Gwen was up and gone by the time Keegan reached for her alarm clock. Her body was sore. She recalled what had taken place between her and Gwen. Again the desire filled her body. She had enjoyed last night. Maybe if they were honest with each other from the start. Keegan had seen AJ on numerous occasions. There really was nothing impressive about the woman.
She scrambled to get dressed and to the field. She had slept later than normal. This morning she was the last one running for the field hoping not to be late.
"Last day for some of you!' Curtis yelled to the group. Some of the team would not make the final roster cut. Majority of the spots were already filled by upper classman. "Those of you who make it, you will start practicing with the returning team a week from Monday. Goalies are needed to stay for additional training next week."
Keegan saw Gwen sitting next to Tara. She hoped that Tara would make the team. By eleven o'clock, Curtis had split up the camp participants into four groups, A, B, C, and D. She was in-group D with Gwen, Janet Daily, Tara Washington and a couple of other girls. At lunch Curtis called each group into the meeting room. He addressed each group and thanking them for their efforts. Group D made the team. A, B and C were sent home.
After lunch when they returned to the field the returning team greeted them with a water attack. The team had water guns and super soakers to initiate the new players. Keegan hid behind Janet.
"Kee!" One of the returning team members called to Keegan. "Hey Kee!" Keegan heard her knick name being called. Standing in the bleachers was a very skinny, very tan dark haired woman waving at her. "Keegan Garry!"
"Rabbit!" Keegan recognized the girl as Shannon Abbott from her AAU teams and club team. With a running start Keegan caught her cleat on the chain linked fenced and pushed herself over in one stride. She climbed into the bleachers where Shannon was.
"Keegan Garry, look at you all grown up. Long time no see." Shannon gave her a hug. Shannon pulled back when she realized that she was soaking wet.
"Rabbit what is going on?"
"Shit, we barely got a moment with you. The last time I saw you. The
great one" Rabbit teased. Three other schools had come to see Keegan that game.
"I am here." Keegan said feeling a bit humbled. "And I am not "great one". So cut that crap out."
"You look good. Kee look at this belly. Christ what the hell have you been doing?" Shannon placed a hand on her flat abdomen. Keegan noticed her hand linger a little longer than necessary. "Six pack."
The summer that they played AAU, Keegan had been over weight and not in the best shape. "Your hair is cool. Look at those pipes." Shannon took a hold of Keegan arm and made her flex. "I saw Sandy a couple months ago." Keegan felt her stomach drop. Rabbit had played on the same team with them.
"We don't talk any more. Not since the accident."
"Sorry about that. She still looks good." Rabbit smiled. "We'll talk about it later. Stick around after practice, I'll get your number. "
"I can't my Mom is coming to get me. I am heading back home this afternoon." Keegan turned around to see that she and Shannon were the center of the team's attention.
"We played on the same AAU team!" Shannon explained the familiarity to the freshman. Keegan hopped off the bleachers the same way she went up.
"Hey." Gwen was at her side once she reached the field.
"You're talking to me?" Keegan asked because Gwen avoided her and not speaking to her all morning.
"Keegan," Gwen looked at her. "I..I understand." She looked up in the bleachers. Keegan followed her gaze as it rested on Allison James. AJ was a little taller than Gwen. Their hair color was similar, but that was where the resemblance stopped. AJ was broad in the shoulders and waist. She wasn't overweight but she was solid. She had a small chest and a big nose. She was quick with a smart remark to anyone who questioned her. Gwen walked off to stretch out. Keegan went and sat down near her. Gwen lifted her head as to question.
"We have been hanging together all week. We are in the same room. If we avoid each other, the team will think there is a problem. There is no problem." Keegan explained even though she knew she was lying.
"There is a problem." Gwen echoed her thoughts. Her eyes were puffy from lack of sleep or crying, Keegan wasn't sure.
"That's no one else's business but ours." Keegan stated and continued to stretch.
Curtis let the returning team scrimmage against the incoming players. The assistant coaches made the decisions as to who would play what positions. Keegan was put in, as the starting sweeper for the incoming team. Gwen was a starting forward. On the opposite side, AJ and Rabbit were playing in the forward spot.
Majority of the game was scoreless and non-exciting. Around half time, Keegan noticed her Mom and sisters in the stands. They waved to her as she got an out of bounds ball.
Rabbit received a pass along the right sideline. Keegan was quickly there with a teammate. Keegan took the ball away. AJ came at her from the center of the field. Keegan felt AJ bumping against her. With her back to the returning player, Keegan pressed her back against AJ side. She punched the ball through AJ legs and spun around to an open area. She was free to send the ball sailing up field to Gwen.
Shouts and cheers went up as Keegan spun around AJ, who was trying to figure out what had just happen. Keegan had used that move many times in her career. The move pissed off the defender every time, but she did not expect to be shoved from behind. The cheap shot sent her flying across the field face first.
Whistles and screams sounded. The assistant coaches had grabbed Keegan by the waist and were holding her back.
"Fucking dyke!" AJ screamed at Keegan.
"Asshole! Why don't you learn how to play defense!" Keegan felt the blood running from her lips. She tasted the red liquid and spat on the ground. "My back's not turned now. Let's go!"
Curtis got between them. "James off the field." He did not hesitate with his direction. AJ looked at her teammates for support. He sent AJ off the field and calmed Keegan so he could look at her lip.
"She a freshman." AJ tried to explain her actions.
"Hit the showers." Curtis ordered. He turned his attention to Keegan. "Well, it seems that you can upset people's games. That's good to know." He gave her a bottle of water.
"Great move kid." The senior goalkeeper, Rose had come to the top of the box to talk to her. "I've never seen her burned like that." Keegan nodded towards the senior as she spit out the blood water liquid.
"Thanks." Keegan said as the senior offered her a hand up.
"Glad to have you here Keegan. It should make for a good season. Adding you and Gwen will help out the team. Don't make me look too bad." Rose said with a laugh.
"I'll take it easy." Keegan said as she wiped the dirt off her shorts. Gwen was walking towards her with her head bend. Keegan did not want to have to deal with her guilt at this moment. "Let's go!" She set up a free kick. Sending the ball sailing down the field to Janet. Janet lofted the ball towards the goal. Gwen came from the sideline and redirected the pass into the corner of the goal with her head. Keegan was impressed with the move. Rabbit scored twice for the returning team.
Towards the end of the game, Keegan was open with the ball around the thirty-yard line. She took the shot on goal. Rose jumped but the ball floated over her outstretched fingertips and into the net. Rose's frustration was showing as she slammed the ball into the back of the net. Keegan watched Rabbit run over and talk to the tall goalkeeper. They spoke for a minute. The red head smiled set the ball up the field. Rabbit jogged past Keegan. She winked at Kee.
"Nice shot." She said as she went by. Keegan jogged along side her for a minute.
"What did you say to her?"
"I am not telling you." Rabbit teased her. "Go out with me and I'll tell you."
"Don't go there." Keegan said as she lined the ball up. Rabbit stood on the other side of the fifty-yard line.
"It's innocent." Rabbit looked around at her teammates.
Curtis blew the whistle. He pulled the team together. He gave his welcome speech to the team and handed out a rulebook to each person. AJ had come back to the field showered and changed into street clothes.
"I will see you all here on a week from Monday bright and early. It is going to be hot so be ready for the heat." The team walked off to the showers. "Garry." He called to Keegan as she headed off the field. Keegan felt small next to the six-foot coach. He put his hand on her shoulder. "I want to talk to you." He gestured to the bench.
Keegan sat down on the wooden plank. She wiped the sweat off her face and arms.
"There a lot of factors in being successful here. I believe you have the potential to be successful." He paused and waited. Keegan immediately thought that he was cutting her from the team. "Which I think is great. You have got every upperclassman scared for their position. Rose is pissed because you have scored on her more than anyone has in the past three years. AJ sees that she needs to step her game up. She has been resting on her reputation more than her ability." He motioned her to lift her head. He eyed her lip. "You have been taking your share of the bumps. How is the leg?"
"Compared to my lip. Great." He chuckled.
"What about rooming with Lerner? Any issues there?" His eyes drifted to Gwen who was standing by the fence talking with AJ.
"That's good. We get along very well. It's a good combination." Keegan shielded her eyes from the sun. "I've played with Rabbit," She corrected herself. "Shannon before. We work well together."
"Good. You will let me know if the leg starts to bother you?" Keegan nodded. AJ came over to the bench. Curtis looked at her and than to Keegan.
"Allison needs to tell you something." Curtis stood up and walked over to the bleachers. AJ stood there. Her hand on her hips eyes hidden by sunglasses.
"Curtis says that in order for me to get back on the field. I have to apologize to you." Keegan smirked at her. This was Allison James idea of an apology.
"Exactly what are you apologizing for AJ?" Keegan asked her. Keegan got up and stood toe to toe with AJ. "The push from behind or the name you called me?"
"Fuck you." AJ started to walk off. Curtis was standing by the gate waiting. Gwen had left. "You little .." AJ bit her tongue. "I see right through your game here."
"Obviously not other wise you would have stopped the ball from being put between your legs." Keegan was not going to back down from AJ threatening behavior.
"I am sorry for calling you a "dyke" and for pushing you from behind."
"Interesting that you call me a dyke." Keegan taunted her. "You are all one big act. Jesus, what does Gwen see in you?"
"You stay away from Gwen." AJ pointed her finger at Keegan.
"Or what you'll push me from behind and call me a dyke. You already did that." Keegan nodded towards Curtis. AJ turned and waved to the coach.
"You little cunt. You better listen to what I am telling you." Keegan stepped past the upperclassman.
"If you can't keep her, don't blame me." AJ grabbed Keegan by the arm. "Let go of me. I really don't care if Curtis is standing there or not. I'll kick your ass right here."
"You're scared." AJ tempted her.
" Wrong Allison, you are the one that is scared. Think that one over." Keegan flipped her towel over her shoulder and headed off the field. Her Mom and Ashley were busy talking with Shannon. Megan was standing at the side gate and witnessed the confrontation between Keegan and AJ. Keegan's adrenal was pumping. Allison James pissed her off. She wasn't sure because of the cheap shot or because of Gwen.
"I don't like that girl." Megan said.
"I feel the same way." They walked together to where Sarah and Shannon were talking. "She gets under my skin." Keegan said as she tried to calm down.
The Garry family headed to the dorm to get Keegan's things for the week. They had planned on going to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a few days camping. Bill had taken the next week off. The plan was to take the clan camping for the weekend and part of the week. On Thursday they would head home. Bill co-worker was getting married in Chicago the following weekend.
"Dad said that you were rooming with a mean girl from Detroit." Ashley said as they climbed the steps to the second floor.
"Well, when Dad dropped me off, I was." Keegan explained. "She was the goalie on the team. She was just scared. We get along good now. I room with Gwen." Keegan felt her body react to Gwen's name. "She is from Troy. The taller blonde girl with her hair pulled back. She scored the goal."
"She is pretty." Ashley said matter of factly.
"Yes, she is."
"The taller girl?" Sarah asked as she had over heard her oldest two children's conversation.
"Yep, I think she is staying the entire week. Her parents are divorced and it's not the best situation." Keegan looked back as she held the door for her sister's and mother. She put her key in the lock and opened the door. Megan walked in first an assessed the room's state.
"Five bucks says I can guess which side is Kee's." Megan boldly declared. Gwen's side had her bed made and her desk in order. Keegan's side on the other hand had the bed in disarray and her clothes were piled on top of her desk. Half-drunk bottles of Gatorade were on the nightstand and papers were scattered across the desk chair.
"No one asked you." Keegan punched her youngest sister in the arm. Sarah immediately went to Keegan's bed and started to make it.
"Mom, I will get it." Keegan was hit with a bit of embarrassment, as she knew what had happen in the exact bed less than eight hours ago. The door opened and Gwen walked in. She looked tired and stressed out.
"Hello." There was a hint of surprise in her voice. She smiled at Sarah and the girls.
"Hello, I am Sarah Garry." Keegan's mother wrapped her younger daughter's in a hug. "This is Megan and Ashley."
"Well hello. I thought you would leave from the field. "She directed her comment to Keegan." I have heard a lot about you." Gwen said as she set her bag down on her desk chair.
"Are we in your way?" Keegan asked knowing that if they were Gwen would never say so.
"Gwen, your goal was great." Sarah said as always tries to focus on positives.
"It was good." Megan said. "But that move you put on that girl Kee was awesome." Megan spun around Ashley.
"Grow up." Ashley pushed at her little sister.
"Gwen and that girl are good friends," Keegan scolded her sister. Keegan handed Ashley her overnight bag. Megan's head dropped towards the floor. Keegan knew she felt bad for bringing up the subject in front of Gwen.
"Sorry." Megan said.
"Its okay. I am sorry if I sounded like I was yelling at you. Besides you are going to have me for a whole week." Keegan told her youngest sister. Megan face lit up. "I think I need a few things out of the bathroom and we can get going." Keegan stated. She turned towards Gwen and locked eyes with her. Her heart began to pound. She wanted to reach out and touch Gwen's face.
"I told Shannon that we could bring a few things back when we drop you off next week." Sarah said as she gazed across the dorm room.
"I am sure that Mrs. Abbott and Rabbit will appreciate that." Keegan called back from the bathroom. Keegan brushed past Gwen as she entered the bathroom.
"Gwen, it was very nice to meet you. I'm sure we will see you soon. Keegan, you should invite Gwen home one weekend." Sarah Garry shuffled her other daughters out of the dorm room.
"Ash, grab that bag." Keegan called to her sister who had already forgotten her overnight bag. Ashley came back in the room and grabbed the gray bag from the mattress. Keegan waited until her family was out of the room.
"Go ahead to the car, I'll be right down." She shut the door after them. She turned and looked at Gwen. As she leaned against the wall Gwen had pushed her up against last night she said, "I am not going to ask where you were this morning. I really don't want to know." Keegan lowered her head and looked at her feet. "I am not sure where we stand or how I feel. I am going to be gone a few days. We are heading to U.P. I think that this will give us both a few days to digest what happen." Keegan turned and reached for the door.
"Keegan listen to me." Gwen grabbed Keegan's hand. "I like you." Keegan stopped in her tracks. She looked at how upset Gwen was.
"I like you too. But I think we should be friends." Keegan regretted the words as soon as she said them. The painful look registered on Gwen face. "It was one night. No big deal." Keegan words hung in the air between them.
"You think what happen was not a big deal? No big deal? Are you listening to yourself? We have a connection Keegan. " Gwen pain could be heard in her voice. Keegan leaned on the door. She looked at Gwen. "Keegan, do you really feel that way?"
"I don't know. I am confused. I need to think. " Gwen eyes were filled with tears. "I feel like you are playing this game. I keep getting pulled farther and farther into this drama you have going on. At this point, I think I would have rather roomed with Tara. At least she left my heart out of it."
"Keegan," She stopped when called her name. "Everything I do is blowing up in my face. I am trying to do the right thing. I don't want to lose you."
"Gwen." Keegan covered her face with her hands. She heard Gwen move towards her. Keegan looked into Gwen's soft brown eyes. "I need to go." Keegan quickly planted a firm but passionate kiss on Gwen's lips. This maybe the last time I kiss her, Keegan thought as she headed out the door.
She exited the second floor and into the stairwell. She wanted to get out of campus badly. Her emotions were a roller coaster. Keegan paused a second at her mom's car. She realized that she had forgotten her playbook. She threw the bag she had in the trunk of the car.
"Mom, I have to run back up." Keegan said as she leaned in the window. She went back into the dorm and up the steps. She took out her key but realized the door was open. She went to grab the black binder off her desk.
In the middle of the room, Gwen was wrapped in AJ arms kissing her. Keegan's heart dropped. The sound of the door shutting closed startled the pair. AJ smirked at Keegan. Gwen looked dismayed as she met Keegan's stare.
"Take a picture." AJ scolded.
"Keegan!" Gwen said as she stepped from AJ embrace.
"I forgot something. Sorry." Keegan numbly turned around and left the room. She was in shock. She shut the door behind her. As soon as it shut, Gwen came chasing after her.
"Keegan, its not what you think." Gwen explained as she touched her arm. Keegan could feel her throat restricting. She was afraid to speak. Fearing that her voice would give away the emotions she was feeling. "Keegan, AJ was kissing me."
Keegan let out a little laugh and sarcastically asked. "Really?" She shook her head. "So what did you win?" Gwen tilted her head to the side in confusion. "The bet what did you win? AJ was all about it on Wednesday. I will say at least she hit on me outright."
"What are you talking about?" Gwen was confused by the conversation. "I was in the room crying. Crying over you. I thought AJ was you." Gwen said.
"I don't think we look that much alike." Keegan said.
"Stop... you don't understand."
"I don't care!" Keegan said. She knew her words stung Gwen.
"Look at me." Gwen pleaded. "It was not what you think or what it appeared to be." There were tears streaming down her face.
"What I think...What I think." Keegan was getting angry. She stopped and lowered her voice. "I think that whatever sick relationship you and AJ have, I do not want to be a part of. " Keegan looked around at the co-eds that were trying to hear what the argument was about. "Leave me out of it."
"Will you let me explain?" Gwen she leaned closer and whispered in Keegan's ear. Keegan could feel the heat generating from her body. Her own body was betraying her as she felt a surge of heat through her loins. Keegan looked in Gwen's eyes. There was the same look of desire that she had seen last night. She could feel her defense melting.
"I have to go. You have a guest." Keegan said and stepped back as she pointed to AJ. Gwen looked over her shoulder at AJ. She shook her head.
"Tell her the truth." Gwen pleaded to AJ.
"What that we love each other?" AJ said. Gwen sucked in her breath as her mouth dropped open.
Keegan did not want to hear anything else. She turned and headed out the door. She did not want to hear an excuse or an explanation. She had seen what was going on with her own eyes. Sandy had done this in the past. She did not want to go through that again.
"Let's get out of here." She said to Sarah as she took a seat in the front of the car. Keegan could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks. She had let herself get hurt again. She blindly stared out the window as the campus rolled past. She felt Sarah's hand on her leg. She looked at her Mom. There was a reassurance there. With Sandy, Keegan had always been on her own. Maybe she could finally talk to her Mom. They would have time during the trip to discuss the subject.
Keegan's cell phone rang as Sarah pulled the car on to the interstate. The digital read out revealed that it was Gwen calling. Keegan looked that the ten digit number and the name. She let it ring once again than hit the ignore button. She closed her eyes and lean her head back on the seat. She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned off her phone.
"Keegan are you crying?" Megan asked. Keegan smiled at her Mom. She cleared her throat.
"Yes. " Keegan confessed.
"Why?" Megan asked as she leaned between the front seats.
"Well, I had a fight with a friend." Keegan tried to explain. "And I am upset about it."
"Are they mad at you?"
"I am not sure, Meg. I am not sure." Keegan messed her sister's hair up. Megan sat back in the seat. Keegan flipped the radio on to a local station. "What Would Happen" by Meredith Brooks came on the radio. Keegan closed her eyes and listened to the words. She should have never kissed Gwen. She should have left their relationship as it was. She did not think that they could ever go back to being just friends. Each time she was near Gwen the sexual tension filled the air. What would happen when she got back to campus? What about playing on the team how was this going to affect the team? She would have time over the next couple of days to sort out her thoughts.