Page 116 of Playing the Game

His heart fluttered as he rehearsed the speech he’d prepared on the drive over.

It was a miserable grey afternoon. Jonas pulled up alongside him. As ever, Adam’s stomach did a flip at being so close to him.

Jonas got into the passenger side of Adam’s car. His eyes wary and his jawline set.

“Hi,” Adam ventured.

“Hello.”

The words he’d carefully prepared appeared to desert him.

“So?” Jonas said. “You wanted to talk.”

Adam took a breath. “Like I said the other day, something has happened that is massive.”

Jonas stared straight ahead. “Here we go.”

“It’s not what you or the bloody media think it is.”

“Well?”

Here came the big ask. He needed Jonas to trust him implicitly.

“I can’t tell you at the moment.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jonas snarled. “You’ve dragged me out in this shitty weather for this?”

Adam reached for Jonas’ hand, which he immediately snatched away.

“I know we’ve not been together for very long,” Adam said. “Even so, I really care for you Jonas. I need you to trust me.”

“Trust isn’t my strongest suit,” Jonas replied. “Cheating is also a dealbreaker.”

“Fucking hell,” Adam said. “How many times do I have to tell you that it isn’t like that? Why are you so paranoid? At least tell me.”

Jonas burst out laughing. “You have no right to be asking for the truth when you’ve admitted that you’re keeping something from me.”

Great big dollops of rain fell on the windscreen.

“Please look at me.”

Jonas did so.

“I am not cheating on you. I promise.”

Jonas’ eyes filled up. “That’s what my dad said. Then he got that rotten bitch Tuva pregnant.”

“Then what happened?”

Jonas shook his head. “Now isn’t the time to talk about this. I want to know where I stand. Make it simple.”

“I would like to be with you,” Adam replied. “Forever. If you’ll have me. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Jonas shouted. “Is it to do with Jen?”

Adam nodded. “She’s in a bad way. I have to be there for her.”

“Why?”