Page 28 of Redeeming Heart

She smiled back when she understood and jogged to get to her position.

“What was that all about?” Clarissa asked, gesturing towards Megan.

“We are not gaining up against you. Get your head in the game.” I said to her and got in my position behind the center circle with her by my side.

It has been a few years since I played in a team but I certainly didn’t forget how to play. I at least worked on my strikes and fitness every passing day. It was the only thing that kept me sane.

I bent my legs a bit and squatted slightly to get ready for the strike.

The umpire blew the whistle and the ball got swept towards the opposing team. “Let’s go!” I yelled to Clarissa and gestured for her to attack.

I ran off, watching the handoff from one player to another and before they could register, I was sweeping the ball out from them. Knocking it towards Clarissa who seemed a bit fazed before she went for a jog and a pass to Megan who caught up.

Megan was the fastest midfielder we got and we could use her speed to get in front. The rest of the team just has to follow. I watched two players taking Megan on and I shouted to her. She knocked the ball over to me and I went for a chance at the opposing team’s goalkeeper.

I slammed the ball but she covered and knocked it back over to her team. My team was all over the place and was too slow to defend. “That was a waste of time,” Clarissa grumbled.

I took a glance at the goalkeeper. She jerked her head at me and I smirked. She was good—no doubt.

“Adams.” I heard Clarissa calling my name.

“We need to intercept,” I told Clarissa.

She frowned at my suggestion. “The only way we are going to get past her is with two players taking a shot but we need to confuse her,” I explained.

“That’s not going to work.” She protested.

“How do you think we won?” Briana asked, giving Clarissa a look.

“This is not high school hockey.” Clarissa insisted.

“Exactly. If we don’t come up with a plan, we might as well head home now.” I said.

“Well, let’s give it a try,” Felicity said. “If we don’t give it a try, we don’t know if it is going to work.”

Clarissa shook her head. “No,”

I held up my hand when Briana wanted to say something. “She’s the captain.” I reminded them.

“Yeah, but as a captain, you at least listen to your team,” Megan grumbled.

I patted her on the shoulder. “Just try and get the ball. Don’t focus on anything else but your teammates.” She nodded at me even though she wanted to argue.

I followed Clarissa back to the center circle.

We were going to lose if we don’t do something and we had less than fifteen minutes left to put some points on the board.

“Fine, let’s do your plan.” Clarissa suddenly said when we stood opposite the opposing team.

I nodded and then glanced over my shoulder, signaling the girls we are going with my plan.

“This better work, Adams.”

We got possession of the ball for the third time and this time when we went for a goal it was successful but the game was far from over. We needed two more points to win this.

Clarissa let me pass the ball back to our teammates through a push back and I was at least thrilled when our team was wide awake to go for a second chance at goal but time ran out.

We lost our first match of the season and I wasn’t sure if we just lost our only chance at competing in the tournament.

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