Can I Go Where You Go? - Pablo Gavi

Chapter 8: Key To Success

Pablo's POV:

As soon as Isla leaves with Mikky I get out of bed. 

I get dressed and put on some slightly nice clothes before checking my phone messages to see what room Xavi is in. At the beginning of the trip he texted it to the Spanish players group chat in case anyone needed anything.

Turns out he's down the hall, past Frenkie's room. Once again being sure to grab my room key I head over to his room, hoping he's here.

I knock on the door and wait until he opens it.

"Hey Gavi," he says, a bit of confusion in his expression as he opens the door to lets me in.

"Hey," I say, entering the room. It's identical to mine and Isla's with a couch in front of a tv, a ling size bed and a door to the attached bathroom. The only real difference is his is a bit cleaner.

He shuts the door behind me and comes over to the couch where we both sit down. I notice him looking at what I'm wearing and the suspicious look in his eye. Now I feel over dressed considering he's in a tracksuit like he always is; but I wasn't going to wear sweat pants to ask my girlfriend's uncle and our coach for his blessing to ask her to marry me.

"This is an odd time to be seeing you," he says, "is everything okay?"

"Yeah everything's good," I say, starting to crack my knuckles. I'm looking at the ground, trying to will myself to gain the courage to look him in the eyes and ask him the question I came here to ask. I only decided I was going to ask him for his permission at all a few hours ago, telling myself I would only if the chance presented itself. And then Isla told me she was going out with Mikky and I knew I couldn't chicken it. If I can't even ask her uncle for his permission do I even deserve to marry her?

With the newfound desire to prove myself worthy---to myself---I rolled out of bed.

"Is there something I can do for you?" Xavi asks, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. After a moment I realize I'm sitting in the same position.

I sit up straight, setting my hands on my thighs. "Yes," I say, looking up at him. "Well actually no. Kind of?" I sigh, leaning my head back. This is not that hard, he's my coach and I've talked to Xavi about much more awkward things. "I wanted to ask you for your blessing."

"My blessing?" he asks, not understanding what I'm saying.

"To ask Isla to marry me."

"Oh," is all he says. His eyes go blank and his face falls into a neutral expression. For a second I'm afraid I've given him a heart attack. And right before the semi-final game! I'm so benched. Then, a second later I notice him opening his mouth to respond I think he's about to say no.

He shakes his head lightly a few times. "You don't need my permission."

"I know I don't need it," I say quickly, glad he's not saying no but also dying for an actual answer, "but Isla sees you as a father figure, her role model." Our role model. "You're very important to her and I think she'd like if I got your blessing. And I guess I'd like it too," I add. I might sound desperate, but it's only because of how badly I want him to say yes.

"You would?" he asks. I hadn't really expected him to notice that part, you know with all of the other stuff happening. He may never admit to it, but I know he sees Isla as a daughter. She is more important to him then anyone else in this world.

"You've been my coach for years now," I tell him, "but you're so much more then that, you're family. And I guess having the confirmation that you think I'm making the right decision would be nice," I add, trying to lighten the situation up a bit. I know it's the right time, but I don't want it to be a surprise to him; like when we first started dating and decided to announce it publicly during a match without clueing him in. He forgave us for that, ultimately happy for us and I'm sure he would do the same again, but still, this isn't a kiss, it's a proposal.