IR - Future Part 2

“What is going on in your head right now, Riley?”

You stare into the lights and at the face of the interviewer, a perky woman about Michelle’s age who wears a classy, black dress as she shoves her microphone at you in a not-very-classy way.

“Um,” you say, “I don’t know, um. I’m overwhelmed.” As you speak, you awkwardly pull the black baseball cap onto your head. Your hair is so not done for this. Someone pushes a banner into your arms, and you hold it up. It’s the emblem of the Washington Spirit in pride colors. More flashes go off. “This was my goal. I don’t what to say. I’ll probably cry in a second,” you confess to the interviewer, who laughs.

“Is that an engagement ring?” she asks, pointing with the mic.

You hold up your hand. Your ring, of course, is small and innocuous. Ingrid’s has a big diamond on it. You spent the last of your FUTA money on it, actually.

“Yeah,” you say, blushing and glancing to the side. Ingrid is with Michelle off-camera, looking rather red herself. She’s clapping excitedly. “It is.”

“Congratulations.”

“I’m probably only here because of my fiancé,” you say. “I mean, I’m always trying to grow and be a better player. I feel like it’s all so I can be good enough for her.” Ingrid turns redder.

“Well, I understand she can kick a ball too,” the interviewer says.

“Oh, absolutely. She played the inaugural season of FUTA. Blue Team. She’s amazing,” you gush.

“Now, you deliberately left FUTA after that first season to get back to collegiate soccer and become eligible for this draft. It’s no secret that FUTA has ten times the viewership as NWLS. How do you feel about that?”

“Complicated,” you confess. “But you can’t compare the two. FUTA is great in its own way and the gameplay is at a high level. But there’s this extra layer of entertainment that does complicate things. And I don’t know how to say it, I don’t want to get myself into trouble, but in FUTA it’s not always about being the best athlete. And that doesn’t always bring out the best in people.” You laugh nervously. “I like myself better as just another player.”

“You aren’t just another player. You were the second pick at this draft,” the interviewer tells you frankly. “Expectations will be high. Maybe not as high as what you dealt with at FUTA, but still. There’s going to be pressure to deliver. Especially after the season that Spirit had last year. How do you feel about that?”

You laugh again. “Um, yeah. Well, I feel good. I haven’t always been the most confident person, but if there’s one thing that I’m maybe a little less insecure about, it’s playing this sport. And there’s nothing that I want to do more than get out there and do a good job. I know it’s a lot of pressure, but don’t worry. Ingrid won’t let me get sloppy,” you say, turning to look at her.

Ingrid hides her face.