RaStro FicS

She keeps me warm (11)

After Rhian dropped her cousin off at home later that night, she drove home in silent thought. Diego reminded her that he was set to stay the whole weekend with her while his parents went to visit a relative. Even though Diego was twenty now, he rarely passed up a chance to hang with his favorite cousin. Rhian was his hero. The red hair always loved having her cousin around and wondered if he would like her new friend. "Of course he would. Wouldn't he?" What Diego thought meant a great deal to her. "There's only one way to find out." She decided to call Glaiza when she got home. Rhian hurriedly let Robbyn out before replenishing her cat's water bowl. As she sat down next to her telephone, Rhian sucked in a calming breath. She punched in the numbers to Glaiza's home phone, hoping she was there. Slightly out of breath, Glaiza answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Glai." Rhian worried that she interrupted her friend. "I didn't know if you would be home or not."

"Just got in." Glaiza yawned. "Little tired, that's all."

"Oh. I'll let you go."

"No! Rhi, I'm fine to talk...really." Glaiza sat on the bottom step of the circular staircase. "How'd the race go?"

"Jules' team won."

"And your cousin's practice?" It had been a long day for Glaiza and she was happy to hear her friend's comforting voice on the phone. "By the way, I'm glad you called."

"You are?"

"Yeah." When Glaiza didn't say anymore, the red hair answered the previous question.

"His practice went well. He is the star, you know?" That made Glaiza grin.

"And, of course, he gets that from you as well?"

"Of course."

"You really should think about racing for your team again. I think you'd enjoy it. It'd be good for you." The short hair suggested.

"I don't know with my neck and all."

"Well, I should be insulted."

Concerned, Rhian asked. "What do you mean?"

"I happen to be considered one of the best massage givers around. However recent but still...quite good if I do say so myself."

"I know I taught you."

"Do you always have to take credit for everything?" Glaiza teased her friend.

"Why not? If it's true."

"Here's the deal. After your races, I'll give you a massage and after mine..." The short hair figured she didn't need to go on.

"I get the picture. You just want free massages."

"Seriously, I'd help you practice. Get back in shape."

"And what's wrong with my shape?" Rhian let out an indignant teasing question.

Without thinking, Glaiza admitted with a grin. "Not a thing. Not one..." The short hair suddenly stopped talking.

"I'll think about it." Rhian realized that there were times when her friend held back what she was thinking and decided to take things slow. She wasn't exactly sure what caused Glaiza's sudden quiet moments, but Rhian was astute enough to recognize it had to do with a lost love.

"Let me know then."

"Listen, I know we haven't talked about it or anything, but my cousin's staying the weekend with me and..."

"Oh." It's not that Glaiza had any definite plans with the red hair, but she sorta just naturally figured they would spend some of the weekend together. Hearing the disappointment in her friend's voice, Rhian casually suggested.