Chapter 24 #2
I’d drag this hold team down to the last player and lay them all at her feet. They’d beg and bow at her feet so that she could grant me permission to have mercy on them.
Unfortunately for me and fortunately for them, she isn’t here.
Still, I know she’s watching. I could feel it.
I cut inside, draw another defender, then stop dead and drag the ball back just far enough to create space. Tore lunges and misses.
“Too eager,” I tell him.
I square the ball to Sol instead of shooting.
Sol buries it.
Three-one.
I don’t celebrate this time. I just turn back toward Tore, who is standing still, hands on his knees, breathing harder now.
“Should’ve stayed quiet,” I say as I jog past.
He looks up at me, eyes sharp despite the scoreline. “This isn’t over.”
“It is for you,” I reply.
The final minutes drag. They know they’re done, but pride keeps them pushing. Actually and more specifically, Tore keeps them pushing. Tore keeps talking, even when there’s nothing left to say.
And I keep answering, even when I shouldn’t.
The whistle finally goes.
I don’t look at the scoreboard again. I already know what it says.
Tore walks past me once more on the way off, sweat-soaked, jaw clenched, pride bruised but intact.
“Next time, Titan,” he says.
I glance at him. “Earn it.”
Then I walk off the pitch, clean socks still clean, lungs steady, head clear, knowing the scouts saw everything and knowing Frankie did too. Cameras follow me, reporters shout my name, and I know the scouts are writing everything down.
I shake Amin’s hand first. “Good captaincy.”
He smirks. “You were a real problem today.”
“I always am.”
Sol slaps me on the shoulder hard out of nowhere. “You see Tore’s face when you nutmegged him? I thought he was gonna cry.”
“Good,” I say, putting him in a playful headlock. “But who do you think you are scoring my final shot?”
“Hey! You passed it to me!”
Amin laughs before breaking it up. “Alright, alright, knock it off. Enough. Time for interviews.”
Ugh. Pigeons.
A producer waves us toward the broadcast boards before we can get any further. Headsets, lights, microphones shoved into our space, the full post-match circus.
A woman with a sharp bob and sharper eyes smiles straight at the camera.
“We’re here with the standout trio of the night—Amin Hassan, team captain. Solace Moore, and Jabari McKingsley. Incredible match from all three of you.”
Amin nods politely, Sol grins like he’s enjoying every second and I just fold my arms and wait.
She turns to Amin first. “Captain, Italy is a big stage. What does a win like this mean for the squad?”
Amin answers smoothly. “We came here knowing eyes were on us, knowing the pressure, and we delivered. Everyone did their job and that’s all that matters. It is for charity after all.”
“Yes, yes, for the kids or something,” She pivots to Sol. “Light, you were everywhere tonight. Assist, constant pressure, incredible chemistry with Titan. What clicked?”
Sol shrugs. “We trust each other. Simple as that. When you’ve got players who know where you’re gonna be before you get there, it’s easy to trust their decision-making.”
“That is true, I think you three have amazing chemistry and that is what was missing from Novis.”
Finally, she turns to me.
“And speaking of the missing link, Jabari. Another dominant performance. Two assists, constant control, and you didn’t seem to break a sweat out there.”
I smile at that. Just a little. “Those pricks could never make me sweat.”
There’s a sharp intake from someone off camera. Amin’s mouth twitches. Sol laughs outright.
Coach O’Shea and Daniel are going to deep fry me. Wait, not Daniel any more. Is it Clayton?
She recovers fast. “Oh, um. Strong words.”
“And I back them,” I say. “Every time.”
She presses on. “Well. There was a moment you left the pitch briefly. Everything okay?”
“I got dirty,” I answer plainly. “Had to fix it.”
That gets another laugh from the crew.
“I’m sure. And the rivalry with Salvatore Moretti? Is that because he now has your position on your previous team?” she asks.
Amin cuts in before she can push further and create a bigger PR nightmare. “There’s respect on both sides.”
“Well, I’m damn sure he respects me now. He should respect all of us. Other teams should too.”
The mention of other teams makes them buzz. Reporters swarm in tighter now, microphones pushing forward, voices overlapping.
“Jabari—there are rumours already circulating that several top teams have expressed interest after tonight’s performance. An insider close to your camp says talks may already be happening. Is it true clubs from Spain and Germany are watching you now?”
What the fuck?
Sounds like Daniel has been running his mouth. Fuck the man’s name is not Daniel!
I glance toward Amin first, then Sol. They’re both still catching their breath, sweat drying, kits half untucked. They’re a mess but they’re still my people.
“I think I’m good where I’m at,” I say.
That lands.
One of the reporters leans in, sharper now. “That’s interesting, considering in Gombe you said you were dead set on playing for one of the big three.”
I huff a short laugh and step closer to Sol, pulling him into my side. Amin joins us without a word.
I face the cameras again.
“This,” I say, tapping Sol’s chest once, then nodding toward Amin, “is the real big three.”
Sol laughs under his breath. “You’re chatting mad shit again.”
Amin shakes his head, lips twitching. “Man’s trying to get us all fined.”
“I’m serious,” I say. “We showed what we’re about out there. Anyone paying attention saw it.”
Cameras flash harder. Pens scribble faster.
“So you’re turning down bigger clubs?” another voice asks.
“I didn’t say that,” I reply calmly. “I said I’m good where I am. Besides, we’re the next big club. Next question.”
The shouting rises again, but I’m already walking off. A couple of scouts are already hovering nearby, pretending to check their phones while clearly waiting for a chance to speak.
‘Daniel’ could handle this.
I glance up toward the stands instead, scanning instinctively. I know she watched. I know she saw exactly what I did tonight. She should be here next time.
Because the way I’m feeling now, after a win like this, I need my woman by my side.