— second chance || emily fox x reader
[ “I messed up by breaking up with you, because ever since then, I’ve been missing you everyday.” ]
summary: After having her heart broken by Emily, the reader decided to seize the opportunity for a fresh start in her career by moving to London. Little did she know, her worst nightmare wasi about to come true. But sometimes, nightmares have a way of transforming into the sweetest of dreams.
from this request
wc: 1,744 words. | masterlist
warnings: fluff, mention of heartbreak, angst, secret flirtings, jealousy, happy end
——-
"There is no future for us. I need to leave," were the last words Emily said to me as she walked out of our apartment. Well, not our apartment anymore.
This was the last thing I expected when I came home after interviewing the local handball team, excited to share some amazing news I had received at work.
I walked in with the biggest smile on my face, and we both said at the same time, "I want to talk to you about something." Little did I know that by the end of the conversation, I’d be alone in what used to be our home.
Usually, I’m the one who shares big news first, but this time, I decided to let Emily go ahead. I thought she’d need time to process the fact that the Arsenal Football Club had offered me a position on their media team. Letting her start felt like the considerate thing to do.
What a mistake that turned out to be.
If I’m honest, I don’t even remember how I survived the first night. Curled up in my bed, crying my eyes out, and consumed by the question, "Why?"
Everything began a few years ago when we met at UNC. It started with a little crush on the athletic girl, stealing glances every time we passed each other in the hallway.
After months of back-and-forth and a lot of help from our friends Alessia and Lotte, we finally started dating. It was never easy, especially with football becoming such a big part of Emily’s life, but she always treated me like I was the girl of her dreams. I couldn’t have been happier.
Doing long-distance was a significant challenge for us. She signed her first professional contract with Racing Louisville FC, while I was just starting my first year at the sports journalism academy. But our love was always stronger—stronger than any distance or circumstances. We were supposed to be a team.
Everything became so much easier and better when she finally moved back after joining North Carolina Courage. It felt like the greatest relief.
For days after she told me she was coming back, I fell asleep and woke up with the biggest smile on my face.
Eleven months, two cats, and one apartment later, here I am—without anything. I lost the love of my life simply because she "needed to focus on her career."
We were a team, but now she preferred a solo performance.
She was even too cowardly to come here and pick up her things when I was home. The only message I got from her was:
"When does your shift start, so I know when to get my stuff?"
- EF
EF? Is she serious? We spent the last six years together, went through everything, and shared so many firsts. And the only thing she adds to her message are her initials?
It's pathetic.
---
At 9:00, I arrived at the base camp of THE Arsenal Women's Football Club for this year's training camp in Spain.
It’s been a year and a half since I made the decision to start fresh and begin a new life. A year and a half since a certain American girl broke my heart. Coming to London was the best decision I ever made.
One of my closest friends from college is here with me. Without Lessi and Lotte’s support in those early months, I don't know where I'd be. I came to London with nothing but two cats and a suitcase. Now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.
"Y/N!!" I heard a familiar voice shout my name. As I turned around, I saw my favorite defender.
"Lottee, my girl!" I grinned, my smile growing wider as I pulled her into a tight hug.
"How’s my favorite girl? Ready for today’s media day? The first one during training camp in Spain?"
She chuckled. "I can’t wait to get sunburned. You know my British skin isn’t used to that much sun."
As I followed Lotte to her first media date of the day, we passed the changing room, and I suddenly heard a familiar voice. My heart stopped. This can't be real. No, it's not real—maybe I just overheard something.
"What's up, Y/N?" Lotte immediately noticed the shift in my behavior, but I tried to play it cool.
"Nothing. I just thought I heard someone's voice, but that can't be real," I replied.
She nodded, but I could sense a slight change in her mood.
I’m just paranoid. That’s it, for sure.
"Y/N? Could you possibly anchor the 'First Day at Arsenal' segment with our new signing today? It's not public yet that she transferred to London, but we wanted to take advantage of our training camp in Spain to shoot some nice scenes," the media team leader said.
I looked at him, confused. "I didn't know we got a new signing."
"Really? Everyone knows that. Especially Alessia and Lotte Wubben-Moy—they already know her from previous teams. Funny, huh?"
No. I’m just paranoid again. I know it. This cant be happening.
---
"Hey y/n".
That's it. That's the moment I’ve been scared of the whole day. No, scratch that—I've been scared of it for the last 18 months.
I haven’t heard her voice since that specific day she left me in our old apartment. I thought I’d be okay hearing my name from her lips again. God, was I wrong.
"Since when are you here?" I had to hold myself back from laughing at my own question. The first thing I asked her after she cut me out of her life was when she came to Arsenal. If someone had told me this morning that I’d say that, I would’ve laughed in their face.
"My plane from North Carolina landed this morning. It’s not official that I’ve transferred, but they decided spontaneously that I could join the girls here at camp already. I didn’t know you were working here, I promise. I would’ve told you about the transfer."
It’s over for me now. A small chuckle escaped my lips. "You would’ve told me? What would you have said to me? 'Hey, Y/N, by the way, I’m moving to the club where you work, after destroying your life a year and a half ago. Ready to ruin your new life too?' Because that’s what you’re doing right now. You’re destroying my new life. I came to London with nothing. But not with me, Emily. This time, you won’t take everything from me. This is my home."
I slightly shouted at her. She just stared at me. I’m done with her now. Turning around, I left.
---
As the days pass, I have to admit that maybe I’m not completely over her.
It all began when we both became nervous around each other during the "First Day at Arsenal" segment, and it continued with secret touches on the beach and our eyes searching for each other in a room full of teammates and staff.
It’s been difficult to admit that I still get butterflies when she’s near, and that this chapter isn’t as closed as I once thought. Am I ready to let her in again? She hurt me in a way no one else ever has, and that’s something I’ll never forget. But I just miss her, that’s all. Nothing more... or is there more?
It was our last evening in Spain, and the entire staff and team went out for drinks at a local bar. This time, my mind wasn’t occupied by a certain brunette American.
Instead, it was an Irish defender who caught my attention.
It wasn’t the first time Katie McCabe and I had spent time together outside of work. I wouldn’t exactly call it flirting, but we always had a good time laughing together. She knows how to talk to a woman, and let’s just say she’s not hard on the eyes either, so it’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?
When Katie rested her hands on my waist, it was enough to set Emily off. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me outside. I was too stunned by her actions to even react.
"Is she your new girl?" she asked, her voice sharp. I had to hide a smirk.
"What do you mean, Emily?"
"You heard me. Is Katie McCabe your new girlfriend?" I chuckled again, maybe a bit tipsy from the drinks Katie had bought for me.
"No."
Emily didn’t believe me. I could see it in her eyes.
"Then explain to me why you’re giggling at every statement she makes and why the hell are her hands allowed on your body?"
My face grew serious. "What’s this, Emily? Are you jealous of someone who’s just being friendly? You? The one who ended this relationship, if I may remind you?"
That was it. That was the boiling point for Emily.
"I messed up by breaking up with you, because ever since then, I’ve been missing you every single day," she shouted, her voice frantic. My eyes widened, and my heart melted at her words.
Without thinking, I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers.
"Finally!" Lotte and Alessia cheered from inside the bar. Finally.
The plane landed in London. Coming back home, my hands locked with the girl I’ve always loved. This is us now—forever.