RaStro FicS

She keeps me warm (19)

Over the next two and a half days, Rhian contemplated going to Glaiza's game Thursday night. They had talked on the telephone a few times but their conversations were evasive and stilted as they both tried to reconcile what nearly happened between them on Monday night. Rhian didn't want to lose Glaiza's friendship by pushing the short hair too far and the red hair also had her own issues to deal with should anything more develop between them.

For Glaiza's part, she was a mass of confusion. Her heart had been sealed for so long, she wondered if she could possibly give another woman the love they deserved and commit herself fully. The short hair knew that Rhian deserved no less. To Glaiza's great relief Rhian showed up at her game with Diego in tow.

The young man sensed something was amiss between his cousin and her friend after Rhian nearly demanded he accompany her to the game. And when he observed the short hair and his cousin's interaction, the astute young man knew something had transpired that both women desperately were avoiding. "So, why don't you two beautiful women take me to get a pizza?"

"Like that's gonna happen." Rhian bumped up against her cousin. "You forget we grabbed something on the way over?"

"What can I say? I'm a growing boy." Diego eyed his cousin then winked. He turned to Glaiza. "See what I have to put up with?"

"Hey!" Rhian mussed her cousin's short hair. "You act like I'm some kind of burden."

Glaiza smiled at the interplay between the cousins. She was relieved to have Diego there as a kind of buffer between them. His presence helped them to regain the unhinged equilibrium that came precariously unbalanced just three nights before. "I'd take you but I promised Uncle Ron I'd work tonight."

"They serve sandwiches there, don't they?"

Before Glaiza could answer, the red hair glared at her cousin. "You're not going, Cap."

Hesitantly, Glaiza asked her friend. "What about you?"

"Oh, I..." Rhian's eyes dipped to the ground shyly.

Diego rolled his eyes at his cousin's reluctance to agree. "What's going on with you two? You're acting all shy around each other like... like..." It suddenly hit Diego square between the eyes. "Oh!"

Rhian's curious gray eyes shot a look at her cousin. "Oh what?"

"Oh nothing." Now it was Diego's turn to pretend nothing was going on. "As a matter of fact, I do need to get home. Lots of homework." He offered as a way of explaining his change of plans. "Glai." The young man hugged the short hair. "Maybe I'll see you next Monday at my race?"

"Sure. I'll be there." She eagerly agreed then looked to Rhian for approval.

"We'll be there." Rhian concurred.

"Cool." Diego shifted his eyes between the two women in front of him before he announced. "I'll wait by the car."

"Bye." Glaiza waved.

An awkward moment passed slowly until Rhian let out a heavy sigh. "So, you gotta work, huh?"

"Yep."

"I see."

Glaiza sighed. "Well..."

"Yeah, well..." The red hair sighed. "Guess, we better get going?"

"Yeah, okay." Glaiza nodded before quickly heading toward her EcoSport.

On the way home Diego finally broke the unbearable silence. "You wanna talk about it?"

Somewhat annoyed by her own confused feelings, Rhian said sharply. "Talk about what?"

They rode the rest of the way home without saying a word until Rhian stopped her cooper in front of the house. Diego started to get out but hesitated. "Rhian?"