The Fated Match

I slammed my phone down onto my table, annoyed that my mom wasn’t answering my calls. She is not making this easy for me and every call she ignores just prints her into a more negative light.

In between seeing my boyfriend and work I’m trying to further improve my relationship with my father and that means getting to the bottom of what mom is hiding.

“Rough night?” Tina and Ryan walk into my office. I force a smile when they bring in food, normally I eat lunch with them but today I just didn’t have the energy. Theo was off today anyway and I think he was taking Dillon to the doctors for a check up.

“Rough week” I replied, shoving the papers scattered on my desk into a folder.

“You’re telling me, somehow its my fault that the netball girls aren’t winning tournaments” Ryan said sitting down next to Tina. They brought pizza with chicken tenders, probably from the chicken shop near the centre.

“I’m telling you, you need an assistant coach” I said. Those netball girls can be a handful and the coach is struggling as it is.

He stared at me. He knew I was right, but he could never admit it obviously.

” What’s got you all stressed about. Heard the team talking about sneaking out of training just to avoid your rage later” I lifted my head up at Ryan’s comment.

Tina shook her head at Ryan. ” They said what” I jumped out of my seat.

Ryan grabbed my arm and pulled me down. “Don’t worry I already spoke to them. I actually said I would tell you to not go crazy on them so they won’t be going anywhere. So if you march in there you’re kind of defeating the purpose”

He was right, it would be pretty stupid.

I sat back down. They both sighed in relief.

” It’s about my dad. I think my mom knew of his condition when they were together. She’s not answering any of my messages or calls now”

” seems dodgy to me” he mumbled. Don’t I know it.

” I really regret calling him crazy right to his face, I shouldn’t have judged him” Tina said quietly. She pulled at her jumper bringing the sleeves over her fingers.

I placed my hand on her arm. ” I was the same, none of us could’ve known that he had actual issues” I said.

I knew that I would have to confide in Jay. He hated that I was talking with my dad again but even he admitted to feeling guilty for how we all treated him.

Imagine having a problem like that and have nobody listen. The only people that listened were the ones being paid to.

I Figured I would invite Jay for dinner tonight and talk it over with him. Recently Jay and my mother have been chatting more regularly so he could help me in getting hold of my mother.

The longer she leaves it the more pissed I am going to get, that wasn’t good for any of us.

The door to my office slammed open, hitting against the wall. Jenny walked inside. She handed me a folder. I knew exactly what this was but I didn’t expect to receive it until the end of the week.

I guess not having a boyfriend has given her a lot of free time.

“Thanks jen” I said taking it from her. She nodded and left quietly.

“speaking of issues, when are the two captains going to sort their shit out” Ryan said when she was gone.

I sighed, “Hopefully soon, their moods are affecting their teams” I said thinking back to how many times oliver has moaned to me over coffee.

Too many times.

” I was thinking…” Tina paused.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

” oh god no” ryan playfully groaned. I giggled when Tina smacked him, sending him a glare.

” Everyone seems to be in this funk. We could organise a day with no training just for them all to have some fun. Maybe it could bring back the captains to focus on what really matters”

Me and ryan exchanged looks.

” You didn’t just make that up just now did you” I said playfully glancing at my watch.

Tina playfully sulked in her seat. This happened to often. Its even worst if Theo is with us.

” no I actually love that idea. Probably worth doing it before we all get serious about championships pretty soon”

I needed to do a lot of things before championships. Talking to my mom was my top priority.

After lunch ryan left to go back to his office. I grabbed my whistle and joined Tina in the pool where the team was. Jen was over near the benches, her headphones in her ears.

The others were busy doing warm up laps as I walked in. I noticed Scott dive under when he saw me. Typical.

” Alright guys group up” I blew the whistle calling them all in, I didn’t really feel like shouting today. Sometimes it’s fun to see their scared faces but today wasn’t one of those days.

” Soon we are going to increasing training and getting serious about the championships but that’s going to bring a lot of stress so Tina is going to organise a brilliant day of fun games which will involve everyone here at the centre” I watched them all look to eachother.

Probably wondering if I was actually saying this.

” I know shocking right, but I don’t really want you getting too stressed about training. This will be great to end the year. Tina will explain it all to you guys. Jen, a word”

Jen glanced up at me, she bit her lips lightly.

As she walked over to me, I wrapped my arm around her. I could hear the team mumbling.

I glanced behind. ” by the way, if you embarrass me at this event I will personally make training so miserable you’ll wish you were on a different team” I grinned when I heard Jen giggle.

” I take it back, she’s pure evil” I heard scott mumble behind us.

I smiled, yes I am.

Jen walked with me, she thought we were going to my office I pulled her in the opposite direction and headed to the café. Everyone was in training around this time so it was empty.

“what will you have?” I asked her as we reached the centre table.

“Just a iced latte please” she said as she sat down.

“be right back” I said heading over to order. India, who was the main barrister. She smiled when she saw me. “are you a therapist today?” she asked.

I grinned as I paid my order with my bank app on my phone. ” something like that, do you have one of those amazing caramel brownies I can use for extra comfort”

She reached down and pulled out a small brownie. ” on the house”

What an angel. Nearly every morning I indulge in one of there with my coffee just to start it off right. India is always here early since she knows us athletes train very early.

I thanked her and headed back to Jen. I placed down her drink and the brownie.

“As my coach you shouldn’t be giving me such treats” she says pushing the plate away.

“As your coach I suggest you eat what you’re given” I pushed it back. She wasn’t going to say no to that was she.

I was pleased when she took a small bite. I didn’t have to even ask how it was because her groan was enough information for me to know that she loved it.

” am I affecting the team with my moods?” she asked after finishing her bite. Jen wasn’t stupid, there was an obvious reason I pulled her away and bought her coffee and cake.

I sipped at my coffee. ” No, everyone is individual so you’re lucky. But you are the captain they look to you for support when im not available.” She dropped her eyes to the edge of the table.

I leant forward. ” You and Jackson have been ignoring eachother for a whole week, you should’ve come to me or even tina” I placed my hand on her arm. ” we want to help you if youre having trouble with anything” I added.

I sighed with relief as India rushed over with her packet of tissues. Jen let her tears fall finally. After days of keeping it inside around everyone. I could relate to her. It wasn’t easy and I knew the struggle she was in right now.

India knelt next to her wiping away her tears. I took this as a chance to send a message to Theo. I realised that Theo and Jen’s relationship wasn’t like most brother and sister relationships that I knew.

She really did admire him, and he was one of the only people that could really calm her down and talk some sense into her. How I would crave for a relationship like that with my brother.

One big brother and cute nephew coming right up coach.

I stifled a giggle at his response.

I turned back to Jen, she was smiling down at india as she listened carefully. India was much older than me so she could probably offer a lot more advice.

” Oh believe me that boy is not moving on. He walks through here nearly every day always looking back and staring at that table of yours. Sometimes he even sits there”

I turned to the table they were talking about.

Nobody bothered them when her and Jackson sat their together. Everyone called it their table and it was sweet.

“really” she asked surprised.

India nodded. ” ofcourse. He even barked at these girls who were sat at it. Bless them, they were so scared” India chuckled.

Oh dear Jackson.

If only he spoke to Jenny all this unnecessary guilt and sadness between them could be easily avoided.

But I couldn’t blame Jackson for acting the way he is. Underneath that cocky captain is a vulnerable boy who had his heart broken by just a simple kiss.

” Jen, it was your fault you know that. But it doesn’t mean it’s over. Guys want you to fight for them even if they won’t admit it. Believe me I would know” she looked up at me with her teary eyes.

Speaking from experience with her own brother. Guys also expect us to know what to do, what they want from us.

“No Jackson definitely doesn’t want to hear from me” she replies.

Me and India shared a look. I really didn’t mind given advice but that was on the premise that my advice would be taken onboard.

India looked like she was about to say something but her words got caught in her throat as the doors smacked open and Theo stepped inside.

“Who the fuck made my baby sister cry” he bellowed as he walked towards us.

Jenny rolled her eyes once seeing her brother, but I could see the ghost of a smile on her lips.

“will you shut up, you’re embarrassing me” Jenny shoved Theo’s arm off her.

It was rare to see them interact, not many people even know that they are related. I enjoyed seeing jen smile towards her brother’s antics.

Theo was indeed a good older brother and I’m not only saying that because he is my boyfriend I really mean it.

“Where is Dilly, if you’re going to come here and be annoying at least bring the little guy” Jen said looking around Theo.

I too wanted to know why, I thought Theo had him all day today.

” Am I not enough ?” Theo exaggerated as he stared at his sister who didn’t look even the slightest bit amused.

I shook my head. ” doesn’t look like it”