"We're fucked!"
Rúben was in a terrible mood after the match. They won, so that was good. But Rodri, arguably their most important player, got a red card. So he was bound to miss at least the next three matches. Fantastic.
"Huh?", you asked, quickly looking up from your phone while he drove.
"The next few matches. It'd be hard to win without Rodri".
"Well, sure. But they have you so it'll be fine".
He wasn't so sure but appreciated your compliments and optimism.
Rúben hadn't been feeling very optimistic himself lately. Or great. And one of the main reasons for that was you. Not that you had done anything per se but...the insecurity he felt was mainly caused by your intelligence and your friendship with Rodri.
You had met Laura, Rodri's partner, at work. Both of you being young doctors, an instant friendship blossomed between you two. Also, you always wanted to learn to speak Spanish so having a Spanish friend was great. And Rodri became a friend quickly too so that was two Spanish friends.
It was through these friends you met Rúben. Laura thought it could be fun to introduce you to each other and play matchmaker. Both of you were grateful for that. And, of course, double dates were a constant occurrence once you and Rúben made your relationship official.
Since everyone always praised Rodri for being the humble guy who went to uni and dated a doctor, and basically not being the typical footballer, Rúben expected the same when people found out about your relationship but...the reaction was slightly different. Not that anyone saw Rúben as stupid or anything but he wasn't considered to be as smart as Rodri. Where was his uni diploma? So what he saw was many comments asking how such a smart woman could be with him. Banter mostly, but it could hurt.
"Do you need help with your wound?", you asked when you noticed you were almost back home.
Rúben had a little wound on his thigh and one of the perks of dating a doctor was that you could look after it.
"I'm good. Thanks".
"It could still get infected, you know?"
"I know. I'm not dumb".
His tone confused you. Where did that reaction come from? But he had been in a terrible mood since the match ended so you guessed it was all about that. Little did you know...
And he had reasons to worry. City were out of the Carabao Cup after losing their match against Newcastle. Rodri didn't play...but neither did Rúben. So none of them were to blame for it.
But then came the Wolves match. Rúben started that match and quickly made his mark...by scoring an own goal. You were watching the match at home and hoping he could turn it around during what was left of the match. Otherwise, he was going to blame himself for the loss. You just knew it.
"Hey".
"Hi", he said back, sighing and sitting down next to you.
"Want cuddles?"
"Will they make my own goal disappear?"
"I wish but they can make you feel a bit better".
You turned the TV off and laid down so Rúben could do the same next to you and you cuddled. It felt nice after a long week at work. And it was nice for Rúben to feel loved after such a tough day.
Rúben's phone broke the peace and he had to get up to answer it.
"It's my parents. I'll be right back".
