I lined up in the tunnel. Castellanos, 14 on my back. I'm not sure what people thought. Maybe a coincidence that we had the same surname as we both came from Venezuela. I took a quick glance towards my wife who was stood in the opposite queue. She seemed focused and determined. As we walked onto the pitch the crowd screamed. It was derby day after all. I never thought I would be on the opposite team to my wife but we wanted to live together in Manchester and United offered me a contract. Ella and Katie had explained to me how much this derby meant to the club and I couldn't contain the excitement I felt.
Soon enough I saw why this game was so intense. Tackles were made left, right and center from both teams, neither wanting to loose. I was sprinting back to defend when I made the challenge. I didn't notice it was her. No one else was there and I had to sacrifice myself so we didn't concede. I slid on the ground catching the players legs and missing the ball. The player came tumbling down and that's when I realised who it was. My wife.
"What the fuck was that" she stood up screaming in my face
"Don't scream at me" i pointed in her face, now angry myself
"I'll do what I want" she moved closer, I felt her breath on my lips
"I dare you" i forced our foreheads together pushing her. By now all of the players had surrounded us and kept shoving each other
"Number 14" the ref called and showed me a red card pointing off the pitch
"Bitch" i mumbled walking off
"What did you call me" Deyna was now back in front of me
"Fuck off" i said storming off
I kicked a bottle as I walked down the tunnel and into the changing rooms. I took a quick shower and put on my tracksuit. By then I regretted everything, I shouldn't have made the tackle nor should I have shoved Deyna. Consumed with guilt I walked out of the tunnel and sat with some of the players on the bench.
"Don't worry about it, things like that happen. You did what you had to so we didn't concede" Alessia said as I sat down next to her
"I guess" i mumbled staring at Deyna
Neither side wanted to loose so the second half was quite boring. After the red card all the players seemed more cautious with the tackles. I hated watching from the sidelines but I didn't have a choice. When the game finished 0-0 I took a deep breath before going onto the pitch to shake hands. I approached the City girls as carefully and quickly as I good, I didn't know how they felt nor did I want to find out. We did a quick team huddle and I was yet to speak to Deyna, I saw her walk down the tunnel and I ran quickly to catch up
"Deyna" I called after her causing her to turn
"Hey" she said bluntly
"I'm sorry for the tackle, I really am. I didn't see it was you" i sighed looking for forgiveness "I also never should have shoved you, it was the heat of the moment and I just-"
"It's okay" she reached for my hand "I'm sorry for shouting at you" she softly smiled
"So we're good?" I asked
"Of course we are" she replied and I leaned in connecting our lips
"I love you" i whispered
"I love you too, try not to kill me next time" she joked as we moved apart, aware that our teammates could walk past
"Till death do us part, my love" i laughed
"Till death do us part" she replied before leaving.
"See you at home?" I shouted as she approached the door
"Of course, your cooking tonight" and with that she disappeared and I couldn't wipe the grin from my face.
