Chapter 20
TWENTY
UDO
On the coach to Liverpool’s ground, Udo sat next to Goran, who had barely spoken. As goalie, the pressure was fully on him not to let any balls past.
“Everything okay?” he said, quietly.
Goran shrugged. “Facing the best team in the league? No nerves here.”
“Hey, we’re out of the relegation zone now. No matter what happens, we’re staying up next season.”
“Thanks,” Goran replied. “I just don’t want my arse handed to me on a plate. Have you seen their results?”
Udo had been studying Liverpool’s form. Of course, he’d faced them before during his time at Chelsea.
Tito Lopes was Liverpool’s prized goal scorer, who struck fear into their hearts. He was on track to be the highest scorer in the league that season. No doubt he also would be after adding to that tally today.
Udo had never properly met him. He reflected on the golfing conversation. What if Tito was gay? No one seemed to really care although what went on behind locker room doors usually stayed secret.
They reached the ground in decent time. Udo still found it strange to arrive at these stadiums as a Brockton player.
At first he’d felt totally bent out of shape.
Yet after the last few weeks he’d begun to believe he could make a difference at this club.
Of course, sharing a bed with the assistant coach helped with that.
He smiled privately to himself. They’d barely spent a night apart since first getting together. It was nice.
As they got off, Javier beckoned him over.
“What’s up, boss?” he asked.
“I’m putting you on the bench for this match.”
Udo stopped dead. “What?”
“You need to trust me.”
“But—”
“It’s not up for discussion, Holtmann. Now wipe that scowl off your face and trust me.”
Udo watched him walk into the stadium. He’d never been a substitute for any of his clubs.
What the fuck is he up to?
Halftime had been and gone. Both teams were yet to score. Udo perched on the bench directly behind Steven, who hadn’t looked at him once since kickoff.
Suddenly Javier spun around in his seat.
“Okay, it’s time. Go and warm up. I’m giving you the chance to save this game.”
Udo nodded. He threw off his hoodie and ran down the steps. To his astonishment, a roar from their fans in the away supporters’ section greeted him. He stared up to see them waving and cheering. He waved, then began his warmups.
It gave him time to view the pitch and get a sense for the ebb and flow of the game.
His eye was immediately drawn to Tito Lopes.
He was exactly as expected. Dashing up and down the pitch like a machine.
Udo would keep him at arm’s length as best as possible.
Judging by the way Tito glanced over at the touchline, he had Udo firmly in his sights too.
Ten minutes later he jogged onto the pitch in exchange for Ingvar. They high fived each other as they transferred power.
Udo ran right into the centre where Adam awaited.
“Am I on the left wing?” Udo asked.
It was the position that Ingvar had vacated. Adam shook his head.
“No. I want you central with me,” he replied. “Shaun’s taking it.”
“What’s the plan?”
The referee blew his whistle. They were back in play.
“One of us distracts Lopes, the other takes it home.”
Udo nodded.
One of the opposition defenders had possession and passed to his teammate. Not well enough as Ewen leapt between the players and caught the ball. Udo’s heart began to race.
Adam ran to Ewen’s left and Udo to his right. As expected, Lopes was on Udo almost immediately.
So the attacker who thinks he’s a defender wants to play, does he?
Udo twisted this way and that to keep a clean spot for Ewen to pass to if he needed it. He managed to glance across at Adam. To his dismay, two defenders were blocking him at every turn.
Two others were almost upon Ewen. He had no option.
The noise of the crowd disappeared as Udo forced himself forward. His sudden burst of energy catching Lopes unawares for a second and giving Udo the space he needed to get toward Liverpool’s goal.
Ewen saw this and kicked the ball. It sailed over a lone defender’s head on a course straight for Udo. At the last minute, he threw his body up. His foot connecting with the ball and sending it flying above the goalie’s head.
The away fans’ roar filled Udo’s ears as he hit the ground with a jolt. Dazed, he lay there, supposing he must’ve scored. Then Adam’s grinning face filled his eyeline.
“That was fucking incredible.”
Udo couldn’t move. The adrenalin and joy paralysing him.
What a rush.
“The way you tricked him like that. Fucking brilliant.”
Udo lay on the sun lounger and closed his eyes. “Stop going on about it now. It was only a goal.”
Steven beamed. “It was the goal. Look at this shot.”
He held up the Sunday Times which had him splashed all over the sports supplement. As soon as they’d woken, Steven had gone to get copies of every newspaper. Sure enough, most of them had covered his moment in glorious colour photos.
The sun beat down from a cloudless sky. May in the United Kingdom could be a magical month. Maybe because the decent weather was such a rarity, Udo appreciated it all the more. Soon the rain would come and sensible people would head overseas.
“What do you want to do today?” Udo asked.
“Re-read all these?”
“Steven, I’m serious.”
He was getting embarrassed by all this. The danger of being built up by the papers usually meant they would knock you down at a later date. Udo preferred to coast under the radar. No chance of that today.
Steven reached across and took his hand.
“Too much?”
“A little.”
“Okay, plans for today,” he said. “How about none? I’ve plenty of food in. We can laze around in the sunshine then…”
Udo raised an eyebrow. “Then what?”
“Monopoly, of course.”
Udo laughed. “Idiot.”
A day of doing nothing with Steven did appeal.
Surely that was what Sundays were for? The season was drawing to a close and more relaxed days were waiting.
He would have to visit his mother at some point.
She hadn’t been over to the UK since he’d transferred to Brockton, and he hadn’t been home. He missed her.
“What are you thinking about?” Steven asked.
“Mum,” Udo replied. “I need to see her soon. It’s been a while.”
Steven considered it for a second.
“I usually take my family away in the summer. Why don’t we combine the two and rent somewhere fantastic?”
“That sounds fun. Although perhaps you and I should go to Germany first. It’s a lot to expect my mum to meet all your lot and you in one trip.”
Steven grinned. “Taking me home to meet Mother? You must be getting serious.”
“Oh believe me, I am.”
Udo lay back and let the sun’s rays cascade over him.
“I know you’re watching me,” he said.
Steven sniggered. “The football superstar can see everything.”
“Correct.”
The intercom went.
“That’ll be Naomie and Kyle,” Steven said. “I’d forgotten about those two.”
Steven got up and threw a shirt on. It should be a crime to cover up a body like that. Even so, Udo would enjoy taking it off him later.
Once Steven had gone, Udo grabbed one of the papers. The picture of him suspended in midair was pretty awesome. He allowed a smile to creep on his face.
Fuck that had felt good.
He read the glowing review. What meant the most to him were quotes from fans who were singing his praises. The supporters always made the job worthwhile. When he’d heard them cheering his name as he warmed up, it had ricocheted through his whole body.
“Look who’s here.”
Steven walked out onto the terrace with Naomie and Kyle. As usual Kyle skulked behind his girlfriend and her famous brother.
“Udo,” Naomie said. “Have you moved in? You’re always here.”
He got up and kissed her on the cheek.
“It’s too nice a day to be stuck at home on my own,” Udo replied. “Steven offered up one of his sun loungers. Who am I to say no?”
He nodded at Kyle, who returned the gesture. His eyes boring into Udo. Why did he always make him so uncomfortable?
“What brings you here?” Steven asked.
“Do I need a reason?”
“Of course not,” Steven replied. “But you usually do these days.”
Naomie sat on the end of Steven’s lounger. Kyle remained by the patio table.
“You know Kyle is doing well as a DJ?”
“Of course. Congratulations, Kyle.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Spit it out, Naomie,” Steven said. His tone hardening.
“He’s got the chance to play at a club in Ibiza. They won’t pay the travel costs, tight bastards. We’re skint, bro.”
“Bro?”
“That’s what you are.”
Steven sighed. “I’m sorry, Naomie. I’m not a bank. I gave you a grand the other day.”
“Are you saying you can’t afford it?”
“Not at all. I’m saying no. Kyle will have to find another way. I suppose you’re going with him.”
Naomie nodded.
“Flights to Ibiza aren’t expensive,” Udo offered. “My cousins got bargains last year.”
“Leave it, Naomie,” Kyle said. “I’ll find another way.”
“That sounds like a good idea, Kyle,” Steven said. “In fact, Naomie, can I have a word?”
The brother and sister went into the house.
“Do you want to sit down?” Udo asked Kyle.
He sloped in and sat on the lounger vacated by Steven.
“Cool goal yesterday.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nice that Steven invites you over. Don’t you have a garden at your place?”
Udo pushed his sunglasses up on his nose and stared at Kyle. He had no idea what Naomie saw in him. Such a beautiful girl could do far better than this pasty specimen with terrible tattoos.
“Kyle, do you have any friends?”
“Course I do.”
“And you like to spend time with them?”
Kyle shrugged. “It’s all right.”
“Steven and I are friends. I’m new round here so he’s been kind enough to save me from long weekends stuck in the house.”
“Sick.”
Before Udo had a chance to respond, the patio doors opened. Steven and Naomie looked grave. They’d evidently had a disagreement. Udo was proud of Steven for refusing yet another request for cash.
“Let’s go,” Naomie said.
Kyle leapt up and followed her.
“Laters.”
“Laters, Kyle.”
Once they’d gone, Steven came and flopped down on his lounger.
“I don’t like him,” he said. “Not one bit. He’s shifty.”
“Agreed. What is she doing?”
Steven shook his head. “Who knows? Maybe this is her rebellious phase. Mum hates him. He lazes around her house all the time.”
“I wouldn’t trust him,” Udo replied.
They lay in silence for a second. The birds were cheeping away.
“Do you want a drink?” Steven asked.
He got up. Udo grabbed his hand.
“Are you okay?”
Steven sighed. “I guess. It’s the first time I’ve said no to her. Maybe I will send her some cash. I’d rather know what she’s doing than not. Like you said, that Kyle is a sly twat.”
Udo felt a rush of love for Steven. He cared for his family. Udo hadn’t really known what that was like.
“Kiss me,” he said.
Steven leant down and obeyed.
“I think you’re a very special man, Steven Cox.”
“That’s handy. Because I think you are too.”
Hours later, they had moved indoors. Music played as they lay on the couch.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” Steven asked.
“In a bit,” Udo replied.
He was so comfortable with his head on Steven’s chest. It had fast become his favourite place in the world to be.
It was perfect. Until Udo’s phone began to ring.
“Is there no peace?” Udo asked.
He got up and frowned at the caller ID.
“It’s Howard.”
“What the hell does he want on a Sunday?”
Whatever it was, Udo was willing to bet it wasn’t anything good.
He pressed Answer.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at a friend’s. Why?”
Udo turned to Steven. The tone in Howard’s voice sending unease through his system.
“Would that friend happen to be Steven Cox?”
Shit.
“Yes, so?”
“I’m at the gates. I’ve been calling and buzzing for ages. Can you let me in?”
“One second.”
Udo terminated the call. By now, Steven had sat up, his face etched with worry.
“What’s going on?”
“Howard’s at the gate. He’s been calling.”
“I put my phone on silent after Naomie left.”
“I don’t like this. You’d better let him in.”
Steven leapt off the couch.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have muted the intercom,” he said over his shoulder. “God forbid I’d want some bloody peace.”
He pressed the button.
The wait for Howard to come up the drive seemed to last for an age. It had to be serious for him to come out at this time.
“I’m scared,” Udo said.
Steven put his arm around him. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure of it.”
His tone suggested otherwise.
Howard’s Volvo pulled up outside and Steven went to answer the door. Udo paced the room as he waited.
Poor Howard looked harassed when he came into the room.
“Howard?” Udo asked. “What brings you here?”
“I had a call from one of my reporter friends,” he said. “They’re running a story on you two in the morning.”
It was as though the world had stopped turning.
“What?”
“Then we’ll sue them,” Steven said.
Howard lifted up his phone. There was a crystal-clear photograph of Udo and Steven on the sun loungers earlier in the day. What made it all the more damning was they were kissing.
“What the fuck?” Udo said.
Steven grabbed the phone. “How the hell did they get in here?”
From the angle of the photograph, it had been taken from the wall that surrounded the property.
“I’d suggest someone took out your security system,” Howard said. “If we can prove that, then we can sue. They’re calling it an anonymous tip-off. He’s lying of course but the lawyers won’t go near it.”
Udo sank onto the sofa. “What do we do?”
“We get you out of here first,” Howard replied. “Before long that road will be swamped with reporters. Steven, Javier wants you at his place.”
Steven had his head in his hands. “Wait a second. This is going too fast.”
“We have to,” Howard said. “For the time being you two can only see each other at work. Fuck knows what the lads will think of this.”
Udo thought he might have a panic attack. The walls were coming in so quickly he could barely see.
“Udo, is your car here?” Howard asked.
He shook his head miserably.
“Then I’ll give you a lift home. At least that’ll give us a chance to talk. I’ll meet you outside.”
Udo appreciated Howard’s discretion. When they were alone, Udo stood and fell into Steven’s outstretched arms.
“We’re fucked,” he sobbed.
“Hey now,” Steven replied, kissing the top of his head. “We will survive this. No matter what. I think we have to trust Howard. He knows what he’s doing.”
He was right. A follow-up shot of Udo leaving Steven’s house would not be good.
“How did they get that photo?”
“I’ve got an idea,” Steven replied. “We can’t worry about that now.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“Sweetheart, you have to.”
They kissed. Udo’s heart broke as it felt like the last kiss. He had no idea when he would get another.
Steven wiped the tear from his eye.
“It will be fine.”
“It has to be.”