When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)

Chapter 21

Gavi's POV

Mónica: can I see you tomorrow? My dad told me you're not travelling to England.

There are a lot of things I could expect from today but a text from Mónica wasn't one. And she wants to talk. Maybe her dad convinced her to give me a chance?

Pablo: sure. I have training in the morning but then I'm free.

What I really wanted to say was that she should tell me where she is right now so I can go and see her again because it's been too long since we were in the same room and I can't stand it any longer.

Mónica: I could go to yours around 6? I have a busy day.

Pablo: perfect. I'll be there.

I know I should leave it at that but I can't.

Pablo: I miss you.

I press send quickly and put my phone away for a second. I close my eyes and pray she won't answer telling me she doesn't want to see me again.

Mónica: I miss you too. See you tomorrow.

My smile couldn't get any bigger. I cannot wait until tomorrow. I won't be able to think about anything else until then. Maybe it's good I'm not playing tomorrow. I wouldn't be able to see the ball.

**

5.54. I'm pacing around the room waiting for Mónica. Is it really normal for a heart to beat so fast? I'm starting to worry.

When I hear the doorbell, I sprint to the door.

"Hi. Come in".

"Thanks".

I expected something better than her serious look, which makes me worry.

"Do you want to eat or drink something? We could order food if...well...if you plan on staying for dinner".

"I'm fine for now. Can we talk? I just...we need to talk".

"It's all I've wanted since, you know".

"Yeah".

She moves to my sofa and I follow her. It's hard to believe that was where we shared our last happy moments together.

"I need you to be honest with me, Pablo".

"I will be. I promise".

She nods.

"I knew this was a lie like you did. But, I don't know, I didn't expect spending time with you would mean so much to me. I didn't expect we would become friends so easily".

"I actually hoped we would but...sorry, go on".

"You do because you have a lot of friends. I have never been good at making them so...yeah, it was nice to have one in you. But that changed so quickly that it caught me by surprise. I don't even know what it was that made me see you differently but...suddenly being your friend wasn't enough but I was scared of telling you".

"I understand".

"And then I asked you to kiss me and you did. And everything changed. But it still scared me to think you might just want to have something casual while we faked"

I take a deep breath before speaking.

"You asked for me to be honest so I will be. When we were told about the fake dating, I hoped for that. Something without strings attached at some point. I mean, I thought you were beautiful before I met you so...you know. But then I got to know you and wanting just that didn't feel right. And then you asked me to kiss you and it only made me fall harder".

"But Romina and the others that might be there...".

"There has been no one since we met. First because even though I was allowed, I thought it would be too messy. And then because I just wanted you, Mónica".

"So I overreacted and almost messed this up, hurting us both in the process instead of listening to you?"

I'm about to say yes before I see she's crying. So I hug her instead and she holds onto me so tightly, I just never want her to let go.

"I messed up too. And I get that hearing about the whole Instagram thing sounded a bit dodgy but I swear to you I'm all in. There is only you for me, Mónica. Only you".

She looks up, her eyes still a bit glassy, and lifts her hand to touch my face. I lean into her touch and close my eyes. And I don't have time to open them again before she kisses me.

"We can do this right, this time", she says, her beautiful face flushed.

"We'll do it right. You don't deserve anything less than perfect".

She cuddles into my side and I just hold her and put my head on top of hers. Closing my eyes, I take another deep breath. This is home for me. She is my home.

"Are you staying for dinner, then?"

"Yes. We can watch the match together maybe, and you can explain to me the rules again".

I laugh, kissing her head before I get up to find my phone and order some food.

"Your dad will be happy if you finally want to learn about football".

"He is the reason I agreed to talk to you".

"I know. He's getting the best birthday present of his life in a couple of months. I owe him so much".

The rest of the evening is spent eating, cuddling and kissing. And as much as I would love to be in Manchester now helping my team, it's hard to imagine a better plan than this.

"Don't look at me like that", she laughs.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. But it's very intense and it weirds me out a bit".

"I am weird, huh? Such nice compliments I get from my girlfriend".

I start to tickle her, causing the loudest shrieks from her.

"Stop! Pablo! Stop!"

But I don't, it's so nice to see her laughing again. Laughing with me.

"What would you give me in exchange for me to stop?"

"A kiss?", she says, slightly breathless from all the laughing and screaming.

"That will do".

Since she's already on the sofa, I hover on top of her until my lips can reach hers. I thought our pool kiss was hot but this...this is something totally different. Something better.

When I stop to catch my breath, I press my forehead against hers.

"I love you, Mónica", I whisper.

"I love you too", she says, making me smile at her. Only a few days ago, I thought I had completely lost her and now this...

When I notice her moving underneath me, I open my eyes and see her standing up.

"Where are you going?"

But she doesn't say anything. She just holds her hand out for me to take it and when I do, she helps me stand up and starts walking. It isn't until I see where she's taking me that I realize what she is up to.

"Mónica", I say, stopping her before she opens my bedroom door. "We don't have to rush anything".

"It's not rushing when it's the perfect time".

"You sure?"

"Just show me how much you really love me".