Captains

XXXIII

Braylee's POV

"Come on Tate." I rolled my eyes trying to figure out where that child went. Lia is driving us to the airport and we were supposed to leave five minutes ago.

"If I hide long enough and get to stay here?"

"I'm about to leave you here either way." I shouted back from Lia's front door as she stood there attempting to hide her smile. She always laughs at my annoyance with Tatum.

"I'm not as laid back as your sister. I'll wake up you at six am every morning."

"Yup I'm out." Tatum appeared out of no where and rushed out of the door. Lia of course was proud of her comment by the look she gave me.

"We'd be good parents together."

"Calm it forehead." Lia hates when I specifically called her that, but I found it hilarious.

"Whatever...if or should I say when you and Mapi break up I'll be here and I know Jonas wants you back."

"Can we not end this on a bad note?" I shook my head refusing to start this argument.

"I will drop it I suppose."

"Thanks." I mumbled as I threw my bag in her car and sat passenger. I was done arguing with her about all of this. I liked being back in London with the girls, but I wanted to go back to Barcelona. It was beginning to be my new happy place.

"Promise to come see me again?"

"Of course I will Lia." I looked out the window as the rest of the ride stayed silent for the most part...

"I like Barcelona, maybe you should come visit Spain Lia. Braylee won't admit it but she'll be happy. Wait unless you have already. Still not sure why you two broke up." Tatum mumbled on and I shook my head.

"What is she talking about? You didn't tell her?" Lia looked at me with a certain bit of hope in her eyes.

"I couldn't change the way she looks up to you two...I didn't want to..." I sighed looking away from the Swiss captain.

"Something bad happened between you two?"

"It's in the past." Lia answered and silence took over the car again. Luckily the ride to the airport didn't last much longer. I'm glad that was the case. I couldn't take it much longer. I just wanted to go back to Barcelona and cuddle up beside Mapi. Forget all temptations to pull me away from being happy.

Maria's been so good to me. How could I be so unsure about her? Sure when everything first started off I drifted more towards Alexia, but as things went on I realized how soft Mapi is. She's so caring and such a loving soul. It was so easy just to feel the weight lift off my chest around her.

So why was I letting my past try to pull me away from her?

"I guess this is it..." Lia parked her car and walked around to the trunk to get my bag for me. A frown on her face as she stood in front of me holding the bag.

"I'll see you again. Tatum come say bye for now." Lia wrapped her arms around the young girl whispering something in her ear. The two released from each other leaving Lia to turn back towards me.

"My turn now I guess."

"I'd love for you to stay."

"I know..."

"Let me know when I can come see you next?"

"Not sure that's a good idea Lia."

"You didn't tell her. Why didn't you tell her B? What kept you from ruining her image of me? And don't tell me its because she looks up to Leah and I. She has plenty of rolemodels."

"I still want you in my life....just not like that Wally. Friends." Lia's heart seemed to drop at the status, but she shook her head before pulling me into a hug.

"I love you. Let me know when you get back to Barcelona safe please."

"Of course. I'll text you later."

"Braylee." She held my wrist waiting for a specific phrase.

"I love you too bye Lia."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mapi!" Tatum jumped up in Mapi's arms excited. Those two are goofy together.

"(Welcome home.)"

"I'm so glad to see you." I smiled stepping into her arms with the biggest smile on my face.

I honestly was afraid that the trip back to London would make me want to go back to Arsenal, but I realized that I love being at Barcelona because of how new it is. I'm growing as a player and a person. I'm proud of myself for once.

"How was London?"

"Eye opening...I didn't realize how much I'd moved on from being there."

"I'm glad, I think?" I nodded with a smile on my face.

"Lets hurry up and get back to my place." I pulled her to her car as Tatum got in the back seat.

"I miss Aitana and Ona."

"I can ask them if you can come over?" I looked back and she nodded.

"I'll call Aitana." I laughed at the fact that she felt the comfortable talking to Aitana like she's been her best friend for years.

"(It'll be nice to spend some alone time with you.)" Mapi sent me a soft smile as I blushed.

"(So where did you two stay in London?)"

"We were at Lia's."

"Oh you were with Lia..."

"Yeah I slept with Lia because Braylee wanted to sleep on the couch. I figured that's where she would have kicked me to." Tatum answered before I could, but Mapi really seemed to like that answer.

"It didn't seem right for me to sleep with her given the history there." Mapi couldn't hold back the happiness on her face by my decision.

"That really means a lot to me."

"I wouldn't want any confusion."

"I trust you Bray." She stuck out her hand to hold mine for the rest of the way home. My heart was so happy and all the thoughts bouncing around in my head dissipated.

She is who I want and it's safe to think she feels the exact same way.

"Aitana said I could come over."

"Good can't wait to get away from you."

"Meanie!" I laughed as I teased Tatum. I really did need a break. I need alone time with Maria. She's old enough to understand that. Besides she LOVES hanging out with Aitana and Ona so no foul done.

"Why don't we all go to dinner tonight?" Mapi asked looking at her through the rearview mirror.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"As long as I get to relax with you for awhile first." I let out a soft chuckle and Mapi nodded seeing how exhausted I was from the past week.

"Alright we're here. Get out." Mapi laughed as she saw me open my door as well.

"I wanna say hi to them." I shrugged following Tatum to their door.

"There's our favorite American!" I hugged both of them as Aitana broke to hug Tate.

"I miss you!" Tatum smiled at the two small Spanish girls who were still slightly taller than her. Mapi and I of course taller than those three.

"Thank you. Meet us at dinner tonight?" I asked Ona as Aitana already began to entertain Tatum.

"Of course. Glad that you're back." Ona gave me one final hug before Mapi and I walked back out to her car.

"(Now that I have you alone.)" Mapi twirled me around and connected our lips together.

"Maria..." I giggled pulling her in again.

"Let's go home." I blushed pushing her towards her car.

"I'm so glad to have met you Braylee Parker."

A\N: Happiness✨...can't wait to ruin it🤪