The Secret - Alexia Putellas

20.

Thank you Eliza!!!

After a quick massage and after Erin had finally managed to wrap up her paperwork of the day, the two of them were finally on their way to Alexia's car.

Erin groans in relief when she settles back into the passenger seat as Alexia slips behind the steering wheel.

"Thank God this day is finally over...", Erin breathes in exhaustion, shutting her eyes as she makes herself comfortable, while the captain starts the engine.

"I still can't believe I only finished 2nd on the strength test", was all Alexia could think about from the moment she saw the statistics on the therapist's monitor.

Her eyes were focused on the road as she pulled the car out of the parking lot and steered it towards the intersection. But her mind was occupied with replaying the strength tests in her head.

Why had she not been the best?

"I do somewhat regret letting you see those statistics. Now you won't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day", Erin sighs as she slightly opens her eyes and rotates her head towards Alexia, whose hazel eyes were fixed on the road.

"I just don't understand why. For the past few months I've been working really hard, so I thought I would be the strongest", Alexia shrugs her shoulders in wonder.

"But Alexia, you won every strength test. Except this one. And that's okay", Erin disagrees, being impressed by Alexia's obsession with perfectionism, but not really seeing the problem.

Alexia holds her breath for a moment and then comes to a stop at the next red traffic light.

"If I win all the matches, but lose the final, have I won then?", Alexia asks softly, eager to clarify the reason behind her reaction.

Erin shakes her head, then nods in agreement.

"No", she replies.

"Well, at least that last hour was a bit more relaxing and somehow also... entertaining", Alexia eventually chuckles as she gets the car rolling again and gently places her hand on Erin's thigh.

"Entertaining? All I can say is that you made me take much longer because you wouldn't stop asking me about all those statistics", Erin replies sternly, wrapping her cold fingers around Alexia's warm hand as she closes her eyes again, enjoying the gentle touch.

There was no way she would let go of her hand until they reached their destination.

"Are you saying that I kept you from working? Considering I was the one helping you relax...", the captain murmurs ironically, but she assumes Erin was just joking.

"I... well, never mind. The only thing I'm looking forward to is the evening that won't have anything to do with work", Erin responds with a sigh of relief.

"Speaking of which, how about we pick up Nala from my mom's apartment and go for a walk on the beach? Certainly it would help you to clear your head. I should also use the time off as long as I'm still out injured", Alexia nervously suggests, not sure if Erin would be okay with the idea of the two of them... being outside together.

The therapist's eyes widen as she turns her head to the brunette, a grin forming on her lips.

"Are you serious? We've never been outside together", Erin assures herself, sounding quite surprised, but of course she wanted to.

In fact, her and Alexia have spent enough time inside.

"Yeah, I mean. Nala loves the beach, and I guess you haven't gotten to see much besides work and your place. The beaches here are...", Alexia explains shyly and kept on trying to convince the blonde.