Dark Moves Of Love ~ Neymar Jr

Chapter 63

When we went back to the hotel it was almost time to leave for practice. I changed to my practice clothes quickly but for the first time I really didn't want to go to practice. I felt as if I didn't have the energy, not to run and play football but to face everyone.

I called Rafaella once again, I must have called her a hundred times since Alex left and she never called me back. I was starting to think that she avoided me because she was mad at me too. She would be justified if she was, but I still wanted to check in on her.

But this time, to my surprise she picked up on the second ring.

"Hey Liv." She said. "Sorry for not calling back."

"No it's okay. I thought you were mad at me."

"At you? No."

"Where are you? Are you coming to the game?"

"Not this time."

"Are you sure? You've never missed important matches before."

"Yeah I'm sure. I just can't..." She started.

"No, I get it." I told her.

"Tell my brother..." She started again, "Tell him good luck."

I hanged up the phone and headed for practice, hating the fact that I would have to break the newsto Neymar that his sister wasn't coming.

"I didn't expect her to." Neymar said as he emptied his water bottle. We had just finished practice and I took the opportunity to tell him before me, him and Oscar would have to continue with a session with coach Coto.

"Just give it a little time." I told him. I didn't know what I could do to help but I suspected I couldn't do much.

"What, she's gonna stop thinking this is all my fault somehow?"

"No but once she's not angry anymore she'll understand your reasons."

"Have you?" He turned to look at me.

"I understand why someone would react the way you did. I just never expected you to be that somebody." I said truthfully.

He nodded but he had a sour expression on his face. "There's some—" He started saying when coach Coto yelled from across the stadium for us to join him.

"Later." I said to Neymar but he didn't show any signs of acknowledging me.

After finishing our session, which was one of the worst we ever did and showering at the locker rooms, we headed back to the hotel. Since the rest of the team had already left, there was a car to take the four of us back.

"Nothing seemed to be working today." Coach Coto told me as we waited for Neymar and Oscar. "It's this Alex business, isn't it? It's got everyone mixed up."

"Yeah." I agreed. It wasn't just Neymar and me, it was everyone.

"I told Scolari, I told him, don't send away the kid. Did he listen?" Coach Coto continued. He took a deep breath and as Neymar and Oscar appeared he added in a low voice: "I hope it doesn't impact our game vs Mexico."

So do I.

When I reached my room at the hotel my phone rang. It was a text message from Neymar. We had ridden the elevator together but couldn't talk in front of the coach and Oscar.

"Wanna come?" The text read. I hesitated for a moment before answering and then I hated myself for hesitating. And then I heard a knock on the door and put the phone down, relieved for the distraction. I opened the door and came face to face with David.