Catch me when I fall (Rúben Dias)

Chapter 22

The pub dinner is great. I haven't had one in a long time and Rúben's teammates and their partners are very welcoming. Especially Ines, who I can see making an effort to always include Bella and I in the conversation.

"You should come with us for fashion week", tells her Bella. "I'm sure you can find a brand that invites you or we can take you with the magazine. It's always a lot of fun".

"Yes! At least for a couple of days. We need to keep planning".

"What did you think of Rúben's goal, Grace?", asks Stones.

"It was alright".

"Just alright? You'll hurt his feelings. And he had a celebration ready and everything. Who was that for, Rubes?"

"None of your business", he says, clearly annoyed.

I didn't expect him, or want him, to tell everyone what the celebration meant but also, what did he expect? People were bound to ask him. There is no need to be so rude.

"You don't know what it's about, Grace?"

"Why would I know?"

Stones' expression tells me he's not buying my being ignorant of what the celebration meant, but I don't care.

"Bella wanted to introduce a new rule", I say, changing the subject.

"I did?"

"Yes, stopping play when a team is 4-0 up in the 70th minute. Thoughts?"

Rúben is frowning at me and everyone else seems confused.

"I'll take that as a no".

"I vote in favour of your proposal, Bella", says Ines.

"My tired legs do too", agrees Bernardo, who gets a grateful look from his girlfriend. It's clear she asked him to help her make us feel welcome.

Rúben then stands up, making me look at him.

"I'm going to the toilet. Anyone wants me to get something for them when I come back?"

"I'll take their orders and join you at the bar when you come back", tells him Stones.

When they are at the bar, ordering some drinks for everyone, I make my way to the bathroom too.

There is a small queue, of course, so I take my phone out to scroll on Instagram while I wait. It's then I realize how close I am to the bar because I can hear Rúben and his teammate talking. And it doesn't sound like a friendly exchange.

"Stop saying that, John. We are not together, ok? Leave it".

"Jesus! No need to react like that. It was just a joke".

"Well, keep your jokes to yourself. And don't tell Grace anything about us. Understood?"

"What have I said?", says Stones, defending himself.

"Don't play dumb. All the insinuations and looks are the same as saying it out loud".

I can't hear more because the line is moving and I have to move with it but that's ok. I've heard enough.

While I can understand being annoyed at his teammate for being so insistent, I find Rúben's reaction completely out of proportion. But I get it. I just didn't know the idea of us being together would be so repulsive to him. But I got it loud and clear now.