Robert was completely distracted driving home, more than once getting beeped at for not moving when a red light turned green. It was a relief to arrive safely in one piece when he pulled into his driveway. His worries dissipated upon seeing his daughters waiting for him by the door. The elder, Klara, ran over to him before he even crossed the threshold. He picked her up and she gave him a big kiss on his cheek.
After washing up and changing, he joined his family in the dining room. It was true that his wife made his favorite Polish dish. Unfortunately, being a fitness and health freak, she substituted some ingredients with no-fat tasteless options. He tried not to let his disappointment show as he ate. He listened to his eldest daughter talk nonstop about what she did at school that day. His youngest daughter, still a toddler, kept squirming out of her seat and had barely any interest in eating any of the food his wife tried to feed her. Robert silently commiserated.
Afterward, he helped his wife load the dishwasher. She kept stealing glances at him before asking, "Well, we heard all about Klara's day. And not a peep about yours." She elbowed him for emphasis. "So how was your day?"
"Fine," he lied.
"You look worried," she said.
That was the thing with being married for ten years. Not only was Anna perceptive, but she was always straightforward with him.
"Just... tired," he said. That much was true at least. He gave her a kiss on the cheek as reassurance that everything was alright.
Late at night, long after his wife had finally gone to sleep, Robert gazed up at the dark ceiling.
Gavi liked him? Ridiculous.
Sergio was probably reading the whole situation wrong. But he didn't want to seem like he was ignoring his advice. Talking to Gavi to get the truth might be the best course of action but the prospect of bringing it up embarrassed him.
At a loss of what to do, Robert decided to do nothing.
Robert trained as usual that week. A big game was coming up and Robert didn't want to waste his concentration on such a trivial matter.
But Sergio's words reverberated in his head. He paid more attention to how Gavi looked at him. It seemed like the teen used every opportunity to get close to him. Maybe it was just the power of suggestion but through a certain lens it could seem like what Sergio said was true.
As a few more days went by where Robert took notice of each of their interactions, he started to feel more and more uncomfortable. What he'd previously taken as a warm friendship now had different connotations. When Sergio cast him pointed looks, Robert knew he had to act. And fast.
One day after training, most of the changing room had cleared out. Only Gavi and Pedri were still around, seated on the bench on the other side of the room as they chatted. Robert walked over and interrupted their conversation. "We need to talk," he said to Gavi.
Pedri and Gavi looked at each other. Pedri raised an eyebrow but Gavi just shook his head and shrugged at him in indication that he didn't know what this was about. Pedri looked back at Robert and nodded, excusing himself before telling Gavi he'd wait for him by the car outside.
Once the other boy was gone, Gavi looked up at Robert in surprise. He continued putting his arm into the other sleeve of his jacket. "What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?"
Robert took a quick glance around to make sure no one else was around. Satisfied that the coast was clear he looked down at the seated teenager. With his full height, he was spurred on by the fact that he cast an imposing figure. Gavi would see that this was no time for jokes.
"You've been talking about me. Saying things." Robert was purposely vague because even though Sergio hadn't said in detail what he said, the implication was enough. He awaited Gavi's response.
Gavi blushed, the pink hue highlighted brightly against his cheekbones. So the kid was able to feel some shame. For a split second Robert felt bad about giving him the third degree. But all Gavi had to do was apologize and then everything would be alright between them again.
Gavi paused for a moment before he spoke. "Yeah. I've been saying things. Because I like you. Isn't it obvious?" Gavi stuck his chin out, defiant.
Robert's lips formed a thin line. He hadn't anticipated the kid to openly admit to it just like that. Unsure of how to continue, he just voiced his thoughts aloud. "That makes no sense. It's impossible."
"What makes no sense?" Gavi said, finding his courage and standing up from the bench. He stepped closer to Robert. "I'm not interested in other boys. I want a man. I want you."
The strong words caught Robert completely off guard. How could Gavi think such things, much less say them out loud? Robert couldn't even be flattered about the situation. Instead he was almost disgusted. Why would a nice young guy like Gavi think it was at all appropriate to say these things to him?
"Gavi, this is ..." Robert threw his hands up, unable to deal with this. "You need to forget all about it, okay? It's completely inappropriate and fucked up."
"What's inappropriate? What's fucked up? That we're two guys? The age difference between us? I don't care about any of that," Gavi insisted.
"Well, you should!" Robert sputtered, again amazed at the utter insolence of this kid. "Gavi, this line of thinking is dangerous. If you make yourself available to any old guy, one will take you up on it and it will not be what you think."
Gavi huffed and crossed his arms. "And would you be jealous then? That some other man had the balls to take what you could only fantasize about?"
Robert's jaw tightened as did his fists. He'd never been spoken to this way, ever. How could this fucking kid make such an accusation out of the blue? At him? "You better watch what you say, Gavi," Robert said, losing his patience.
"Or what?" Gavi said, looking up at Robert as he stepped forward to be perilously close to him. "I might turn you on?"
Robert shoved him away, though with Gavi's small size it sent him reeling back harder than he expected. He slumped down back on the bench.
"You watch your filthy mouth. And don't talk about me behind my back ever again. Know your fucking place." Robert looked down at him with contempt. And before he could hear some retort from Gavi or say anything harsher he might regret, Robert turned and walked away in a fur
