Page 103 of Always on My Mind

Zahra kept her pace and remained out of reach of the City defense. She slipped past the goalkeeper and chipped it into theback of the net. The Hive roared. Jamie had never wished she could jump up and down more than she did in that moment. She had a death grip on Tessa’s arm. Zahra leaped into the air and pumped her fist before her teammates pounced on her.

Jamie glanced at the clock. There was still five minutes to go. That was enough for a team like Manchester City. If Stanmore could hold on through the remainder plus stoppage, they would end their season on a win. On the promise of doing better going forward.

A hush fell over the stadium on the restart. Everyone, collectively, held their breath as the seconds ticked by. Eighty-six minutes. Manchester City broke through and tried to shoot, but Eliana made herself big and stopped it. Eighty-eight minutes. They earned a corner kick. Paige sent it nearly back to midfield. Ninety minutes. The referee indicated three minutes of stoppage.

“Sweet, suffering Jesus,” Tessa muttered.

“Tell me about it,” Jamie replied on an exhale.

Three minutes passed in what felt like three years. Manchester City threw everything they had at the Stanmore defense, only to break against the wall. The women were sweaty and tired, but determined. This match was theirs to win.

And they did. The Hive erupted.

Jamie screamed with delight. Her fists flew into the air, letting her crutches fall into the grass. She hugged Rebecca. Tessa scrambled to pick up the crutches and help Jamie get balanced on them again so she could reach her team.

The pitch was pandemonium. The players were hugging and jumping on each other—though they were careful with Jamie. The Manchester City players came over to congratulate them. And Jamie’s heart was ready to burst. There was one thing she had to do. On the pitch, in front of the crowd.

Tessa was at her side, taking photos and videos of the celebrations. Jamie tapped on her shoulder.

“You alright, Jamie?” she asked.

Jamie kissed her in reply.

Their past lives were not tucked away or forgotten. They lived again with every shared glance, every touch, every profession of love. Finally, for all the world to see, they were together. Proud.

Epilogue

Ten years later. . .

A small crowd held their breath and then released a collective groan as the clang of a ball against a crossbar rang out over the field. Sympathetic applause followed. None of the parents wanted to display poor sportsmanship to the children running off the pitch. A whistle blew, indicating half time, and Jamie called her squad around her.

“Sorry, Coach,” Daphne Frawley said with a shake of her head. Her dark curls inherited from her father were secured in a long plait down her back. “That was a sitter, I should have had it. I promise I won’t be shit in the second half.”

The other girls burst into a fit of giggles. Jamie rolled her eyes.

“Daphne, don’t say shit,” Jamie warned.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re eight.”

“So? I’m a footballer, aren’t I?”

“Swearing is for professional footballers,” Jamie said sternly. “That’s why your dad is allowed and not you.”

Daphne huffed. “Fine.”

“Now, listen up, girls,” Jamie said, and she squatted down to be on their level. “You’re all playing so well. I’m really proud of you. But I think if we communicate better, we might be able to get an equalizer in the second half. Daphne, don’t be afraid to call for the ball before you make a run. That way Laura can get it to you with better timing and you’re less likely to miss.”

Laura Knight cut her green-eyed gaze to the ground. “It’s my fault, Coach. I could have looked up sooner. . . ”

“No, Laura, it’s not your fault,” Jamie said gently. She moved one of the girl’s blonde pigtails off her shoulder to give it an encouraging squeeze. “The nice thing about football is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. It can just be fun.”

“Anybody want some orange slices?” a familiar, Northern Irish voice called.

Jamie smiled as her wife approached, rolling a large cooler behind her. Tessa waved to the kids. The whole team screamed with excitement, but none more than Laura, who bounced on the balls of her feet and grinned.

“Auntie Tessa!” she squealed, and darted over to wrap her arms around Tessa’s legs.

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