Golden Boy- Pedri

CH 18- Maybe he isn't so bad?

Man, how I was dreading this....
Training had ended, and the field cleared.
Pedri walked over, out of breath, as training had been a really intense session.

It was just him and I.
"Should we start?" He asked.
I gave him a small nod.
It was the first time we had spoken or even looked at each other since the party.

As I got up from my chair, he took his top off.
Oh. Wow.
I hated, with every fiber in my body to admit it, but he looked good.
I looked at his abs for a second, and he realized, so he laughed and said "sorry, it's too hot."
I looked away and didn't say anything.

He started some exercises, beginning with dribbling the ball around the cones.
I timed him, and we repeated this until he managed to get a new personal best.
After this, we did a running drill, where I had to run alongside him and kick the ball, so he could try to kick it as far away as he could.

It was warm, and all this running was making me even hotter, so I took off my jacket.
He glanced at me, and then looked away when he realized, I saw him.
I was just wearing a crop top and shorts.

To be fair, we were both wearing a lot fewer clothes.
And it was hot, weather-wise.

We continued with practice, not talking too much.

Half an hour later, we were sweating.
"Break?" He asked, puffed out.
I nodded, trying to catch my breath.
We walked over to the chairs and took a seat.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to catch our breaths.

We had hardly spoken at all today when suddenly-
"Hey listen," He said calmly. "About the party.... I'm really sorry for-"
I couldn't let him apologize.
Not when he was only looking out for me.
"No." I shook my head, cutting him off. "You were right. Carmen told me some stuff she heard about Diego. I should've listened to you. I'm sorry." I said solemnly. "And for telling you to... you know...piss off..."

He chuckled. "Nah, I understand. As long as you're okay."
"I am." I replied. "But if you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened? I know there was a situation and you, Ansu, and Ferran were involved."
"Yeah", he nodded. "It was us 3. A while back, at a party, one of Ferrans' friends, a girl, went out into the backyard with Diego, and it wasn't a good situation. Luckily, we stopped him before anything went too far, but then later on, we found out that he also spiked her drink."
He continued "And then at the party, that night, Ferran and Ansu had left early, but I knew I recognized Diego, and I couldn't let the same situation repeat itself. So as soon as I saw him with you, and you guys were going outside, I had to follow."

It was so scary to think something could've happened to me.
Luckily Pedri was there.
Did I really just think that?
I guess I did...

"Thanks", I said, giving him a half smile. "I appreciate it."
He nodded, smiling back.
"So... should we get back to it?" I asked.
"Yeah let's go".

Knowing what I know now, he seemed like a different person. A nicer one.
Maybe he wasn't so bad? I thought to myself.

He jogged ahead of me, and it occurred to me that he was still shirtless.
He looked good.

I felt something in my chest.

I'm sure it was just small signs of my breathing from earlier. Nothing else......