When Does the Pretending End?

Cristiano’s Pov

“Hello Máe” I say walking into the kitchen. “Óle Cristiano. How was training” she asks. “It was ok. I just had a little treatment on my ankle. How was your day?” I ask. “It was lovely. Lucy and I went shopping. We met that Rooney boy” Máe says.

“You and Lucy” I ask. “Yes Lucy and I. We met his girlfriend too” she says. “You and Lucy” I say. “Yes Lucy and I. We were together. It’s not that hard to understand. She invited you for dinner” Máe says.

“Lucy asked me to dinner” I ask not remembering. “No. Wayne’s girlfriend asked Lucy and you for dinner on Sunday night” she says. “What” I shout. “What have I told you about shouting” Máe says. “Sorry Máe. But about Sunday night” I ask. “You and Lucy are having dinner with Wayne and a few of your other friends” Máe says making tea. “What did Lucy say?” I ask. Jezz she’s not going to be happy.

“She said yes of course. It will be nice for her to get to know your friends Cris” Máe says. “Where is she?” I ask. “Upstairs. Her boss asked her to go to some party tonight. She’s not really happy about it” Máe says. She’s not happy about a lot that happened today I guess. I head up stairs to my bedroom. I don’t know what I’m going to say to her. I never thought she’d run into any of the guys again.

“Lucy” I call out when I see the room is empty. “In the closest” she shouts. “Look Máe told me” I start to say but I’m stopped from talking by the sight of Lucy. She’s standing in front of the mirror in nothing but her nude underwear.

“Why can I never find anything to wear when I want to” she says throwing the dress in her hand on the ground and picking up another. I look at her curvy body and lick my bottom lip. “Nothing wrong with what you are wearing at the moment” I say. “As much as I think the men won’t mind I think their wives would” she says. “Where are you going?” I mumble not taking my eyes off her. “Some client’s party. And here was me thinking my day couldn’t get any worse” she says putting on a black skirt.

“Máe told me you bumped into Wayne and Coleen” I say. “We are going to their house on Sunday night” she says letting the skirt fall to the ground. “I’m sorry” I say. “Meeting your teammates was never in the plan and now I’m meeting their wives. More lying just great” she says trying on a pair of black heels.

I look at her standing in the heels and underwear and I feel my groin getting tighter. I’m so going to need a cold shower after I leave here I think. “Cat got your tongue” she says. I shake my head and see she is standing in front of me. “I’ll tell them we can’t make it” I say and she turns her attention on a green dress. “You can’t do that. Your mother won’t be happy” she says pulling the dress over her head and covering her body. “Well tough” I say and she laughs.

“You are doing all this to make her happy remember. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head in training today” she says. “I’m pretty sure” I say moving towards her. “How’s the ankle” she asks and I raise my eyebrow. “Wayne said you were having treatment on your ankle” she says trying to reach the sip of the dress. “It wasn’t anything too bad” I say and I take hold of her sip.

I slowly pull it up, watching her in the mirror. “Thank you” she says. And I stand back. “I’m sorry about the mess. I’ll tidy up tomorrow” she says. “It’s ok” I say. “You won’t have to put up with all my stuff for much longer” she says passing me. I really don’t mind.

“You look beautiful by the way” I say as she fixes her hair in the mirror in the bedroom. “It’s the dress your sisters were fighting about” she laughs. “Green was the best choice” I say and she smiles at me. “I’ll tell them that” she says putting her earrings on. She sighs.

“What’s up?” I ask putting my arms around her waist. “The earrings were Laceys” she says. “They are lovely” I say resting my chin on her shoulder. “Dad brought them for her sixteenth birthday but he couldn’t wait to give them to her so he gave them to her early. “You always have her with you when you wear them” I say.

Our eyes lock through the mirror. “Are you sure you don’t want me to cancel Sunday night” I ask. “As much as don’t want to go, I don’t want to upset Dolores so I guess we have dinner plans Sunday night” she says with a fake smile. “Good” I say. “I should be going” she says and I move my arms away from her body.

“Want a lift to your hotel” she asks. “No thanks. Wayne is picking me up” I say watching as she takes off her 7 necklace from around her neck. “Ok. I’ll see you Sunday so” she says picking up her purse. “Wait Sunday” I say. “I’m staying at my place tonight and I’m going to the Liverpool match tomorrow remember” she says. Oh I forgot about that. “See you Sunday so” I say.

“Oh and about not upsetting your mother” Lucy says placing her arms around my neck. “Yes” I say. “Make sure there are no rows when everyone comes for your fathers birthday dinner” she says kissing my cheek and turning for the door.

“So you heard about Sunday night” Wayne says as I get into his car. “What makes you think that” I say. “Your grumpy face” he says. “Look I didn’t know Coleen was going to ask her. I swear” he says. “It’s ok” I say. “I know you wanted to keep things secret but it won’t be that bad” Wayne says. “I know. It’s just that Rio didn’t exactly make himself liked last time he and Lucy were in the same room together” I say.

“I knew she didn’t like Rio” Wayne laughs. “He called her insane. And he was flirting with her” I say. “Ahh sounds like someone is jealous” Wayne says. “I am not” I shout. “Ok ok chill. She is hot though. She must have lots of guys looking at her” Wayne says. I say nothing. “You just want her all to yourself” Wayne says. “Maybe” I say.

The game went well. We won but I got a bang on my head and it hurt like hell. “Maybe Lucy will be your nurse tonight” Rio says winking at me. “She’s not going to be with me tonight” I say. “Pity. I bet she would look so hot in a nurse’s uniform” Rio says.

“Stop think about my girlfriend like that or I’ll make sure you’ll be needing a real nurse” I yell. “Down Ronnie. He was just joking” Darren says. “How’s the head?” Wayne asks as we head back to the team bus.

“Sore” I say. “Don’t use it as an excuse to get out of tomorrow night. Rebecca can’t wait to meet Lucy” Rio says. “I told you we will be there” I say climbing the bus.

“Hey are you ok?” Lucy says jumping of my bed when I get home. “Lucy” I say surprised.