Page 69 of Hotshot

It had snowed for the past couple of days, but the nearby paths were all cleared and gritted. She was being extra careful as was warranted for someone in rehab. It felt brilliant to be back out on the training ground, doing what she did best. Maybe not scoring goals freely yet, but at least kicking a ball.

She pulled her green woollen hat as low as it would go without cutting off her vision, and shivered as she walked. The ducks on the water looked at her hat with envy.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out. When she saw who it was from, she frowned. A message from Jess. What the hell did she want?

Just to let you know,me and Brit have split. I wanted to tell you before the media did. I know our affair broke us up, and I still have regrets over that. I’ll be back in the UK for England camp. I never should have let you go, and I know I might have burned my bridges. But I’d love to see you, whatever. By the way, I found that ring you loved. The silver one with the black onyx stone? Remember the one you thought you’d lost? I found it in one of my old jacket pockets. I can give it to you when I see you, or I can mail it.

She signedoff with three hearts and a single kiss.

Sloane wanted to throw her phone into the water, but that wouldn’t benefit anyone. Jess had some gall, coming back to her after everything that had happened. But that was Jess. She got bored easily, but she was always happy to have a second try. It happened when she flip-flopped from learning to play the guitar, to learning the drums, and then back. In this scenario, Sloane was the guitar, and Brit was the drums. She wanted another strum. But Sloane wasn’t about to get played, especially not by Jess. Also, the way she’d thrown the ring in casually at the end? She knew Sloane loved that ring. That it would make her reply. It made her want to scream.

Sloane dashed off a quick text to Jess asking her to mail it and reminding her of the address. For a moment, she hesitated, her finger over thesend button. Jess probably wouldn’t mail it—it would be like her to hold the ring hostage for a meet up. Sloane gritted her teeth, and pressed send.

She was staring at the sent message just as her phone lit up with another message.

This time, it was from someone she wanted to hear from. Ella.

Thinking about you.I’m going to stay here for New Year as my aunt’s persuaded me, and also because the snow and fog are driving hazards. I’ll see you when I’m back. Do not walk on icy paths. Can’t wait to see you.

She signedoff with a single kiss.

Now Sloane was very glad she hadn’t thrown her phone in the canal. She very much wanted Ella in her life, even if she had to wait to tell her.

Jess was her past.

Ella could be her future.

CHAPTER26

It was the first week in January, the first time Ella had come back to work since her extended visit to her family. She’d had a good time, but she always felt bad leaving. However, she’d felt just as guilty staying away, too. Leaving Sloane when they’d just started whatever it was.

They hadn’t talked about New Year plans, but she’d spent it with her aunt, just as her mum would have. She’d messaged Sloane, but the messages had been cool. As if they were both unsure how they should play this next pass. Ella had no idea. Everything she’d realised over her time away had just confused her more. Given her job, she really should be better at this.

Ella glanced out the window of her office, but could only see the top of two heads walking by. She knew Sloane was in today as she’d messaged her earlier. Ella’s day had involved a chat with the whole team (bar Sloane) about getting back on track after taking time off over Christmas, and working their way back to full fitness. They’d told the squad to enjoy a glass of wine with their dinner if they wanted to, but she had no doubt a few had over-indulged. So long as it was only once, they could work with it. But she had to keep on top of the squad’s physical as well as mental health, because the two were intrinsically linked. If your diet had gone to pot, it was probably a sign of something far deeper.

Nat was present at the meeting, which was the first time Ella had seen her since she’d met her with no trousers on. She’d blushed when their eyes met, but Nat had barely blinked. Perhaps the whole situation was nothing to her. It shouldn’t be an issue. That is, if there was something there to build on. But for that to happen, Ella had to see Sloane again. It was time to seek her out.

She strode out into the corridor and walked past Lucy’s office. She was on the phone, a frown pinching her forehead. Ella zipped up her training top, then glanced down at her boots. She still had them on from when she’d been out on the pitch having a performance session with a couple of youth players earlier. They were proving popular for those who found the pressure of face-to-face interaction daunting, and Ella was happy to comply.

Her boots click-clacked on the concrete as she walked from the training centre towards the pitch. The feeling as they sank into the turf was glorious as always. She breathed in the sharp January air mixed with fresh churned soil, then scanned the players in front of her, taking final orders from the coaches. In another life, in another realm, this could have been her. However, in this life, her job was a pretty good second best.

“Alright, good work everyone! If you want extra brownie points, feel free to stay out and train longer. Otherwise, get a shower, and don’t forget hydro please!” That was Jonas, Lucy’s right-hand man. She’d left today’s second training session up to him. At the far end of the pitch was Sloane, doing some solo sprint drills, as well as light ball work with coach Sally. This was the first time Ella had seen Sloane back on the turf, and she could already see her recovery was nearly done. Great news for her and for the team.

“Fancy kicking some pens, coach?” Nat jogged over to where Ella stood.

Ella tried furiously not to blush again. She hoped she could get over this when it came to Nat soon enough.

“No, I’m good.”

“Go on. You told us you were quite the player once. I bet you could put one past Becca.” Nat nudged her with a grin.

“Nat! You coming?” Goalkeeper Becca jogged towards them, stopping when Nat turned.

“Just trying to convince Ella to join in.” She turned back to Ella. “What do you say?”

“I think she wants to say yes.”

Just the sound of her voice made Ella’s blood heat in her veins.

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