The Player Swap Up

Chapter 11

So I did post the selfie.... no hate.

Alex POV

Cristiano took me to a park after our brunch. He took my hand as we walked through the park. The trees shaded us and we walked slowly.

I swung our hands lightly. "This park is really nice." I commented

"This park is very old. A big part of history. For a few team members at least." He said

"How so?" I asked

"Well Iker, he came to this park everyday as a kid. Practicing new tricks. Breaking in his new gloves. He grew up here," he said. "And Sergio, he always tells this story, he broke his two legs and both arms. At the same time. He fell out of a tree." He chuckled

"That's... crazy." I commented

He nodded "Sergio tells that story at almost every team dinner."

"I remember that now." I said

He stopped at a bench and sat down, pulling me with him. He looked down at me as he wrapped my arm around my shoulders. "I like you. A lot I like you a lot." He admitted

"I ,um, like you too.." I whispered

Cris leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I quickly pulled away "Public!"

He smiled "Maybe we should just go public."

I thought about this and stood up. "Maybe we should talk about it." I said holding my hand out

He sighed "Okay."

We walked back to the car and we went back to my house. He came in with me "So, we've been dating. A while now right?" He asked

I nodded "Yeah almost three months I guess..."

Cris looked at me as I sat on the couch and followed me a minute later. "So maybe, I was thinking, you could meet my family."

Meet his family?

Meeting his family means it's getting serious. I don't know if I can let this get serious. But I like him so much, and he likes me. If things get serious it's only going to hurt when I leave to go back to the US.

"Alex? You're zoning out on me again." He said worried "It's okay, you don't have too. It's too soon I understand."

I realized I had been silent for a while. "I just.. I don't want to hurt. If I go home, and we don't make it."

He looked at me seriously "We'll make it. You. You're different. You're special. I've never met anyone more sweet, funny, loveable, caring and all together beautiful. We'll make it. We just have to want to."

I wanted to believe him. I really really did. But that seemed so impossible, so surreal.

I guess he could tell I had these doubts in my head because he lighten my chin to meet his eyes. "We'll make it." And then he kissed me

The sweetest kiss. A heart melted tyoe of kiss. The kiss that will make you fall harder and faster than you want to.

When he pulled back he pulled me to him. He rested his chin on my head "It's too soon. I understand."

"Another week." I said "Give me another week."

"A week?" He asked "Done."

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Today we had a match against Atletico. They were one of the top teams in the league.

It was sure to be interesting. In the past matches I've been shoved around a good bit. But nothing I cant handle.

"Don't let them push you around today okay?" Coach said coming up beside me

I nodded "I'll do my best. It's kinda hard when you're a five three female going up against six one males. But I can handle it."

"Good. That's a good attitude. I like it." He said patting my shoulder

We walked on the field and shook hands. When we set up Gareth, who wouldn't talk to me, was with me in the circle.
He passed it off to me and I passed it back to Modric.

He passed it to James on the left mid side who brought it up the field. We all followed him up.

I looked to my left and saw Cris open on the far wing. "Far left!!" I yelled

James looked over at me and saw me pointing to Cris discreetly. He shot a cross to the upper corner of the field.

Cris sprinted fast to get it before the other player did. Gareth ran into the box, and then I went into the far right corner. An Atletico player stepped in front of and I couldn't see the play. I moved to the left and side stepped him just as Cristiano crossed it over to me. I jumped up and headed it into the net.

It was in.

The team celebrated and hopped and hollered.

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We ended up tying them. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. I showered in the locker room and got back on the bus after. I was the second on there, Gareth was on there already.

I avoided his gaze and sat down in the middle of the bus. I know Cristiano has a thing about sitting in the back with Pepe.
James walked onto the bus a few minutes later and saw me and smiled. He sat next to me, "Good game Alex!"

"Thanks James, you too." I smiled

"Yes we all did fine. Except we tied." Gareth muttered

James turned around "At least we didn't lose. It could be worse. They are tough opponents." He defended

Gareth rolled his eyes "Right."

Everyone else piled onto the bus, I made eye contact with Cristiano and he smiled and made his way to the back with Pepe.

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I called Abby around eleven pm. "Hey Alex, what's up?"

It was like six am in the United States.

"Hey. Not much, what are you doing? I thought I was going to have the pleasure of waking you up." I laughed

"Right, well I'm up early because I wanted to go on a run."

"Oh. Well I just got home from an away game. I wanted to check in." I said

"Oh vs Atletico? I recorded that." Abby commented

"Yeah, it was a tough game. I miss playing with you guys though." I murmered

"Aw Alex is homesick!"

Yeah I was.
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I'm tired