Chapter 6
SIX
CARMINE
Carmine stood on the street corner and glanced up at the skies. Dark clouds threatened rain. God how he missed the Californian weather. This constant gloom of northern England took some getting used to.
He glanced at his watch. Noah was late.
Brockton had lost that afternoon. Carmine had taken to checking on the internet. Perhaps Noah would do what Carmine’s father and brother had failed at. He might spark an interest in football.
As a child he’d been dragged to matches at Brockton Park. He’d spent the time sketching or daydreaming. Now he was about to go out with a player. Life never failed to surprise.
What was more pressing now was the very real possibility that Noah might cancel their date. Carmine supposed sportsmen took losing very badly. Maybe Noah lay in a darkened room lamenting a missed ball or whatever they worried about.
Carmine’s phone vibrated.
Here we go.
Thankfully it was Samantha texting.
“Are you at your best?”
He took a quick selfie of himself and returned it.
Carmine had spent ages on his outfit so he’d better look good.
In the end he’d gone to Selfridges and had a splurge on some new threads.
The All Saints diamond pattern jumper paired well with Diesel jeans.
He’d found his ancient Converse trainers as a contrast. Ever since school, Carmine had hated new shoes.
The amount of times Maria had told him off for dragging his feet along the pavement to scuff them up.
God he was out of touch with all this dating lark. The added pressure of trying to impress a younger and richer man was real.
A message came straight back.
“You are so going to sleep with him tonight.”
Carmine grinned and replied.
“You know what? You might be right.”
That’s if he even shows up.
Carmine turned the collar up on his coat and scanned the road.
Still no sign. His flat lay on a small side road in the centre of Manchester.
The main street of Deansgate, which cut through the city, lay to his right.
So many steel towers had been built since Carmine had last visited. The skyline was unrecognisable.
Suddenly a black Range Rover came into view. Of course, Carmine’s stomach did a double backflip. As Noah drew up, Carmine took a moment. It had been way too long since he’d been on a date. He could do this.
The passenger window went down to reveal Noah. His face lit up by that gorgeous smile. Maybe he hadn’t taken the loss too much to heart.
“Good evening,” Carmine said.
“Hanging around on street corners will get you into trouble.”
“Then you’ll have to save me.”
Noah leant forward and opened the door. “Hop in.”
The Range Rover was higher than the black cabs Carmine had been used to since returning to the UK. Even so, he managed to get in without any incident. The soft leather was warm and comforting.
“Hey,” Noah said.
The car smelt incredible. As Noah kissed Carmine on the cheek, Carmine realised Noah was exuding the aroma. The kiss sent tingles through Carmine’s system. Noah making it abundantly clear this was most certainly a romantic date. There would be no discussions on guttering or power points tonight.
“Looking good,” Carmine said, putting his seatbelt on.
Noah had a black shirt and black chinos on. It appeared that they clung to him although Carmine would have to wait until they got to their destination to check him out properly.
“Ready?”
“Of course. Where are we going?”
Noah winked. “All will be revealed.”
I certainly hope so.
Noah navigated the streets expertly. Carmine took the opportunity to watch him.
His profile was strong. Noah had a jawline most models would kill for.
His flawless light brown skin didn’t have one single blemish.
Unlike Carmine, who had developed a spot that very morning.
Thankfully a gallon of tea tree oil had seen the unwelcome visitor off.
And some obscenely expensive concealer had covered its tracks.
“Sorry about the result,” Carmine said.
Noah raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you were into ‘soccer’.”
He said the last word in a terrible American accent.
“I’m not. Let’s say I’m taking a personal interest in Brockton.”
“More like you wanted to know what kind of mood I was going to be in.”
Busted.
“Maybe.”
“I don’t sweat some losses. We’re hovering around the middle of the table and will stay there. We’re still very much in the FA Cup.”
“I’m pleased for you even if I have no idea what any of that means.”
“Talk to me about anything other than football, I beg of you,” Noah replied. “Tell me about your day.”
They chatted away as Noah drove out of town.
Carmine told him about what his family were up to.
Noah had met Stefano a few times and got on with him.
It meant the world to Carmine’s family that Brockton still came to the restaurant.
The walls were plastered with photos of players past and present.
Carmine would have to check if Noah was up there.
Then to Carmine’s horror they parked up outside a bowling alley on a commercial estate.
“Are you kidding?”
“Not in the slightest. Don’t you like bowling?”
“It’s been many years since I played.”
Noah turned to him. “Then let’s see what happens.”
I won’t be the boring old fart. I won’t.
Carmine held his gaze. “Let’s.”
In no time, Carmine discovered that he was a bowling demon. Once he’d had a couple of warmup runs, he got strikes on the regular. To his credit, Noah took it well.
“Are you a hustler or something?” he asked as Carmine sauntered toward him after clearing the lane once more.
“Hardly. I didn’t know where you were bringing me. Maybe one day you’ll find the right ball.”
Noah gently shoved him. “Don’t make me force you to save a penalty from me.”
Carmine shrugged. “I’d give it a go.”
He was flying high. A little gentle ribbing couldn’t hurt. He took a swig from his beer. It was his third. Noah stayed on sparkling water.
“I’d better not have another,” Carmine said. “I’m at a disadvantage.”
Noah perched on a chair. The way he straddled it was doing strange things to Carmine’s groin.
“Have no fear. I’m a very honourable person.”
“That’s a disappointment,” Carmine replied. “Maybe we should work on that.”
He moved closer but Noah stood up.
“Not in public,” he whispered. “Unless you want to end up all over social media.”
Carmine glanced around. Families seemed engrossed in their own games. However, it would be na?ve to think no one had recognised Noah.
“Shit, I never even thought about it.”
Then he panicked. What if photos emerged? Could he explain it away that it was client entertainment?
“Not that we have anything to hide,” Noah said, seemingly reading Carmine’s thoughts. “It’s only date one. I don’t think we should have to define ourselves yet.”
“My parents don’t know about me,” Carmine blurted out.
Horror swept over Noah’s face. “I had no idea. I would never have brought you somewhere so public if I’d known.”
He was genuinely worried. Carmine’s heart melted a little bit more.
“Don’t worry,” Carmine replied. “I’ll come up with an excuse if anyone has got a photo.”
“How come you’ve never come out?”
“I was in L.A. What was the point? Now I’m home, I’m wondering if it’s time. My father will be so disappointed.”
Noah frowned. “He’s always seemed quite cool.”
“With footballers maybe. Sons are a different matter. I disappointed him enough when I refused to work in the restaurant. Imagine if I told him there won’t be any grandchildren from my end.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I’m three years off my fortieth birthday. I’m pretty sure.”
The moment hung there for a second. This guy wasn’t anywhere near thirty yet.
What the fuck am I doing?
“I’m not going to be a father either,” Noah said.
“Really?”
Carmine sat on the seat next to him.
Noah took a breath. “I’m sure you’ve done your Wikipedia research. I lost my parents at an early age. It would have destroyed them if they’d thought they were leaving me and Malcolm alone in the world.”
“Is Malcolm your brother?”
Noah nodded. “I’m solely responsible for him. Imagine if a child came along and something happened to me?”
Carmine frowned. “It was a car accident. There’s no reason to think history will repeat itself.”
“I know. I’m responsible for my brother. That’s enough for anyone.”
The matter-of-fact way this guy went about life came as a refreshing change.
“You’re amazing. You know that?”
“So I’m told,” Noah replied. “One day I might even believe it.”
“Under any other circumstances I would kiss you now,” Carmine said.
Noah stared into his eyes. “Then why don’t we change the circumstances so you can?”
They left the alley mid game. Once the suggestion had been made, Carmine wouldn’t be able to concentrate on getting strikes. He suspected neither would Noah.
“My place or yours?” Noah asked when they got back into the car.
“Mine is closer although don’t expect much.”
“I’m more interested in its occupant.”
Carmine had been astounded at the rents being charged in the centre of Manchester so had gone for a cheap one-bedroomed option. It wouldn’t compare to the kinds of places Noah usually hung out in. Yet deep down, Carmine was sure that it didn’t matter to him.
They set off.
“I presume it’s near to where I picked you up?”
“Yeah. There’s a car park.”
Anticipation rushed through Carmine’s system as he stole a glance at Noah. Carmine hadn’t slept with anyone since California and even that had been a drunken one-night stand as part of his attempts at post-breakup moving on.
It hadn’t worked. Yet, tonight felt different. Carmine couldn’t stop himself. He wanted Noah liked he’d never wanted anyone. His cock was tingling. Ready to leap into action at the first opportunity.
Down boy. We need to get into the flat first.
“I wasn’t going to do this,” Noah said eventually.
“We don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable.”
Panic surged through his system. Of course, if Noah wasn’t up for it, Carmine wouldn’t push the issue.