When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)

Chapter 28

Gavi's POV

"You better score today, Pablito".

I turn to look at Sergi. "Isn't that Robert's job?"

"Yes. But you wouldn't want to disappoint your girl".

"What do you mean?"

"She was on Instagram saying you'll score today. Gotta make her proud".

I smile at that. She wouldn't watch a single match before we met and now she's doing predictions on social media.

Sergi is right, I cannot disappoint her.

Mónica's POV

"You sure you're feeling fine?"

"Yes, dad. Let's just watch the match".

"Tough one today".

"Is it? Why?"

My dad explains to me why the rival is actually one Barça usually struggle with and I listen attentively.

"Yeah, Pablo mentioned something about set pieces being important today".

"I can't believe it".

"Aren't set pieces important? I'm still not sure I know what they are. Like corners?"

"No, I just can't believe you want to talk to me about football".

I laugh at my dad's silly face. But he's got a point.

"You should have shown me how cute some players were before".

"I did and you ignored me".

"Who did you show me?"

"All of them! But I guess you were waiting for the...right person".

"Were you watching my live stream?"

"Maybe...".

I shake my head and go back to looking at the match. There have been a lot of fouls and I never like that because rivals love kicking Pablo.

"Hey! Ref! How is that not a yellow card?"

My dad cannot believe what he's seeing. And I cannot believe the referee didn't give the player a yellow card for his foul on Pablo. He's still on the floor holding his leg and I'm holding my breath. But he then stands up and only seems to limp a little.

"He's fine, Mónica".

"I don't like how he's the one everyone kicks".

"The bad side of being one of the best".

Once Pablo is fine, the team gets ready for the foul. The ball is sent to the box so one of the taller players can head it but it ends up hitting the post and going back outside the box, where Pablo is completely alone. He has the time to control the ball and shoot...and he scores!

Both my dad and I get up to scream and celebrate. I knew he was going to score.

And when he gets rid of all the players who were hugging him and congratulating him, he turns to where he knows I'm sitting and makes a heart with his hands to dedicate the goal to me.

I can only stare at him with the biggest grin on my face. And my dad hugs me and kisses my head before he tells me to sit down again. The people behind me can't watch.

I'm still grinning like an idiot watching the rest of the match and when Pablo scores again and dedicates that goal to me too, I'm the one who hugs my dad to share this happiness with him.

"I'm so glad you found your right person, Moni".

"Me too".

**

Once the match is over, we go to wait for my boyfriend. He's one of the last players to get out because he was doing interviews after the match. So when he finally gets there, I can't wait any longer to hug him.

He lifts me and spins me a couple of times, but then he realizes I was sick last night and puts me down.

"Sorry. Are you ok? Did I make you dizzy?"

"Stop that. I'm fine. And so happy for you. And...thank you, for the dedication".

"I was actually dedicating the goals to your dad, but...".

I shake my head and kiss him. I've been desperate to do it since the first goal. For a second, I forget where we are and that there are people around us. Only he and I exist.

My dad clears his throat once but we don't hear him. He does it again and nothing. So for the third attempt, he tries being a bit louder and that's what finally breaks our kiss.

"Sorry", I say, hiding my face in Pablo's neck, who just laughs.

"Just save that for when your dad isn't around, yeah?"

I try to hide more but Pablo just laughs again and gets out of our embrace so we can walk to the car.

"It's pretty late and you need to rest after last night".

I nod and we walk to the car, so my dad can drive Pablo home. They talk about the match and I chime in occasionally, which they are both still shocked by.

When we get to his house, I get out of the car to say goodbye to him.

"Can I see you tomorrow?"

"When do you have training?"

"I'll be free after 4. We could go somewhere nice for dinner and then maybe you can stay with me?"

"I like that plan".

After a couple of kisses and more promises for tomorrow, I go back to the car.

I stay silent for a second and my dad asks me what's on my mind.

"I just...I feel bad about Pablo's family".

"Honey, once they meet you, they'll love you".

"It's not about that. I get them being wary of me but...they are hurting him with their attitude. I'm just hurt because he's hurt".

"Is there something your mum and I can do?", he offers. "Maybe if we talk, adults to adults...".

"I don't know".

But then I think about something Pablo said a while ago.

"I think I have an idea".