Page 44 of Always on My Mind

Jamie’s breath caught in her throat. Tessa’s tone was difficult to read. Part of it was accusatory, the other protective. Jamie also detected some disappointment. Maybe she hadn’t made as much headway as she thought after their kiss in the locker room and the poems. But those things were all private. Jamie hated it,but she understood. She swallowed and nodded, all the triumph from their victory gone in an instant.

Chapter 14

Tessa watched the Mersey River flow beneath the bridge as the Stanmore bus crossed over it, ignoring a text from Skylar and feeling like a proper arsehole. Ever since kissing Jamie, Tessa had been ghosting Skylar, and now she was faced with the direct question:

Skylar

Have I done something wrong?

Of course, she hadn’t. Skylar’s only transgression was not being Jamie. That was Tessa’s issue. She glanced over the seats where Jamie sat with Niamh, the latter showing Jamie videos on her phone before they laughed together. Tessa sighed. Right when she had met someone else, Jamie came back into her life. And unfortunately, with Jamie around, Tessa couldn’t focus on anyone else. It had to be due to their soulmate connection, but that didn’t make it any less painful.

How many more lifetimes would it take for Jamie to be where Tessa was? Was there an amount where the universe wouldfinally give up on them? Or was Tessa truly cursed to live an eternity waiting?

Shaking her head, she opened up her phone again and typed a quick message

No, you haven’t. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to see each other. Something’s come up, and I’m dealing with it.

Another message appeared within seconds.

Skylar

Something being your ex-girlfriend?

Aye. I’m sorry.

It’s okay, I understand. We all have the one that got away.

I dunno if it’s like that, but it is complicated.

I get it. But my advice? Don’t let each other get away this time.

Tessa blinked at her phone. With a huff, she locked it. That was easy for Skylar to say. She hadn’t been abandoned in three different lifetimes, only for that person to come back asking for yet another chance. And yes, there was the therapy, but would that be enough? When Jamie told Tessa she wanted to kiss her after the match against the men, her temper flared. Her response was mostly to express what her expectations were—that Jamie would not act on her feelings. Also, a small, petty part of her meant it as a dare. For all intents and purposes, Jamie chickened out.

They arrived at St. Helen’s Stadium, and Tessa got off the bus first, pointedly not looking at Jamie as she disembarked, and waited for the team to follow. She would take a few videos of them getting off the bus for Instagram and TikTok. The women usually waved to her if they acknowledged her at all.

Tessa set up a tripod to get both the Stanmore bus and a Liverpool flag in the background of the shot. The team made their exits, pulling their jackets tighter around them to combat the chill in the October air, waved to Tessa, and headed inside.

Tessa followed them once all the players were through, and while they warmed up, she got shots of their shirts hanging in their lockers. She shocked herself sometimes with how quickly she’d fallen into the match day routine. But once she had the basics, she didn’t have to think much about it.

The match kicked off on time, and that was when Tessa knew she had to be “on.” Ninety minutes passed quicker than she thought, and she needed to pay attention to get all the highlights from the match. Jamie featured in most of them. Her command of the midfield had strengthened Stanmore’s attack. She created more chances for a goal than they ever had before. The Liverpool goalkeeper was incredible, and she continued to deny Stanmore throughout the first half.

Tessa remembered how it was when she and Jamie were together three years ago. Jamie wanted her at matches, but not too many so they wouldn’t arouse suspicion. She didn’t want Tessa sitting with the other families, because it might tip her father off to their relationship. Tessa could have a shirt, of course, but not Jamie’s, because that might send a message. Eventually, Tessa gave up and watched from home.

Watching from the sidelines was worlds different. As if she weren’t already a massive ride, seeing Jamie up close gave Tessa an even greater idea of her talent. Jamie dribbled and passed with knife-like precision. She could deliver the perfect cross andcorner, and even score if the ball came to her feet at the exact right moment. Which was how Stanmore earned the opening goal against Liverpool.

The Liverpool keeper blocked a header from Monika, which bounced right to Jamie, who didn’t even take a touch before she hammered it into the back of the net. It sailed past the Liverpool defenders and under the keeper’s flying body. The Liverpool crowd booed, but Jamie found the corner of Stanmore supporters and leaped into the air in front of them, pumping her fist. The fans waved their scarves in reply. Her teammates flew to her and engulfed her in hugs.

Tessa caught the whole thing on camera. Then, Jamie blew her a kiss. On camera, it appeared to be directed toward the device, but Tessa knew better. Jamie met her gaze and blew her a kiss. It felt. . . intentional. For her.

Stanmore remained one-nil up for most of the second half. Tessa’s heart fluttered every time Jamie caught her eye. When Jamie delivered the cross that gave Monika the shot for Stanmore’s second—and the winning—goal, Jamie beamed at Tessa over Monika’s shoulder when they hugged.

When the match concluded, A sea of athletes and staff engulfed Tessa as they celebrated their first win of the season. Jamie’s hand lingered on the small of Tessa’s back when they all parted.

Alright, you, Tessa thought.You’ve got my attention.

In true Stanmore tradition, the team went out for karaoke following the first out-of-town away match of the season. Tessa got the invite from Niamh, and decided to join them. They picked a tiny place that was within minutes of the stadium. The bar was so small, the team took up the entire place.

“Alright!” Paige called over chatter. “We can go in any order we want, but remember, Niamh and Jamie, as the newestmembers, must sing before the end of the night. Got it, you two?”

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