Page 90 of Playing the Game

“How often will you visit the Tea and Toast Club?” he asked.

“Let’s not mince words, Mr Haber,” Jeanette said. “My grandson tells me you’re all gay. Is that right?”

Jonas’ heart was pounding. He glanced around for Miss Tregellas but she was chatting with Tito’s table.

“Yes. That’s right.”

He would kill Howard and Dean for this. God forbid the photographer captured this moment for posterity.

Jeanette leant forward and helped herself to a slice of toast from a plate in the centre of the table.

“Very brave,” she said. “Can you pass me the marmalade?”

Jonas timidly obeyed her.

“Sorry. Brave?”

“Yes,” Roza said. “In football. We’re very impressed, you know.”

“You are?”

“Do you just repeat people’s words?” Jeanette asked. “I must say, I hope your feet are better than your mouth.”

Jonas giggled nervously. “In all honesty, you bloody terrify me.”

This made Jeanette throw her head back and roar with laughter.

“Oh now you’ve done it,” Stephen said. “She’ll be dining out on that for weeks now.”

Jeanette reached across and squeezed his hand.

“We had to check how you’d measure up. Brockton’s a tough town. A good town but a tough one. Mark my words. You’ll do okay.”

The rest of his breakfast companions all muttered their agreement. It appeared that getting the Jeanette seal of approval was a powerful thing.

Jonas grinned. “Thank goodness I passed the test.”

SEVENTEEN

ADAM

Across town Adam was clearing up the pool area. He could leave it to the cleaners but he didn’t like to. He always tidied up for them coming. He hoped it gave basic respect.

He tutted while retrieving a towel from the jacuzzi.

“I bet that’s Tito,” he muttered to himself.

Of course he should have done this the night before. Yet, after the lads had gone, including Jonas, he’d been a little flat. He’d tried not to take Jonas’ rejection personally.

“It’s your own fault,” he said to the empty room. “If you hadn’t panicked, he wouldn’t be so paranoid.”

Adam hated that he’d treated Jonas like that. He hoped to make it up to him later that day. The sight of Jonas in the jacuzzi with their teammates and the knowledge that he’d fucked him in there more than once was so sexy.

He palmed his cock as it sprang to life.

Before he had a chance to explore that new kink any further, the intercom for the gates buzzed. Adam frowned. He wasn’t expecting anyone.

Jonas would be eating Coco Pops with the local congregation.The cleaner wasn’t due today. Who else would show up unannounced?