Page 48 of Rivals and Liars

"I'm so overwhelmed," she says at last, raising her hands a little. They're still trembling, as if something's vibrating beneath the skin.

"That's completely normal," Diane says. "Way too much for one day." She glances sideways at Leire, who hasn't taken her eyes off Kate for a second. "What do you need? Do you want to head out now and shower at the hotel?"

Kate shakes her head.

"I'm a mess." She runs her fingers under her eyes and swallows. "I'll shower here and then we'll go."

"Okay." Diane kisses her on the cheek and stands. "Just so I know—are you two leaving together, or…?"

"Together," Leire answers immediately, then looks at Kate. "If that works for you."

"Yes."

"Great. Where to?" Diane presses.

"My hotel." This time Kate speaks first, and Leire simply nods.

Diane leaves, and when they're alone again, Leire takes Kate's hands in hers.

"We have a lot to talk about—but when you're ready. Should we shower and get out of here?"

Kate nods, and they both undress and step into the same shower, simply because Leire needs to know that if Kate breaks down again, she'll be right there to hold her.

When the car drops them off in front of the hotel entrance, there are almost as many journalists as there were outside the stadium, and Kate can't help glancing at Leire one more time, still a little stunned by how steady she is.

As they climb out of the car, Leire waits for her and holds out her hand, and they walk into the hotel with their fingers interlaced—just the way they walked out of the stadium.

"Are you okay?" Kate asks. She's calmer now.

They've just stepped into the elevator, and it's as if only now the full weight of what Leire did is landing on her, and she's worried she might crumble, or even regret it.

"I'm perfectly fine, baby. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. Where I should have been a long time ago."

She squeezes Kate's hand tighter, and the doors open. Kate has to breathe in sharply to fill her lungs after a burst of butterflies—different from any she's felt before—floods her chest. She's used to it after a brush of skin or a kiss from Leire. Not from just hearing her speak.

Inside the room, she drops her sports bag on the floor and walks straight to the bed, first sitting on the edge, then letting herself fall back—feet still on the floor, back against the comforter. Leire lies down beside her, turned on her side, head propped on her hand, elbow on the mattress.

"I don't want to talk about anything right now, Leire," she murmurs, staring at the ceiling. "I don't think I could hold on to any of it—I can't focus."

"That's okay. I get it."

The Spanish woman runs the back of her hand along Kate's cheek, then trails one finger up to her brow, tracing the scar very slowly.

"Why don't you try to sleep for a while? You look exhausted."

Kate can't say she's exactly sleepy, but there's a heaviness settled through her whole body, and her eyes are so swollen from crying that keeping them open makes them itch.

"Will you stay? Will you be here when I—"

"Wake up? Yes. I'll be here as long as you let me."

The redhead swallows, still not quite believing it, and shifts up the bed until her head reaches the pillow. Leire follows and lies down beside her, tucking her knees behind Kate's as she curls onto her side.

"Go to sleep," Leire whispers, draping an arm around her waist.

Kate finds her hand, their fingers lace together, and she closes her eyes—letting out the first genuinely peaceful breath she's taken all day.

She wakes up to the smell of food. When she blinks her eyes open, Leire isn't in bed—she's across the room, lifting the covers off plates that have apparently just arrived.