Playing it Safe (Love Goals #3)

Chapter 1

ONE

NOAH

The Christmas tree stood where it always did. Covered in the same baubles they’d decorated it with for over ten years. The festive music softly playing never changed and neither did the menu. Everything was as it should be.

Noah Farman found this the most comforting thing about Christmas Day. Being a Premier League footballer, his day-to-day life was all about change.

The familiarity of this house felt warmer than the reindeer jumper he had on.

“What an amazing meal,” he said. “Compliments to the chef.”

Ashley Hudson, his unofficial second mum, sat across from him. She still had the paper hat from a Christmas cracker on her head. Noah’s heart was as full as his stomach right now.

“You didn’t eat much. Can I get you a mince pie? Or maybe a sausage roll?”

Noah rubbed his non-existent belly. “I’m more stuffed than the turkey. It will take me weeks to burn this off as it is.”

“Nonsense,” Ashley replied. “The way you run around that pitch. I’m putting you up a box of things to take home with you. The other lads will appreciate it.”

They were in the lounge surrounded by gifts they’d all excitedly ripped the wrapping paper from hours ago. Even as grown adults, Ashley made sure the spirit of Christmas remained alive and well.

Ashley’s son, Alfie, was fiddling with his new phone and her daughter, Ella, was glued to a Nintendo. Both given by Noah. He loved to spoil them even if they were nearly the same age.

When Noah had come to live with Ashley and her two kids, he’d been a child with stars in his eyes and hope in his heart. His parents had hated that he had to live with another family but there hadn’t been any choice. If he’d wanted to play in topflight football, sacrifices had to be made.

Thankfully, Ashley had understood this and had opened her house to the whole Farman family. Something that would prove to be one of the biggest influences of his life so far.

“Thanks for the England tickets,” Gordon, Ashley’s boyfriend, said as he squeezed on the chair with her. “Shame you don’t get to play for your country.”

It was a sore point and he knew it. Noah had been considered for the national team on a few occasions. So far he hadn’t made the cut. Of course it was his dream to play for his country and he still had hope.

“Maybe one day,” Ashley said, glancing nervously at Noah.

“There are a lot of good defenders out there,” Noah replied. “I’m just happy that I get to do what I love every day.”

“Too bloody right,” Alfie piped up. “At least you don’t have to go into an office with a gang of idiots.”

Alfie had been taken on as a trainee in a local call centre. They sold insurance to people who didn’t need it.

Noah grinned. “Still enjoying it then.”

“It’s shit.”

“Only another forty-five years to go,” Gordon said.

Alfie glared at him. Noah had shared Alfie’s room the night before like they’d always used to and chattered into the early hours. Noah had no doubt about Alfie’s opinion of his unofficial stepfather.

Boring. Annoying. A dickhead. Were just some of the words used to describe Gordon.

“I’ve got news,” Noah said, hastily changing the subject before a row ensued. “I didn’t want to tell you until things were properly underway but I’ve bought myself a Christmas present.”

“About time,” Alfie said. “If I had your money, I’d buy everything. What is it? A car? Do you need insurance for it?”

Ashley threw a chocolate wrapper at him, which ricocheted off his head.

“Let him speak.”

Alfie stuck out his tongue.

“I’ve bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Brockton,” Noah announced proudly. “It’s even got planning permission for a small dwelling.”

“Oh, Noah, that’s wonderful news,” Ashley said. “You’ve always said you wanted to build your own place.”

“Can I come and stay?” Ellie asked, not lifting her eyes from the console.

“Course you can.”

“And me?” Alfie added.

“Yes, Alfie. And before you ask, when I need some house insurance, you’ll be the first person I’ll call.”

They all burst into laughter. Except one person.

The expression on Gordon’s face suggested he disagreed with everyone else’s positive reaction to Noah’s news. It also appeared that he was about to gift them all with some life advice. Noah braced for impact.

“How ridiculous,” he said. “It’s only your first season at Brockton. You might not stick it out. You’d be much better staying in the apartment the club have paid for.”

Alfie shook his head and mouthed “Dick.”

Noah got up and gathered up some glasses from the table.

“Leave them,” Ashley said. “Settle yourself.”

“I’d better be going,” Noah replied. “I’ll help you load the dishwasher first.”

They grabbed the other empties and wandered into the kitchen.

“Sorry about Gordon,” Ashley said. “You know what he’s like. Mr Sensible.”

“I don’t know what you see in him,” Noah replied. “He’s such a downer.”

Ashley chuckled. “His big dick might have something to do with it.”

Noah put the glasses into the machine.

“That is way too much information.”

Ashley placed her load down on the kitchen counter and put her arm around Noah’s waist. By the time he’d hit fifteen, he had towered above her. She cuddled into his side.

“You take care of yourself, sweetheart,” she said. “I’m so glad things are working out at Brockton.”

Noah kissed the top of her head. She’d been a constant presence for more than half of his life. He had no idea what he would have done without her over the years.

“I have a good feeling about this club,” he replied. “There’s enough drama to write a TV series about though. Thankfully I’ve kept out of it.”

Ashley appraised him. “You could probably do with some excitement. There’s more to life than kicking a football around, you know.”

Here it came. The usual nag that he should find himself a decent man.

“Let’s not go there.”

“I’m only saying…”

“I know what you’re going to say. Let me build the castle first. Then I’ll find my knight in shining armour. Now I really need to be going.”

He had another call to make before hitting the motorway. On Christmas Day it would be pretty clear, which meant he could put his tunes on and sing all the way.

“Call me when you get home,” she said. “It could get frosty tonight.”

“I will. I’ll be with Malcolm for a couple of hours.”

Ashley looked up at him. “You’re a good man, Noah Farman. You make me very proud.”

The Forest Assisted Living Centre was an hour away from Ashley’s house. Malcolm had been thrilled when he’d moved in. It was vital to Noah that despite Malcolm having Down’s syndrome, he lived as independently as possible.

He drove through the gates and under an arch which read Spruce Court. There were four buildings on the plot. Each named after a tree. They all faced a courtyard where everyone hung out in the summer months. Today a huge Christmas tree with bright coloured lights shining dominated it.

Noah had just got out of his car when the man himself burst out of the door and ran into Noah’s arms.

“Hey there, superstar,” Noah said. “Happy Christmas to you.”

One of the residential staff, Mrs Brownbill, came out. She was a friendly woman with a shock of pink hair. Malcolm adored her.

“Hi, Noah,” she said. “Season’s greetings.”

“And to you.”

Malcolm stuck to him like a limpet. Noah inhaled his smell. He’d missed him.

“Thank you for everyone’s gifts too,” Mrs Brownbill said. “You really do spoil us.”

Noah had sent a raft of gifts for Malcolm, his friends and the staff. Although he had a ton more in the boot for Malcolm. Mainly football things because he was more obsessed with the game than Noah.

“You’re all worth it.”

Malcolm had wrapped up warmly. It touched Noah that he had on a Brockton FC puffa jacket although he didn’t remember sending him one.

“Is this new?” he asked.

Malcolm nodded.

“You know I can get these things for free?”

“I wanted to buy it with my own money.”

Malcolm had a job in a large office in Birmingham.

He worked in the post room and loved it.

Noah had persuaded him not to share with his colleagues about his connection to Noah.

People had a tendency to play on Malcolm’s trusting personality.

Although he’d probably blabbed it all over the office by now.

One thing about his brother, he couldn’t keep a secret to save his life.

Noah had been nervous the first week that Malcolm had started. In fact, Noah worried about Malcolm a lot of the time. Malcolm’s manager had contacted him after a month to tell him how wonderfully Malcolm had settled in. It had been such a welcome relief.

“I got you this,” Malcolm said, proudly holding up a small package covered in Christmas wrap. It was the first gift he’d ever bought Noah.

Noah frowned. “What’s this?”

“He spent his first pay packet on it,” Mrs Brownbill explained.

With a lump in his throat, Noah ripped off the wrapping. Inside was a jewellery box. Noah popped it open to reveal a ring in the style of a football.

“Do you love it?” Malcolm asked, excitedly.

Noah took the ring out and slipped it onto his finger. It fitted perfectly.

“I love it,” he replied. “I’ll never take it off. Thank you. You didn’t have to spend your money on me.”

Malcolm hugged him again.

“I got myself one,” he said, holding it up. “Brothers forever.”

This was getting way too emotional.

“Are you ready?” Noah asked, kissing the top of Malcolm’s head.

“Yep. Will you hang out when we get back?”

“Of course I will. It’s Christmas Day. Where else am I going to be?”

They both got into Noah’s car and set off.

“I’ve missed you,” Malcolm said.

Guilt twinged inside Noah. He tried to visit as often as possible. Not easy when juggling a soccer career two hours up the motorway.

“I know,” Noah replied, squeezing Malcolm’s leg. “I’ve got to earn the cash. How’s your football going?”

“Good. I scored three goals in our match against Bury.”

Noah glanced at him. His brother’s face shone with joy.

“Three? That’s amazing. Even Tito hasn’t scored three in one game yet.”