Chapter Text
“Bloody hell, Katie! I’m sick of it! You’re always with her more than me, your girlfriend!” Ruesha spat across the room. This made Katie jump off the couch. Katie had just told Ruesha that after training today she’ll be hanging with Caitlin for the afternoon.
“What, recently? Because she just went through a break up after being in a long-term relationship for almost three years, Rue! I’m her best friend! If she needs me, then I have to go to her!” Katie shouted in reply.
”Well maybe that’s not good enough, Katie! I think you’re forgetting that your my girlfriend, not Caitlin’s! I think you’re forgetting you’re in a relationship! I need you too! You can’t just continue to drop everything anytime she says something to you!” Ruesha yelled.
“Well that’s the thing, Ruesha. I don’t care! She is my absolute best friend. Her and Jordan. It’s always gonna be the three of us no matter what.” Katie replies, trying to tone her voice down.
“I didn’t ask if you cared Katie! I care!” Katie was pretty sure Ruesha would have steam coming out of her ears if they were in a cartoon. ”and i am sick and tired of it. I’m honestly done.” Ruesha tells her.
Katie’s eyebrows raise and her eyes widen. “Like you’re breaking up with me?” She sort of laughed at that.
“See this is what I’m talking about. You’re literally laughing! But for what it’s worth, no I’m not breaking up. I’m telling you I’m done with the way you act with Caitlin. It’s not happening anymore.” Ruesha explains.
Katie laughs a bit. “What do you been?” Katie asks.
“I’m telling you that you’ll stay away from her for the remainder of the season. Then afterward you’ll ask to be traded or loaned out of the team. You’ll stay away from Caitlin Foord during the World Cup, even if we face her in a game.” Ruesha orders.
Katie tries to remain calm. “You want me to pick between you and Caitlin? Is that what you’re asking me?” She asks.
“Well it’s not exactly a choice, Katie. It’s pretty obvious.” Ruesha replies.
“No, Rue. That’s not what you’re asking me. You’re telling me to stay away from my best friend, because of what? Your jealousy? Your ego? You think after seven years I’m not loyal? Well guess what, screw you. I’m not requesting a trade, or a loan. I’m not staying away from Caitlin Foord. I’m not staying away from any of my best friends for that fact. Just…just screw you.” Katie walks past Ruesha, scoffing as they push eachother shoulders.
“Well we’re done then!” Ruesha sternly shouts.
“Alright.” Katie says as she grabs her keys and slips her shoes on. She unlocks the front door then walks out and slams the door behind her.
Once out of the house, their house, Katie storms to her car. She opens the door, slides in, then slams the door once her legs are inside.
After that, Katie sort of just sits there. She stares blankly at the steering wheel, and doesn’t notice when tears are falling down her cheeks. Quite frankly they could’ve been there since her screaming match with argue out of anger.
Katie puts the keys in the ignition and turned the car on. She clicks her seat belt into place, then puts the car in drive and drives out the driveway.
She turns onto the street and drives away. Katie thinks she could drive for hours, just thinking about that interaction. Letting it sink in.
Katie continues to drive for half an hour before pulling into the driveway that belongs to none other than Caitlin Foord and Jordan Nobbs.
Katie puts the car in park then turns it off. She wipes her tears with her sleeve then gets out and shuts the door behind her. She walks up the short footpath to the door. Katie spends a moment just breathing before ringing the doorbell, followed by two knocks, just to be sure.
The door opens and Katie is greeted by Jordan’s face. “Katie?” Jordan questions.
Katie sniffles slightly. “Can I stay here for a bit?” She asks.
Jordan nods. “Of course,” she replies before moving aside enough to let Katie enter.
Katie walks in, takes her shoes off, then bolts for the stairs. She doesn’t think she can speak anymore, otherwise her voice may break.
Katie is currently thankful that Jordan’s place has two spare bedrooms, otherwise she’d have the steal Caitlin’s. Katie’s pretty sure Caitlin would allow her to, given her state and other things, but she’d feel bad, and that would also mean that maybe Ruesha was right. She can’t let what she said be true.
Katie opens the door then shuts it behind her, walking over to the bed and collapsing onto it. She breathes deeply in through her nose then lets out a shaky breath through her mouth and suddenly she’s crying, and not soon after that, she’s sobbing.
Downstairs, Jordan walks into the living room where Caitlin was sat on the couch. “Was that Katie?” Caitlin questions as Jordan sits next to her.
“Yeah. And she didn’t look good. Her eyes were red and puffy like she’d be crying. Her hoodie sleeve was slightly damp in one spot also.” Jordan tells Caitlin.
“That’s not good.” Caitlin says.
“No. It’s really not.” Jordan says before grabbing her phone.
”Maybe I should talk to her.” Caitlin suggests.
“Huh?” Jordan looks at her.
“Y’know, go up there, barge in her room, and talk to her.” Caitlin shrugs.
“Maybe you should. But, just give her a bit.” Jordan replies.
“M’Kay.” Caitlin’s nods her head, grabbing the remote and turning her show back on.
About half an hour later, Katie finally stopped sobbing. Well, sort of. Now it’s just her sniffling.
Then, Katie hears a light knock on the door. “Come in.” She says fairly loudly. When let’s her gaze fall to the door that is now open, she sees Caitlin stood there. Katie still hadn’t wiped her tears or anything like that, her cheeks were tear stained, her eyes were redder then they were when she first entered the house, and she’s sniffling.
Caitlin’s heart shatters as Katie purses her lips. “Oh, Chick.” Caitlin sympathetically says as she quickly shuts the door behind her and walks over to the other side of the bed, laying herself down. She turns over so that she’s facing the same way as Katie and just puts and arm over her waist, her hand falling to Katie’s stomach.
Somehow such a simple gesture makes Katie break once again. Suddenly Katie’s vision is blurred and then she feels tears roll down her already tear-stationed cheeks. Not long after that, Katie’s letting out body shaking sobs.
Caitlin doesn’t know what to do because she doesn’t know the context or any events that have led up to her coming to the house, but she doesn’t ask what happened, she doesn’t ask what’s wrong, she doesn’t ask anything. In fact, she doesn’t say anything. She just shuffles closer to the upset girl and puts her hand on her hand, stroking it softly.
Katie continues to sob for what could be hours, but Caitlin doesn’t laugh at her. She doesn’t ask anything. They just lay there, Katie in Caitlin’s arms.
Eventually the tears stop flowing, and they’re lust laying there in silence. Suddenly the silence is broken by Katie. “Rue broke up with me.” Katie explains. Caitlin almost tries to sit up in shock.
“What? Why?” She asks instead.
“She was jealous.” Katie laughs lightly.
“Of who? If you don’t mind me asking.” Caitlin wonders.
“No it’s fine. Um, actually, you. She was jealous of you, and how I continue to just drop everything for you. She said I spend more time with you then I do her.” Katie explains.
“Katie I’m so sorry-“
“No, Caitlin. Don’t apologise. She wanted me to not talk to you anymore, and ignore you, and change clubs. It was stupid that she thought I’d do that. And plus, she made herself sound bad. It sounded like she didn’t trust me.” Katie tells Caitlin. “And also, it made me realise something. This couldn’t be avoided. Whether we broke up because of her jealousy, or something else, it was bound to happen.” Katie says.
“Why?” Caitlin softly speaks.
”Well, I don’t think either of us have been putting in the effort the past few months. Sure we went on dates and and we had a few good days recently, but it just wasn’t enough. Even some of our friends asked us if we’d broken up.” Katie explains.
“Well, I’m sorry anyway.” Caitlin says.
“It’s fine.” Katie replies.
After a bit of silence, this time Caitlin speaks. “Do you wanna go downstairs and tell all that to Jordan?” She asks.
“Yeah.” Katie answers.
Caitlin moves her arms from Katie’s body to allow them both to get up. When they’re up, they meet at the end of the bed. Caitlin grabs Katie’s hand and intertwines their fingers.
Katie smiles at Caitlin. Sure it’s a bit of a sad, broken one, but a smile nonetheless. Caitlin smiles back. Then, they’re turning around and walking to the door, and soon enough, out of it.