Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
UDO
Thankfully the last game of the season arrived. They were playing in Bournemouth. Udo wanted to get away from Brockton for a while. Everything had become so claustrophobic.
He climbed the steps onto the coach with trepidation. It reminded him of schooldays when the back seat would be the lair of the bullies. The trick was to get as close to the driver as possible.
Some of the lads were still giving him side eye. Of course, Shaun hadn’t let up for the whole of training. Suddenly taking an interest in the newspapers and bringing them in every day.
The first few rows of seats were taken. Udo froze as he walked up the aisle.
“Udo!”
He looked to see Colin waving at him.
“Saved you a spot, mate.”
Udo sat silently next to Colin. His lip trembling.
“Thanks,” he said.
“No worries,” Colin replied. “You’re the only one who doesn’t snore.”
They both sniggered. It felt good to be sharing a joke with a teammate. Something Udo promised himself he would never take for granted again.
“I wanted to talk to you about something anyway,” Colin said.
Udo’s stomach dropped.
“Oh yeah?”
“Adam was saying you’re thinking of getting a new Lamborghini. No way, man. Get a Ferrari. It’s worth the extra.”
Udo could barely hide his sigh of relief.
“How about you come to the showrooms with me?” Udo asked. His voice a little shaky. “You know, when the heat has died down a bit.”
Colin’s face brightened up. “Really?”
“Of course. I’d love your advice.”
“No worries. We can go next week if you like. I don’t care if the press think I’m shagging you.”
Colin got his phone out and set about to scrolling his socials. It was the kindest full stop to a conversation Udo had ever experienced.
“Thanks, Colin.”
Udo’s gaze rested on the front of the coach. He was waiting for one person to get on board. They’d barely seen each other except for in full team briefings when he’d felt everyone’s eyes on him.
Udo’s stomach did a flip when Steven got onto the coach. They instantly locked eyes. The urge to run down the aisle and throw himself into Steven’s arms was strong. Of course, they’d spoken on the phone loads. Udo needed more. He wanted Steven’s touch and the comfort of his lips.
Now Javier had declared Brockton a gay-friendly zone, the story had gone stratospheric. They were even being discussed on daytime television. Yet, most of the response had been positive.
Steven took his seat at the front next to Javier.
“Won’t be much longer,” Adam said from the seat across from Udo.
“I bet you’re in blue-ball hell,” Colin added from the other side.
“Colin!” Udo exclaimed.
“Don’t be so fucking disgusting,” Shaun chipped in from the seat behind. “It’s bad enough we’re being seen as a bunch of fairies. I’m not listening to that kind of talk.”
Adam’s face grew dark. “Then why don’t you piss off, Shaun?”
“I remember when this club was something to be proud of.”
“Is that right?” Udo replied. “Was that the time you missed the penalty in the semi-final last year? Remember?”
Brockton and Chelsea had been fighting for a place in the cup final the previous season.
With a nil-nil draw after extra time, it had come down to taking penalties for the win. Udo had scored. Shaun had not. Udo’s teammate had scored, and they had won.
Shaun went scarlet.
“Prick.”
The heavens had opened about fifteen minutes into the game. Udo was no stranger to playing in the rain. It seemed to match his mood today. He’d barely touched the ball. Shaun seemed to be everywhere. At times Udo felt like he was being marked by his own teammate.
Adam ran past him.
“What the fuck is Riggs doing?” he asked.
“I think you should ask him that.”
The ball came past them. Adam expertly got it under control before the Bournemouth defender knew what had hit him.
Udo kept pace with Adam as they headed toward the goal. Unfortunately the defender doubled back and was keeping close to Udo. Adam had no choice but to pass the ball to Shaun, who was clear.
The crowd roared. Shaun made it to the edge of the penalty box. The goal was in sight. Two Bournemouth players were on him. Udo got free from the defender and sprinted to the opposite side of the pitch.
Shaun locked eyes with him. Udo in a perfect position. He prepared himself for the inevitable pass.
It didn’t come. Shaun pivoted and sent the ball flying over the heads of the players toward Colin at the halfway line. Colin struggled to get it under control and lost possession to Bournemouth.
Udo ran up the pitch but it was too late. The striker shot through Brockton’s defence and the ball landed in the back of the net. The home crowd went wild.
Unfortunately, Udo was near Brockton’s fans.
“You’re bloody useless, Holtmann,” one shouted.
“Fucking the coach and still can’t play,” another added.
“The only thing he’s fucked is the team.”
A lump formed in Udo’s throat. He swallowed it down. He would have his tears on tomorrow’s front page.
Eventually, the referee blew the whistle for half-time. Slowly, the Brockton players trudged to the tunnel that led to the locker rooms. Udo bowed his head as he walked. Trying to block out the jeers and catcalls.
He looked up and saw Steven’s mum in the hospitality area. She was with Andrew and Nina. They all stuck their thumbs up. At least they were on his side.
Once in the corridor, Adam squeezed his shoulder.
“I’ll speak to him,” Adam said.
Udo shook his head. “Don’t bother. It won’t change anything. I wanted to show the fans that I’m still the same Udo. How can I do that if my own teammates won’t do the right thing? This might be my last game, you know? If Jamie gets rid of me this summer, I’ll not get another Premier League team.”
Adam seemed lost for words.
“Let’s get it over and done,” Udo said.
Then he stopped in his tracks. Jamie stood outside the visiting manager’s office. Usually the domain of Javier and Steven. Had he taken on the role of doorman now?
“Holtmann,” he said. “A word please.”
Udo glanced at Adam before following the CEO into the small room.
Here we go. He’s going to tell me I’m out.
He might have only been at Brockton since January and it certainly hadn’t been plain sailing. Even so, he would be devastated to leave. Where would that leave him and Steven? What team would touch a player embroiled in all this scandal?
He wouldn’t beg for his place. If his career was over, he would walk away with his head held high.
There were a couple of easy chairs in the corner. Jamie didn’t beckon him toward either of them. Instead he perched on the desk, facing him.
Udo had barely spoken to him while he’d been playing for Brockton.
“I know you haven’t got long so I’ll get straight to it.”
He braced for impact.
“I’ve seen what Riggs is doing out there. I’ve also heard what the fans are chanting.”
He nodded.
“Despite what you may have heard about me, I only have results on my mind. It’ll be like Pride round here next season if Javier has his way.”
Udo wouldn’t be cowed. “I think a team of footballers comfortable with themselves could be a force to be reckoned with.”
He was only sad that he wouldn’t be a part of it.
“Perhaps you’re right,” Jamie replied. “If this crazy scheme of his works, I want you to promise me that you’ll help him guide them with a steady hand.”
“Me?”
“Yes you,” he said. “You have a unique position. Presuming after all the drama of this week, you intend to continue your relationship with Mr Cox.”
Udo’s legs almost fell out from under him.
“We haven’t had a chance to talk.”
“Yes, Howard may have been heavy-handed with the enforced separation. Get this game finished and you two can…well, make up for lost time.”
How he wished they could sack off the game and start on that right away.
“So I’m not being transferred?”
Jamie chuckled. “Why on earth would we do that? We paid a bloody fortune for you. I will admit, I did consider it when you were in your doldrums. You’ve shown me what you’re made of. Why don’t you go and win this match for us? I’m always willing to be proven wrong.”
When Udo got into the locker room, the team were on the benches. He had to push past Steven. The scent of him filling Udo’s nostrils. It would be totally inappropriate for him to be buoyant. Inside he wanted to tell everyone in that room that he was safe. For the time being at least.
A stern Javier pointed to an empty spot between Ewen and Goran.
“You’re just in time,” he said.
Udo took his place. He didn’t dare look at Steven.
“Riggs!” Javier shouted.
Shaun came through from the bathroom.
“You called?”
“Sit down.”
Shaun had a ridiculous smug expression on his face. He obeyed though.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Javier asked.
“Me?” Shaun replied.
His attempt at innocence seemed to be fooling no one, judging by the scowls that were directed his way.
“Don’t even try it,” Javier continued. “Udo was in position at least three times and you passed to anyone but him.”
Shaun shook his head. “Did Cox tell you to say that?”
To Udo’s horror, Steven stepped forward.
“You’re out of line,” Steven said.
Shaun stood. “Coming from you, that’s a compliment.”
“Meaning?”
“Sleeping with players. Ever heard of a conflict of interest?”
Javier pushed his way between them. “Steven has been totally open with me about his relationship with Udo.”
Shaun’s jaw dropped. “And you didn’t have a problem with it?”
“They’re both standing here, aren’t they? I’ll tell you what isn’t all right with me. A piece of shit letting his own prejudices get in the way of this team winning.”
The lads murmured their approval at this.
“Fuck this,” Shaun said. “I’m not playing for a club that thinks it’s all right to be shagging each other left, right and centre.”
“Is that a transfer request?”
They all whirled round to see Jamie in the doorway.
Shaun glanced from one player to the next. Some of them met his gaze, others dropped their heads to avoid it. Not one person came to his defence.
“Maybe it is.”
“Fine,” Javier said. “You can sit on the bench for the second half and consider it properly. Edi, you’re up.”
Shaun was bright red. He had no choice but to obey. He couldn’t storm out, considering they were the other end of the country to Brockton and he only had his football kit on.
“Now that we’ve cleared that up,” Javier said, gently pushing Steven back to his position by the door.
“We have forty-five minutes to turn this game around. Something that I firmly believe you can all do. Two goals and we finish this season winners. Then we’re ready to really show the country what we can do next year. Are you with me?”
They cheered, albeit a little lacklustre.
“Our fans have travelled all this way for a show,” Steven said. “The press are dying for us to fuck this up.”
He stared pointedly at Shaun.
“How about we prove all the wankers wrong?” Steven continued. “We are Brockton FC and no matter what, we are family. Ever since I came here, I’ve felt I belonged. Not to the people in this room but to those outside who turn up every weekend. Let’s give them what they deserve.”
This time the locker room erupted. Udo’s heart was bursting. They would show Bournemouth. In fact, they would show bloody everyone.