Page 78 of Playing the Game

Noah shrugged. “Not sure. I quite like the idea of building my own place. Nothing fancy.”

Tito frowned. “You’ll have to get a move on if you want it ready by the summer.”

“I’m not talking a mansion or anything. As long as it has a view.”

Noah remained an enigma to Jonas. He seemed very content to let Tito have the attention. Yet when Jonas was alone with him, there was a depth to the lad that amazed him.

“Even so,” Tito said. “You need to get an architect quick bloody smart.”

“And you, Jonas?” Noah asked.

Would he even be here next season? He hoped so but something stopped him from committing fully to Brockton.

“I’ll rent something.”

Tito frowned. “Why not buy?”

“If I see somewhere nice, I will. I can’t be arsed with the whole search and furnish shit.”

He wasn’t convincing anyone. Much less himself. That afternoon a flame of doubt had ignited within him. Jonas wanted it to go out. He really did.

FIFTEEN

ADAM

Adam woke up in Jonas’ arms. His favourite way to start the day. Jonas must have sensed this because he tightened his hold.

“Morning,” he murmured.

“Morning.”

Jonas stroked Adam’s freshly shaven head.

“Why do you keep your hair so short?” Jonas asked.

“Because we’re not all born with gorgeous thick dark locks like you.”

Jonas’ stroking became more insistent. “I think you should grow it out.”

Adam squirmed out of Jonas’ grasp and sat up. “Not a chance, sunshine. It’s a curly mop.”

“I’d need photo evidence.”

Adam shook his head. “Dream on.”

Jonas pulled Adam toward him and kissed his head.

At that moment, Adam would have given a sizeable part of his fortune to be able to spend the rest of the day like that.

But alas, it wasn’t to be. Titans of the Premier League, Manchester United were visiting Brockton Park that afternoon.

“Big day today.”

“Imagine if Steven saw us now. I bet poor Udo has to sleep in the spare room the night before a match,” Jonas said.

“Oh he does,” Adam replied. “I can confirm that.”

Jonas was right though. Javier and Steven would have his balls if they knew he’d flouted the no sex before a match rule.