Venus Vs Mars Pt.II

Chapter 62

New Era Field was officially the new home of The Buffalo Bills and would be christened during their Week 2 preseason matchup against The Giants. 

The Bills were having their own problems as they entered the week, serious offseason personnel issues with key players getting sidelined with injuries; most notably, rookies Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland and a few other players, including defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, facing some form of suspension. Whether it be for one game or four, the hammer was being dropped on Buffalo before the season even started. 

Eli and Odell's preseason debut failed to provide the Giants any boost, following their 10-27 loss to the Dolphins the week before. Eli only managed to completed 4 of 9 passes for 44 yards, and Odell only caught one pass for 33 yards, and was targeted three times. Turnovers continued to be a main problem from start to finish and ultimately left the Giants with their second loss 0-21. 

"You can't freak out, but there's got to be some urgency, and we have to do things better than we did today," Manning said. 

While a majority of the Giants spent their flight back to New York sleeping and in silence, the US Women's National Team had a bit of a different experience. Staff at the Olympic Training Center stood out in front of the building clapping and welcoming the usual faces, the halls remained busy with smiling staff as the women walked through and into the locker room. Chitchatting and replacing this and that in their lockers.

Outside, ropes placed throughout the fields facility showing where fans could stand and couldn't stand. Fans stood and filled the bleachers in excitement of seeing the women, young girls with their favorite players jersey on while holding onto soccer balls, some randomly stopping mid-sentence to take selfies and snapchat their surroundings. The women slowly made their way onto the outdoor field, more cheering and congratulations. All dressed alike in one of their many required uniforms they all stood in a row, their medals hung securely around their necks. Small toddlers waved at them pulling them away from their seriousness for a split second to wave and smile back at them.

"I want to thank everyone for being here, for welcoming us back home." Jill spoke into a black microphone taking small steps making sure every fan could see and hear her. "Also thanking Brazil for welcoming us. I have to say that this team, this year, has been on of the greatest teams I've had. These 23 women that stand behind me are absolutely indestructible, whatever test or team is thrown at them they take it head on. The competition this years has been a test, a real test. Brazil, Sweden, Canada, just to name a few... Those teams are true competitors, those women are true athletes... Great athletes. Brazil scared us, for the first half they scared us, but we huddled together and we broke plays down and figured it out. When I tell you these athletes behind me are indestructible that is what I mean, through sickness, soreness, blood, it doesn't matter, they pushed and delivered what they told us they were going to deliver, and that was a win."

Massy squatted down, the small sharp pain hit her ankle again but she continued as if nothing was wrong smiling at the small girl who couldn't of been any older than seven, her skin a caramel complexion and her hair pulled back into a ponytail and braided at the end, a large number two on the back of her jersey as well as Massy's last name. She giggled at the sight of the girl then scribbled her name on the back of her jersey with a black sharpie. She couldn't resist the urge to pull the girl into a hug.

Jill spoke once again, personally. She stood in the center of a huddle formed by her team. The sun had officially disappeared and the large stadium lights shined down on the field. "Ladies I want to thank you again, for the dedication and passion that each one of you exude for this sport and this team. We may not always agree with one another all the time but those disagreements never get in the way of the respect and bond that you all have as a family. That is what makes this the number 1 team in the world. The passion, the respect, the dedication. I can not tell you all enough how proud I am as this teams coach. I won't keep you any longer! You all have been away from loved ones since the 27th! So please everyone get home safe, get plenty of rest and relax. You deserve it. And I will see you all Tuesday morning."

"You're not going to kill her right?" Alex teased as she placed and arm around Massy's shoulder.

"No promises." Massy said shortly and right to the point.

Alex pulled Massy in closer and placed her head on hers. "At least try." She said pulling her car keys from her purse.

Massy frowned and folded her arms across her chest, Alex pulled her arm from around her shoulder and stood in front of her watching Massy lean against her car. "It's going to be hard, I'm not even going to lie to you. Even right now I want to knock the s**t out of her." Massy confessed grind and speaking through her teeth. "She's just... Ugh... She's just an awful person. Maybe her history with Odell made her the way she is or maybe she was this way before being with him. I don't know, I don't know their history and I don't care. But what I do know is that she's starting to f**k with MY relationship with Odell. She can annoy me all she wants, but when it comes to Odell... She better pick her poisons wisely. I don't play that. Not with him."

Alex could hear the warning and seriousness in Massy's voice and she couldn't blame her. She pressed her lips together and sighed, going silent for a moment she watched Massy arch a perfectly sculpted right eyebrow as she stood by her warning not just to Sophie but to anyone in general that tried to test her patients and cross that line when it came to Odell. "I guess I'll just be your shadow, I don't blame you." She sighed again and pulled Massy into a tight hug. "Iigh, love you text me so I know you got home."

"Love you too, you do the same please!" Massy said back opening her car door and stepping into the drivers side. She watched Alex put a thumbs up showing her she also heard her request, she watched her walk to her car and get in before finally pulling out of the parking lot.