Page 83 of Playing the Game

The atmosphere in there wasn’t too bad. Alain and Jerzy were on the benches chanting,

“The way the Skipper tricked them. Fucking amazing,” Colin said.

“Here he is,” Ewen shouted out.

They all crowded him. Hugging him and ruffling his hair.

“All right. Calm down,” he said. “It’s not like we won.”

“Don’t matter, Skip,” Tito said. “That goal was class. No matter what.”

I wish Jonas could’ve seen this.

“Hey, save some for the main man,” he said, waving them away. “He’ll be here in a minute.”

Adam staggered over to his bench and flopped down. Hiswhole body ached. After matches like these he wished the communal bath hadn’t gone out of fashion. A long hot soak would be perfect.

“You know what I hate about playing Sunday matches?” Alain asked.

“Enlighten us,” Jerzy replied.

“There’s nowhere open to go out after.”

A night out seemed like the last thing on his mind. Adam had a date with his jacuzzi to rest his bones. Then an idea struck him.

“Pool party at mine. A kind of we lost but we won celebration?”

A cheer erupted.

The door opened. Adam braced himself for Jonas. To not show any reaction.

It was Howard.

He came in. Adam smirked when he saw Howard’s wandering eye. He supposed he didn’t blame him. People often found coming up against naked athletes to be an arresting experience. Not that Howard had ever been shy about coming into the locker room.

“I have news,” Howard said. “Things are a changing.”

“Not you I hope, Howard,” Ewen interrupted.

“You wish,” Howard replied. “Where’s Jonas?”

As if by magic, Jonas walked through the door. “Did I hear my name?”

“The timing of a West End star. Why aren’t you being interviewed?”

“They’re still setting up. Why aren’t you ready to field questions?”

“Touché,” Howard said. “I suppose I’ll have to concede now your goal has already been voted the best of the weekend on five sports sites.”

“Bloody hell,” Colin said. “We’ve only just come off the pitch.”

Noah gave him a high five and Tito threw his arms around him.

Jonas grinned.

Fuck he’s sexy.

“I’m having a party at mine, Howard,” Adam said. “You’re welcome to join if you’ve got a pair of Speedos.”