Page 25 of Mine

A loud cough broke whatever spell we were in. I slowly leaned back so we didn’t look suspicious, opening my computer and hooking up my camera. This was not good; I shouldn’t be flirting with Romeo Gomez. This could not and would not happen.

Looking out of the corner of my eye, Romeo was leaning on the armrest looking towards the front of the plane. He looked tense, but also a little sad. He glanced at me as we stared at each other. This couldn’t happen.

“¿Amigos?” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Amigos,” he said, holding out his hand. “Hey, is that the baby announcement?”

“Yeah, Cap has an adorable family,” I said, showing him a few more pictures.

“They look really good,” he said, looking at me with intensity I wasn’t expecting. “You are extremely talented.”

“Nah, it’s just pictures,” I said looking away, tucking one of my curls behind my ear.

“Damn good pictures,” he said leaning away realizing he was close. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

He smiled but it was strained. Staying friends was going to be hard. Romeo got comfortable opening his book right as Hunter walked to the front of the plane to use the restroom.

“Since we are friends,” I said, before I lost my nerve. “What's up with you and Riggs?”

“Ah, so that's why you wanted to be my friend.” He glanced at me before flipping a few pages.

“I’m just wondering because I've never seen such animosity between teammates,” I said, a little defensively. “I just didn’t know if you guys had history or….”

“Pepa much?” He smirked at me.

Yes, I was nosy and a chismosa, but he should know that. It was in my blood, I couldn’t help it.

“Look I am nosy, but it just seemed weird that you guys butt heads so much,” I said, ready to let it go because it was none of my business.

“I honestly don’t know how we got here,” he said with a frustrated sigh. “One day we were ok and then the next we were at each other's throats. I know he’s grumpy and an asshole, but I don’t know what caused it. He’s frustrating and always has something to say.”

“Mmm.” I looked up at Hunter coming back down the aisle.

We caught each other's eyes, and he nodded at me before glaring at Gomez.

“I have no idea what happened and there is no way in hell I am letting him push me around just because he thinks he can,” he said, opening his book signaling the end of our conversation. The rest of the flight I worked on editing and getting the calendar ready for the next month and what I might post tonight.

We didn’t talk for the rest of the flight. His body heat and presence was comforting and soothing. As soon as we landed we were rushed to the charter buses. Gomez took off without a backwards glance and even though it was smart, I was a little perturbed. I stayed and talked to one of the trainers before I got onto a bus hoping for a whole row to myself, except there was only one seat left next to Hunter Riggs. The world hated me right now because he was the last person I wanted to sit next to. I felt a little protective of Gomez.

“I can switch seats with someone,” he said, with a hint of anger.

“I didn’t say anything,” I said, sitting down, not liking that he read me so well.

“Your sigh and your demeanor tell me everything,” he huffed, crossing his arms leaning back into the chair.

“I’m just tired,” I lied, not knowing what else to say.

“Or maybe Gomez is saying shit,” he said, looking out the window as we took off.

“He didn’t, even though I asked why you hated each other,” I snapped.

He quickly glared at me.

“And what did he say?” he clipped.

“He said he didn’t know and he can’t pinpoint what happened,” I said. “It just seems weird that a seasoned player and a rookie would be at each other's throats when you should be guiding him.”

“Guiding him, what am I, his fucking babysitter?” he laughed.

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