Page 110 of Playing the Game

“Fuck off, Shaun,” Adam replied.

The ref ran over.

“Adam, are you okay?” he asked.

Adam nodded.

The ref focused on Shaun. The Brockton fans roared when a yellow card was held aloft. One more of those and Shaun would be sent off.

“Remember when they all used to cheer you, Shaun?” Adam said, “Now they fucking hate you.”

The grin hadn’t left Shaun’s face. “We didn’t have protestors when I played here. Are you sure it’s me they hate?”

There would be a free kick. Usually, Adam took them. Jonas stepped forward.

“Can I?”

Adam appeared about to argue then retreated.

“Sure,” he replied, taking a step back.

The Canonbury players formed a wall.

Jonas glanced at Ewen to his right then Tito on his left. He could sense Adam and Udo behind him.

For a second, Jonas stared into the eyes of his old teammates. They glared at him. He’d never spoken to them since he left. Now he was playing better than ever. They probably felt betrayed.

I couldn’t give a fuck.

His heartbeat pumped in his ears as he lined the shot up. The stadium fell silent.

Jonas swallowed down his nerves.

The ref blew his whistle.

In a split second, Jonas channelled all the uncertainty and upset of the last few days. He sprinted forward with a power even he didn’t know he possessed. Then he kicked the ball with such power it shot over the heads of the Canonbury defenders.

It went straight past the goalie and into the net. The relief hit him like a truck.

Then the crowd cheered as one.

Jonas was in a daze as his teammates grabbed him, hugged him or patted him on the back. When he extracted himself, Jonas became face to face with Adam.

“That was fucking brilliant,” Adam said.

They had shared goal celebrations before. Now it felt hollow. Jonas thought he might burst into tears at any moment.

“Tomorrow,” Adam said. “I promise.”

Jonas nodded.

The game resumed. Brockton would not give Canonbury a chance to level the score. Much to Shaun’s frustration. He became perilously close to a red card after a filthy tackle on Edi.

Finally the whistle blew. Brockton had won.

As they walked off the pitch, the away fans were screaming at them.

“Haber the traitor,” one shouted.