Tackled into Love

If someone from secondary school saw me now, I guarantee you, they would not recognise me in the slightest. After all, it's not everyday you see a single mother, rugby coach, and maths teacher rolled into one.  Anyway, lets start with whats currently going on, then we can recap. I'm Harriet Abernathy, 23 years old and currently teaching A-Level maths. Whilst on the side, I'm coaching the U21's England Mens Rugby team. Well, helping coach as one of the leading backs coaches. And whilst this hectic life of mine is going on, I am successfully raising a gorgeous 4 year old boy called George.  I met George's father in Dubai, I had gone there for my two years of sixth form and continued as a PE teacher for a further two years. I had met him during my studies, but he was in a different school so we didn't see much of each other. Once this opportunity for teaching came up though, we both ended up working together. Very closely.  We loved everything about it. Working with the kids as a teacher, watching them grow at their sports and in themselves, playing rugby for the same club, and seeing each other everyday. Eventually we moved in together, and as far as I knew, everything was great. Christmas in our last year was when it all changed. He received an email from the Northampton Saints Rugby club, asking if he was available for their next season. But they needed him in the UK by January 8th, leaving us with 2 weeks left together. And by the time he had left me, I was 3 months pregnant with George.  I decided to stick it out for the rest of the school year and delivered George on the 14th of July in the safety of Derriford hospital in Plymouth. Born at a healthy 6 pounds and 7 ounces, the only person who was with me for his birth was my best friend of god knows how many years, Abbie.  After that interesting time in my life, I started to get my degree in teaching and mathematics, as well as getting all of my qualifications to become a rugby coach. And along the way, I had the full support of Abbie's family, whilst I continued to visit my own.  Both my parents had died when I was 16, car accident on their way to see my brother. He still feels responsible, and because of that he doesn't know whether to block me out or be the overprotective one. I give him the benefit of the doubt, so when he needs me, I'm there. But right now, my family consists of George, Abbie, and myself. No one else needed.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's only one thing I truly regret in my life, and that happened 4 years ago. But with how everything is going for me currently, I honestly couldn't complain. Tobias Miller is the name, and playing rugby is the game. God that's so cringey. Anyway. For the past 4 years I have been playing for the Northampton Saints, and for the past 2 I have had the opportunity of representing England. Playing rugby seems to be the only thing I am good at anymore, especially after I blew an opportunity with a career and a girl. No. Woman. 4 years ago I was working in Dubai as a PE teacher, and playing rugby for one of their most well known teams. Along with this, I was having a relationship with someone absolutely amazing, who has in all honesty ruined every other girl for me. She supported me in everything I did, and challenged me at those as well. There was no doubt in my mind that she was, and still is, a better person than me, and a better teacher. Everyone seemed to love her. But when I got this chance to play for the Saints, I didn't want to take it. She said if I didn't take this opportunity I would be wondering 'what if' for the rest of my life. Once I had gotten into the trainings and started hanging out with the guys on the team, I had stopped calling her, I had stopped thinking about her.  For the past two years I had been hanging out at home more then with my team, but my home consisted of my dog Brutus and a very big TV. My best mate Greg had been trying to get me out of the house as much as possible, and had even roped in the team to bully me. It didn't matter though, whenever I went out I always came back early. This year was it for me. I am supposed to be in the starting team for this season at Saints, as well as helping out at one of their rugby camps as the 'celebrity coach'. My England place was dead set as the starting outside centre, with some of my Saints boys joining me from the bench. My parents had actually planned to stay in the country to watch one of my games for the first time, and my brother was getting married. Honestly? Couldn't ask for more.