ring.”

The woman looks me up and down before reaching gently for Rowan’s hand. “You know, I’m sure he’d like that,” she laughs, peering down at Rowan. “What do you say to the nice lady, Ro?”

“Thank you,” Rowan cheers between bites. “You’re the best, Chelsie!”

I’m taken aback by his use of my name until I catch a glimpse of him staring at my name tag.

“He’s practicing his reading skills.” His mum chuckles softly. “But thank you, Chelsie. You’ve been great. Really.”

“Just doing my job.” I smile, flashing them a final wave goodbye, yet when they turn around and make their way out of the store, that’s when I see it.

Plastered alongside the back of both Rowan and his mum’s jerseys is a name. A name I was trying to remember from earlier. A name that now, all of a sudden hits me like a ton of bricks.

Wilkinson.

Gary Wilkinson.

SEVEN

W I L K S

“Tell us again, Wilks.” It’s Christopher Hart, our center-fielder whose voice echoes the loudest down the tunnel as we make our way off of the pitch. "How in the hell did you manage to swing in that last beauty of a shot?”

I straighten my spine, proud beyond measure. “What can I say?” I accept the receptive pats on my back as I’m reminded of my game-winning goal. “I’m the GOAT.”

There’s no greater feeling than basking in the praise my team sends my way. Today might have very well been one of my best matches. Tough, sure, given that Croydon FC is one of the strongest teams in the league, but no team, no matter how good they are, has what we’ve got—a mutual love and respect for one another.

This team, they’re my second family, which means that as much as they can be my biggest supporters, they have absolutely no problem taking a pin to deflate my at times massive ego.

“Alright, mate.” Daniel Green, our main defensemen and my best mate, speaks up first. “I wouldn’t go that far. You’re more like the sheep.”

The lads burst into laughter as we pile into the changing room, prompting me to roll my eyes and smack Green with my sweaty jersey once I’ve whipped it off my slicked body.

“Yeah, yeah. Goat, sheep, say whatever you want, Green, but I’ve got an anaconda in my pants. Can you say the same?”

The team erupts into a series of ooo’s as Green lightheartedly shakes his head in laughter. “Mate.” He places a hand against my shoulder. “The reason why I’m not the tallest is because of all that length? Well, it went to my?—”

“Can you lot stop comparing dick sizes and listen up, please?” Coach blows into his in-famous whistle, demanding the team's attention as we take into account the fact that he’s standing in the entryway.

He always has the most impeccable timing.

“Why? You wanna be in the running?” I joke, prompting an abundance of snickers to follow. “Or are you just here to remind us of how flawless we played today?” I rally the rest of the lads up as they start to cheer enthusiastically.

“Crawfield… Crawfield… Crawfield!” they shout in unison as we dance around like a bunch of knobs. It’s alright, though. We are a bunch of knobs.

Once more, Coach blows into the whistle, prompting us all to freeze. I tilt my head to the side, surprised by the look I’m met with. For once, he’s not unamused, he’s smiling. He’s happy…

“Wilks,” he says my name over the silence. “I hate that I’m saying this, but for the first time, you’re right.” He takes a few steps forward, embracing us all in a group huddle. “I’m here to tell you all just how proud I am of you. You’ve done amazing so far this season. Seriously, I’m so fucking proud.”

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