Chapter 20

Ava

Game day. I haven't had a game day in months. I used to have rituals that I stuck to, but the last several months have shown me that I can do things differently and still be successful.

I packed my bag and slipped into my uniform. Number 18 would grace the field once again. After braiding my hair, I grabbed a headband, and went to fill my water bottle. "We're going to kick ass today." Ashley was bouncing on her toes. "Are you nervous?" She peered at me as if I'd hit her or something.

"Not nervous, just worried I'll let everyone down." I nibbled the inside of my cheek.

"You were at practice this week, right? You did see how you kicked all our asses on the field. How your boyfriend shouted from the stands that you were amazing. You're a beast out there." Her smiled softened. "We all know this. You need to know it, too."

You're a beast. The words echoed in my head. I hadn't heard that in years. "You're right." I laughed as I flung my arm around her shoulders. "We're celebrating tonight when we win."

"Ooh. You've already got a victory celebration planned?" She began walking toward the door. Ashley always drove to games.

"Sort of. Carter planned it and said you could come if you want." I smirked. "Don't ask me what it is, because I don't know." I laughed as we headed to her car.

The locker room was abuzz when we got there, and I worked to put myself in the zone. I closed my eyes and pictured the ball soaring into the goal. I murmured a quiet prayer for my safety and my leg holding up before Coach came in to give her pregame speech.

We gathered around and as Coach spouted off words of encouragement and teamwork phrases, everyone slowly looked at me. "Ava's back, but you guys have to help her. She can't carry the entire team," she warned. "We can win this if we all work together." It was then that the buzzer went off, signaling that it was time to run out the tunnels.

As I burst into the sunlight, the crowd erupted, some coming to their feet, cheering my return. It was a surreal feeling. Number 18 signs were everywhere, but there was only one I was looking for. Carter had told me that he'd have a number one fan sign right behind the bench. When I saw it, I smiled the biggest smile. He was waving it along with one of those foam fingers. Right behind him a few rows up were my dad and Madi. I rushed over, and waved. "I love you, Soccer Star!" Carter shouted. "Let's win this."

As his words hit their mark, I froze. We hadn't said ‘I love you' yet. We'd alluded to it, but never uttered those words. I shook my head as the team gathered around. I needed to focus. "What's wrong?" Ashley could tell something was off.

"He said he loves me," I whispered as tears pricked my eyes.

"Oh wow. Do you love him?" She cupped her hands on my shoulders.

I thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, yeah I do." The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Great. Let's show him." She pointed to the field. We rushed out and took our positions. I was playing forward and as soon as I got the chance to break away, I did. I rushed down the field, dodging defenders as I raced into scoring territory. I took a hard kick and sent the ball soaring. It hit the goalie's fingertips and swished into the net. The stadium became deafeningly loud as the crowd screamed in excitement. I leaped into the air and rushed back to get set again.

The game continued at a fast pace, and when we finished, I felt like collapsing. We won four to two, with me scoring two of the goals. When I came out of the locker room, Carter was waiting in the tunnel. "Nice game, Soccer Star."

"Thanks." I flung my arms around his neck and pushed up on my tiptoes. "So you love me, huh?" I brushed my lips over his. "Well, I love you too." I gave him a light kiss and attempted to deepen it, but someone cleared their throat, causing him to pull back.

"You remember Maverick, right?" He looked over my shoulder at someone behind me.

"Oh, hi." I turned and offered to shake his hand.

"Hello," Ashley chimed in as she seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"Great, we're all here." Carter rubbed his hands together. "Let's go celebrate this win." He held his arm out for me to link with him.

"This was your plan? The four of us going out?" I mumbled as he opened the car door for me.

"He wanted to meet her. I thought this would be the best way." Carter shrugged. "If we're lucky, they'll like each other and we can do this more."

I loved his optimism, but Ashley wasn't looking to date anyone at the moment. She was still getting over her heartbreak from Justin, and from what Carter said, Maverick was a player. "We'll see." I shook my head.

"I thought we could grab some food and take it to the beach." He pulled into the parking lot of a local diner that had a walk-up window. My dad used to bring me here as a kid for ice cream. There were giant boulders in the front that I loved to climb on.

"It's fine with me." I climbed out. "I used to come here all the time. They have the best fries." I was salivating thinking about it. We got in line and as Mav and Ash chatted, Carter wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

"You were amazing out there today. I must admit I've never been so into a game before." He leaned down. "When are the scouts supposed to be coming back?" My stomach dropped.

"I don't know." I know I sounded defeated.

"They have to come back. You're better now." He stepped back and stared at me as if I were crazy to think they wouldn't. I knew Coach could get them back. It wasn't like that at all. It was more about having to leave. I'd finally found him, and I didn't want to walk away from that, but I wasn't sure I could walk away from my dream either.

"It's not that. Not at all. It's…" I didn't know how to put this. "There's no pro team here. I'd have to relocate." I blinked up at him, hoping he was understanding what I was trying to say.

"Ok." He waited patiently for me to continue.

"I may be gone for long periods of time. This is all new. I just…" I pressed my lips together to keep from crying. Today was supposed to be a great day. I was getting what I wanted, and I felt like crap for it. Why was this hard? It was then that my mom's words rang through my head. "Sometimes getting what you want means giving up something you love. You have to decide if it's worth it or not. You have to do what works for you, even if it's the hardest thing you've ever done."

"I'm not going anywhere. Do you hear me?" He bent his knees and looked me right in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere." It was the then that the line moved, making it our turn. We ordered our food, and waited off to the side in silence. I think we were both feeling what me being back meant, and both of us were contemplating if we'd make it if I left.

When they handed our bag of food out the window, I looked over at Carter. "I hear you." I offered a sad smile. "I do, but know that this is more than just a game for me. It's been my life since I was three. I've worked for this for forever, and now I'm realizing it might not be what I want. I need you to be patient with me while I figure that out."

We went and waited in the car for Mav and Ashley to get their food, and then made our way to the beach. It was a quiet night and even though this was supposed to be us celebrating, it felt different and I wasn't sure if it was a good different or not.

Carter

3 months later…

It's been burning a hole in my pocket since I slipped it in there, the ring I bought last week, that is. Ava received an offer to play for the Cyclones and would have to move to Florida is she decided to take the offer. I'd stayed out of it simply because it was her decision. I didn't want her to stay here if it meant giving up her dream. I couldn't wait any longer though, because I'd almost slipped up and said something several times. Today is the last practice before the playoffs, and I'm sitting up here watching her and sweating my ass off. I've got big plans, and if I can keep myself calm for a few more minutes, then I might be able to pull off this surprise I have planned.

I can tell she's tired. She keeps wiping the sweat from her brow and grabbing water every few minutes. Her dedication to this sport is mind blowing. She pushes past her limits every time her feet hit the grass, and she amazes me like no other. Finally, I see the team run off the field, and I knew this was my moment. I rushed to the other side of the field, clumsily climbing over rows of seats until my connection from the announcer's box met me on the steps. "Good luck." He winked. I took my spot and hunkered down so I couldn't be seen. I needed this to work.

I waited patiently as the team slowly trickled out, one player at time. Ashley and Ava were always some of the last ones. When her brown ponytail appeared, I knew this was it. I tapped the mic in my hand and swallowed. "Ava Slone, you are the most beautiful woman in the world." I saw her stop as she was crossing the field to where she and Ashley usually parked. She shielded her eyes from the sun and began searching the stands. I stayed hidden as I wasn't ready for her to see me yet. "I love you more than anything in the world. I love how much you love soccer. I love how dedicated you are. I love the way you smile, and the way you laugh." I stood on the stadium steps, slowly making my way down to the field. When she saw me, she started laughing. "I love the little crinkles you get by your eyes when you're happy. I love that you tell your mom about everything, and I love that you've achieved your dream. You're going to be a professional soccer player." I'd reached the field at this point. I stepped down onto the grass and walked with purpose in her direction. "I love everything about you, and most of all… I love the way you love me." I reached in my pocket and slowly knelt in front of her. "Ava… will you marry me?" I held up the ring, and it twinkled against the sunlight. I watched as confusion flitted across her face. Her hands came up and covered her mouth and tears pricked her eyes. She looked scared.

I stood up and set the mic down. I wrapped my arms around her and whispered next to her ear, "I guess I should tell you I'm moving to Florida. I got a job as a trainer with the Cyclones. I'm coming with you." I backed up and that's when the floodgates opened.

"You're what?" her voice cracked.

"You can have both." I grinned as I held out the ring again. "Me and soccer. If you say yes."

"You're coming to Florida? But what if I tell them no?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you crazy?" Ashley's voice broke the moment as she stomped up beside us. "Tell him yes. Look what he did for you."

Her eyes darted from mine to the ring. "Say it again," she cried.

"You can have both?" I held out the ring and she took it, slipping it on her finger.

"No, ask me again." She stared at the pear-shaped diamond.

"Will you marry me?" I chuckled as she kept staring at it.

"I love you so much," she whispered. "Yes." She dropped her bag from her shoulder and leaped into my arms. "So this is what it feels like when all your dreams come true." She smiled and then pressed her lips to mine.

We spent the rest of the night making love at my apartment. We stopped to eat and shower, but our excitement over the future seemed to outweigh everything else. Neither of us really thought about anything past that moment. We knew we loved each other, and the rest would work out. Sometimes you can have it all, you just have to let the universe work it out for you. Nothing worth having is ever easy.

The End