Invisible String [T.S-E.S BOOK ONE]

33

March 4th, 2014

"Apparently we have sexual tension."

Eleanor had just walked into breakfast when she was greeted by Alex. They were in Portugal for a match and had all gotten in the day before. El had gotten in the latest, so she hadn't even seen anyone yet.

"Hello." Eleanor greeted, confused at Alex's sudden statement. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Have you not checked or phone? Or talked to your girlfriend?" Alex asked incredulously, staring at her slack jawed.

Eleanor had turned her phone off for the flight the day before and had yet to turn it back on in an attempt to keep herself present and prevent her from being tempted to break sobriety.

"No. Tay knows I keep my phone off most of the time." Eleanor shrugged, grabbing her plate and following Alex to their table with Kelly, Syd, and Kristie.

"You better check it." Alex warned her with a slight laugh.

Obviously, Kelley and Alex weren't happy with their relationship being dragged into the article, but they had it better than Taylor and Eleanor did. Plus, people didn't necessarily care what Alex and Kelley did outside of the soccer world so they were willing to deal with a little speculation until they felt ready to be upfront about their soon to be marriage—in California of course, where it was legal.

Eleanor sat down and pulled her phone out, turning it on.

"I can't believe you haven't read it." Kelley scoffed, leaning against Alex with a chuckle. "Tay's fans are losing their minds."

"Oh fuck." The notification ms started coming in, starting with the link to and article written by none other than Danielle Barclay and followed by everyone in her contacts. But the two most terrifying texts were the ones she'd gotten only a few moments after the article had been published.

Jacket Thief
fuck nell
they know
they fucking know
how do they know???

Poor Taylor seemed terrified. She was nowhere near ready to come out. They'd been working on it, but it wasn't exactly the easiest thing in the world. Taylor needed time and that time may have just been taken away from her.

Pain In My Ass
baby don't worry
I'm going to fix this
It's going to be okay I swear

Jacket Thief
how???
If I deny it I'm a liar and a homophobe
If I tell the truth I'll get destroyed

Pain In My Ass
just trust me
I've got this
I'm going to do everything I can to fix this

Eleanor knew exactly how to fix this problem and she was going to do whatever it took. She could picture Taylor sitting alone in their brand new—still mostly empty—New York apartment, scared out of her mind. And the second terrifying text wasn't helping.

Tree (She'll Kill Me)
You told me that we wouldn't have a problem
As soon as you're back in New York we're meeting
Immediately
I'm going to put out a statement

Eleanor Slater (The Soccer One)
I look forward to our meeting
I can handle this article
I know exactly who to call