Page 98 of Hotshot

One all!

Suddenly, Salchester were back in the game.

The relief was palpable, from the players and the crowd. Sloane sprinted across and jumped on the huddle by the corner flag, with Nat at the bottom.

Nat hugged them all, then punched the air as she saluted the crowd. “One more for the win!” she screamed. The atmosphere was electric, and Sloane’s skin prickled all over.

As they jogged back to restart, the momentum had shifted. Now they had to capitalise. Next goal to win it. Do or die.

Sloane glanced at the clock as their opponents restarted.

Ten minutes to go.

Game on.

Rushton swarmed forward from the restart and won a corner. Salchester took their places, only Sloane and Nat not in the box to defend. Their corner-taker fizzed the ball in, but Becca got a good punch on it, and Layla brought it out of the area. She passed to Welshy, who found Nat. At that moment, Sloane knew Nat would have only one thought. Surge forward.

Sloane was on her wavelength and ran ahead, turning on her afterburners. Her lungs burned as she powered up the field, knowing Nat was behind her. Sloane knew what would happen next, and when Nat released the ball, it sailed over Sloane’s head. It bounced once, she controlled it, then got it on the deck.

Now it was just her, an oncoming defender, and the keeper.

Sloane cut into the area, swerved around the defender, who slipped over. One down. She eyeballed the keeper as the world slowed and the crowd noise faded out. Sloane leaned one way, then the other, and was just about to go around her when the keeper reached out an arm. She connected with Sloane’s ankle. Sloane went down almost in slow-motion with a yelp.

The referee wasted no time awarding a penalty, but this time, it was at their end. In front of their blue and white fans, who at this moment, were going ear-piercingly crazy.

Sloane got up, wiped herself down, and walked over to the referee, who held the ball. She took it and placed it on the spot. Were her parents watching? She had no idea. But Ella was. Her new family was. They were all the inspiration she needed.

She breathed in, then out.

Focus.

Five steps back.

Six minutes on the clock.

One kick for glory.

She closed her eyes, and conjured a vision of Eliza.This one’s for you, Great-Gran.Sloane eyeballed the keeper, ran up, struck it sweet, and the ball flew into the top right-hand corner.

Elation burst out of her. The roar of the crowd didn’t dent the roar that came out of her mouth as she wheeled away, arms aloft, running towards the fans. Sloane reached the barriers, her grin threatening to engulf Wembley, just as her teammates landed on her. She crumpled to the ground. One of these days, she was going to get really hurt when they did that. But not today.

Today, she was Teflon.

Today, they were 2-1 up in the FA Cup Final.

Today, they were going to win.

* * *

When the whistle finally blew,Sloane sank to her knees and rested her head on the hallowed turf. Soon, she was swallowed up in hugs from her teammates.

“We fucking did it!” Layla screamed, arms tight around Sloane’s neck.

Yes, they had.

Sloane got up, was twirled around in a bear hug by Lucy, and then engulfed in her favourite floral perfume on the centre circle when Ella reached her. Her hug was epic. It should be placed in the Hug Hall of Fame. When Sloane pulled back, Ella shook her head.

“I know you practice, but that penalty.” She shook her head some more. “Where you get the strength, I’ll never know.” She paused. “I’m in awe of you, Sloane Patterson.” She hugged her tight. Then whispered in her ear. “But I’m going to stop hugging you now, as we’re on national TV.”

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