is fairly nonexistent but he goes on with a wave of his hand. “Everyone here speaks English, más o menos. Perhaps I am the worst, but it is good practice.”
And just like that, I’m introduced to the team.
No longer Thalia from Manchester United, I’m on their side now and meeting them up close for the first time. At least I already know who they are, so I won’t have trouble remembering their names.
I mean, you can’t forget the team captain, the handsome and charming, Portuguese Luciano Ribeiro. Nor their striker, Marcos Hermosa, who has the biggest smile you’ll ever see and is a total menace on the pitch. There’s the Brazilian Marcelo, who has been with the team the longest and is one of their greatest assets.
So far, everyone seems really nice and welcoming. Well, aside from the Slovenian goalie, Victor Oblak, who is still staring at me like I’ve got two heads. I prepared for this, especially since I heard there was a lot of male bravado in Spain, but I know I can definitely deal with a guy who seems to be living in the stone age. There’s always a few.
“?Lo siento!” a voice calls out from behind us, and we turn to see a player running out of the doors, slipping his jersey over his head. All I see are an insane amount of tanned abs, until the shirt is pulled down and then I’m staring at the most captivating eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Alejo,” Mateo grumbles, but the attempt to sound annoyed is half-hearted. “You’re late.”
I blink and try to look away from Alejo’s blue eyes, but it’s not working. Coupled with his mess of black hair, his olive skin tone, and full lips, his face is holding me hostage.
So this is Alejo Albarado.
Number 28.
A forward and sometime striker who started off with the academy when he was fifteen.
And though I’ve seen him play on the field and seen his face on many a magazine cover, I guess I didn’t expect him to look like he does.
And by that, I mean, fucking gorgeous.
“I know, I know,” Alejo says in English. “I overslept. My alarm didn’t go off.”
One of his teammates snorts, not buying it.
Alejo looks at me. “I’m sorry I missed the official introduction. My name is Alejo.”
He extends his hand and gives me a smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts, including mine.
These thoughts aren’t professional in the slightest. You need to get a grip.
I swallow and smile right back.
“I’m Thalia. Pleased to meet you.”
“Ah, the new physical therapist,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze. “You used to work for one of our biggest rivals.”
“Who beat us the last two times we played them,” Luciano interjects from behind us.
“I did,” I tell Alejo. “But I’m here now.”
“Then perhaps you’ll be a good luck charm.”
“Perhaps.”
I’m still shaking his hand.
I need to drop his hand.
I do so quickly and give him a quick smile.
He looks amused, pursing his lips slightly. “Well hopefully you’ll find us a lot more fun. Cris told us that the weather up there makes everyone pretty miserable and we’ve got nothing but sun here.”
By Cris, I assume he means Cristiano Ronaldo, who used to be with Man U, as well as Real Madrid.
“Your English is very good,” I can’t help but say.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he says with a wag of his dark brows. “I watch a lot of YouTube.”
And at that he runs past me to go join the rest of the team in their drills, Luciano slapping him on the back in a greeting.
Mateo yells something at the team and then at Felipe, the assistant coach, and then looks to me. He nods back to the building. “Now that you’ve met the team, let’s continue the tour and get you settled in.”
I follow Mateo, looking back over my shoulder at the team again before we disappear into the physio room.
Settled?
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so unsettled.
Chapter 3
Thalia
I have to admit, one of the best parts of my job is the fact that I go to work in the world’s comfiest clothes. My uniform for Real Madrid is a cozy black Adidas tracksuit with the CR badge on the front and a sponsor’s logo on the back, and, paired with my new Adidas trainers, it’s like working in your pajamas.
Which is a creature comfort sorely needed, considering my first week on the job was a lot tougher than I anticipated.
Not that everyone hasn’t been lovely. The players have been