Page 52 of Playing the Game

“Thank you for coming to see me.”

“It’s great to be back in Liverpool,” Tito said.

Jonas sat next to his colleague and neighbour. In reality he did resent having to drive for over an hour for a meeting. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.

He had declared that he would continue without a manager. Then Udo had stepped in. They were both the wrong side of thirty and Udo explained how Jonas really should try to bank as much cash as possible while he was still playing. Unless they excelled at management or a media role, footballers faced a long retirement.

Udo certainly had a point. Jonas had become accustomed to a certain way of life and he had no desire to lose that. He also would be content to withdraw from the public eye at the first opportunity. Especially if he and Adam ever were to go public.

Stop thinking like that. It’s way too soon.

“I will be totally upfront,” Dean said. “I’ve never represented soccer players before.”

Jonas knew this. He and Noah had spent the previous evening researching Dean’s career so far. He had a list of clients from rugby, athletics and, strangely, a couple of reality TV stars.

“How do we know you’ll be any good then?” Tito asked.

Udo caught Jonas’ eye. Sometimes Tito’s tendency to speak his mind amused him. Other times it made Jonas cringe.

“I suppose you don’t,” Dean replied, meeting Tito’s gaze. “If you give me the chance to prove myself to you, I’m confident I can get you some decent deals. You’re all big names at the moment.”

The media were always watching. Howard had hammered home that they were to live dull lives for the foreseeable. Jonas had no problem with that.

“I don’t want to be in the spotlight,” he said.

The idea that a wily reporter might pick up on the situation between him and Adam was too much to bear.

“Bit late for that,” Noah replied.

“You know what I mean,” Jonas continued. “I know we’re in the public eye. I’m against courting it. That’s a deal with the devil.”

Dean nodded. He opened his laptop and connected it to a huge plasma TV screen mounted on the wall.

“You don’t have to be in every magazine with the plans I have for you all.”

“I don’t mind,” Tito said. “I’ve made the jump now. Might as well have the good bits.”

Dean smirked. “A man after my own heart. Noah?”

Noah shrugged. “I’m not that fussed. I moved to Brockton to be open and honest about who I am. I like the idea that kids out there who are worried and confused about themselves will see a picture of me or any of us and it will make it that bit easier.”

A lump formed in Jonas’ throat. He had been so focused on keeping his secrets he’d forgotten about the huge responsibilitythat came with being a gay Premier League footballer. They were role models to a world of people. Whether they liked it or not.

“Last season I got tons of shit,” Udo said. “I also received so many messages from fans telling me to go for it. How me and Steven being open about our relationship had given them the courage to tell their family and friends they were gay. It gave me the strength to push on through.”

Dean nodded.

“It is unprecedented,” he said. “Four out gay footballers in the same team. Would Steven be interested in working with us? I reckon there’ll be some great his-and-his deals to be had.”

Udo blushed. “I don’t think so. Perhaps let’s focus on solo stuff for the time being.”

The screen burst to life. Predictably the Freedom Management logo had been superimposed on a rainbow flag.

I hope he’s got more original ideas than that.

“Sorry about that,” Dean said. “My assistant put these slides together. A bit too on the nose?”

Jonas nodded. “A bit. Their heart’s in the right place.”