The Player Swap Up

Chapter 9

Alex POV

"I will Dad. I love you too. Call me if you need anything okay?" I may be a world away but I would come home in a second if he needed me

"I will Alex. You take care of yourself over there and don't take any of those guys' crap you hear me? You are a hell of a player. You deserve to be where you are. You remember that." My dad said over the phone

"Thanks Dad call me if you hear anything from Anthony. And tell him to call me sometime." My brother, Anthony, hardly ever got to call anymore.

"I will. Love you kid."

"Love you too dad."

Then he hung up. I tried to call him or at least text him everyday. Ever since my mom died he's been lonesome. And with my brother away, and with my away most of the time. It only gets worse.

I walked into the training facility fifteen minutes before practice started I walked on to see Marcelo and Cristiano deep in conversation.

I jogged over and swiped the ball they were passing from Marcelo's feet. "Where the hell did you come from?" He asked as he tried to get it back

"I came from that thing over there called a door? You know it opens and closes allowing people entrance to places?"

"Huh. So that's what a door is. I've been in the dark all this time. Thanks Alex." He said taking it back

I laughed and turned to Cris.  "Hey."

He nodded "Hey, you okay? You didn't get here early."

I did so.

"I did too! Fifteen minutes!" I objected

"Fifteen minutes too late." He teased

"Oh okay," I laughed "I woke up later and then called my dad, I have been in the parking lot for twenty minutes and walked in after my call with him."

"I guess you're excused." He said putting me into a light heat lock and rubbing his fist into my hair. Not hard enough to hurt of course. But enough to say we are sort of friends.

"You jerk." I said pushing him "Messing up my hair. What the hell man."

"Alright lovebirds. Enough." Marcelo said clapping his hands. We aren't lovebirds! I wanted to yell.

Cristiano slung his arm around my shoulders and said "You're coming tonight right?"

"Yeah, where are we going?" I asked blushing slightly about his arm and it's position.

"A club called 'Siempre'." Marcelo filled in

"Oh.. I um I don't drink." I said

"Really? Well you two are just right for each other! Cris over here doesn't drink either." Marcelo said grinning like a mad man

I looked up at Cristiano "You don't drink either?"

He shook his head "Nope. Never. Well I did, then my father passed from alcoholism. I stopped right after. I mean I never was like out of control, I just stopped." He explained

"Oh.. I'm sorry about that." I whispered

"No worries, I know he's looking out for me." He said with a smile looking up at the sky.

We heard shouts come from the tunnel and Cris removed his arm from my shoulders and I took a step away.

"Ugh. Over achievers always getting here early." James grumbled

"Hey, just cuz you can't keep up doesn't mean we have to slow down." I said

"You know Little Lex. I'm liking you more and more. With the attitude, sass, it's all really wonderful this early in the morning." He said sarcastically