Finding Love

Mateo

"They love you when you win but when you mess up you become the enemy"

"Souza!" Coach screamed my name from across the field. I jogged over to him fast. 

"We play Siberia in a month. You had a rough year but you're good and I want you to be a starter in our next game." Hearing him say this made my heart  jump, after 2018 I suffered for missing the goal and I was ready to reclaim my title. "Of course sir" I said proudly. He nodded his head and walked off the field. 

"Yo, Souza você terminou de beijar os dedos dos pés dele?" Vinicius laughed as he slapped my back. "Very funny" I replied as I walked over to the team to finish practice. 

After an hour of kicking the ball and completing a couple drills it was almost 5pm and we were ready to end. I was still thinking about coach words. Me play as a starter? I don't know if i'm ready for that type of spotlight again. 

Thinking to myself I walked in the locker room and started to back my bag. Antony came rushing in  with a smug look on his face. I suspected he was up to no good. 

"Mateo Souza! My man!" he screamed and grabbed my shoulders. "Antony what do you want." I asked looking at with an annoyed expression. "As my best wing man, I need you to accompany me!" Knowing where he was going with this, I got my stuff ready to leave. "Ay, don't do me like this Souza" he said with a sad expression trying to guilt trip me. 

"No Antony the last time we went out we were in the news for days and you didn't have to handle the negative comments saying you're wasting your time at a bar with women instead of prating on the field." I told him and I contained to walk out the locker room. It's been years since we lost that match and the media has never fails to remind me. We played as team but once I missed the penalty shot I became the half breed Brazilian sabotaging the team. 

Antony followed behind and kept ranting.  

"I apologize for that but this time Vinicius and Richarlison are coming." He whined trying to convince me. It had been a while since we've hung out but I hated being in public and with our game coming up I've been edge. "Listen, I would love to join you but I don't know..."

"Come on bro, we're in America for a month before we go to Qatar, let's have a little fun?" One thing about Antony he never gives up. "It's also time you get laid. What happened to playboy Mateo!" He said laughing at his own joke. I used to sleep around after my career took off. I was young and had all this attention on me but that was in the past. Things are different now.

 I turned around and gave him a serious look, "You won't give up will you" he shock his head with a smirk on his face. 

"When is this little get together" I sighed as his face lit up with excitement. "Perfecto!!! Tomorrow night at the AC club downtown on 5th street." He said while taking his phone out probably texting the others. "Okay but no funny busy or this will be the last time I go out" I pointed my finger at him. 

"Amigo, trust me I have a feeling this will be the best night of your life" he said confidently. I looked at him and bid farewell as I walked towards my car heading to the hotel. 

Few hours later...

LA was a beautiful city I thought driving down the street. It's been a while since I've been here; it felt nostalgic. 

Memories of playing soccer in the streets with my friends and movie nights with my mom as she told us Brazilian stories to make us feel at home, clouded my brain

My thoughts were interrupted when my phone rang. I answered seeing Vinicius caller ID

 "Hello" I answered, focusing on the road "I heard you're joining us tomorrow night" He said with a sinister voice. I was beginning to regret my choices. 

"Sadly, I am but what do you need. I'm driving." I told him as I stopped at a stop light. "Mmmm, we're kinda hungry over here and as the American expert we were wondering what to eat. Any suggestions?" He had me thinking of many options and my mind instantly thought of an LA classic. 

"I know a spot. How do you feel about tacos?" Vinicius laughed through the phone and agreed. I hung up and headed towards a my favorite taco spot my mom would take me to everyday.