Page 39 of Hotshot

“That’s so unlike you. You loved your Subaru, which is still sitting in my driveway. Todd’s keeping it going, by the way. He says thanks!” Sloane had given her car on indefinite loan to Todd until she got back to the US.

“I was a bit wary of driving on the wrong side of the road. But Ella’s taken me out a few times and gotten me over my nerves.”

A smile crept onto Adrianne’s face. “Now I know something’s going on. You let someone else tell you what to do willingly, and admitted your fears?”

“I’m a professional sportsperson, Adrianne. I take instruction and criticism every day and do it well.”

“Uh huh.” Her face creased hard with her smile. “Back to the point. Would you like a car? Because I have a sponsor who’d like to give you one.”

“Yes please. Although obviously I can’t drive right now. But soon. Is it a cool car, and do I get to choose the colour?”

“Already done for you. A silver Jeep. Do I have your blessing.”

“You do, and I love you.” Sloane could just imagine what Ella would have to say about this gift. Another example of Sloane not living in the real world. A tiny sliver of guilt lodged in her stomach.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll mail you the details. You know the rules. Social media presence showing you in it, I’ll send through the contract.”

“You’re the best, Adrianne!”

Sloane blew her a kiss before she shut down.

* * *

Adrianne was right:Sloane had dressed up to meet Cathy. She was also hella nervous. Her stomach churned so much, her coffee – with cream – was in danger of reappearing. She certainly hadn’t been this on edge for her debut with Rovers. Soccer – or football – she knew back to front. Meetings with family members she hadn’t known existed until very recently, less so.

When the buzzer went, Sloane pressed it and waited for the elevator to arrive. She still couldn’t call it a lift. Moments later, the door opened. The woman who stood there looked remarkably familiar. It wasn’t that she looked that much like any of Sloane’s family. Rather, she had a familiarity Sloane couldn’t quite put her finger on. Her cousin wore a padded pea-green winter coat that could be mistaken for a duvet, her cheeks rosy from the December chill.

“Cathy?”

Cathy beamed, clutching a bunch of colourful flowers. “Sloane.” She glanced at her boot. “You weren’t joking when you said you were in the wars.” Her accent was so thick, you could use it for insulation.

“It’ll be off in a few weeks hopefully. But thank you so much for coming to see me instead.” Sloane could have gotten Ella to drive her or even the club car, but the thought of hobbling around a stranger’s house hadn’t appealed. In her own flat, there was far less to knock over.

“These are for you.” She gave Sloane the flowers.

“Thank you so much.” Sloane didn’t have a vase – she’d have to ask Ella. For now, she filled the sink and rested the flowers there. Then she got Cathy settled on her couch, despite her protestations that she could make the drinks. Sloane allowed her to collect her coffee once she’d made it, and then they sat in touching distance. But they still hadn’t touched.

They might be family, but right now, they were relative strangers.

“This is a bit weird, isn’t it?” Cathy sipped her coffee and gave Sloane a smile.

She’d removed her hat and ruffled her hair, the colour of Sloane’s favourite Madagascan vanilla ice cream. Now, one side stuck up at an angle. Sloane smiled internally.

“When Ryan came home and told me about meeting you, I thought that knock on the head he took at that game had affected him more than he realised. However, Matt confirmed you were real, and then I got your text.” She shook her head. “Sorry it’s taken so long to meet, what with my work and your injury. Plus, I’m still getting to grips with exactly how it all fits together. I mean, you’re a world football star and very American!”

Sloane smiled. “Guilty as charged.”

“What I know is that your grandad was my mum’s brother? I think that probably makes us cousins of some sort?”

She sounded as confused as Sloane. “I think so, but if I ponder it too long my head starts to hurt. Let’s go with cousins.” She stared at Cathy. “You look familiar, so maybe we share a mouth or a nose?”

“Sounds painful.”

That broke the slight awkwardness that had hovered since Cathy came in. She had a sense of humour. This wouldn’t be the longest coffee of Sloane’s life.

“Can I say also, I’m glad I came here and not the other way around. This flat is far posher than my house.” Cathy got up and stared out the window. “You can see the Arndale from here, can’t you?”

“So I’ve been told.”

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