Page 23 of Playing the Game

“Us,” Jonas replied.

“What will we do?” Jerzy asked.

“Nothing,” Adam replied.

He’d finally found a seat in between Udo and Noah. He slumped down in it. They’d had such high hopes for this season. Now the fans despised them.

“That’s weak,” Goran said.

“No, Adam’s right,” Jonas cut in. “Let them whine and wail. When we annihilate on the pitch, they’ll soon come begging for more.”

Adam scanned all the faces at the table. Some he’d known for years, others he was only discovering.

“We’re a team,” he said. “And fuck anyone else.”

They cheered.

Mercifully, Stefano came to take the order and broke the moment.

Adam turned to Udo.

“Okay?”

Udo nodded. “Just shit, isn’t it? So much for this season being easier.”

“We’ve everything to play for.”

“Was that a pun?”

Adam winked. “Certainly was.”

Things were settling down a little. Once they’d all given Stefano their order, the conversation drifted to their chances at winning the cup or the league.

“We’ll never manage the league,” Alain declared. “It takes way too much staying power.”

“Could do the cup though,” Tito replied.

Edi was opposite Adam. He noticed the young lad had gone very quiet.

“Edi,” Adam said. “You okay, mate?”

“Yeah.”

“Talk to me.”

Edi sighed. He glanced at Udo.

“I should never have repeated my father’s words,” he said. “I have been a bad person.”

“Edi, no,” Udo said. “You’re not bad, just confused, and that’s okay.”

Udo’s words didn’t look like they’d made much impact on Edi. He fiddled with his napkin.

“I will try harder.”

“Hey,” Jonas said. “You don’t have to try. Relax and be yourself.”

Edi forced a smile onto his face.