Falling for the Captain

28. Not so 'Soft Launch'.

The bus ride home was quiet in that content post-away win way—the kind where half the squad had headphones in, others just tiredly scrolling.

I'd wedged myself into a corner seat, hoodie pulled over my head, trying to 'hide' from the constant buzz of my phone.

She was still stretched out next to me before lowering her voice so it was just for me "hey Ri look"

I glanced up just as she titled her phone. It was HER instagram story.

A picture from the match — me mid-run, ball at my feet, sunlight catching my face. The caption read:

Different level today my girl.❤️.

My stomach twisted.

"Y..you posted that?" I whispered

"Yep" she said simply, slipping her phone back in her pocket. No hesitation.

Leah-"

"What? It's true" she leaned forward, elbows on her knees, eyes catching mine in the dim light. "They can think whatever they want. I'm not hiding the fact I'm proud of you"

I had no idea what to say, because 'my girl' was not subtle. Not even a little.

By the time we got back to the training ground, her story had thousands of views, my own dms were flooded with screenshots and messages.

In the car, Leah kept one hand on the wheel and the other draped over the gear stick, her fingers brushing mine. My phone started to ring: Lucy Bronze. "Uhh Leah we may have a small problem" I tilted my phone to show her. "Oh shit"

My hands trembled as I answered the phone "hey lu-"

"Don't you dare bloody hey Luce me, what do you think you're doing! Without telling me?! What else aren't you telling me!"

My breath hitched, I still hadn't told her I cut again.

"Okay Ri, I was joking b..b..but now you're scaring me with no reply. What have you done, forget about Leah right now" she spoke again, her tone sterner.

"I..I..I- I cut again. Badly"

She sighs through the phone and her voice wobbles "why?"

Leah speaks for me- "after the bar Lucy"

"But your okay now Ri?"

"I..I think so yeah"

"Okay, just tell me next time please. Anyway back to why I first called you. What do you think you're doing! I'm meant to know before the whole world!" I laugh

"I know I know, but it's okay you now nowwww. Me and Leah are together"

"Ri, Keira's calling me" Leah speaks and I frown.

"Lucy where are you-"

"I..I-" she stumbles over words knowing I'm not gonna like her answer. "With Ona" she sighs "I..I called it off with Keira" rage comes over me and I hang up the phone.

"Call Keira back Le...ah"

She nods and uses the car to call Keira "LEAH CATHRINE WILLIAMSON WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING! DO YOU LEARN NOTHING!!"

"Okay Kei- slow down, Riley's different, you know that- she...she just is different."

"She's in the car isn't she Leah"

"Hey Keiiiii" I speak up

"Hey! You two are dickheads not telling me but as long as your happy, then that's okay"

"Keira..." I start softly "are you okay...don't tell me otherwise, I just spoke to Lucy"

She sighs, her voice cracking "I uh..no I'm not but you know"

I pull my phone out my pocket messaging Lucy 'you.are.an.absolute.dickhead.' And that's it.

"Yeah, I know, I'll talk to her Kei"

"Thanks Ri"

She hangs up and I sigh. "Stupid stupid!"

Leah puts her hand on my thigh "I'll cook tonight"

I nodded not wanting to give away the fact my heart had been hammering since she hit post.