The Line Between Us - Alejandro Balde Love Story

↳ Chapter 10 [Part two]: The Phone Call with Nico

Leaving Berta's place and returning to the quiet of my apartment felt even more isolating, especially after my conversation with her. As much as I tried to shake off the whirlwind of thoughts about Alejandro, they lingered. I needed clarity, a perspective I could trust without the teasing that came with Berta's advice. That's when I thought of Nico. He always had a way of grounding me, even when we were miles apart.

I picked up my phone, hesitating for a moment before dialing his number. The phone rang twice before his familiar voice greeted me.

"Isa!" Nico's cheerful tone came through, a stark contrast to the storm swirling in my mind. "What's up? Miss me already?"

"Don't flatter yourself," I teased, trying to mask the weight of my thoughts. "I needed to talk to you... about something."

There was a brief pause before he responded, his tone softening. "I'm all ears. What's going on?"

I bit my lip, unsure how to start. "It's... complicated."

"Isn't it always?" he chuckled lightly. "Come on, spit it out."

"It's Alejandro."

The line went quiet for a beat. Then, I heard Nico sigh. "Figured that might be it. What's he done now?"

I leaned back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "He's just... frustrating. One minute he's teasing, and the next... I don't know, Nico. There's this weird tension between us, and I hate it, but I can't stop thinking about him."

Nico didn't say anything at first, letting my words hang in the air. I could almost picture him, furrowing his brow in that way he always did when he was thinking.

"Isa," he finally said, his voice gentle. "I know Alejandro. We've been friends for a while now, and he's not a bad guy. But... he's also a footballer, and you know how that goes. He's used to the attention, the admiration. It's a game to him sometimes."

"Yeah, well, I'm not playing any games," I shot back, frustration bubbling up. "It feels like every time I try to let someone in, I get hurt."

"I get that," Nico replied, his voice softening even more. "But you're my sister, which means I'll always have your back, no matter what—even if the whole world is against you."

His words hit me harder than I expected, a wave of emotion catching in my chest. I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear that from him. "I just wish I could talk to Iñaki about this without him treating me like I'm still ten years old," I admitted.

"What about me? Have you tried talking to me?" Nico teased lightly, but his words held a seriousness beneath the surface.

"You're easier to talk to," I confessed. "You don't judge me... or act like I need protecting from the entire world."

Nico chuckled softly. "Iñaki means well, but yeah, he can be a bit... intense. Especially when it comes to you. You're his little sister, Isa. That's not gonna change."

"I know," I sighed. "It's just... I don't need a bodyguard. I need someone to listen."

"And I'm here," Nico reminded me. "You can always talk to me, no matter what it's about. Even if it's about Alejandro."

"Thanks, Nico," I murmured, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I guess I just don't know what to do. He gets under my skin in ways I didn't think were possible."

"I think you already know what you want, Isa," Nico said after a moment. "You just need to figure out if you're ready to deal with whatever comes next."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "I hate it when you're all wise."

He laughed, the sound warm and comforting. "That's what little sisters are for—to remind big brothers how smart they are."

"Smart, huh? I'll remember that next time you trip over your own feet."

Nico's laugh deepened, and for the first time all day, I felt a real smile tugging at my lips. "Okay, okay. Point taken. Just... take it slow with Alejandro. Don't let him mess with your head, alright?"

"I won't," I promised, though I wasn't entirely sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

"Good," Nico replied, his tone lighter now. "And remember, I'm always here if you need to talk. Whether it's about football, life, or some annoyingly handsome Barça player."

I rolled my eyes, but the warmth in his words lingered long after we hung up the call. Nico always knew how to make things seem a little less complicated. But as I sat there in the silence of my apartment, I couldn't shake the thought that, when it came to Alejandro, nothing would ever be simple.