Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
UDO
Two months later
The terrace doors were wide open and a light breeze blew through Steven’s house. It had been unbearably hot. A naked Udo prepared a fruit platter. He’d let his diet go over the summer. However, he had no intention of being anything but in shape for their opening game in a few weeks.
“Quick!” Steven called from the lounge. “It’ll be on any minute.”
Udo threw the knife down and grabbed the plate. It would have to do.
He dashed through to the lounge where an equally naked Steven lazed on the sofa. He selected a strawberry from the selection before putting the plate down. He curled into Steven’s arms and fed him the strawberry.
“You know I think I’ve been naked more than I’ve been dressed for the last eight weeks,” he said.
Steven grinned and chewed. The juice running down his chin. “You got a problem with that, sunshine?”
Udo licked the juice from him and sealed it with a kiss.
“Not in the slightest.”
“And now some football news just in,” the presenter said.
Udo and Steven froze. Udo sat up. His eyes glued to the screen.
“Here we go,” Steven said.
“Brockton FC has been locked down for the last eight weeks while other clubs trade players in the open. Not any longer. The club has issued a statement confirming they have made three sensational signings.”
Steven took Udo’s hand.
“First up Winterbourne FC’s excellent defender Noah Farman is headed north. He’s had a wonderful season so it’s a coup for Brockton.”
Udo had always got on well with Noah, so he’d been happy when Steven had told the squad earlier that day at training. The lads had been badgering him for the inside gossip but maddeningly Steven had resisted his many attempts at interrogation.
Secretly, Udo loved him all the more for it. His backbone was strong. Udo wouldn’t have told the squad anyway. He would never betray Steven like that. He had quite liked the idea of knowing before them as well.
“The second player is wonder kid Tito Lopes from Liverpool. It remains to be seen how such a flamboyant and confident player will gel with the steadier pace of Brockton FC.”
“Steady?” Steven snarled. “Who’s he calling steady?”
“Finally and perhaps most shocking, Jonas Haber from Brockton’s arch-rivals Canonbury FC has been traded for Shaun Riggs. No doubt Javier Tosar will be wanting to stamp out the rumoured unrest in the team at their latest change of direction.”
Udo switched the television off and snuggled into Steven.
“Well, it’s happening now,” he said.
“It certainly is. I can’t bloody wait.”
Later that evening they were coming home from a cinema date. Steven was driving. To have the freedom to be out and about came as a blessed relief. Their scandal had passed. They had survived.
Udo stared at the countryside passing by. The nights would be drawing in soon. Udo looked forward to snuggling with Steven on his huge sofa.
“Do you think they’re all gay?” he asked.
“Does it matter?” Steven replied.
He considered this for a second. Did it?
“Yeah,” he said, eventually.
“Why?”
“Because they’ve come here knowing the rumour mill will be in overdrive. I reckon they all are.”
Steven squeezed his leg. “We won’t be anything special then.”
“Thank goodness.”
“I hope you won’t be trading me in for a younger model.”
Udo shook his head.
“Wait,” he said. “Stop the car.”
Steven swerved and stopped. “What’s the matter? Are you going to be sick?”
Udo got out. It was his place. Woods on one side. Field on the other. Still no sheep.
He beckoned Steven out of the car.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Come with me.”
Udo led him over to the gatepost. The rolling fields shone in the late evening sun.
“It’s beautiful,” he said.
Steven slung his arm across Udo’s shoulder and drew him close. He kissed the top of his head.
“You’re right,” he said. “It is.”
They watched the world below them for a moment.
“We’re going to be all right, aren’t we?” Steven asked.
Udo snaked his arm around Steven’s waist. He inhaled his scent. Something he never wanted to be without again.
“Definitely.”
It had been a crazy few weeks. Udo wouldn’t have traded any of it. He had no idea what the next season held for the team. But Udo was confident that he had found a man to build a personal future with.
That was worth everything.
Thank you for reading Playing for Keeps
If you liked it, I’d be grateful for a review on your favourite platform.