"So this is what you have decided?" Coach Coto asked me after the practice ended and Neymar and I told him I was quitting.
I nodded. "It's the lesser of two evils."
"I would hate to see you go Liv. Especially in the middle of the tournament. We've collaborated well and you have a future here with the team."
"Do I? After this?"
He seemed hesitant. "I'm not sure how what happened changes things... But still, Scolari knows your worth. He wants you here."
"It's not just in his hands." Neymar spoke.
"That's true. Look, he's not an idiot. He knew about you as did I."
"You knew?" Neymar and I asked at the same time.
"Of course we did. I think it was one of the worst kept secrets here. Everyone knows what's going on inside the compound. It's part of our job. And it's safe in here, in the sense that there are no photographers. As long as you both did the work and it didn't get in the way of the team, we didn't care. But we hoped you'd be careful outside of the compound."
"Well that ship has sailed now." Neymar said.
"We should go let Scolari know. Again, I'm sorry for leaving you hanging Coach." I told Coto.
He nodded without saying anything and Neymar and I started walking back.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure." I said and he wrapped his arm around me, for the first time not caring if anyone saw.
"I was thinking, the next game isn't for a few days and we'll get a free day the day after tomorrow. I could make arrangements for a hotel for you to stay in Rio so that we meet then."
"No." I said. "I don't want you to have to do that. Besides my brother is in São Paulo. I could stay with him."
"You can stay at my place, you know that."
"I don't think that's going to go too well with your family."
"Don't mind them."
"Don't worry about it, Michael is here."
"But if you were in Rio, I'd see you. If you're going to stay in São Paulo you might as well go home." He said exacerbated. "I don't mean... I didn't mean it like that. But you'll be in Brazil and we still won't be able to see each other. What's the point then?"
"I'll stay until your day off. And I'll leave after that."
"I'll find you a hotel."
"Give me a sec." I told him and took my phone out. "Hey Sarah." I said after a few rings. "Yes? Great! Thank you."
"What was that?"
"I called Sarah before practice. I'll stay in her apartment."
"I give up."
"You should." I said as we reached Scolari's door. "I should go alone." I told him.
He nodded. "I'll see you in the game room. We should tell the guys too."
~*~
"I can't believe you're leaving! There must be something we can do!" David exclaimed.
"There's nothing. It's decided. It's done."
"They let me come back. Why not you? It's not like you punched anyone." Alex said.
"It'll be fine. I'll be in Brazil and I'll come to the game if I can score a ticket. I hear they go pretty high in the black market." I said and some people laughed.
"Of course we'll get you a ticket." David said. "Best seats on the house!"
"When are you leaving?" Marina asked me.
"Today. I just came by to say goodbye."
"Did you talk to Jones?" Peter asked me.
"He was disappointed. But he agreed with me, it's for the best."
"I don't get it! How could you leaving be for the best?" Marina asked me in a low voice so that no one else heard her.
"I'm just some girl in the photos now. If I stayed I'd have to be Olivia,the coaching assistant that is in a relationship with a player. Unprofessional would be my middle name and the whole world would know. At least this way I'm protecting my identity as much as I can. The pictures are mostly contained to Brazil for now, thank God. I want to keep it that way."
Marina nodded. "I'll miss you."
"You'll see me soon. I'll stay in Rio until your free day and then I'll join my brother in São Paulo. And I'll come to Fortaleza for the game against Colombia."
"I know. I know. It's unfair. You are getting punished for the same thing I did."
"It's alright. Neymar and I are good, that's what matters. I don't mind as much as I thought I would."
"Liv are you ready? Sarah's here." David interrupted us.
"Yeah sure. I'm ready." I said, getting up and giving Marina a big hug. "See you soon. Take care of yourself."
"You too." Marina told me, managing a small smile.
"Bye guys. See you soon."
I followed David outside. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked me.
"Yeap. I'll be fine. I just have to go grab my suitcase."
"Already here." I heard and turned around to see Thiago and Neymar.
"Sorry for messing with your team." I told Thiago as he gave me a hug.
"You didn't mess anything. If anything, we all owe so much to you."
"I'll miss you bunny." David said as he hugged me. "We'll give you a minute." He added and he and Thiago headed outside.
"So this is it." I said, looking at Neymar.
"It's not right. You should be here. You deserve to be here. We have to win it with you here."
"You'll win it. With or without me you would. You will. But I'm here. I'll be here for you, for anything." I said and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
~*~
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This week's song is from the movie "Me Before You". I haven't seen it yet, but I read the book and it's amazing! If you haven't read it, I recommend it!