Leap of Faith (La Flor #1) (15 page)

Zane

She thinks I don’t know about her talent, but she’s wrong. I can’t wait to see my Faith play. I’ve heard of her skills and seen some YouTube videos showcasing them, but I never had the pleasure of seeing her play in person.

To get to actually play on a team with her, even if it’s just a friendly and very competitive family game, is going to be an honor that I’ll treasure always.

When everyone’s finished changing, we make our way to the park. There are twenty people playing, so nine will be on the field for each team and the other two on goalie for their respective teams. Our team is comprised of Zane, Rylee, Josilyn, Colton, Julian, myself, and four other family members. The other team is comprised of more uncles and cousins, whose names I’ve yet to remember.

“Josilyn, you’re goalie,” Zane, our team captain, orders. “You play the position in school and are probably the best qualified out of all of us. Rylee, Colton, and you (he points to a cousin) are midfielders. Dad, you and y’all (he points to his two uncles) are defenders. Y’all stay in front of the goal, so y’all won’t have to run much. Faith, you’ll have to be a forward along with my cousin and me.”

If I didn’t know any better, I would say he knows I know how to play; otherwise, he’d put me on defense. But how can he, since I haven’t told him about that part of my past? Unless he seriously follows soccer. It’s been a few years but my name still goes around and I still make rare appearances. Nah, I tell myself. He’s doesn’t know. He probably just assumes I have more endurance than the older gentlemen. That must be it. Poor man must be worried we’re going to get our butts kicked.

“Honey, it’s okay,” I reassure him. “I know how to play. Who do you think practices with Rylee at home and taught Skylar about the game?”

“I’m not worried. I know you can play,” he tells me, taking me by surprise. “These family games are different than the regular games y’all are used to playin’ and I don’t want y’all girls gettin’ hurt. The cousins and uncles tend to get competitive and a little pushy. They turn into asses. Just be careful.”

“Relax. We’ll just push back, I promise,” I tell him, trying to be reassuring.

After handing out positions, we make our way towards Angélica and I hear someone say, “Look at her. She thinks she can play. Psshh. I hope Zane sees her make a fool of herself.”

As expected, it’s Lisa speaking, but at least the other ladies are smart enough to quiet her down and remind her of my place in Zane’s world. Since Zane made my position clear with the family, and they now realize that my girls and I just want Zane to be happy, the rest of the aunts and cousins have taken an even better liking to me. Thank goodness, because I was about to head over there and slap the crap out of that woman. There are just some women that rub you the wrong way and Lisa is one of those for me.

I see Zane’s jaw tighten and I lean in to give him a kiss. I want him to have fun and not worry about Lisa’s jealousy. That kiss on the jaw leads to a kiss on the lips, which leads to Zane wrapping his arms around me.

“A kiss for good luck, baby,” he says.

My smile turns into a laugh when I hear Lisa’s “harrumph,” but she still doesn’t leave. She’s like an annoying buzzing mosquito that doesn’t go away.

Skylar is sitting next to Angélica, ready to cheer her momma and sister on.

“Yay, Momma, Josilyn, and Rylee! Kick some tushy!” She exclaims excitedly.

“What about me, my lil’ princess?” Zane asks, trying to sound offended. He picks up Skylar and starts tickling her.

Between bouts of laughter, she cries, “You too, Zane! I’ll cheer for you too. Momma make him stop! I’m gonna pee in my pants!”

We all laugh at the two of them and Zane finally puts her down and gives her a loud smacking kiss on her forehead. Throughout all of this, Angélica is smiling fondly and sharing looks with Julian.

“Ready for some
fútbol,
” yells the opposing team.

“Alright everyone,” Zane calls. “Let’s get on the field. I want to have bragging rights, so don’t allow them to score! One, two, three, GO!”

We run out onto the field and take our positions.

The game starts out pretty mild. The other men try to take it easy on us girls, but after Zane scores the first goal and our defense is pretty solid, they start getting more aggressive. I get pushed around, which annoys the heck out of me but I deal with it like a big girl. When I finally get pushed down and it’s not accidental, that’s when I’ve had enough. It’s time to show these boys what I’m made of—no more nice Faith. It’s time to get my game on.

“What the fuck, Juan!” Zane’s pissed that my butt is on the ground and Juan did it to be an ass. Juan is one of his uncles through marriage. Zane doesn’t like him; he’s a bit conceited and to be frank, an asshole.

“If she wants to play with the big boys, Zane, then she has to deal,” Juan replies smugly.

Big mistake. Zane is now livid. He charges over, getting in Juan’s face and grabbing him by his shirt. The rest of the males are trying to calm the situation with no results. Zane outweighs Juan by a good bit of muscle, is taller, and very, very pissed off. I finally get myself together and touch Zane’s arm.

“It’s okay, baby,” I try to reassure him. “That just hurt my pride and that’s all. Come on, honey.” I try to lead him away and after a few tugs, I finally succeed.

As we near the sidelines I hear snide remarks coming from Lisa. That girl is really starting to piss me off. Seriously starting to get on my last nerve.

Rylee and Josilyn make their way to me. “You okay, Momma?”

“I’m fine, baby girl.”

“My uncle’s an ass, Mrs. Faith, and so are his sons. Sorry about that.” Josilyn sounds embarrassed.

“It’s okay, girly, no harm done,” I tell her. It’s not her fault some people don’t have any manners.

I turn to Zane and the rest of the men on our team. “Alright. They wanted us to play like the ‘big boys,’ so we’ll show them. Rylee”—I turn to my girl—“no more holding back. Give it your all and you too, Josilyn. No goals, and I mean
absolutely no goals
allowed. Got me?”

The girls nod their heads. The males are surprised at my announcement and my tone of voice, but Zane, that man is smiling from ear to ear. I’m really starting to think he knows one of my secrets. I’m talking in my “in the zone” voice, meaning it’s time to play some serious ball.

“Zane, baby, I told you I could play and I can. I’m actually pretty darn good. They want us to bring it aggressively, so we’ll bring it.
Shit just got serious,
” I say, trying to sound like a badass. “Be ready, okay?”

Julian starts to chuckle. “What’s your last name again, darlin’?”

“It’s Duval, sir,” I reply. It seems a strange time for him to ask, but I answer nonetheless.

He starts laughing and when asked why, he replies, “Y’all will see in a bit. Keep your eyes open and pay attention. Today, we’ll see grown men cry.” After his prediction, we run onto the field and open up a real “can of whoop ass” on them boys.

And boy did those men cry. They cried rivers of tears, so much you could drown them in. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve encountered. Juan and his sons ate their words and Zane got bragging rights. Rylee and Josilyn were able to showcase their skills and, oh my goodness, did they do it. I’m so proud of those girls. Josilyn stopped every goal attempt that came her way and Rylee, well that girl sure did surprise everyone. That last goal was
amazing.
I passed the ball to her and while covered by two defensive players, she stopped the ball with her chest, found an opening, got the ball up, and scored a bicycle goal. Like I said,
freaking amazing!
That had everyone’s jaw dropping—except mine and Skylar’s, of course.

That goal ended the game. Skylar was running around with her arms in the air, yelling at the top of her lungs.

“GGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!”

I had Rylee in my arms, since she jumped on me to celebrate. Like I said,
awesome!
Everyone was in awe and Julian was laughing his ass off. He finally let Angélica in on his joke and then she started laughing.

“Babe, what the hell was that?” Zane asks in awe.

“That, baby, was
fútbol
or how they say in Germany—
Fuβball.
”

“Okay . . .” he trails off, waiting for an explanation.

“Well,” I say, biting my lower lip. I’m not sure how to get my words out, but I try anyway. “Rylee played soccer in Germany for six years and, let me tell you, they really take that sport seriously. Football is a religion here in Texas, but in Germany,
Fuβball
is life. And I, well . . .” I trail off, not knowing how to put it into words and have them not look at me differently.

A few years ago, soccer was a huge part of my life. I ate and breathed soccer. I was blessed with the ability to soccer and play it well. I spent a lot of time training and worked my behind off to make it to the USA women’s team over several years, both Julia and I did. I was living my dream, both in my personal life and my career, until that dreaded knock on the door changed my plans forever.

“What’s she’s tryin’ to say, son, is that she’s Faith Duval,” Julian tells everyone surrounding us.

“Yes, dad, I know who she is,” Zane answers.

“No, boy, you ain’t gettin’ me here. She’s Faith Duval. Think, boy.
The
Faith Duval. One of the youngest players to play for the United States from 2002–2008 until she retired. She played in two World Cup tournaments—2003 and 2007—and the 2004 Olympics. And she’s now with you,” he says proudly, and then he turns to me. “You wouldn’t happen to keep in touch with Julia?” He asks me, making Rylee laugh.

Right now, I just want the ground to open up and swallow me. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed about my past accomplishments; it’s just that people treat me and my girls differently after knowing all the facts.

Zane is just as quiet as everyone else. He stares at me, working something out in his mind, but strangely, he doesn’t seem surprised. “Why didn’t you say something to me sooner?” He asks.

“Well, people act differently after finding out my history, plus it’s been a while. I’m fine when it’s just me, but when it starts affecting my daughters, that’s when I start getting upset. I didn’t want you to look at me different. I figured I would eventually tell, especially once Rylee starts playing college soccer and when she decides to try out for the USA team.”

“Babe, I wouldn’t treat you differently. You’re still the same person I fell in love with. This won’t change anything. Am I surprised? Hell yeah, I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything before now. My woman is a badass on the soccer field and it’s not every day you meet a professional athlete, even a retired one. I’m surprised my father hasn’t adopted you or asked for your autograph yet.”

“So we’re good, honey?” I ask for reassurance.

“Come here,” Zane says as he takes me into his arms and hugs me. “Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away, Faith. I’ve always thought you were amazing.” That surprises me. “And now, I think you’re beautiful
and
amazing; you’re stuck with me.”

He kisses me and turns me toward the rest of the family. “Anyone have anything to say to this discovery?” He asks.

No one answers. Thank goodness. I think it’s more to do with Zane’s imposing presence as he stands by me like a warrior than anything else. Whatever the case, I’m grateful things are still normal—well almost normal. Julian is looking at me like he wants to steal me away from Zane, in a nonromantic way of course.

We start gathering all of our things and packing up. Rylee gets Skylar who’s dribbling the ball up and down the field and we head towards the Jeep.

That’s when it hits me.

“The same person I fell in love with.”

Does Zane really love me or was it just something he said in the spur of the moment?

I think about asking him, but I don’t know if I’m ready to hear the answer. There are moments when I feel guilty. I’m starting to develop really strong feelings for Zane. I think maybe, just maybe I may be starting to love him. I know he calls me his woman and he’s my man, but we’ve never said anything about love—not true love. The love that leads to marriage and dreams of a future with children and everything. Can it be?

I had my forever with Jake, even though it was cut short. Is it possible to be blessed in love again? Is it possible to find that kind of true and lasting love twice in a lifetime? If so, would life take him away just like it did Jake?

All of these thoughts are running through my head and it’s starting to hurt. Zane must notice because he asks, “You okay? You’re kinda quiet over there.” He takes my hand as we drive back to my house.

“I’m good, honey, just thinkin’ about the whole day and how much I loved spendin’ time with and gettin’ to know your family. All but Lisa, of course. She’s a witch and I wouldn’t spit on her even if she were on fire.”

He laughs.

“I’m serious,” I say.

He continues to laugh and I love it.