The Last Defender, page 9
“You mean you’ve been responding to texts?” Cheryl asked, surprise evident from her voice. Tessa pulled out her phone and unlocked it to show the conversations to Cheryl.
“Not well,” she grumbled. Cheryl broke into a large grin as she looked at the almost evenly distributed texts on the screen.
“That looks like a conversation from here!” She clapped her hands in delight.
“She asked me about my weekend plans!” Tessa protested, locking her phone again. Cheryl grinned.
“And you answered!” She pointed out, delighted. “Tessa! I’m so happy!” Tessa lay back on the bed again, rolling her eyes.
“You’re such a drama queen Cheryl,” she teased.
“Don’t let August hear that.” Tessa grinned. Cheryl frowned and then slid back further on the bed. She tapped the space in front of her. Tessa scooted closer to her and settled down so she could lie on Cheryl’s lap. Cheryl started running her hands through Tessa’s hair, gently combing out the messy strands.
“This explains August then,” Cheryl said gently. Tessa rolled over so she could look up at Cheryl and gave her a confused look.
“Explains August?” She repeated, brow furrowed.
“Do you remember that one time you said you liked that French girl… what was her name?” Tessa scrunched up her face, trying to remember who she probably praised the most from PSG. She loved all the strikers to be honest...
“Gomez?” She said, tilting her head.
“Yeah!” Cheryl nodded. “You said you thought she was a good striker. August was so hurt.” Tessa frowned.
“What!? Why?!” Cheryl laughed gently.
“Because August is August, and she wants to be the only striker,” she explained with a small shrug.
“That’s so -” Tessa tried to come up with an adjective to describe the small guilt she felt about making August feel bad.
“It’s so August,” Cheryl agreed, taking Tessa’s searching silence for permission to interject her own adjective. “Anyway, August has been weirdly overbearing over you recently.” Tessa blinked in surprise.
“Really?” She asked, confused. Cheryl chuckled and started brushing her hands through Tessa’s hair.
“I cannot believe you didn’t notice,” she pointed out.
“What did she do?” Tessa asked, racking her brains of instances of August being domineering.
“She ordered your meal for you tonight!” Cheryl pointed out with an incredulous laugh. Tessa scrunched up her face.
“Yeah, but that’s because she knows what I like,” she explained.
“You said, ‘can i drink something,” and she said “no!”
“That’s why I asked!” Tessa argued. Cheryl shook her head in exasperation.
“You know what, I should never worry about August controlling you too much,” she decided. Tessa grinned.
“No, you shouldn’t,” she agreed. “It’s not like I notice.” Cheryl made a face.
“But you should still make sure you take care of her,” she decided. Tessa frowned.
“What does that mean?” She asked.
“Do something nice for her next week, Tess. Remind her that you still love her. You know she’s forever terrified that you’re going to find a new and better striker.” Tessa sighed and nodded, her faze shifting to the ceiling.
“It’s so weird that someone so arrogant is so insecure,” she commented. Cheryl giggled.
“I love you, Tessa,” she murmured, bending down to kiss her forehead.
“I love you too, Cheryl.” They sat in silence for a moment, Cheryl gazing down at Tessa with a small smile pulling at her lips. “Now, tell me how things in Springfield are,” Tessa murmured, her eyes fluttering closed, though she wouldn’t fall asleep for a while. She loved sitting with Cheryl, catching up on all the gossip. What Damien was up to, what Cheryl’s parents were doing, why Cheryl didn’t like her local council - she had so many anecdotes, and Tessa loved hearing about the world that Cheryl inhabited.
CHAPTER FIVE
Belinda Callahan, Forward: we just watched ur springfield game in practice
Belinda Callahan, Forward: and i think i just witnessed a murder
Tessa: what do u mean u didn’t make time in ur busy schedule 2 watch me b amazing LIVE
Belinda Callahan, Forward: the only amazing thing you did was get a yellow card
Tessa: W O W
Belinda Callahan, Forward: and get fouled i suppose
Tessa: w o w
Belinda Callahan, Forward: August broke her own record for fastest goal scored and you want me to compliment your game?
Tessa: This is August I’m taking over because Tessa is meant to be enjoying this pedicure and also I just want to say thank you; Valerie technically gets credit for that new record but I’m happy at least you appreciate what I’m doing out there
Belinda Callahan, Forward: Hi August!
Tessa: i got my phone back but now august likes u!! Well done1!!!
Tessa frowned down at her phone for the fourth time in four minutes. The pedicurist carefully removed the pads between Tessa’s toes and put her socks back on for her, but Tessa barely noticed.
“You made her stop replying to me,” she complained, pulling her feet up under her body and frowning down at her phone. August smirked and Tessa narrowed her eyes. “I think you scared her.” August’s grin widened so Tessa could see her white teeth.
“I can’t help you with that, Tessa,” she said cheerfully. “You shouldn’t hang out with cowards.” The manicurist who was adding the finishing touches to August’s left hand looked up and smirked, but Tessa ignored her. She huffed and stuffed her phone back into her pocket with a small snort.
“I don’t hang out with cowards,” she muttered. “I clearly just hang out with drama queens.” August shot Tessa a small glare. Tessa remembered Cheryl’s warning, and rolled her eyes and lightly punched August in the shoulder. “I’m kidding,” she muttered, and August grinned.
“You’re not, but it’s okay,” August decided. The manicurist pulled away, and August held up her hand, grinning at the bright pink nail varnish. “Perfect!” She told the short woman. The woman sighed, and got up.
“You know the drill,” she told the two of them, and August grinned at her.
“You’re the best, Marcy,” she said cheerfully, and then she jumped off the chair. Tessa fumbled with her shoes while August strode over to the counter and paid for them.
The high end nail salon was right in downtown Portland, which meant it’s LA style giant glass windows and bright white floors always felt a little off to Tessa. She felt ridiculous as she arduously tied her shoes before shuffling over to August. August, who was happily chatting with Marcy about her plans next weekend, when Luca was visiting. When Tessa came up next to August, August grinned at Marcy, said her goodbyes and flung her arm around Tessa as they walked out into the grey Portland afternoon.
“Okay,” she said cheerfully, “we did my thing today, what’s your thing?” Tessa chewed her lip nervously. August and Tessa did “Friend Days” at least once a month, but since her talk with Cheryl, Tessa felt like she needed to really make this day count. She had agonized over what they should do for the second part of the evening, quizzing Max on every single activity she found fun and forcing Valerie to test bars with her. She had found a small intimate microbrewery in the Pearl district, but she was nervous. She swallowed.
“A microbrewery in the Pearl,” she admitted, jamming her hands in her pocket. August raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you so predictable?” She teased gently, smile. Tessa matched her smile.
“Well, unless you want to play pickup soccer -”
“No please,” August interrupted her, laughing, “we did that last Sunday.” She dropped her arm from Tessa’s shoulder and looped it through her arm. “Microbrewery it is.”
“I read about it on the Oregonian last week,” Tessa explained as they started walking downtown. “I think you’ll like it.” August cocked her head.
“Why?” She asked. Tessa bit her lip again.
“They have those taster menus for beers,” she explained.
“Oh, I do like those.”
“And board games,” she added with a grin. August’s face brightened.
“See, now you have my attention.”
Tessa glanced at the sky nervously; although it was technically the middle of summer, the Oregon summers left a lot to be desired. Tessa didn’t miss the Jersey humidity, but dry weather and some warmth? She never knew how much she had taken those for granted. Today was not even a gloomy day by Pacific Northwest standards, but Tessa worried that it would rain before they reached the bar anyway.
“Stop worrying about the rain,” August chided. “I have an umbrella, and we’re like five minutes away anyway.”
“Wait, how do you know that?”
“You’re taking me to Portland’s Best, right?”
“Yes. Don’t tell me you’ve been there before?” August smiled apologetically.
“I’ve been there before,” she admitted.
“Oh.” Tessa deflated.
“But I really liked it!” August assured her, pressing her arm gently. “And I’m happy you chose that for us!” Tessa frowned down at the concrete.
“When did you go?” She demanded, looking up at August.
“With Demetria, Luca and Ben like three weeks ago.” Tessa sighed dramatically.
“This sucks. I’m sorry, i tired to come up with something different and cool.”
“Tess, it’s totally cool. Stop stressing. I like this place! They had good tacos.”
“They do?” Tessa perked up at that fact. August grinned, and gestured across the street, where the bar was already waiting for them.
“Yeah, I got fish tacos and Luca got beef ones and i ate all of his too.”
“You’re such a good girlfriend.”
“I do my best,” August said with a wink. Tessa grinned, and held the door open for her. August strode in, grinned at the hostess, and asked for a table for the two of them “and a pack of cards.”
“I want to start you light,” she told Tessa gleefully.
After they had ordered their beers and their tacos, and August had dealt their cards for a simple round of crazy eights, she fixed Tessa with an innocent look.
“Are you excited to see Bells again?” She asked, arranging her cards neatly. Tessa’s lips thinned in frustrating as she put down the first card.
“Why is everyone so worried about me?” The waitress brought their beers, and August waited patiently until she left before she replied.
“I’m not worried!” She corrected, putting down three fours on top of Tessa’s card, changing the suit to hearts. “I’m curious.” Tessa frowned at the cards, and then flicked her gaze up to August.
“I’m excited to see her again because she brings good soccer,” she explained frankly, putting down her eight of hearts. “Also, I’m changing the suit back to clubs.”
“Are you implying I don’t bring good soccer?” August demanded, narrowing her eyes. Tessa smirked.
“I’m implying you’re losing right now,” she replied, raising an eyebrow as August pulled a card from the deck. Tessa smugly put down a jack of clubs.
“Am not.” August put down a card, and then looked up at Tessa. “Do you think playing soccer in Sweden made her a better player?” Tessa shrugged and put down her own card, switching the suit.
“Honestly, I can’t remember her much from before. Like? I mean, I know of her, but was she in the national team much?” August put down a two, forcing Tessa to skip her turn and pull two cards from the desk. Tessa made a face and did so.
“Technically she was an Olympic alternate, but mainly she got on the map when she scored her first goal back in February 2013,” August explained languidly, putting down two sevens. Tessa stared at August over the cards. August raised an eyebrow. “What?” She asked, smiling innocently. Tessa’s eyes narrowed more until they were just small slits.
“I can’t decide whether you remembered that, or Googled that, and which one I would prefer.” August rolled her eyes dramatically.
“I remember things like goals, Tessa.” Tessa’s frown didn’t fade.
“Did she beat you on the assist?” She demanded.
“No Tessa,” August sighed, “she was just there.”
“Then I don’t understand why you remember!”
“I just do.” August put down her last card and grinned. “Also, I win.”
“Fuck.” Thank god their tacos arrived, and they were just as tasty as August had promised.
The trip to Illinois was boring; August insisted on having the window sleep, even though she immediately fell asleep, not enjoying her privilege. Tessa ended up sandwiched between Demetria and August idly counting the minutes until they landed.
She hated flying.
It was July 17th, and Chicago’s last game against Portland of the season. “We’re gonna break this stalemate,” Rose announced in the locker room, and Tessa felt the familiar buzz of the preparation of a game overwhelm her. She bounced on the balls of her feet as he announced the starting lineup. Gemma and Sam in the 10 and 11 positions, which would make scoring easy. Tessa frowned a little when she realized that neither Demetria nor August were starting, and August’s lips thinned unhappily at the announcement, but she didn’t complain. She had learned that Rose didn’t do well with constructive criticism, even from August Mirrin.
“Let’s make this a repeat of Springfield,” Rose said with a smirk, and everyone nodded happily. Valerie jumped on Tessa’s back as they walked out onto the field, and Tessa bounced her up.
“Will you play me the best balls, Tessa?” she asked, leaning forward on Tessa.
“Of course,” Tessa promised. “You’re our golden girl now.” She grinned over at August, who was bristling.
“I am very speedy,” Valerie agreed, “though baby horse -” August spun around in pure horror when she heard her nickname.
“Not you too!!!” She hissed. Valerie’s grin widened.
“Tessa told me about it!” She admitted gleefully.
“Tessa,” August cried in horror.
“It was by accident!” August punched her in the shoulder anyway.
“You’re the worst best friend ever in the world,” she exclaimed.
“Hurtful and rude.”
“I told you, I told you - don’t tell her about my nickname. And yet here you are.”
“It was accident! It slipped out! I didn’t mean it.”
“Demetria is my new best friend. She’d never betray me like this.”
“Wonderful,” Demetria muttered dryly.
The game was exciting; in the very first minute, Estelle passed Macdonald a long ball, Macdonald ran with it, and slotted it straight into goal. After that initial goal though, the match became dominated by Chicago. Tessa was impressed by the physical ball controlling presence, especially when Callahan seized the ball in the ninth minute, sprinting towards Angie and creating a wonderful opportunity for herself. Angie was able to deflect it out for a corner kick though, and nothing came of it, but Tessa made a mental note to congratulate her on the play.
Then Olman fouled her, and she ended up on the ground, cursing her bum ankle. It was only the fourteenth minute though, and Tessa forced herself to walk it off, trying to make sure that every single step she took was gentle and rolled on her foot. Buehler tapped her on the back with a small frown.
“You cool?” she asked, her voice deep and warm. Tessa swallowed and nodded.
“I’m fine.”
She started playing a more defensive midfield position; Demetria’s favorite. Nothing much happened; Brenda and Estelle both dominated the flanks, trying to use Chicago’s slightly weaker backs, but Tessa watch Chicago cut off opportunity after opportunity. She watched as a smart touch by Callahan disrupted a pass between her midfield and Valerie, and she frowned.
The half got called, and Buehler walked up next to Tessa.
“Chicago’s stepping up,” she noted dryly. Tessa gave her a small smile, and then jogged over to Demetria and August.
“What’s up with our midfield today?!” August asked, frowning at Brenda and Estelle as they jogged into the tunnel.
“We’re racking up some miles, August,” Demetria cautioned quietly. “They might be tired.”
“They’re being sloppy, and they’re gonna cost us the game,” August muttered.
“Don’t be dumb,” Gemma cautioned, falling into step with the three of them.
“It’s Rose,” August hissed. “He’s setting this up all wrong.”
“August, don’t,” Tessa warned, and August wisely heeded her warning as they walked into the locker room. Rose’s half time speech was predictably frustrating, and when he announced that the lineup wouldn’t change in the 46th minute, Tessa felt August swallow a snappy comment. She touched her quickly for reassurance, and then walked out with the other players.
The game continued with Chicago’s possession; Tessa thanked her God several times for Buehler, Marshall and Morris, who were definitely earning their keep this game, clearing all the balls that the Chicago forwards tried to thread past them. No promising chances were happening, and Tessa’s ankle was starting to really throb, so when Rose started subbing people out, Tessa nodded at him pointedly.
Demetria got subbed in for her, and Tessa grinned at her as she joined August, who was subbed in for Gemma on the field. Tessa donned a pinney, and watched the rest of the match from the sidelines while slowly doing ankle exercises.
Chicago’s goal, late into the second half, was not elegant. It was deserved though, Tessa mused, as Callahan and Kensington created confusion in the box, getting them a corner. Bailey served it in. Farley made a misstep as she attempted to clear it, and Lily used the moment to slot it into the net. August groaned loudly, and Gemma sighed audibly next to Tessa.
“Guess we won’t be stopping that streak of tieing against them any time soon,” she muttered to Tessa. Tessa smirked. Max leaned against Tessa’s shoulder.
