Playing the Game Read online

  “How are you feeling?” Carrie asked over the radio.

  “Fine. Great,” Randi answered, flipping on her blinker to change lanes.

  “You scared the hell out of me. I’ve never seen you…”

  “Lose concentration and make a rookie mistake?” Randi finished, turning her head to face her. “It won’t happen again.”

  “It didn’t have anything to do with Berkley and Sasha did it? They looked a little chummy at the beach.”

  “Nope.”

  Carrie nodded and reached over, turning the next song up louder as she began singing, “Look what you made me do.”

  Randi joined her, bobbing her head as she sang along.

  One of the team’s media crews was outside taking pictures and filming their arrivals for social media. They both waved as Randi pulled the white BMW into a parking space and pressed the button to roll up the dark tinted windows.

  *

  South Texas was hot at three in the afternoon. Way too hot for a soccer game. Once the warm-ups were finished, the Richey players headed into the locker room for much-needed hydration and air conditioning.

  “We’re going to melt out there,” Jorja whined, wiping sweat from her forehead.

  “Who the hell schedules games in the middle of the day?” Sasha grumbled.

  “It’s because it’s being shown live on some new channel that is thinking of picking up all of the NWSL games for next season. Quit bitching and go out there and do your job, because if the league folds, you won’t have one,” Olivia snapped.

  Carrie glanced at Randi, who raised a questioning brow.

  “Everything okay?” Randi asked, stepping up next to her.

  “Fine,” Olivia sighed.

  “What’s wrong? Come on, it’s me. We don’t keep secrets,” Randi said, feeling like a hypocrite.

  “My contract is up at the end of the season. I’m not sure it’s being renewed. I may get traded.”

  “What?” Randi’s face scrunched. “That’s ridiculous. You’re the captain of the team and one of the best goalkeepers in the damn league. Besides, you’re a federated player. They don’t pay your salary. You cost them nothing.”

  “You don’t think I know that?” Olivia growled. “I’m sorry,” she sighed, looking at Randi’s eyes.

  “How do you know what’s going on?”

  “I overheard the owner talking on the phone when we were shooting the commercial this morning.”

  “Did he actually say your name?”

  “No, but he said they are not renewing one of the federated players.”

  “Me, you, Carrie, and Mavis are the federated players. It could be any of us.”

  Olivia shrugged. “I may not make the national team next year. I’m getting older and younger keepers are nipping at my heels to take my place. If that happens, Richey will get rid of me. I’ll have to go to another team…or back to Canada.”

  “I honestly don’t see any of this happening. Go ask who he was talking about. If you won’t, I will.”

  “Randi, we’re about to play a game. Besides, I’m not marching into his office like a mad woman.”

  “Then, channel your anger and take it to the field. We need all the help we can get. It’s hot as hell, and North Carolina has already beat us this year.”

  Olivia shook her head and laughed.

  “Time to take the field, ladies,” the assistant coach yelled outside the open door.

  Most of the team was already in the tunnel. Randi and Olivia had gotten caught up in their conversation and missed them leaving the locker room. As she took her place next to Olivia, who was at the front of the line, Randi looked around for Berkley. She hadn’t seen her at all and wondered where she was.

  *

  As soon as the ball moved off the centerline, Randi went into another gear. She was bound and determined to move on from her practice debacle, and scoring a quick goal would certainly help. She rushed after a midfielder who had the ball, chasing her all the way to the sideline before she won the ball, then bounced it off the other player so it would go out for a throw-in. This gave her team time to regroup as one of the midfielders ran over to take the throw. Randi cut between two North Carolina players in time to head the ball over their heads to Carrie, who was already on the run. Randi quickly overlapped her and Carrie sent her a beautiful pass. Randi trapped the ball and weaved around her defender. With one swift motion, she kicked the ball with the sweet spot on the inside of her foot, sliding it right past the keeper’s gloved hands as she dove for it.

  They were less than three minutes into the game and Richey had gone up one to nothing. Most of the team piled onto Randi with cheers and excitement before quickly reorganizing to start the ball once again. This time, a North Carolina player took off on a breakaway, easily slipping through the midfield and edging out Sasha. Olivia stretched as far as she could as she flew through the air like a superhero with no cape. The ball barely touched the tip of her longest finger on her right hand, but it was enough to push it slightly past the post. The replay on the big screen looked like it missed the goal by mere inches.

  The Richey players quickly rushed into the box to help cover for the corner quick. North Carolina played a shallow ball, passing it back and forth between two players before sending it into the box. Jorja jumped up, heading the ball back out of the box, where Carrie kicked a long pass up to Randi who was on a breakaway with plenty of space in front of her.

  The whistle blew when the offside flag flew up.

  “Ref! No way!” Randi argued. “I wasn’t offside!”

  She ignored the protest and blew the whistle for the North Carolina player to take the indirect kick and restart play. Frustrated, Randi took off running to catch up to her mark.

  *

  By the time halftime rolled around, the score hadn’t changed, but both sides were worn out from the intensity of play and extreme heat. Everyone rushed for water and sport drinks in the locker room.

  “We have to slow the game down. If we keep at this pace, we’ll have nothing left at the finish,” Olivia said, sounding more like the captain they were used to hearing. “Push up and keep pressure on them. Don’t let them get out into space. If they get on a breakaway, it’s going to get harder and harder to run them down. I know they’re as tired and as hot as we are, but this is a game of conditioning and ball control. We train in this smoldering heat day after day. They have an indoor facility. They’re going to run out of gas, and when they do, we’ll still be going with plenty left in the tank.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” MJ said, stepping into the middle of the room. He’d been their coach since the franchise began, and all of the women liked him and looked up to him. He was a retired national team player with many years under his belt. “Our midfield collapsed several times. That’s how they’re getting out on us. Stay tighter and work your triangles to overlap. When we win the ball, send it forward cleanly, but as fast as you can. Make sure they’re the ones running up and down the field chasing the ball. Control…control…control. We control the ball; we control the score; we control the game.” He glanced around the room, then nodded at Olivia.

  “This is our house! We’re not letting these bitches come at us!” Olivia yelled, putting her hand out. The other players gathered around her, putting their hands in. “What is this?”

  “Our house!” everyone yelled.

  “What?” she shouted.

  “Our house!” they yelled again.

  “You’re damn right! This is our fucking house! Let’s go!”

  A few players slapped hands and some slapped asses as they lined up to take the field for the second half.

  *

  “Do you think taking Mags is a good idea?” Dena said, leaning her hip against the counter as she crossed her arms.

  “You’re busy, so…”

  “She’s your second choice? Given your history, and the fact that you know she still l
ikes you…”

  “I’m not into her. We’re just friends. I told you it wasn’t a date.”

  “And that makes it okay?” Dena huffed. “You sound like a guy.”

  “Hey, don’t bring me into this,” Garrett said, walking into the kitchen.

  “Too late,” Berkley uttered.

  “Just because you have a penis, doesn’t mean when I refer to the word guy, I mean you. Unless, of course you think it’s okay to play a girl to get another girl,” she said with a deadpan stare.

  “What? No,” he backtracked, wishing he could go back to their bedroom like he never entered the conversation. He loved Dena, but she was feisty and when she got on a roll, it was damn near impossible to stop her.

  “Come on, D. You know I’m not doing that. I’m not trying to get anyone, much less someone who is with someone else. I’ve been down that road too many times. Those dangerous curves lead to a dead end. I simply asked Mags along as a friend because I didn’t want to go alone. You know what it’s like at a party when you know people, but don’t quite fit in. I figured if I had someone with me, I wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb.”

  “Uh-huh,” Dena muttered.

  “Look, I said I was sorry I didn’t tell you about SWAT.”

  “You think that’s what this is about?” Dena shook her head. “You’re both still in the doghouse with me on that one. I’m beyond pissed at you.” She looked away, then back at the deep blue eyes staring at her. “But, I’m very happy for you. You’ve talked about SWAT ever since you decided to leave me to go be a cop.”

  “Then, what’s with the lecture?”

  “Because I’m still pissed at you for one, and two, I think you’re going to get yourself in trouble with this girl.”

  “I’m not. I promise,” Berkley said, getting off the stool. “Can we hug it out? I need to get going.”

  “Yeah, we have a reservation, so…”

  Dena spun around and looked at Garrett. “I’m not through with you,” she grumbled before turning back and hugging her best friend. “I love you. I’m always going to have your back and call you on your shit. You know that.”

  “I know, and that’s why I love you, too,” Berkley said with a smile as she squeezed her.

  25

  “Oh shit,” Carrie mumbled, pulling her drink to her mouth.

  “What?” Jorja asked, turning around. Her lips quickly formed an ‘O’ when she saw the newest arrival to the party had brought a date with her. “Sasha’s going to lose her shit,” she uttered.

  Carrie wasn’t worried about Sasha’s reaction; she immediately scanned the small crowd for Randi.

  *

  “Is it weird that I’m nervous?” Maggie asked.

  “Their bark is worse than their bite,” Berkley replied under her breath as a handful of people turned around, watching them walk out of the sliding glass door opening after having come through the house from the front door.

  “Welcome to Jorja’s birthday party,” Olivia said, swigging a light beer.

  “Thanks for the invite. This is my friend Maggie. Mags, this is Olivia. She’s the team’s goalkeeper.”

  “Cool,” Maggie said, nodding her head.

  “There’s beer and water in the cooler and some kind of fruity rum punch in the container on the table. Various types of burgers will be coming off the grill in a minute. Also, in case you missed it in the house, there are all sorts of appetizers and such, spread around the kitchen.”

  “I feel bad, we didn’t bring anything,” Berkley said.

  “I didn’t ask you to. This has been planned for weeks. It’s no big deal.” Olivia smiled. “I think you know most of the team. Make yourselves at home. We have cornhole and horseshoes. It’ll cost you five bucks to get into any of the games. I’ll warn you, these girls get pretty serious.”

  “I’m good, thanks,” Berkley said before Olivia walked away to go deal with the grill.

  *

  “Hey,” Olivia said, bumping into Randi in the kitchen when she brought the freshly cooked burgers inside. “With all of the excitement over the win, and getting ready for the party, I forgot to tell you I talked with the owner before I left.”

  “You did?” Randi stared at her with her eyebrows up, waiting to hear the news. “So…”

  “It’s Mavis. She’s been plagued with injuries for the past two years, so it makes sense that she may not be a federated player next season, and they aren’t going to pay her salary if she’s not of use to them. He also told me I have a place on this team as long as I want to be here.”

  “Babe, that’s great!” Randi exclaimed, kissing her on the cheek. They rarely ever showed affection in front of the team. That was their work environment, and they’d chosen to keep it that way.

  “Got some other news too, your cop friend is here, and she brought a date.” Olivia wiggled her eyebrows.

  “She what?” Randi’s face scrunched as she peered out through the sliding glass doors, trying to find her in the small crowd.

  “She has a pretty blonde with her. Sasha’s going to flip out,” Olivia laughed.

  “Yeah,” she muttered.

  Olivia went to work separating out all of the different burgers so the vegetarians, non-beef eaters, and regular people didn’t get things mixed up, while Randi walked outside to the screened patio. A few players and friends were sitting and standing in there, and the rest of the group was out on the lawn, playing the games and standing around talking. Her jaw clenched when her eyes found their target. Berkley was standing near the cornhole game, wearing jeans and a tight black Polo that hugged her muscled frame. Her head shook involuntarily when her eyes scanned the blonde next to her. She was cute; dirty blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, high cheekbones, and thin lips. She was in khaki shorts and a salmon-colored top.

  “I see you staring at her like you want to choke the life out of her,” Carrie whispered, sliding up next to her. “Pull it together before everyone else notices, too.”

  “I’m fine,” Randi growled through her clenched jaw.

  “No, you’re not. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing.” Randi shook her head and grabbed the beer from Carrie’s hand, taking a long sip of it. “Your beer is warm,” she mumbled, handing it back.

  “If I can see right through you, so can Olivia. You really want that right now?”

  “I kissed her,” Randi whispered with a sigh. “It was a while ago, and a huge mistake.”

  “You think!” Carrie exclaimed.

  Randi shot her a sideways look.

  “Nothing else happened. She actually pushed me away because she knows Olivia and I are together.”

  “Well…” Carrie said, surprised. “I have a newfound respect for her.”

  “Yeah, she’s a real saint,” she grumbled, walking back into the house.

  *

  “Can you believe she brought a fucking date?” Sasha growled, plopping down on a stool in the kitchen.

  “I honestly don’t care,” Randi said.

  Sasha huffed and pouted as she made herself a plate of food and went out to the patio to eat.

  “Did I do something?” Berkley asked, coming up behind Randi. With everyone outside eating, they were the only two people in the house.

  “You weren’t at the game today.”

  “I was off tonight, but it was an early game. I wouldn’t have been working it anyway.”

  “You still could’ve come to actually watch it.”

  Berkley nodded. “That’s not what’s wrong with you, though. I saw you looking at me, then you came back in. If you didn’t want me to come, you should’ve said something.”

  Randi got lost in the blue eyes staring at her when she spun around. “Who’s the blonde?”

  “Mags? She’s Dena’s riding partner. We’ve been friends for a few years. Does it bother you that she’s with me?” Berkley asked, watching her expression.

  Randi
grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway, into the spare bedroom. The door was barely closed behind them before her lips met Berkley’s in a ferocious kiss.

  Berkley began to lose herself in the soft lips against hers as their tongues slid together. She put her hands on Randi’s waist, and for a split second, she thought about sliding them up her back, pulling her closer, but she pushed her away instead, breaking the kiss.

  “I’m not playing games,” she said.

  Randi bit her lower lip and sighed. “It’s a long story, but I can’t just dump Olivia to the curb. It’s not like that.”

  “I’m still not getting involved with you,” Berkley said. “She seems like a nice person.”

  “She is. She’s great, but we’re not great…anymore. Haven’t been for a while.”

  Berkley pulled the door open and walked away without saying anything to her.

  Randi watched from a distance as she and her friend said their goodbyes. Miranda, what the hell are you doing?

  *

  “I didn’t mind staying longer,” Maggie said as they got into Berkley’s truck. “I still wished you would’ve picked me up on the motorcycle. You didn’t have that back when we were dating. I think it’s sexy as hell.”

  Berkley smiled and shook her head as she started the truck and drove away. It would be so easy to sleep with Maggie. She was more than willing, and single, but it wouldn’t be the same. No amount of sex with someone else would get her mind off of Randi. “Maybe another time,” she said, adding, “thank you for going with me. I had fun.”

  “Me too, but you suck at cornhole.”

  “I told you not to pay the money for me to play,” Berkley laughed.

  *

  As soon as she was home, Berkley grabbed a beer and plopped down on the couch. She kept replaying the kiss and the conversation. “Damn you, Randi Rojas. What do you want from me?” she mumbled, twisting the top off the bottle. “Why play games? I’m too damn old for this shit. I’ve played every game in the book…from both sides. No one wins in the end.” She tossed the metal cap towards the kitchen. It bounced off the wall and landed on the floor. You have no idea what you do to me. I swore I wouldn’t go down this road again.