A couple of days before I decided that I needed to sit on the bench for a couple of games, I accidentally gave my number to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is a regular at The Bar who I met a while back through a friend. He is Spanish, supports Barcelona in the Champion’s League, is sweet and speaks English in that sing-song way that only Spaniards do. Yet, on the outside, he looks like any other Greek. Short, lean, brown hair, brown eyes.
On this particular night, I was on a high. On a temporary, Real is sitting directly opposite me so he’s definitely going to talk to me high. And so I did what any self respecting girl does in such a situation.
I used that high to attract other males in the hopes that that would encourage Real to notice me.
I chatted with Ronaldo at half-time and before I knew it I had made a bet with him; breaking one of the few rules I actually have in regards to talking to men.
[Never take a bet with a man who you do not want to see naked. Ever.]
Of course, he lost the bet. And of course, that meant that he had to buy me a beer. And of course, he did not mean right now. And of course, now I had to give him my number so that he could call me for that drink at some future date. And of course, by this point, I could not say no.
***
I cancelled on him last week because I! AM! SITTING! ON! THE! BENCH! But, he called again. And again. I had a feeling that he was not going to give up. Seeing as I was not attracted to him at all, I decided that one drink could not hurt. I would either hint delicately or tell him forthright that I was not interested in him, in that way. And that, that would be that. Back on the bench I would go.
***
“You here alone?”
“I’m waiting for Ronaldo.”
“Oh cool.”
“He said 6.”
“I’m sure he’s on his way.”
“Yea.”
“He really likes you.”
“Oh yea?”
“He’s definitely NOT going to stand you up.”
“I forgot my mobile at home. So he has no way of getting through to me if he does want to cancel.”
“He’ll be here. He’s really into you.”
***
An hour and a half later, I took out my wallet.
“You leaving?”
“I think so.”
“Why?”
“I was supposed to meet someone at 6. But he’s still not here. I think I should go.”
“I think so too.”
***
I got home and there was a lone text message. Sent forty minutes after we were supposed to meet.
I’m an hour away. Leaving now. Will you still be there?
It took all the strength I have to keep my hand from throwing my mobile phone against a wall and my voice from screaming indecencies out the window into the setting sun.
***
If the ones that are supposedly into you, if the ones that are chasing you, if the ones that seem safe because they are genuinely nice guys begin to play the game in this way? If the ones that you don’t even really care for begin to get under your skin in this way?
Then my boots are remaining off and I am staying as far away from this bloody game as is humanely possible.
19 responses so far ↓
Chris // May 11, 2008 at 10:11 pm
That’s why my motto is “better to be there half an hour early, than 5 minutes late”.
I always thought Ronaldo is overrated anyway ;)
heidi // May 12, 2008 at 1:43 am
STAY in the game. THIS is how the undesireable players are eliminated.
brookem // May 12, 2008 at 3:49 am
Ugh, that’s a douchey move, huh? I would have been pissed too, even if I wasn’t into him. Still, you got all ready and went there to meet him (on time), and he pulls THAT move.
Idiot.
thenextfish // May 12, 2008 at 3:50 am
Wow. I genuinely don’t know what to say, I mean, that is something few complete assholes would do but when someone who has been chasing you does that… it’s no wonder we’re single. I’m angry for you! Ask for the cash next time you see him.
Essentially Me // May 12, 2008 at 4:54 am
Why are men stupid? I don’t know why men are stupid! Don’t let Ronaldo get the better of you!
libby // May 12, 2008 at 6:45 am
gah that is soooo frustrating!! i am indignant for you! the bench can be a good place to be though. i say milk it.
Queen // May 12, 2008 at 8:41 am
oh no!!
what do you say to something like this. i mean you could sit and make excuses as to why he was so late but i guess the bottom line is that men are just not good at playing the game. or better said, they dont know how to play it.
Peter // May 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Barcelona fan? That’s almost as bad as a Man U. fan.
Chris // May 12, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Peter: I’m both :P
Peter // May 12, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Chris: I’m sorry…
For your family.
Froggy // May 12, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Regardless of how into him you may or may not be, you have every right to get pissed off. Definitely a douchey move.
Hang in there love… I am maintaining my eternal optimism that *somewhere* out there, there are men who are not jackasses… SOMEWHERE DAMNIT!!
freckledk // May 12, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I’m happy that you got out of having to spend an evening with a guy you weren’t even into but, still, what a f*cktard.
As for the bench, you can come sit by me and we can point and snigger at the persons on the court, playing the game.
amber // May 12, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I think it’s actually WORSE when it’s someone you don’t really like, someone you could care less about, and after giving you the impression that they want you BADLY, they blow you off. WHAT?! is going on with that? I don’t know. But it pisses me off. Ronaldo is completely black-listed.
pin // May 13, 2008 at 12:07 am
come on!!!
well he is ugly anyway!and he is probably as bad as Greeks are with their dates…taking nothing seriously…taking way too long to get dressed…and being really relaxed…easy you know…in the stupid Mediterreanean kind of way…oh fuck it!!!
PhoenixHearse // May 13, 2008 at 12:25 am
I say you wait until he asks you out again, you accept, then on date night you turn off your phone and take a long bath.
Frannie // May 13, 2008 at 10:55 am
Awhhhhhhh!! What a cornball! Tsk tsk too bad for him. He just ruined his chances, although I don’t think he really even had one to begin with. :D
Michelle & the City // May 13, 2008 at 4:24 pm
UGH. seriously? definitely don’t put up with that. especially since YOU were the one being nice. ridiculous. i have come to the conclusion that guys just suck.
Lpeg // May 13, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Ugh. What an ass. Seriously. I agree with you. Take yourself out of the game for a bit. Maybe you’ll have better luck when you go back in.
Princess Pointful // May 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Wow. Just wow.
At least now you have an excuse to not go on that drink, right?
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