Audrey was around the US Women's national team for the first 18 years of her life, but something happened and she's been gone for almost 4 years. What's going to happen when she comes back?
"So how many overseas teams are we meeting with?" I ask as I put on one of my college tanks.
"9." Mom says. "I got confirmations from Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, and Lyon."
The Pride did as I told them and canceled the trade then they waived me so I'm in need of a new club. Mom and I put out feelers to teams around the world and a lot showed interest so we told them that if they were serious with their interest then they could meet us at my apartment in Orlando.
Orlando also fired the GM, but Louisville hired him straight away.
Mom and I already met with the NWSL teams and I got offers from most teams, but I'm only considering the offers from Portland, Chicago, the new Atlanta team, and the new LA team.
"Looks like someone's here." Mom says when a knock sounds at the door.
The two of us walk over to the door and open it to reveal a lady in a Chelsea FC polo.
"Hi I'm Hanna Carter." The lady says.
Mom and I greet the lady then we head to the living room and get the meeting started.
"How much playing time will I get?" I question after the spiel is over.
"Well we have Beth England, Fran Kirby, Ramona Bachmann, Sam Kerr, and Erin Cuthbert so you'd have to fight for your place." Hanna says.
I tune out after that and I only tune back in when the lady leaves and my phone rings with a call from Vlatko.
"Hey coach." I say.
"Hey Audrey you got a moment?"
"I do."
"Well I just wanted to let you know you're on the roster for our friendlies against Mexico."
"Awesome.....Hey coach can I get your opinion on something?" I say.
"Sure. What's up?" Vlatko asks.
"Have you heard about my situation?"
"I've heard you are being waived after that debacle of trade."
"Yeah...I have a few offers from overseas and I was wondering if I went to Europe would I be jeopardizing my spot on the National team."
"Audrey you go where you want to play. There are a multitude of aways for me to keep tabs on you. If you wanna go kick ass over in Europe then do it."
"Cool." I say and smile. "Thanks Vlatko."
"Of course." Vlatko says. "See ya in a week."
Vlatko and I hang up right as someone knocks on the door.
Over the next couple hours we meet with the representatives from Bayern, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, and Lyon and we listen to everyone's presentation.
"One more." Mom says and kisses my head as we wait on the last team.
"Speaking of which." I say when a knock sounds then I head to the door and open it.
"Hi my name's Elizabeth Fletcher." The lady in the Arsenal Polo says.
"Audrey Solo." I say and shake her hand then I let her in to the suite. "This is my Mom Hope."
"Pleasure to meet you." Elizabeth says and shakes my Mom's hand.
"Shall we sit?" Mom says and gestures to the living room.
Elizabeth nods then I sit down next to Mom while Elizabeth sits across from us.
Once we're settled Elizabeth does her spiel about why I should come to Arsenal.
"Any questions?" Elizabeth asks once she's done.
"I don't mean to be rude." I say and interrupt the Arsenal Lady. "But how would I fit with your system? You guys have Miedema, Mead, Foord...how do I fit in?"
"I guess the story hasn't made its way over to America." The lady says and sighs. "Beth lost the trust of the team due to her cheating on her girlfriend."
"Woah."
"A lot of the team lost trust in Beth because she cheated with Caitlin Foord and the team wouldn't play with her so we offered Beth and Caitlin to be released and they took it then signed for Manchester United."
"That's some soap opera shit." Mom mumbles and the Arsenal lady nods.
"Will I be able to wear my normal number 14?"
"Yes." The Arsenal Lady says and chuckles. "The team know we are vying for your services and Jill Roord says she will move to number 19 if you sign for us."
"Sweet." I say.
"Will the team be okay with Audrey given she wasn't born the same as them?" Mom asks.
"Yes Ma'am." Elizabeth says. "We asked each player individually that if we could acquire you would they be comfortable with you and all of them said yes. "
"Cool." I say.
Mom and I talk to the Arsenal lady for a little longer before she hands me a folder with Arsenal's offer then she leaves.
"So before we get down to who you wanna go to I have one question." Mom says then she points to my new tattoo. "I thought you said you were going two."
"Well I was going to get those one's that I drew while being kidnapped, but I felt like if I had them on my body then I'd constantly be reminded of what I went through." I say causing my Mom to nod.
"So why roses?" Mom questions and points at my left forearm.
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"I don't know." I admit. "Something inside me told me to get three roses."
"Well okay then." Mom says.
"So where should I play?" I question.
"In my opinion Lyon, Barca, Atletico, Real Madrid and Chelsea are out." I say and Mom nods.
"I agree." Mom says. "You wouldn't get the playing time you want at Lyon or Chelsea and you want to be in a good league with the others."
"So that leaves Wolfsburg, Bayern, PSG, and Arsenal."
Mom and I look over the offers for a while then I make a decision.
"You sure this is where you wanna play?" Mom questions.
"Yeah Mom." I say and smile. "This is where I wanna play."
