Chapter 25 #2
“I’m asking our manager,” Adam continued. “The lads are losing their shit downstairs. You do realise that by requesting new blood it means others will be going.”
Javier got up. “Don’t you dare question my knowledge. Of course I know that. Do you honestly think that we weren’t going to make changes anyway?”
Adam strode over to the window.
“Who?”
“That’s none of your concern right now,” Javier said. “You want a team that can win something next season?”
Adam turned. “Of course I do.”
“There are people in that locker room who are not going to take us there. It’s a fact, Adam. I’m sorry.”
“I understand,” Adam said. He was quieter this time. “I’m sorry for barging in here like this. You caught us all unaware, boss.”
Javier laughed grimly. “I did that to myself. Believe me, I had no idea I would come out with that.”
“I can vouch for that,” Steven added.
The tension in the room was thick. Steven suspected it would be nothing compared to Jamie’s office a couple of floors above them.
“Do you think Jamie will sack you?” Adam asked.
“I’ve no idea,” Javier replied. “He’s got every right to if South Tel pull their support.”
“Fuck,” Adam replied.
The responsibility for this whole mess lay at Steven’s door. They should have waited until Udo retired. Now careers were on the line.
“I will go before Javier does,” he said.
Before anyone could respond there was another knock.
“Here we go,” Javier said. “Enter.”
This time it was Howard. He was gripping onto his iPad and his eyes had a wild quality to them that Steven had never seen before.
“He’s got a video conference with South Tel in five,” Howard said. “You’re both required.”
Shit.
“I’ll go and tell the lads to hang tight,” Adam said.
Javier nodded. “Thank you, Adam. That’s very much appreciated.”
The walk to Jamie’s office was long. Everyone was staring. Javier had his head held high. Steven had no choice but to follow suit.
“Just go straight in,” Veronica said.
She couldn’t meet their eyes.
Shit.
Howard led them into the lion’s den. Jamie was over by the window with his back to them.
“Now, Jamie—”
Jamie held his hand up.
“I don’t want to hear it. Wait until South Tel are on.”
Javier glanced at Steven.
What are we supposed to do? Stand here?
Thankfully Howard broke the silence. “The socials are largely positive, if that helps.”
His remark got no response.
Veronica knocked and entered. “South Tel are ready.”
Steven dropped his shoulders. This was a lot.
Veronica grabbed the remote and switched on the huge plasma TV screen that dominated one wall of the office. Jamie sat in his chair. Steven noticed he didn’t extend the offer to his staff.
There was Meera Jakhar. When they’d met in London she had terrified Steven. Today was a whole different matter. Her face was stony as were the advisors who flanked her.
“Meera,” Jamie said.
“What is going on?” Meera demanded.
“We have two options,” Jamie replied, clasping his hands together. “One, we retract what you said. Put it down to a heat-of-the-moment thing.”
“And two?” Meera asked.
Jamie shrugged. “Ignore it and move on.”
“There’s a third option,” Javier said.
Steven shuddered.
Keep it shut.
Jamie scowled at him. “Go on, brains. Enlighten us.”
“Double down,” Javier replied. “Make a statement saying the club fully supports what I said.”
Jamie threw his hands up. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“Wait,” Meera said. “Go on, Javier. I’m listening.”
“Think about it,” Javier continued, taking advantage of the moment. “We could get some talent at a knockdown price.”
Jamie suddenly became alert. Steven glanced from one person to the next. Even Howard was transfixed.
“Continue,” Jamie said.
“We’ve all heard rumours about this player or that,” Javier continued. “Tito Lopes for one.”
Those were very well-known rumours that the man himself appeared at no urgency to dampen.
Howard sighed. “Tito Lopes is not going to sign for Brockton.”
“You don’t know that. There are others and no, I’m not naming them. They’re good though.”
They all looked to the screen. Meera shrugged.
“One of our Formula One drivers is marrying one of our ex-drivers. I think we’ve made it clear how we stand. We’d support this.”
Steven stifled a yelp.
“Jamie?” Meera asked. “It’s visionary. You were telling me the other day how you wanted to put your own stamp on the club.”
“I didn’t expect it to be a frigging rainbow.”
With the high tension in the moment, that comment made everyone convulse with laughter. Now Steven did have to take a seat on one of the sofas.
No one was laughing more than Jamie.
There was another knock and a confused-looking Veronica stuck her head around the door.
“Jamie. I’m really sorry. I’ve got your dad on the line. He refuses to wait.”
The smile dropped from Jamie’s face.
“Oh fuck.”
“We’ll leave you to handle that one, Jamie,” Meera said.
The screen went blank.
“Shall we leave you to it?” Steven asked.
Jamie shook his head. “No. You can get a taste for what I have to deal with. Put him on speaker.”
Veronica nodded and closed the door behind her.
“That went well,” Javier said, sitting next to Steven.
Jamie didn’t get a chance to answer before the speaker crackled to life.
“What the hell is going on?”
Terence Walter had managed Brockton for thirty years. He was old-school through and through. And more than a little terrifying.
“Dad. I’m here with Javier, Steven and Howard.”
“Sack them.”
Poor Howard whimpered.
“I will do no such thing.”
“When I gave you control of my club, I didn’t expect this,” Terence continued. “I bet South Tel are losing their shit.”
“For your information, they couldn’t care less. So no, we won’t be losing any money, if that’s what the board are worried about.”
Steven saw a glint in Jamie’s eye. He was enjoying getting one over on the old man. Another positive sign.
“And will you be having a bloody parade before every game?”
Steven clenched his fists. The casual homophobia he’d been subjected to that morning was seriously pissing him off. The more he considered it, the more he became convinced he would be better walking away.
But football was his life. He certainly wouldn’t get another job in the game.
What the fuck would I do?
Tears pricked at his eyes. The injustice of it all overwhelming him.
Jamie stared into his eyes. For a second they connected, the rest of the room fading.
“We will be supporting Javier’s words,” Jamie said, firmly. “Howard will provide the press with a statement within the hour.”
“Don’t you dare—”
Jamie terminated the call.
“This had better work,” Jamie said. “Or you’ll all be out on your arses at the end of next season.”