"Treating you the Way you Deserve" //Pedri Gonzalez

Chapter 31

I was still trying to figure out what just happened when the door opened. There they were—my boys, all looking concerned.

"Justin, get the hell out," Joao said, his voice firm.

Justin tried to respond, but Pablo cut him off. "You heard him! Get out!"

As Justin hesitated, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "I love you guys so much; you don't understand," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

They all rushed to my side, their faces a mix of relief and worry. Gavi was the first to speak, his eyes wide with concern. "We were so scared, Camila! When we heard about your injury..."

"He flew all the way to be with you," Ferran added, giving Gavi a supportive nudge.

"Yeah, we were all worried sick," Pablo chimed in, his usual bravado replaced by genuine concern. "You scared us!"

As they talked, I glanced at Pedri, who was just standing there, quietly looking at me. His expression was unreadable, a mix of concern and something deeper that I couldn't quite place.

"So what was it with Justin?" Ale asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't know," I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat. "He said that Sofia sent him. It sounds like something she would do. She never wanted me to stop seeing Justin." I hesitated, the weight of my memories pressing down on me. "And the worst part is that he kissed me when Gavi left to call you guys."

"He did what?" Ausn exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I looked around the room, my gaze meeting Pedri's. He stood there, visibly upset, and it made my heart ache. I didn't want to hurt him, but I knew I had to explain.

"Guys, I think it's time for me to tell Gavi and Pedri about Justin," I said, my voice trembling slightly. They all looked at me, their expressions serious, and nodded in agreement.

"Please, sit down, you two," I gestured for Gavi and Pedri to take a seat.

"Gavi, I know you know a little about him, so let me start from the beginning. We dated for about three years. I was 18 when it ended. At first, I thought he was my everything," I said, swallowing hard as memories flooded my mind. "But he did things to me behind closed doors that hurt me really badly. He would cheat on me, and when I said I didn't want to be intimate, he never took no for an answer."

As I spoke, I could see the concern growing on Gavi's face. He leaned forward, listening intently. "He wasn't happy when I wanted to hang out with other guys or play fútbol," I continued, looking down at my hands, feeling shame wash over me. "It was like he wanted to control every part of my life. I hate remembering those things."

I glanced up at Gavi, who looked worried, and then at Pedri. He held a blank expression, but I could sense his pain. I hated knowing I had hurt him by keeping this secret. "Maybe I wasn't ready for another relationship," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I only got out of it three years ago, and I thought I was okay, but now... I don't know."

The room was heavy with silence as the boys processed my words. I could see Gavi's protective nature emerging, and I felt grateful for his support. But I also sensed Pedri's disappointment, and it tore at me. I wished things could be simpler, that I could be the person they wanted me to be without this complicated past hanging over me.

"I just want you both to understand that I'm trying to move forward," I added, hoping to reassure them. "I don't want to go back to that place, and I don't want to hurt anyone again."

They all exchanged glances, and I could see the support in their eyes. I took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter but also aware of the journey ahead. I hoped that by sharing my truth, I could finally begin to heal.

As the boys left the room, it felt quieter, but I was grateful that Pedri stayed behind. The boys take turns staying with me the idea of being alone was daunting, especially after everything that had happened.

"Camila," he began, his voice steady but laced with vulnerability. "I wanted to forget everything. When I saw the way you looked at him on our first date, and then when I got to the hospital and saw him next to you, it all clicked. He's the reason you friend-zoned me, isn't he?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "He is," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But not in the way you think. I don't love him anymore. He hurt me, Pedri. It was so hard for me. Ask the boys; I didn't go to training for three weeks. They were really worried." I looked down, ashamed. "I never thought I could trust a guy again after my dad cheated on my mom. I thought I was stronger than this, but it's my fault everything is a mess."

"Camila, nothing is your fault," he said, his eyes softening as he reached out to me. "You just need a little time to get better, and I will be here for you."

"Thanks, I promise I'll try," I replied, feeling a flicker of hope.

Gavi would come to sit with me while the boys trained. The doctors said I should be able to leave by tomorrow, and that thought brought some relief.

"So, how is everything?" Gavi asked when he walked in, his expression warm and supportive.

"It's better," I said, managing a small smile. "The girls from the team have been visiting me."

Just as I was about to say more, a knock came at the door. "Come in," I called, curious about who it could be.