Roughing the Kicker

After a passionate weekend in Madrid three years ago, two strangers, Jesse and the narrator, are unexpectedly reunited in Portland, where their past connection becomes complicated by new circumstances. As the narrator begins her career as a professional soccer player and Jesse re-enters her life as part of her new world, the story explores themes of chance, lingering feelings, and the ties that time cannot loosen. Their renewed encounter prompts questions about whether their bond from the past can influence their present, all set against a backdrop of personal and professional growth.