First love (Pedri & Eric García)

Chapter 24

Season over and time to think about the next. Eric didn't know whether he was going to go back to Barcelona to stay or if he was going to be joining Girona again. Both options were good for him so he wasn't too worried. Still, knowing where you'd live the next year was usually nice and useful information.

However, it didn't change something that Laia and Eric had planned to do.

"This one was my favourite. Hopefully it still is when we see it in person".

Laia led Eric inside the house they were visiting to see if they liked it. Even if Eric had to go back to Girona, or if he had to go to other cities and countries throughout his career, they wanted to have a house in Barcelona they could go back to. A house they could live in after retirement. A big house for the family they wanted to have in the future.

"I'm sure it'll be great. You've got great taste".

"Except in men", she joked.

"Especially in men".

The house was as perfect as it looked in the photos. Three floors and enough rooms for their family and friends to stay over but also for their future children. The garden was fantastic too. And it had a pool, which was a basic in hot Barcelona.

"I love it. Do you love it, Eric?"

"I love it. It's the first place where I could imagine us making memories. I was already thinking about the meals we'd have with our friends or the room where we can put all of your books".

"Me too", she smiled. "Anything else you imagined?"

"You know...there are enough rooms for our five children".

"Never!"

Laia tried to leave but Eric grabbed her arm, making her laugh. That had always been one of their inside jokes. Eric saying he wanted to have five kids and Laia saying he could give birth to them himself. But the truth was that he just wanted to be with Laia and do whatever made her happy. If that was having one kid, cool. If it was having 20, cool too. As long as she was the mother of his kids, nothing else mattered.

"I know asking you to let my career dictate where you go and what your own career is like is a huge sacrifice", said Eric, holding Laia's face with his hands. "It really means the world to me you're willing to do this".

"I'd go anywhere with you, Eric. Like I should have done five years ago. It's the biggest mistake I ever made. But life gave us a second chance".

"And we're taking it".

"We are".

The house was bought and then it was time to decorate and get it ready for a housewarming party. A party that many people were invited to. But not all of them showed up for it.

Laia could tell Eric's face lit up whenever he heard the doorbell ringing. However, the disappointment substituted the hopeful look once he saw it wasn't Pedri who had arrived.

While Laia was putting some guests' jackets away, there was a knock on the door and she opened it to find her boyfriend's teammate.

"Hey. I...I thought you weren't going to make it".

"I wasn't sure I should come", confessed Pedri and Laia noticed he could barely look at her face.

"Of course. That's fine. I'm glad you're here".

"Me too".

"Eric is over there...", she said, pointing at where she last saw him.

"I'll go say hi".

But it was then Laia fully understood the situation. Pedri might never be ready to be friends with Laia again but he missed Eric. And Eric missed him too. It seemed like she had to choose between one of them but her real choice was whether she would take the step she really needed to take. The one that allowed their friendship to thrive.

"Pedri. I know you don't want to see me".

"It's not that, Laia. It's just really hard...".

"Because of me. I'm the one who really hurt you", she told him and noticed Pedri's face showing the pain she had inflicted.

"Laia. I'm trying...".

"I know. But I just need you to try for Eric. Don't worry about me. Be his friend".

"It's not fair to you".

"You know? I wanted to make you both happy. Being away when needed so you can be friends again could be my way to do it".

"I guess...".

"I'll go away when you're around. I'll find excuses. I'll...I'll just get out of the way so you can be friends. I own you that much".

"I'm sorry it has to be this way. Maybe one day I'll be able to change how I feel but...".

"It's ok. And thank you for not hating me, despite everything".

"Not hating you didn't make me heal faster but it made me hurt a little less".

"I'm glad. Go see your friend now".

Pedri gave her a small smile and Laia had to take a deep breath. She followed Pedri with her eyes and noticed when he found Eric because of the way his posture changed. Ferran spotted Pedri and smiled at him widely. And then...Eric turned and saw his old friend. They embraced and Laia could feel the tears in her eyes but blinked them away.

She busied herself talking to other guests and making sure everyone was fine. But then she heard it. The laughter. Eric, Ferran and Pedri were together again, laughing. And seeing that, Laia smiled.

The end