Page 30 of Entangled With You

I smile at her in thanks, my throat suddenly clogged with emotion.

Once I’m finally home, and after taking a long bath to soothe my sore muscles, I check Bleacher’s Pulse to see what Romina has to say about the game tonight. My jaw hits the floor at the headline: “Golden Warriors, in an undeniable cry for help, create T-shirts to show support for their newest member.” What the fuck is wrong with this woman? I can feel my heartbeat increasing.

Despite their victory tonight, the Golden Warriors struggle to find their game since it seems they are being forced to include Cardona in all major plays. It must be nice to be the new player and have such power over the team. Through multiple sources that asked to remain anonymous, I can confirm the locker room has been broken since Cardona arrived to the team, and the players are about to go on strike. Their only request is to get rid of Cardona.

Tossing the phone to my bed, I release a deep breath and try to make sense of all the bullshit I just read. This woman is tripping and the worst part is I don’t understand what she’s trying to gain out of this. Maybe I need to sue her ass for defamation.

Towling myself dry, I put on pajamas and head to bed. When I see Tinta deep in sleep on his side of the bed, I smile, and my heartbeat calms down a bit. Getting my phone again, I send a text to the team’s thread:

Cata

Did you guys read the article Romina posted on Bleacher’s Pulse?

Stefa

I was just going to say WTF. We didn’t say anything of the sort in the presser. Coach kept praising you, and he actually said how well the team has gelled in these few months.

Noelia

Yeah, that bitch is a psycho. Doesn’t she realize she has nothing to back up her claims?

Emma

Damn, I just read it. Who spoke with her? I didn’t even see her near the locker room tonight.

Valeria

Yeah, me either. She’s either making shit up, or we have a two-faced on the team *eyes emoji*

Noelia

I doubt we have someone who can talk behind our back like that on the team.

This gives me pause. What if there’s a teammate or more who doesn't like me, and their trying to ruin my reputation just so I can get kicked off the team? How does the old saying go? Caras vemos, corazones no sabemos. (We see faces, but we don’t know their hearts.) Damn, this bitch has achieved her goal, now I’m doubting my team. Squishing the thought, I decide to be up front and ask in the message thread.

Cata

As much as I hate to think this way, if there’s anyone here who doesn't want me on the team, speak now, and we can fix things. Last thing I want is for the team to break apart because of me.

Noelia

I know I speak for everyone here. Cata, we wouldn’t be able to play the way we did today if we weren’t comfortable with each other. I’ll be honest; I had my reservations about a rich girl from Colombia joining the team, but once I got to know you on and off the pitch, all my doubts were gone. You’re one of us.

Stefa

Yeah, one of us.

Emma

One of us.

Valeria

One of us.

One by one, they all type their agreement. We’re one unit. One team.

Cata