You can't Outrun the Truth

The Call

I started the drive back to the flat and tried to forget what Ashley had said. Was I lying to myself? I don't think I was I mean everything is fine.

Wasn't it?

I flopped onto my bed and closed my eyes. I was exhausted from training and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep. Of course, I knew this was unrealistic and the girls would want answers when they got back from training.

The front door slammed shut and I rolled my eyes. I knew Beth especially would have questions regarding my neck and I really wanted to avoid those. Luckily my phone rang saving me from the terror of being interrogated by my housemates.

"Hello?" I asked answering the call. It was an unknown number but I was willing to risk it.

"Hi, is this London Adair?" A voice asked through the phone. 

"Yes, who is this?" I asked carefully.

"I am Jill Ellis coach of the United States Women's Soccer team. I am calling you to invite you to our November camp during which we will play matches against Portugal and Scotland."

 I sat there and processed everything she had just said. Did I want to play with the US, or was I secretly hoping I would join Jackie?

"Would I be able to discuss this with my family before making a decision?" I asked.

"Of course, please call back before October 29."

"Alright thank you."

"Your welcome, goodbye."

"Bye." Jill hung up and I sat there frozen for a second. I needed Jackie's advice on this before I made a choice.

Jill poked her head into my room and got my attention.

"Can we talk with you?" She asked.

"Sure." I walked out to the sitting room with Jill and sat in an armchair.

"London, please stop doing this," Danielle said starting the conversation.

"What?"

"You know what." beth said looking at me.

"Enlighten me." I smiled leaning back in my chair. I held back a chuckle as Daan rolled her eyes.

"You leaving without giving details," Jill explained.

"Next time I will." Maybe.

"So is your cousin coming to the game tomorrow?" Beth asked.

"Nope. She couldn't get a ticket." I lied, we never went to the other games.

"We could look," Daan offered. 

"It's fine. She's leaving tomorrow anyway." I brushed off her offer.

"Who was at the training ground today?" Jill asked.

"A lot of people," I answered.

"After training. You were talking to her." Jill said.

"Oh." 4 of my ex-teammates flying to London to see me would seem weird since they didn't know what happened. "That was my cousin."

I need to stop this. How the hell will I explain all this?

"Why didn't you introduce us?" Daan asked.

What do I say?

"She had to leave. She just stopped by to say bye. I need to go to the store though. I'll be back with stuff for dinner!" I announced. I grabbed my coat and keys and hurried to my car. 

I knocked on the door and Jackie opened it.

"I need your advice," I told her.

"On what?"

"I got called up to the U.S. national team. Should I go?" 

Jackie stared at me like I was crazy.

"HELL YES YOU SHOULD GO!" She shouted. "Oh my god, this is awesome!" She hugged me.

"I don't know," I sighed.

"What's wrong?" She asked pulling me to sit down.

"Ok, so what if I'm not good enough? And Mal and Rose know everything, and what will our family think since I'm not going with the Netherlands?" I said.

"First of all, you are good enough, second forget about that. They won't tell those girls and you should try and sort things out with them. And everyone will just be proud that you got called up." 

"Also I may be lying constantly to the girls. About everything. All the time." I messed with my hands and Jackie caught them.

"Stop worrying. And with the girls, just try and avoid answering if you need to." 

I nodded and stood up to pace around the room.

"The U.S. team, they'll ask questions. And Mal and Rose will know I'm lying."

"Don't overthink it. They, will cover for you." She assured me.

"Right."

"So do your housemates know you were leaving for half an hour?"

"What! I have to go I still need to go to the store."

"Thank you!" I hugged her before running back to my car and driving to the store.

"I'm back!" It was almost an hour and a half since I left since traffic was bad.

"It's been an hour and a half." Jill pointed out.

"Traffic sucks."

After we ate I walked to my room and called Jill.

"Hi, Jill."

"Hello London, have you thought about our offer."

"Yes, I would love to come."

"Excellent. I will email you with details concerning your flight."

"Ok, bye thank you."

"Bye."

Sorry, this is a short one, I don't know what else to put in this chapter. Sorry for not updating in a few days. Hopefully, the next chapter will be a long one. Hope yall enjoyed this chapter and have had a good week! Hipe everyone's holidays are amazing and that everyone has an amazing week! Remember yall are all amazing! Thank you so much for the support in this book!