Keeper (Alpha Athletes 2)

The guys in front of me stood up, ducking their heads as they exited the bus.

I trailed behind, hopping to the ground from the last step. The flags from around the world fluttered overhead. I knew this moment was supposed to resonate with me. The blokes around me seemed to take a minute to soak it in. I could see their eyes mist. I saw them take deep breaths when they spotted the British flag. I huffed. I wasn’t into the sentimental shit. I played football. Just give me my damn kit and boots and let me out there.

The equipment crew quickly sorted our bags and hauled them to the dressing rooms. I didn’t know how long we were going to stand outside and watch flags flap in the wind. I was ready to get on the pitch. I wanted to smell the grass. See the seats. Get a feel for the stadium. Standing out here didn’t get us ready to play Germany.

“Saw things got wild for you last night.” Taylor Dirks stood next to me.

I shrugged with a grin. “You should have joined me for a few pints.” I wasn’t going to let the paps dictate my life here. I’d almost forgotten about the headlines.

He shook his head. “I don’t think my wife would like that too much.”

“Is she here?” I looked around his shoulder, pretending she would pop up behind him.

“Yeah, she’s staying with my entire family in town. We decided to make it a family trip.”

“That’s too bad. The girls in Brazil are naughty.” I adjusted my sunglasses.

“Have you slept at all since you’ve been here?” he asked.

I liked Taylor. He was one of the older footballers on the team, but I respected him. He didn?

?t get in my shit and he played like hell once the whistle blew. He was seasoned and everyone knew he was a family man. It made sense he was the team captain.

“No. I’m trying to enjoy all parts of the Olympic experience. Haven’t had much need for sleep.”

“Just take it easy, okay? We need you out there. I’d hate for something to interfere with you on the pitch, Lach.”

I felt the tightness in my neck. Was he getting ready to cross a line I didn’t let other players cross? I hated fucking lectures. I hated rules. I hated the condescending looks I got from the guys.

I gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to turn on him. “Looks like we’re headed in.” I pointed to the assembly in front of us.

I walked away before I said something I couldn’t take back.

I followed the crew through the tunnel entrance that led to the dressing rooms. It was dark and cool inside. Some of the most famous world tournaments had been played in this stadium. There were huge painted canvases of the teams who had won matches here.

It was unspoken, but we wanted to end up on this wall. And fuck it, we should. We had the best footballers in the world. As much as I hated Alex Conley, it was no mistake he was on this team. Between him and Taylor, we had the top scorers in the world. The Football Association had hand-picked these athletes to represent the United Kingdom. They were the best of the best. We shouldn’t leave Brazil without a gold medal, but we’d never won one before. Hell, we couldn’t close out any top matches in world competition. We didn’t win in London when the world stage was in our own fucking backyard. It didn’t make any damn sense. All this talent. All this skill. Millions in paychecks and endorsements. The most famous players and we’d never clinched the big ones.

I strutted into the dressing room. I needed a bottle of water and a few aspirins to nurse the end of the hangover. I doubted I could get a pint delivered before practice started. I licked my lips, thinking how that would taste in the heat.

My T-shirt was stuck to the front of my chest. I pulled it away from my skin as I looked for my locker.

We shared these lockers with teams from the other countries in our assigned group. I didn’t expect to see my name engraved over the bench, but I expected more than what I had. I was an international name. I had my own cologne. My own sports clothing line. I had sponsorships for beverages and watches, and I had recently signed a contract for my own football video game with a US company. It was going to be the full Lachlan Kenzie experience. They were developing the smart phone app for the game as well. I had more corporate star power than anyone else in this room.

I stared at the empty locker. Where were my damn boots? Where was the practice kit? There wasn’t even water in this fucking place.

The rest of the guys started hollering at the equipment handlers. I wasn’t the only one who complained about this cock up.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. This was shit. Nothing but total shit.

“What the fuck?” I roared.

My temple throbbed with sharp pain. My fingers tingled. I drew back and knocked the side of the box where my equipment should be.

“Lach, calm the fuck down.”

I shook out my palm. Blood trickled from my knuckles. I had split the skin in a jagged line.

I stormed past the other players.