Page 71 of Rumor Has It

Becky laughed. “No, I haven’t watched the highlights from last night yet.”

We were too busy making a much more exciting highlight reel, Wren thought.

“You should,” Courtney said.

“No, seriously,” Danielle added. “I saved it to my phone for when I’m sad.”

“I’m just honored that you would truck someone for me,” Wren said, grinning.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Wren. “When do I play against you again?”

“In three weeks,” Courtney said. “But for real, don’t hurt Wren. I didn’t like wanting to fight you. You might actually win that.”

“Please don’t flatten me again.” Wren dared a glance at the coaches. “I don’t know if my body can take another conditioning practice like that.”

“Jesus,” Rebecca said, shuddering. “Deal. That sucked more than I will ever want to run you over again.”

“Aw,” Courtney said. “You two have come so far.”

“I know. I’m so proud of them,” Danielle teased. “Real talk though, Wren. How’s your ankle after yesterday’s game?”

Wren shrugged. “I’m glad it's a cooldown practice today, but it’s fine. Nothing a little R.I.C.E. can’t fix.”

Courtney nodded. “Good. I’m glad we’ve got today before we all get stuffed back onto a plane. I can talk to the coaches and see if you can get you your own row. You know, so it can be elevated more comfortably on the way back if you want?”

That thought made Wren want to scream. She was already going to have to go three weeks without seeing Rebecca. The last thing she wanted was to not get to sit next to her on their plane ride back to the states. She shook her head as casually as she could make it seem. “Nah, it’s not that bad. I don’t want them to think it’s worse than it is—or that I’m asking for special treatment. That’s the last thing I need. And I don’t want them talking to Coach Kim and it cause me to have to sit out a club match. Not for this.”

“You sure?” Courtney asked again.

“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s really not that bad. Just a little tweak,” Wren assured her. Wren could feel Rebecca’s eyes on her, but she didn’t turn to catch her gaze. If she did, she’d blush. Pretending to be oblivious was better than blushing furiously in front of all their teammates.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

WREN

The lumpiness of this hotel bed would never not be annoying, Wren thought as she turned over on her other side with a dramatic sigh. She’d probably be more comfortable if Rebecca was here to snuggle into or on top of. She chuckled at the thought. She looked at the clock on the bedside table. Rebecca should be back to her hotel by now.

Wren grabbed her phone off the bedside table. She needed to check for Rebecca’s highlights before she called her. She had watched Rebecca’s highlights more than once in college, too. She always told herself that it was because she wanted to be prepared for the next time LAU played against NCU, but Wren knew the truth. It was pointless to deny it anymore. She’d never gotten over that summer. She’d never really even wanted to.

She searched “NC Cougars Vs Fog City FC game highlights” and watched the five minute highlight reel. Rebecca’s team won. Which was no surprise, they were having a stellar season. Wren grinned as she watched Rebecca chase down one of Fog City FC’s forwards and cleanly slide-tackle her for the ball. She filed that away as something to both compliment and tease Rebecca for.

Rebecca had made a few solid clearing passes that would have connected perfectly with Wren, but sadly Rebecca’s own forwards hadn’t made the right runs. Something about that made Wren’s heart beat faster in her chest. She wasn’t going to let her thoughts linger on the fact that they both played their best when they were playing together. Instead, she opened her text message chain with Rebecca.

Wren Eames (9:13 PM): Good game today.

Rebecca Rothschild (9:14 PM): Wrenifred? I’m surprised you’re not asleep.

Rebecca Rothschild (9:14 PM): You had a good game today, too. I really thought you were going to get a hat trick! That last shot off the cross bar was mildly devastating.

Wren’s smile hurt, it was so wide. Rebecca had watched her highlights. And that meant the world.

Wren Eames (9:15 PM): Thanks, Rebecca.

Wren Eames (9:15 PM): Are you back at your hotel? I’d love to call you, but I don’t want to interrupt if you’re out celebrating your win.

Rebecca Rothschild (9:16 PM): We’re on our way back to the hotel right now from dinner. We’re going out as a team tomorrow night in Raleigh. So, no wild party tonight lol.