Page 53 of Playing the Game

“Are you gay?” Tito asked Dean.

Jonas caught Udo’s eye. A whisper of amusement ran over Udo’s face.

“Actually I am,” Dean replied. “Which probably puts me in the best position to represent you.”

Tito folded his arms. “Right then. Time to prove yourself.”

Later that day, Jonas sprawled on his sofa, playing a PlayStation game. Tito and Noah had been beating his ass on the latest racing game and he needed some practice. He hated not being as good as them at something.

He’d also invited Adam over. As far as Noah and Tito were concerned, it was a buddy thing. Goran had been to visit Noah acouple of times. So far Ewen hadn’t been seen anywhere near the place. Jonas doubted that Tito would’ve invited him.

He rarely had the chance to host Adam. In the end they had set up a shared love of video games as a great cover.

He threw down the controller and wandered over to the window. He enjoyed the view of the whole of the town he now called home. Adam’s house was surrounded by trees to give total privacy.

Of course, he understood the need for discretion. That didn’t stop it from frustrating him as well.

The daylight was retreating. Jonas glanced at his watch. Adam would be here at any moment.

He lit some candles and plumped up the cushions.

“Snacks.”

Jonas ran into the kitchen and put some trail mix and crisps in bowls. All approved by the Brockton FC nutrition department. God forbid they’d have a bar of chocolate or anything like that.

Just as he’d arranged things neatly on the coffee table, the intercom went. Jonas fully expected to see the gorgeous Adam on the display. His jaw dropped when he saw someone completely different.

“Anna?” he said into the microphone.

“Can I come in?”

“Fine.”

Jonas pressed the button.

What the hell was his sister doing here? His sister who lived in Stockholm.

A knot of anxiety lodged in him.

Is it Dad? Has something happened?

He flung the door open at her first knock.

“What’s going on?”

She burst into tears. Jonas led her down the hallway and into the lounge.

“Anna?”

“I’ve run away.”

Jonas couldn’t believe his ears.

“You’ve done what? Wait a minute. How the hell did you get here?”

Anna dried her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. “I got an aeroplane, of course.”

His head was spinning.