by C. J. Lau
Chapter 33
A call from Carol gives us the all clear to return to the hotel. My spirits lifted by the company of my friends.
Two faces at reception change all that. Zara and Candace.
“Zara!” Kathy tries to intercept her former team-mate. “Long time…”
But Zara pushes past, eyes firmly on me. Cat jumping in her path at the last moment. But not before she’s close enough to growl her message.
“Murderer.”
I stare back blankly. Though I start to connect the dots.
Cat the first to answer. “You and Francis?”
Zara, eyes still on me, pushes forward, but Cat’s blocking, not giving an inch. “The police got in touch.”
And just like that the shock floods back in. All of Carol’s manoeuvrings to keep this quiet worth naught. May as well write in the sky, with giant letters.
But still I can’t form words. Am I so weak now I need bodyguards and a speaker too?
“Self-defence, Zara,” Cat almost spits the words. Shoves hard to move Zara back. “Serves him right.”
I spot Candace to my left, shooting daggers at Solo. Kathy out of position now, but moving back into the ruckus.
There’s no warning as Zara hurls her small frame. Cannon balling into Cat’s block. My friend wearing the slap meant for me.
“Watch it!” Zara streams pure hatred. “I’ve got a knife that’ll cut your throat out.”
Kathy steps in before Cat can unleash. “Zara. If you or any of your players come near the Goulburn team again—”
“You and your has-been here,” Zara shoots a look back at Cat. “Aren’t in any position to make threats—”
My blood boiling finally. I open my mouth to shout back.
“You bitch!” I’m too focused on Zara to anticipate Candace, moving fast. A solid blow sending pain, rising in a wave to my neck.
Through the stars I see Solo pick his ex-girlfriend up off the ground. Candace screams, horrid, at us both. A flailing elbow catching Solo in the face, but he doesn’t release. Motions to throw her across the room.
“Put her down,” I gasp, eyes watering, the burning wave subsiding.
By the time she quiets down every bystander is watching. Candace back to shooting daggers with her eyes, but knows better than to try swinging again.
“This isn’t over.” Zara shoves Cat away, pushes through our tangle. Coming straight at me.
Enough! My mind snaps, red mist descending.
“Bring it.” I’m ready, fists balled, about to punch her into submission.
But Solo shifts quickly to cut Zara’s advance. When I turn back to Solo, a trickle of blood on his face makes me want to go again.
“Get out of my way,” Zara growls, changing course, to brush past Solo. “Candace. Let’s go.” Zara calls, and my eyes follow them out the door.
“Leave them, Maggie.” Kathy’s hand stops me. Announcing to the onlookers, “Nothing to see here.” Giving me time to move to the group. Cool my rage.
We shift towards the lifts, away from prying eyes. “Tell me about your midfield, Maggie. How’s Brooke pulled up after her injury?”
Kathy’s question brings my mind back to safer waters. But before I recollect Brooke’s rollercoaster semi-final, I need to check on Solo. “You okay?”
A tissue is all that’s needed to stop the bleeding. “Hope you like guys with scars.”
The lift arrives, and I lean up against him once we’re all inside, rising on my toes to kiss his forehead. “I like you any way you look.”
Suddenly I wish we could be alone. To apologise for not telling him about my neck. For letting the team take over once again.
When would I learn?
Cat senses my thoughts. “Kathy, let’s go find Carol. You’re sleeping in her room tonight. Leave these love birds to catch up.”
Thank you Cat, I mouth. The doors sliding open on my floor, with the two of us walking out hand in hand.
“I’ll fill you in on the semi too,” I hear Cat talking behind, “Brooke had a tough match…” as the lift’s doors close.
“Sorry,” I start, touching my neck before we get to my room. “I should have told you. But I panicked this afternoon. Then everything happened so fast.”
He stops me. “I’m just relieved you’re okay.”
A little pause lets me open the door, leading him inside without hesitation. Like I’d done the morning after our date, barefoot in a slightly crumpled dress.
“I need to accept the team will take priority at times,” Solo continues, but I stop him.
“No. I should have told you,” I struggle. “Need to learn my lesson.”
His finger on my lip silences me. “No babe. I’m the one on second chances.”
“We both are.” I move his hand down.
We sink down on the bed together. “Tell me about last night?”
His arms are always close. And I need them as my story unfolds. By the time I’ve told him about waking to a presence, the fight, collapsing, and Cat at the hospital, the shakes return. The needles in my neck reminding me how close Francis got to his goal.
“And now I know why.” My hand brushes a stray tear from my face. “Zara.”
My heart stops with the realisation that I’m never going to feel safe now she’s out there. Vengeance high on her list.
“Don’t worry about her,” Solo tries his best, and it helps, a lot. “What happened after Cat picked you up?”
The trembles hit again, just as hard as walking back towards my bedroom the morning after. Zara’s still out there, my house tainted.
“Awful.” Fear shakes more tears loose. “My house… I don’t know how I’ll be able to sleep there with…”
I pull him closer. Can’t finish the thought that Francis might win. How can I build a Goulburn dynasty if I can’t live there?
“I can stay over for a few nights.”
I answer too keenly, “I would love that.”
My spirits soar at what he says next. “Be good practice anyway,” he chuckles. “Get to see you in the morning again.”
A quick nod sends the blushes back. Remembering Solo already knows every part of me in a way no one else does. Then we kiss until the needling pain in my neck pulls me away.
“You should take it easy tonight.” Solo watches me wince.
Tomorrow’s battle flashes before me. The defending champions, with Emilie and Lauren leading them. No recent team able to shut them down, none in the last two years.
But I lose focus, a gentle kiss on my neck making sparks fly up and down my chest. Solo’s touch not easing the pain, but still, making me melt inside.
“I love you, Solo,” my words barely breathed out. Kisses replaced by the soothing ice pack he brings me.
“I love you too.” His fingers stroke my cheek, letting the tiredness weigh in. “I’ll go back home tonight and get my things.”
Despite being confronted with the reality of trying to beat the best team in the State, I drift off into a daydream. Solo said he’ll come to Goulburn. Maybe I’ll never be alone again.
I wake, much later that evening, to the sound of sobbing I instantly recognise as Cat. The ice pack slides off my neck and I find her, sitting in the bed across from me, head in her hands.
“Cat.” The ice working miracles on my voice. “What’s wrong?”
When she doesn’t answer, my legs swing into action. Shuffling beside her, pulling her close. “What’s wrong?”
I keep my eyes on her, not even noticing for a moment that Solo is gone. Cat snuffles, “I still have to go back to Perth and get all my stuff. Not looking forward to that.” She tries wiping tears away, only for more to take their place. This was the quiet moment I knew would come. When the world stopped its distractions, leaving her alone with her grief.
“Saying goodbye to Slinky, Kara, and Shelly shattered me. Breaks my heart I’ll never be well enough to play with them again.”
Even with all my training. I’m as
helpless as she is. Because there is absolutely nothing I can say.
But I need to say something. “It’s okay, Cat. I’ll come with you.”
“I don’t want to put that damn stocking on to fly.” More pain to pile onto misery.
“Then we’ll hire a van. Make it a road trip,” I answer quickly. Grateful I can be here.
She nods, but the tears aren’t stopping. “I had a big nightmare on Sunday. Woke up screaming, mum came running, trying to calm me down. Then I cried myself back to sleep.”
I nod sadly. “I’m so sorry, Cat.”
“I got a few more hours in before the call from the hospital made me panic.” The fear across her face matching her frantic voice. “I can’t lose you, Maggie. Not with everything else. I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”
I pull her in tighter. “I’m not going anywhere. Once we beat Murwillumbah we’re going home and that’s where I’m staying.” A little smile at the thought that Solo will be joining me too, at least for a few days. “We’re all here for you, Cat. Me, Carol, Sam, everyone. You’re going to get through this.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
“So tell me about Wollongong. Any exciting news?” Hoping talk of the future will cheer her.
She rubs her face with her sleeve. “Professor Addison mailed me his job offer and application forms for a Master’s degree.” Her little smile the best I can hope for. “I’ve sent the job acceptance back. Got a few weeks to think about Masters. It would mean I pretty much need to live in Wollongong.”
“That’s great news.” I smile, rewarded by a wider smile in return. “Solo said you went to visit Mark and Emma too.” Wishing Solo had woken me for a kiss before leaving.
I watch the determined look return to her face. “Yeah. That is sorted.” A little giggle, remembering her old flame. “I told Mark I was happy for him. Then Emma and Solo showed up.”
Solo’s words at the Goulburn café that broke my heart. “How did that go?” I ask, Emma a question still unanswered.
“She seemed happy to see me. I even told her to stop being mean to you. I don’t know.”
Solo was at the meeting? Had heard Cat make peace with Emma?
“When was this meeting again?” I ask, need one more piece of the puzzle.
Cat eyes me, winking. “You’re thinking about something, I can see it in your face.”
Did Cat remove a reason for our previous break up, without even knowing it?
“I think you’re one of the reasons Solo wanted to get back with me,” I offer. “Thank you, Cat. You are a great friend.”
“You too, Maggie. I wish there were more ways I could show that.”
“Cat, let’s call it evens.” I squeeze her shoulder. “You’ll always be my best friend.”
“One thing then,” Cat starts, and I can guess the next thing. “I need to know…”
“Me and Solo right?” I jump in.
A nod in response gives me another glimpse into her world. Loneliness another enemy for her. I don’t mind her living vicariously, but know I’ll disappoint.
“We didn’t…” I pause, and then just decide to let it out. “Have sex. But I’m happy for people to think we did.” Confusion crosses Cat’s face, but I’m not done with the details. “He’s the one anyway. I know it.”
“Why?” A little pout from Cat, curiosity replacing the tears. “I was really hoping you two would—”
“I know you did, Cat,” I cut in, feel heat rush to my face.
“Oh…” Recognition flickers across Cat’s face, a wicked wink in my direction. My fantasies in her bank of best friend secrets, locked up in her heart.
“Yep.” I give a nervous giggle, certain I’m blushing like crazy now. Absent-mindedly wringing my hands and recounting, through giggles, how I gave my complete trust to Solo. Released with just enough energy to collapse in his arms and cuddle him to sleep.
By the time I’m done Cat’s face is as red as mine. Her silence as strong as Carol’s had been over the phone.
“You see Cat,” I squeeze her hand. “You did that for me. He’s coming with me to Goulburn. Told me he’ll propose before the summer’s through.” My throat catches at the thought. “He just needs to finish up in Wollongong.”
Cat wipes the last tear from her eye, still grinning wide. “I’m happy for you, Maggie.”
And I feel really silly to have kept this from Cat. She’s my best friend, and I trust her completely. Just like Solo.
Cat clears her throat, transformation complete for now. “Kathy and I went to see Darrell. Zara comes near you again and she’ll be sacked. And if I’m anywhere close, she’ll lose more than her job.”
We stand together. Visions of Sam holding the trophy aloft settles my heartbeat back to its steady pace.
“Let’s go have dinner.” I smile at my best friend. “Kathy’s sure to have some ideas to beat Murwillumbah.”