Finding the Way Back (gxg)

Chapter 11

"You too are good for each other. I can see it."

Yeah. We are good for each other.

Silence falls over us again, but it isn't uncomfortable. It is filled with a warmth that only family can provide.

A short while later, my phone buzzed with a message from Emily.

Emily: We just got out of a meeting. No one is happy with how things were handled. I don't think anyone is making a rash decision to ask for a transfer, but I have a feeling Renee might not see out the season.

It was the update I had been expecting. The team was upset but not having the power to do anything about it. I knew Renee had really wanted me on the squad, but I found it surprising that Renee was the one wavering the most. It wasn't a good sign for the team's ability to perform as a unified unit.

Now it would be a matter of seeing how the season goes. Although I have no interest in supporting the club, I want the girls to do well.

I sigh and set my phone face down on the armrest next to me and shift my attention back to the movie. No matter what was going on in the rest of the world, I was going to enjoy my day no matter what.

Still, I couldn't help but let my mind wander a bit. Once I was healthy again, what would my return look like? I would have only three months at most to return to form to get a spot on the national team for CONCACAF. The biggest question is where that opportunity would come from? Would I get an opportunity in Europe, or would I have to gain a spot on an NWSL team in my hope to get a spot on the national team?

That was still at least eight months away, but it never hurt to think about it now. After all, I could return to doing soccer-related drills in four months if all things go well. Essentially, I would need a club to take a chance on me.

It would be a tough ask, but I would have to hope that my pre-injury abilities would be enough to convince a club to take a chance on me. Otherwise, I would have to wait for teams to host tryouts once I could return at full strength. That would mean no CONCACAF participation unless Hayes really thought I could do it. However, it would mean still having a shot at the World Cup team the following year.

Then there was the issue of picking a new number to wear on the national team. For the Portugal matches, I had picked 24, knowing that it would only be a temporary number for the two matches, assuming I would get another call-up. As such, no one could buy a Wells jersey with 24 on the back.

I had always pondered the idea of switching my number to 13, taking Alex Morgan's old number. The only reason I had never made the switch was that the number carries a huge legacy, and I would want Alex Morgan's blessing to wear it on the national team in place of her. Mom, of course, thought it was an amazing idea to honor my first soccer hero by wearing her number, but I wasn't completely sure it was something that felt right.

Regardless, I had plenty of time to make that decision while I continued to heal and regain my strength.

As the credits for The Godfather play on the screen, I hear the front door opening as Rose lets herself in. It had been Mom's idea to give her a key to the apartment, allowing Rose to come and go as she pleased.

Not that I was complaining. I rather liked the idea of potential surprise visits from Rose.

As I look over at her, I can see the exhaustion etched on her face. She had stayed at the bakery long after I left, staying to help finish a handful of orders and help prepare for the following day. Her dedication to the things she loves is admirable. It made her attentive in all that mattered, and that had me swooning over her anytime she picked up on the small things.