NWSL | Off Season

58

TOBIN

"Harry ?"

When I hear Allie's voice, I am quite relieved. It's not that I don't like hanging out with the kids, but sometimes I feel more comfortable being around my friends. Kelley, on the other hand, can't help but mess around with Sonnett and Moe, and I guess it's because of the Georgia connection or something. Anyway, I turn around to face Allie, who looks happy. 

Ashlyn and Alex are standing right behind her, grinning. 

"Yeah ?" I ask, raising my eyebrows.

"We going to the beach, you coming ?" my best friend asks, before remembering that I'd probably ask who is 'we' and adding : "The four of us, Crystal, Christen and Julie"

I think for a second. "Okay" I then let out. 

Allie is smiling at me widely, as I am slightly regretting it. Of course Julie would be there, and spending time with her is not what I need to do right now. I need to focus on my goals. But Alex and Allie seem too happy that I am coming, so I can't take that back. I reluctantly get up, and follow my friends to the car US soccer rented for us to go to training. Alex is driving, as always, while Christen and Julie are talking in the back. The blonde hasn't even said hello to me, so I figure she's mad at me for some reason. 

When we finally make it to the beach, Crystal and Ashlyn immediately start to jump everywhere, dancing and shouting weird things, while Alex and Allie are talking about how things with Servando are doing. I am quite satisfied to hear that they are cancelling the divorce, and that even if Alex is playing overseas and that Serva is not able to visit her, they are stronger than ever. I am happy they finally found each other again. 

As everybody is now trying to enter the freezing cold water, I spot Julie, sitting alone on the sand. Something in me yells not to go near her, but my legs naturally move toward her. I sit down next to her, and she looks surprised. 

I clear my throat ; "Yo".

She smirks, before her sarcastic smile is on her lips. I know that smile too well, it's her way to defend herself. A smile, but a poisoned one. It's not a real smile. It's the 'I don't want people to see that I am mad or sad so I just smile and kill them in the same time' smile, Julie's signature move. 

Nevertheless, she answers : 

"Hello, stranger."

People usually refer to Julie as a 'cinnamon roll', but it's very far from reality. She's a fierce young woman, with a great personality. I think she's one of the strongest young woman I know, actually. And you better not mess with her, otherwise she'll rip your head off. That's probably what I like about her. 

I set my jaw, knowing that she is waiting for me to talk again. 

"Look" I start, but she is not willing to let that continue. 

"Save your excuses" she hisses, eyes locked on the sand. Her gaze then moves on me, and I can see how mad she really is. She has such an impressive self-control that it's scary. I hardly swallow my saliva, when she continues : "I get you don't want to hang out with me because you're scared of the consequences. It's fine."

Think fast, Heath. 

"Actually, I was about to ask you to go to the restaurant tomorrow night" I lie, and when I realize what I just did, it's too late. 

Julie's eyes go wide, even though she's trying not to show any emotion. Her blue gaze seems lost for a moment, as she lets out : 

"Oh."