USWNT 3.0

15

{A/N : tell me what you wanna see next, and also what you think of this book. Talex is out of the question though!}

The day after the game, the atmosphere was pretty calm. They had a full week until the next game against Sweden. It obviously was an important game, but Mark wanted his players to rest, so today was recovery day. 

Moe was doing an ice bath on her own, trying to figure out why she was feeling so nervous. They knew Sweden was a very hard team to beat, especially with a new roster, but she had faith in her team. But what was scaring her was that Cari would be starting. She didn't want her friend to commit a mistake and then feel guilty about it or something. She wanted Cari to beat their asses, and to feel confident. Moe didn't even care about not starting. She just wanted Cari on the bench with her. 

She was snapped out of her thoughts by Cari herself. The brunette was looking at her, trying to ask for her permission to come in. She had a blanket in her hands, and weird things on her feet in order to not be too cold. Moe nodded silently, while Cari was very slowly entering the ice bath. The middy looked at her grimacing, before her lower body was totally into the iced water. She then sighed. 

Moe didn't stop looking at her. 

"You hate ice baths" she let out, confused. 

Her reaction was understandable : today, the girls had some choices. They could either do some pool recovery, or even massages. She thought Cari would've gone with Lindsey and Sam to the massages, since she loved those. But instead, she decided to some here, where she disliked it the most. 

Cari let a small smile appear on her lips, and Moe felt weak for a second. 

"I do" she shyly said, blushing. "But I knew you'd be here". 

Why is she having this effect on me ? Moe shook her head, conscious that the butterflies that were growing in her stomach were here because of the defender sitting on the same ice bath than her. If someone told her years ago that she'd fall for one of her best friends, she wouldn't have believed it. But now, it was actually happening, and Moe knew she didn't stand a chance with her.  

Cari seemed to be in some sort of discomfort. 

"Uhm, am I, like... Bothering you ?" she asked, her eyes widening. "I can go if you want to be alone, or-" 

"No !" Moe exclaimed suddenly. "I'm happy you're here. I'm just... surprised, that's all"

"O-okay"

They sat here in silence for a while. 

Moe really enjoyed glaring at her from the corner of her eyes. Cari was so cute while uncomfortable, and also very lovely. Moe had this weird impression that she had grown more beautiful every day this past year. 

When Cari looked back at her, Moe looked down. Shit. Did she see me glaring ? She looked at her, and was relieved : Cari was smiling, which meant she didn't see that. Moe let a small sigh out. 

"Some of the girls wanted to go to the lake this afternoon" Cari blurted out. 

"Some of the girls ?" Moe repeated, not sure where the conversation was heading. 

"Yeah, like, Kelley, Maura, Saskia and me" she quickly said. "Would you... Like..." she then stopped talking. "Never mind, it was stupid anyway." 

"Ask me" Moe suddenly said without even thinking. "Your question" she quickly added, praying the Lord that Cari wouldn't become shy again. Every time something was making her doubt, the brunette would automatically stammer and stuff. It's weird that she only stammers with me thought.  

"I was w-wondering if you" she started, looking down. "If you wanted to come with me." She then shook her head. "With us. With them. And me. Or whatever." 

"I'd like to" Moe said with confidence. 

Cari smiled at her. 

Why is she so fucking cute ? 

°

Mal entered the room in order to get a coffee. 

She immediately spotted Jenko, lying on the couch, checking her phone. She ignored her, and the goalkeeper ignored her right back. Mal was the only one that didn't congratulate her after the game. She didn't even feel bad about it. She couldn't care less about what she might think of her. Once her coffee was finally ready, she turned around to see Jenko looking at her. She had gotten up and was waiting for Mal to go away, so she could take her usual cappuccino. Mal glared at her. 

"What are you glaring at ?" Jenko asked in a husky voice. 

She seemed bored, like she always was. Mal raised her eyebrow. 

"Do you do it on purpose ?" she then asked. Jenko was giving her a despising look, because she didn't understand her point. "Like, taking your coffee when I take mine ? Do you do that only because you want to tell me that I'm too slow getting it ?" 

Jenko shook her head nonchalantly. "You're not the center of the universe, Royalty. I'm just thirsty."  

"Stop calling me that" Mal ordered. 

But the tall keeper was not impressed. "You're a rich girl. Just go with the flow." 

"I may be a rich girl, but at least I'm not a bitch that takes advantage of an old lady who was kind enough to take you under her wing" Mal said. 

She immediately regretted it. 

Jenko's eyes were now dark. Maybe talking about the woman that rescued her from poverty wasn't that of a good idea after all. Jenko got closer to her, her eyes not leaving hers. Mal was a little bit scared, because the keeper was very impressive. And whenever she was really mad - that was the first time she's seen her that angry - her pulsing point was near. 

"Do not talk about things you have no fucking idea about" she slowly said in a confident tone, detaching every syllabus. 

Mal didn't want her to have the final say, so she couldn't help but say : "I talk about whatever I want to"

"I swear if you mention the woman that saved my life one more time like this, I'll end you." Her piercing eyes went right through Mal's. "You can call me a bitch all you want, but I can assure you this woman is more than a regular 'old lady'." 

Mal gave her a defying look before grabbing her coffee and walk next to her. But since she didn't look where she was putting her feet, she didn't see Jenko's leg on the way. She tripped on it, and fell headfirst on the ground. She felt two strong arms grabbing her hips, as Jenko was getting her up. 

They now were in a pretty close position. Jenko's arms were on Mal's hips, with the slightly older girl had grabbed her shoulders. With a cough, Jenko immediately let go or her grip, as Mal was taking a step back. She had the impression to have been electrocuted by Jenko's touch, which was really weird. 

The keeper was looking at her angrily. 

"Don't think I'm going to apologize or something" Mal quickly said, before walking out of the room, leaving her cappuccino on the ground. Jenko looked at her leaving, frowning as well. 

What a bitch, she thought, before taking her own coffee in hand and leaving the room as well.