When Does the Pretending End?

Cristiano’s Pov

I’m going to kill him. Why the fuck did he have to come in I think as I close the door leaving a half naked Lucy on my bed. Why didn’t I lock the door? She wanted me. We kissed differently than normal. There was more hunger. More lust. More need. It was just more. It was just right.

Fucking Hugo.

After speaking to my grandmother, I couldn’t face going back to my room. Knowing Lucy was there. Probably regretting what nearly happened. She doesn’t want you Ronaldo. She’s gone on Monday and you’ll never see her again, I think as I punch the punching bag in my gym. Trying to work of some aggression. When I get back to my room, Lucy is fast asleep. Clearly she isn’t thinking about what happened.

I wake early. This time last year Papi’s birthday was barely mentioned. All happy memories were buried away as we tried to get used to him not ever going to be around again. This Máe decided she wanted us all to enjoy it together. A family who can barely be in the same room together without arguing. I won’t fight with Hugo. I don’t want to upset Máe. And I don’t want to break my promise to Lucy. But it’s going to be very hard.

I stare down at Lucy as her head lays on the pillow. She looks so relaxed. It wasn’t long when she couldn’t sleep through the night without nightmares about her sister or Tina. And now she looks so peaceful. It took all the courage in my body not to touch her last night. I knew if I barely touched her I couldn’t stop. I need to get my head around the fact that she’s leaving. That she’ll go back to her life and I’ll go back to mine. A life without her.

She stirs in the bed and stretches. Her nose scrunches as she yawns and her hands move above her head. “Bom día” she says quietly. “Mana” I say. “How long have you been awake?” she asks. “Not long” I lie. “You ok?” she asks and I nod. She raises onto her elbow and runs her hand through her hair. “I hate mornings” she mumbles. I smile at how cute she looks. “I should get up for training” I say and quickly get out of the bed. “Cris” she says and I stop at the bathroom door. “I don’t want to talk about Lucy” I say without turning my head. I don’t want to talk to anyone.

“What’s the matter with you and Lucy?” Nuno asks as we sit at the kitchen table. “Nothing” I say flicking through the paper. “Then why have you been avoiding her?” he says. “I haven’t” I say knowing I sort have been.

“Really cos normally you’ll do anything to be nearer her so you can touch or kiss her” he says. “We’ll she won’t be here for much longer so I might as well get used to not touching her then” I say. “That’s the table set” Lucy says coming into the kitchen. “I’ll go get changed” I say and I walk straight past her. She looked beautiful in a simple red jumper dress and black tights. She looks beautiful in anything.

A couple of hours and this will be over I think as I open the door to the dining room. Everyone is taking their seats as Katia and Lucy help Máe with the plates. “Finally food. I’m starving” Hugo says. “Well lucky for you then that you have a good chef” Lucy says smiling at Máe. “And I had a goof sue-chef” she replies. “You hungry Rodrigo?” I ask as the plates are laid in front of us all. He nods. “Come sit here” I say placing him on the chair next to me. “No Rodrigo come sit here” Katia says. “He’s ok where he is” I say to my sister. “Leave him there. You love sitting between Tío Cris and I don’t you” Lucy says to him rubbing his chin leaving Rodrigo in a fit of giggles. How am I going to explain to Rodrigo why Lucy isn’t here?

“This looks great Maé” Elma says. “Ok so we have some Frango no Churrasco (Portuguese grilled chicken and rice) and some batatas maderierense (Madeiran potatoes). So everyone dig in” Maé says taking her own seat. “Anyone for some wine?” Hugo asks holding up a bottle of red wine. “Hugo” Katia says. “I thought this was a dinner for Papi right? He sure liked a drink. Want some Zé?” he asks. “No thanks” he says. Great Hugo with drink in him. This should be fun. Not.

As we all eat, Máe and Katia proceed to tell stories about Papi. As I listen to them talk, I just feel sad. “Grab another bottle ,Elma?” Hugo says a while later. “Think you’ve had enough” I say. “I’m enjoying myself. Thought I’d act like you and put my needs before anyone else” he says. “I’m going to put Rodrigo to bed” Katia says as Rodrigo sits sleepy in his chair. “I’ll do that” Maé says and carries her grandson out of the room.

“Has he let you drive his car yet, Lucy?” Hugo asks downing the rest of his glass. “No I haven’t had the need” she replies. “He probably won’t let you either. He likes his cars. Have to admit it was super funny when that crazy chick destroyed your car. Did he tell you about that Lucy?” he asks. Shut up Hugo I think as Nuno shifts in his chair next to me. “Yes he did” Lucy says taking a bite of her fork. “Can you believe some coked up bitch took a baseball bat to his car by mistake” he says laughing. “Finish your food Hugo” Nuno mumbles.

“Some crazy bitch. I hope she got locked up for it. Did you hear anything what happened afterwards? Turns out your not the only selfish guy in the world” Hugo says eating. Lucy stands suddenly and grabs his plate. “Hey I wasn’t finished that” he shouts. “Well maybe if you shut you mouth and ate you would be” she says and begins to take the other plates. “I don’t know about you guys but I’d love some desert” she says. “Figures you’d find someone as selfish as you” Hugo says.

“Hugo if you call your brother selfish one more time, I’ll show you what I can do with a baseball bat. And it won’t be your car that you’d have to worry about” Lucy says before walking out of the room.

The rest of the table try to hide their delight of Lucy telling off Hugo. I follow her into the kitchen I watch as she puts the plates into the sink. She moves to the fridge and looks up to see me. “I know I said to ignore him but I couldn’t—“ she says and I grab her and kiss her. I haven’t been this close to her in hours but it felt like days. I back her against the fridge as I wrap my arms around her waist.

I run my finger across her cheek when we break apart. “Your hot when your angry” I whisper. “All the time?” she asks. “Maybe a little less when your angry at me” I say as I tilt her chin to me.
“Thanks” I say. “For what?” she asks. “For defending me” I say. “Your brother is an asshole. Someone had to” she says and I pull her closer to me as her arms come around me. “Well he’s gone Monday” I say. “Back to normal” she whispers. “I guess” I say. What ever that is I think. This could be one of the last times I hold her like this.

“Hope I haven’t missed desert” Máe says and I turn to see her coming towards us. “No. We were just going taking it in” Lucy says letting go of me. “Bet you can’t wait for all of us to leave” Máe says. “Just one” I mumble and Lucy taps me in the stomach. “It’s been lovely having you all here” she says to Máe. “Let’s go” Lucy says grabbing the Almond Tart.

As we all sit quietly eating our desert, Hugo gives dangers to Lucy. I rest my arm around her shoulders, as I sit close to her. “I think I’ll have an early night after I tidy up” Máe says standing up. “Leave them Dolores. Hugo and Zé are on wash up duty tonight” Lucy says leaning against my arms. “How is that?” Máe asks. “Good skills” Zé says tilting his glass to Lucy. Hugo stands suddenly and grabs some plates before storming out the door. I pull Lucy closer to me. “Hugo doesn’t seem to be happy” I whisper into her ear. “Isn’t that a shame” she says smiling at me and I lean in to place a kiss on her lips not even noticing Máe had left the room.

“When is your birthday Lucy?” Zé asks and everyone turns to look at him. “Why do you ask that?” I ask. “Well when is it?” he asks again. “April 5th” she says. I look at her. Actually I didn’t know that for some reason. “Aww your 5th buddies so you and Cris” Elma says. “Why do you want to know?” Lucy asks. “Just want to know should I get you a baseball bat for Christmas or your birthday” he says and we all bursts into a fit of laughter. “As much as liked seeing the smile on Hugo’s face disappear, Zé go help him before he gets into a worst bad mood” Katia says.

“I’m just waiting for Lucy to burst into song” Nuno says as he sits with Lucy and I around the kitchen table playing Monopoly with my sisters. “Can you please translate?” she asks me. ”Don’t look at me. I haven’t a glue” I say. “I’m waiting for you to start singing Money money money” he says singing out loud. “All this money. My precious” she says holding the paper money in front of Nuno.

“Aww another chick who likes money. She definitely is your girlfriend so” Hugo says. “Don’t” Lucy says grabbing my hand. “He’s not worth it” she says. “I think I’ll go to the gym for a bit” I say kissing Lucy’s hand. “Nuno didn’t you say that you wanted to go the gym too” Lucy says looking at Nuno.

“Amm, ya did” he says soundly a little confused. “All Dolores’s cooking needs to be worked off sometime” he says standing and I notice smile at him. Why is Nuno suddenly so interested in the gym?

********************************Saturday*********************************

“Another goal man. There’s no stopping you lately” Wayne says as we walk back to the dressing room after our post match interviews at Old Trafford. “I guess not” I say. “Hey before I forget. And don’t blame me, but Coleen wanted me to ask when you and Lucy are free for dinner next week?” Wayne asks and I freeze taking of my shirt. “Next week?” I ask.

“Aww Wazza and Ronnie on a double date” Rio quips. “Shut it. Well what night suits? Coleen hasn’t stopped talking about Lucy” he says. “Ya all the girls really like her. Finally Ronaldo has a girlfriend we can talk to and like” Wes says mimicking Leanne. “I’ll let you know” I say to Wayne as the others laugh at Wes. “He has to check with the missus” Rio says. “Already whipped” he continues.

“Jezz Wazza, his family are going back to Portugal next week. I bet he and Lucy have far more fun thing to do then sit with you for hours. Like enjoying a free house” Nani says slapping me on the back.
An empty house. It will be just me and Marcosa and Nuno when he’s around.

I look around at my teammates laughing and joking. Not only will I have to tell my family I’m not seeing Lucy anymore. I’ll also have to tell them.