Page 87 of Playing the Game

Adam pushed him away. “Are you fucking crazy?”

“They’re all in the pool.”

“No they’re not. Ingvar is roaming free.”

How could he have forgotten?

“Shit. Sorry.”

His cheeks burning Jonas got his phone out of his bag and began to scroll.

“We need to be more careful if we’re going to keep our promise to Javier,” Adam said.

He sighed and leant against the kitchen counter. Jonas tried not to stare at his muscular chest. Those edible nipples. The trail down to…

This is going to be a lot more difficult than we realised.

“That was amazing with Edi,” Jonas said, desperate to turn the conversation to something more wholesome than the sinful desires sweeping through him.

“So amazing,” Adam replied. “Fifty Skipper points to him when I speak to Colin.”

Jonas shook his head. “Don’t remind me of those, thank you. Here it is.”

He went to connect the call when Adam’s hand on his stayed him.

“Are you coming tonight?” Adam asked.

“You’ve changed your tune. I was toxic a minute ago.”

Adam had the good grace to be embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I got a bit in my head about everything. This is new territory.”

Jonas understood. It didn’t make life easy. “I can’t deal with you blowing hot and cold. It fucks with my paranoia. All I ask is that you talk to me.”

“I’m planning on making it up to you in ways that don’t involve talking.”

“I can’t,” Jonas replied. “I’ll go home with the others. It would be obvious if I hang around. Anyway, I’ve got an early appointment.”

Adam raised an eyebrow. “We have training tomorrow.”

“We’ll be there. Don’t fret. We’re officially opening the Tea and Toast club at the local church.”

“Church? Wait, is this a Howard Clooney production?”

“Kind of. Our new agent is coming too. I’ve only met him once so I want to be on my A game. How about I come round after training instead?”

Adam licked his lips. “I like the sound of that.”

Jonas checked over his shoulder. The lads were all joking about something, still submerged in water.

“I did want to speak to you about something,” Jonas said.

He had something else that needed airing and might not get a better opportunity. Jonas really wanted Adam’s opinion before he did anything.

“What?”

“I’m thinking of suggesting Anna does her further education here in the UK and stays with me.”

Adam’s brow furrowed as he took this information in. To Jonas it was the perfect solution. It also gave him someone to unconditionally care for. Adam’s recent shenanigans had thrown him for a loop. It had exposed his vulnerability. Everyone in his life had a connection to football except Heidi. Caring for Anna would give him as much as it would her.