Off the Deep End (Cristiano Ronaldo / Lionel Messi)

Chapter 17: You Don't Want Me Anymore

Sunday 19th of April 2015

It had lately become a habit of sorts for Leo, Luis and Neymar to hold a barbecue on Sundays, if they didn't have a match – and today was no exception. This time they were at Luis' place and the Barcelona trident was relaxing in the backyard of his house like any other group of friends enjoying a particularly pleasant spring day. Sofia had considerately taken the children to the zoo so that they could have the whole house for themselves.

"Give me another steak, fatty", Leo joked good-naturedly, earning a scornful look from Luis.

"What did you just call me?"

"I told you I need more food, I'm starving."

"Yes, I got that. But that word you used after that is not really the best way to describe my exceptional muscular development. Besides, you don't need any more meat, he does", he said pointing with the barbecue tongs at Neymar, who made a funny face at him.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"No, you're not. Maybe if you gained a kilogram or two, you wouldn't be such a pushover."

Neymar put down his cellphone and rolled his eyes.

"Maybe if you ate more meat, you wouldn't feel the need feed on your opponent players, would you?"

Leo giggled, when Luis' face fell visibly and the Uruguayan angrily slammed another steak on the grill, muttering something particularly nasty about stupid Brazilians under his breath.

Leo took advantage of the following silence and checked his phone and indeed, there was a new message from Sergio.

HASTALAVISTA: Buenas tardes, Miguel, ¿cómo estás?" Remember the guy I told you about, the one I met while clubbing the other week? Still can't get him out of my head.

Leo rolled his eyes. How could he not remember? That's pretty much the only thing Sergio had been raving about lately: how he met this guy at some club in Madrid, how they danced and kissed and Sergio even got his phone number and how after everything that had happened Sergio still couldn't bring himself to text the guy. To be honest, Leo couldn't understand why. To him Sergio was the outspoken and courageous one, and he had really hard time believing that he would be nervous to do something as trivial as asking a guy out. So he typed the usual answer.

FOOTBALLFAN87: Just do it then, text him and ask him out.

HASTALAVISTA: I just can't, you don't get it. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't do it over the phone. It's a big ass complicated situation, you don't understand.

FOOTBALLFAN87: No, it's not. You like him and he apparently likes you. Just do it. What's the worst possible scenario? That he says no?

HASTALAVISTA: Yes... and no. It's more than complicated, that's all I'm saying. Maybe the worst-case scenario in this case is that he says yes.

FOOTBALLFAN87: Are you sure you're not a woman? You sure think like one at least.

HASTALAVISTA: Fuck you, Miguel.

Leo laughed aloud, earning a curious look from Neymar.

"What is so funny? Who are you texting to?"

"It's not your business", Leo snapped, quickly covering his phone with his palm. Then he realized how suspicious that must look and continued in an apologetic tone. "Sorry, it's just my papa."

"Oh, I see. Must be a funny joke then", Neymar replied, the hurt evident in his voice, and went back to browsing his phone. Leo cursed inwardly and was furiously thinking about a way to lighten up the mood, but then his phone beeped again and although he tried to fight back, he couldn't resist taking a look.