Chapter 7 #2
“They need money to keep the league going,” Noah explained.
Ashley narrowed her eyes. “And you’re going to give it to them?”
They walked toward the car park. Noah’s mind whirring. If he could help in any way, then he would.
“Maybe not me,” Noah explained. “I need to finish Malcolm’s trust fund, plus the house is taking more cash than I expected.”
He’d had a meeting with Ben, the construction manager.
He’d warned him that these things often came in over budget.
Noah had made it clear that he wasn’t a stupid footballer willing to pay whatever.
He would be keeping a close eye on spending.
He didn’t think Ben would rip him off but he could imagine his teammates wouldn’t be so careful with their money.
“What then?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll have to think about it.”
When they got to his Range Rover, Gordon waited next to it. Noah hugged Ashley and shook Gordon’s hand before setting off. Thankfully Ashley didn’t say anything about the league. Noah had no interest in Gordon’s opinions.
The motorway was quiet as Noah sped home to Brockton. The words of Coach Brooks were reverberating around in his head. There had to be something he could do. Noah spent his life surrounded by obscene amounts of money. Even though Brockton were a mid-table club.
He connected a call.
“Hello, gorgeous,” came the answer.
Noah grinned. Carmine still had a west coast American twang to his northern accent. It was adorable.
“Hey. How has your day been?”
“Great. I’ve got three potential new clients.”
“That’s brilliant. I hope you won’t be shirking on any amendments to the plans I might need.”
Carmine laughed. “They’ve been handed over to the construction company. I did offer to project manage it for you. Of course, any changes will be done free of charge.”
“I’m sure I can find a way to pay you.”
“That sounds promising. How’s Malcolm?”
Noah flinched. He’d enjoyed a few moments’ reprieve from that.
“Noah?”
“He’s fine. They won. It’s just I spoke to his coach after and they’re struggling for cash.”
“How much are we talking?”
“No idea. I’ve asked him to send me the figures.”
“Are you going to save the day?”
“Maybe,” Noah replied. “Malcolm lives for this league. It’s not all virtuous. Anything he needs, he gets.”
Noah’s head ached. He couldn’t remember a time he hadn’t worried about Malcolm. Even before their parents died. It was a fierce love that was returned tenfold.
“Anyway,” Noah said. “I didn’t call for that. I wondered if you fancy coming to an exclusive party of footballers and their occasionally famous partners?”
No answer.
“Carmine?”
“I’m here. Listen, I can’t be in any magazines. Not yet, Noah.”
“Relax. It’s at Adam’s swanky house and it really is players and partners only. He hosts these gatherings as captain. Sometimes partners are invited and I’d like you to come with me.”
He was going out on a limb here. Things were very new but he didn’t care. Noah wanted to show Carmine that he was into this for more than just sex. He seemed to spend his life fighting against the stereotype of Premier League footballers.
“Wow. How can I refuse such an offer? That really means a lot, Noah. When is it?”
“Erm…tomorrow night.”
“Are you kidding? I’ll never get an outfit in that time.”
Noah grinned.
“There’s something else.”
“Oh God. What?”
“It’s a pyjama party.”
They drew up outside Adam’s huge house. Noah glanced at Carmine. His cock twitched and he licked his lips.
“I’m not sure if I want to take you in there or straight home again.”
Carmine had on a leopard print silk robe and black silk pyjama bottoms. Against his glowing olive skin, it worked magic. Noah had felt instantly underdressed in his grey shorts and T-shirt.
“You’re dating someone who lived in Los Angeles,” Carmine explained. “We’d lounge around on Sundays a lot. I’ve plenty more where this came from.”
Noah kissed Carmine’s neck. “Book me in for a private showing sometime.”
Gently Carmine pushed him away.
“Down, boy. This material won’t hide a hard-on.”
Noah cackled. “Tempting to try.”
“Later. I’m not sure that would be the best way to meet Brockton FC’s finest.”
They got out of the car. Noah took Carmine’s hand as they walked up to the door. Music came from inside. Adam threw great parties and Noah was excited to bring Carmine to one.
Adam opened the door, resplendent in a midnight blue silk two piece.
“Here they are,” he said. “Come on in.”
“Adam. This is Carmine.”
“Stefano’s boy,” Adam exclaimed, shaking Carmine’s hand. “Welcome to the squad.”
Pride tingled up Noah’s spine when he said that.
He placed his hand in the small of Carmine’s back as they walked inside.
“Everyone’s in the den,” Adam explained. “Javier has given us a three-drink maximum, which I will be enforcing. Carmine, obviously that doesn’t apply to you. Drink the house dry if you like.”
“Be careful,” Carmine replied. “I just might. For the nerves.”
Adam clapped him on the shoulder. “No need for those. Come on, I’ll introduce you. Noah, get this man a drink.”
They walked through to an amazing man cave. Noah had been a few times and dreamt of having a house like this one day.
Electronic music boomed from hidden speakers. Most of Brockton FC were sprawled on huge sofas or on the loungers by the indoor pool. With the floor-to-ceiling windows opened fully, it all became one room.
Ewen held court at the bar in Brockton shorts and a vintage Jaws T-shirt. It shouldn’t work, yet with Ewen’s floppy hair and cheeky grin, it did.
They went to Jonas, who was looking cute in a Winnie the Pooh onesie and Tito looking obscene in a scandalously tight romper suit.
“Bloody hell, Tito,” Noah said. “Do you have to display yourself quite like that?”
“If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
“Not one person in here is interested in what you have to offer,” Adam replied.
Tito giggled mischievously. “Don’t be too sure. Goran’s missus hasn’t taken her eyes off me.”
Paloma sat on the sofa with Ingvar’s wife, giggling hysterically.
Noah didn’t have the heart to point out they were amused not aroused.
“Hey, Farman,” Ewen shouted over. “What’ll you have? I’m barman tonight.”
“I’ll take a beer and a red wine.”
Ewen nodded and set about his task.
“I see the hot architect is here,” Tito said. “I knew you’d end up in bed with him.”
Noah jabbed Tito hard in the ribs. “You don’t realise how loud you are. Can it.”
Jonas shook his head. “Ignore him, Noah.”
But Adam and Carmine were heading over their way. Poor Carmine seemed a little overwhelmed.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked.
“I’ll never remember all these names.”
Adam laughed. “Just ask your dad or your brother.”
Instantly Carmine froze. Noah took his hand.
“Carmine hasn’t told his parents just yet,” he explained. “Perhaps we could keep this one quiet.”
“Sure,” Jonas said. “We’ll tell the lads. Don’t worry, Carmine. We’ve all got secrets.”
The small group fell silent.
Jonas and Adam were very much together. Yet it remained totally confidential. Only a select few were in the know. Noah would like to let Carmine in but it wasn’t his secret to tell.
“How was your visit home?” Adam asked eventually.
Noah slung his arm around Carmine’s shoulder. He noticed the stares. It wasn’t a conscious act. It felt right. Especially when Carmine snaked his arm around Noah’s waist. They were a perfect fit.
“Yeah. Good, thanks.”
“Noah’s going to save his brother’s football league,” Tito announced.
All eyes were on him. He hated that. Carmine squeezed him. A gentle sign of reassurance that was so welcome.
“I’m going to try and help them,” Noah said. His face burning.
“Good for you,” Jonas said. “We…I should do more.”
“It might cost millions to keep a league going long-term,” Adam said. “You up for that?”
“I never said I’m going to solve all their problems. If I can get Dean to score some decent deals, then I’ll give them the cash.”
Dean was Noah, Jonas and Tito’s agent. He was doing a decent job at securing them contracts now they’d found their niche in the footballing world. Being out and proud football players had opened up a new world of companies wanting to sponsor them. Sadly each of them had lost some contracts too.
“You might commit yourself to something that snowballs,” Adam warned.
“Then I’ll make it clear I’m not solely responsible for their finances. Is that okay with everyone?”
Noah hated that he sounded petulant but this public inquest into his financial decisions pissed him off.
Especially in front of Carmine. No one questioned Adam when he bought Olive a huge present or Ewen when he turned up with yet another new car.
God forbid Noah should want to do some actual good with his money.
“Sorry, Noah,” Jonas said. “It’s none of our business. You’re right to want to help.”
“That’s okay,” Noah replied even though he didn’t really mean it. “Is it okay if I show Carmine the pool area. He’s an architect. I bet he’s dying to have a nose.”
Adam shrugged. “Go where you like. All I ask is you don’t make a mess. Olive likes a morning swim before a hard day playing in her baby gym.”
Carmine chuckled. “Sounds like she has you wrapped around her finger.”
“You’d better believe it.”
Noah led Carmine into the next room.
“Are you okay?” Carmine asked, taking his hand.
“Yeah. Sorry I acted like that.”
Carmine kissed his cheek. “You’ve nothing to be sorry for. You’re an adult with a wonderful spirit. Don’t let anything change that.”
Noah pulled Carmine close.
“Thank you.”
They were in the pool area now. Adam had filled it with plants. A large swimming pool dominated the area.
“No mosaic,” Noah whispered.
“Thank God,” Carmine replied.
Noah smiled as he watched him clocking everything. At the opposite end was a jacuzzi currently empty. No doubt someone would jump in before the end of the night. Tito more than likely.
One side was a glass wall giving exceptional views of the grounds.
“The windows are smoked,” Carmine said. “I like it. We should have done that with yours.”
They strolled over. No one was bothering with the loungers. The day was pretty grey.
“It’s gorgeous on a sunny day.”
“I can imagine. Do you not wish you’d gone bigger and bolder with our design?”
Our?
The word sent pleasure flooding through him.
“Not my style,” Noah replied. “What you have created is perfect. I can’t wait until we get to christen it.”
Carmine beamed. “That’s all part of the service, you know?”
“Is that right? I’m glad that Stefano was bragging about his son. Imagine if I’d got a boring architect who refuses to wear leopard print?”
“God forbid. Although if I develop feelings for all my clients like I am for you, then my life is going to get seriously complicated in the future.”
Noah laughed. To hear confirmation that Carmine had feelings made him drunk on life.
“Just you keep those feelings coming my way, Amato,” he said. “And I’ll send you some right back.”