More than a match | Alexia Putellas

It felt strange and comforting at once, being back in Jana's apartment again. The London version of it was smaller, cozier, but it still felt like Jana, scattered sneakers by the door, fairy lights taped slightly unevenly along the wall, and the faint hum of music from the speaker that never seemed to turn off.

Friday nights were their thing, even when they were miles apart, and now that they were in the same city again, there was no excuse.

Jana had the phone propped up against a jar of flour, tapping the screen to start the live. "Hey guys! Jacie's back together!" she said, waving dramatically. "All the way from London this time."

Gracie laughed in the background, already stirring the pot on the stove. "Today we're making a personal favorite of mine, pesto pasta."

"Yeah." Jana said, grinning at the camera. "Her absolute go-to. She's had this, like, four hundred times since I know her."

Gracie rolled her eyes. "Don't judge perfection."

"Okay, okay." Jana said, grabbing a knife. "Let's get started."

The comments were already flooding in, hearts, emojis, fans thrilled to see them together again. The two of them fell into their usual rhythm easily, Jana doing most of the talking, Gracie tossing in playful jabs, the kind of banter that only years of friendship could perfect.

"So." Gracie said, chopping basil, "how's London so far?"

Jana groaned. "Cold."

Gracie laughed. "You Spanish people are all the same. Ale said the exact same thing."

"That's because Spain is warmer!" Jana protested, hands in the air.

Gracie smirked. "Yeah, so I've learned. Every time I leave the house now, Alexia tells me to dress warmly, wear a thicker jacket." she said, mimicking Alexia's voice.

Jana snorted. "The same fiancée who almost broke your knee is telling you to keep warm? That's cute."

Gracie laughed, shaking her head. "She didn't mean to! Ale would never hurt me on purpose. It's football, she's passionate. I love that about her."

Jana made a face. "Ugh. Don't go drooling into my pasta."

Gracie smacked her lightly on the arm. "Shut it, gremlin."

The chat was losing it."classic Jacie energy." one comment read, and Jana held up the phone proudly. "They missed us." she said.

"Yeah." Gracie admitted softly, smiling.

Then, with a mischievous grin, Jana turned the camera toward Gracie. "So, Smithy, how about an injury update? Since your club's being all secretive."

Gracie froze for half a beat. Her stomach dropped. Jana had no idea, of course, but still, it felt like she'd just been cornered on live TV. Thrown under the bus by her best friend.

She smiled through it, though, quick and practiced. "I've been sick, so I haven't started recovery yet." she said smoothly. "But next week, I'll begin individual training. From there, we'll see how long before I'm back."

Jana nodded, satisfied. "Too bad you'll miss our match, though. I was really hoping to beat your ass."

Gracie scoffed. "As if."

The live went on easily after that, answering questions, sharing stories, Jana accidentally dropping a spoon and swearing under her breath. By the end, they were both laughing so hard Gracie's cheeks hurt.

When they finally ended the stream, the room felt quiet again. They sat down at the little dining table with their bowls of pasta, the smell of pesto filling the air.

Gracie twirled a forkful, brought it to her mouth, and paused. Her nose wrinkled slightly. "It smells... strong." she murmured.

Jana blinked. "No it doesn't. It's the same as always."

Gracie shrugged it off, took a bite and frowned. "It tastes weird."

Jana gave her a look. "Gracie, it's exactly the same recipe. You've eaten this every night before a match for, like, two years."

Gracie forced a little laugh, but something about the taste made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She pushed her plate back quietly, her appetite vanishing.

"Sorry." she said softly. "I just... don't feel so well."

Jana smirked. "What, are you pregnant or something? I've never seen you refuse pasta."

Gracie snorted, trying to laugh it off, but her throat felt tight. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm serious." Jana teased, packing up the leftovers. "I'll put it in a container for you, in case you get hungry later. You're not escaping pesto that easily."

Gracie smiled faintly, leaning her head into her hand. "Thanks, Jana."

"Always." Jana said, sliding the container across the counter. "You okay, though?"

"Yeah." Gracie said after a moment. "Just tired, I think."

They left it at that. But as Gracie went home later that night, the city lights blurring against the drizzle, her stomach fluttered strangely again, a mix of nerves and nausea and something she couldn't quite name.

And somewhere in the back of her mind, Jana's teasing words replayed like an echo she couldn't shake.

Pregnant or something?

Gracie smiled faintly to herself, shaking her head. "Don't be stupid." she muttered under her breath.

Still, her hand drifted absently to her stomach. Just for a second.