Page 74 of Playing the Game

“This party is full of athletes.”

Heidi opened the door and stepped through. “Good job I work in tech then, isn’t it? Come on.”

Jonas hated that Heidi smoked. They’d had many a heated discussion about it. Still, he couldn’t force her to quit. She promised that one day she would. Unfortunately, that day never arrived.

Of course, it was raining. Jonas led Heidi round the corner of the main window. He had no desire for a lecture from Steven about getting second-hand smoke inhalation from his best friend. They found a gazebo that must have been set up on warmer days and never taken down.

Heidi rifled in her handbag and retrieved a lighter. She made a big performance of lighting up before turning to Jonas.

“When did you start sleeping with him?”

What the actual fuck?

“Who?”

“Tall, heavy-set, stubble. Ring any bells?”

He and Heidi had been close since he’d first come to England over five years ago. She didn’t miss a thing. His experiment had failed. Again.

“Fine,” he said with a sigh. “Is it so obvious?”

“Only to me,” she replied. “Or anyone else who noticed your hard-on when you were talking to him. Bit of a giveaway.”

Despite his concern, Jonas saw the funny side.

“You have such a way with words. Anna busted us as well. Should I be worried?”

Heidi exhaled. The smoke dancing in the drizzly air.

“I wouldn’t,” she said. “Us girls notice far more than men.”

Her attempt at comforting him missed the mark. If these two had foiled their secret affair in record time, it wouldn’t take long for one of their teammates or, even worse, the management to cotton on.

“I guess we’re not being as discreet as we think we are.”

“Those yearning gazes across a crowded room should probably stop,” she replied. “Just a suggestion.”

“Piss off.”

When he’d come out to her, she hadn’t batted an eyelid. Having grown up in Brighton, one of the gayest cities in the country, nothing like that phased Heidi. Although she fully understood his position as a Premier League player.

“The captain, eh?” she teased. “Not bad. He’s hot too.”

Jonas grinned. “He certainly is.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Oh God, you have feelings, don’t you?”

“I might.”

“Oh shit. You’re really in trouble.”

The next morning and Heidi had the hangover to end all hangovers. After they’d rejoined the party, she’d made friends with Paloma and some of her colleagues from the soap. As a result, Paloma had opened more than one bottle of champagne while they all got to know each other.

Jonas sat on the sofa when she came into the room. Her hair tied up in a messy bun and eye makeup running so badly she’d easily get a job as an Alice Cooper impersonator.

“Oh dear,” he said.

“Indeed.”