Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
CARMINE
The week passed in a flurry of activity. The developer client had bought a hotel in Manchester and wanted a total refurbishment. Plus a rich couple in Cheshire had contacted him about an eco-friendly office building in their garden.
These weren’t the most exciting briefs he’d ever worked with. Still, things were happening and he would never complain about that.
Now he was in the VIP seats at Brockton Park with an excited Samantha next to him on one side and even more excitable Monica on the other. After thinking about how unreasonable he’d been to Noah, Carmine asked if he could invite her.
Of course, Noah had been over the moon that Carmine wanted to bring a member of his family and had immediately agreed.
“What if Dad sees us in the stands?” he asked.
“Jesus, Carmine,” Monica replied. “Tell him the bloody truth. He’s a grown man.”
Carmine shuddered. “I don’t know what the shit is wrong with me,” he said. “The number of friends in L.A. I coached through coming out.”
Samantha shook her head. “It’s easy to tell other people to rip a Band-Aid off. Monica is right. You need to sort it. I don’t know how many more conversations like this I can have.”
“I’m sorry to bore you.”
“Babe, it got boring ages ago.”
The whole world seemed to be conspiring to push him into getting this done. They did have a point. He’d almost managed it when he’d gone for dinner in the week. Then bottled it. He was annoying himself now.
On the pitch, Brockton were playing Crystal Palace.
“Noah said something about this being a league game and not as important as a cup one,” Carmine said. “What’s the difference?”
Samantha groaned. “I explained this to you the other day. They are totally separate.”
It was so confusing. Carmine had always thought it was one competition. Now he found that there were tons of side missions. Champions League. Europa Cup. FA Cup.
“And Brockton have given up on the League?” he asked.
A man leant forward. “Not given up, young man. Brockton are going to finish midtable. But they have a chance of winning the cup so they’re consolidating.”
He sat back.
Monica shook with laughter. Carmine did not want to embarrass Noah. They had no idea who this guy was. It would be typical that they upset a major investor.
“I understand. I think. I’m still not sure about…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Udo had made a break toward the opponent’s goal. The crowd were on their feet. Their neighbour behind screamed at the top of his lungs.
Carmine understood football was like a religion to a lot of people.
He wasn’t one of them. Yet being amongst the congregation was a totally different affair than watching it at home with his father hollering at the TV.
Most of the stadium were willing Udo on.
It was impossible not be swept up by it.
He glanced farther down the pitch. Noah got himself into a position. Presumably in case the ball came down toward them. At the same time, Noah had his eyes locked on his teammate.
God I love him.
Carmine watched Udo expertly dodge a defender. Then he hit the ball with such power the goalkeeper didn’t stand a chance. When it went into the goal, the whole place went into uproar. Even Carmine cheered.
Everyone chanted. “Udo! Udo! Udo!”
Carmine joined in. Monica squeezed his arm.
“You’re getting the hang of this,” she said. “I’ve never heard you sound so butch.”
As the excitement died down and they took their seats, Carmine turned excitedly to her.
“I hope we get hot chocolates at the interval.”
Monica rolled her eyes. “It’s half-time, dingbat. You were doing so well.”
All three of them collapsed into giggles.
Yet Carmine remained fixed on Noah. The way his face lit up following Udo’s goal. This was a part of his life that Carmine would have to understand and share, even a little, if he was to love all of him.
“Right,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Which direction are we playing again?”
“Is this a crash course in football?” came another voice from behind them.
They whirled around and Samantha gave a yelp.
“Oh hi, Paloma,” he said blushing. “This is my sister, Monica, and… friend, Samantha.”
She nodded at both of them, who seemed to be equally as agog. It was understandable. Up close Paloma was even more devastatingly beautiful than she was on screen.
“When I was first dating Goran, I hadn’t a clue,” she said. “In all honesty, I drift a lot. The menfolk usually give us a warning when something is about to happen. If only that transferred to other parts of their lives.”
They all roared with laughter, which earnt them a shushing from a number of said menfolk. All three focused on the game. Noah was covering some ground.
“He’s lightning,” Monica said.
“He should be,” Carmine replied. “He lives, eats and breathes the game.”
“Jealous?” she asked.
“Adapting,” he replied.
Is that what it was? Why couldn’t he be more blasé like Paloma? Maybe she hadn’t always been like that.
Did he have it in him to give in to the game and mould his life around it?
He tried to focus on the match. Fat chance. His eyes were drawn only to Noah. He certainly was on fire.
Monica squeezed his hand.
“Why not see what happens?” she whispered.
He nodded.
He didn’t really have much choice.
Unfortunately, even with Udo’s goal, Brockton lost. Carmine was sure his Nonna would tell him that was a bad omen. Something he didn’t dare voice in front of Monica. She’d be all over it. He’d save that for coffee with Samantha on Monday. He needed her cool rejection of such illogical thoughts.
“Will he be raging?” Samantha asked before taking a large swig from a glass of sauvignon blanc.
“Of course not,” he replied. “Noah doesn’t have a rage setting.”
“Not one you’ve found yet,” Monica cut in. “They all have the setting sooner or later.”
A man with a terrible tan and too much gold jewellery barged into the room. He was closely followed by another man, who Carmine recognised as Javier Tosar. Thank goodness he’d done some research.
“Jamie,” Javier said. “There’s no sense in taking it out on the lads.”
Jamie Walter? He’s the bloody Chair.
Jamie clapped his hands together even though some players, including Noah, hadn’t even come up.
“Another shit performance, lads,” he said. “I know you’re focusing on the cup but if you please make sure we’re not facing a fucking relegation battle by the end of the season. That would be very much appreciated.”
Everyone suddenly seemed fascinated by the carpet. Carmine didn’t dare look at Monica or Samantha. It was not beyond the realms of fantasy that he would get a fit of the giggles. That would not go down well.
“I meant what I said. No silverware. No management team. And we’ll probably get rid of a few of you lot too.”
With that he stormed past Carmine and his friends. A strong wave of citrus aftershave making their eyes water.
“Fucking hell,” Samantha said when the doors had slammed behind him.
Poor Javier headed straight for the bar. Carmine respected that. He would be in the car park by now, going home.
He relaxed when he felt a hand in the small of his back. There was Noah. Smelling all fresh from the showers.
Carmine knew a kiss was out of the question. The room was full of board members and their families. There were limits. Even at Brockton. Or Woketon as the press had labelled them.
“Sorry you didn’t win,” he said. “Noah. This is my sister, Monica.”
Carmine tried his best to hide his amusement when he saw Monica blushing as she stared at Noah.
“You were brilliant,” she stammered.
“Thank you,” Noah replied kindly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
For the millionth time, Carmine’s heart pulsed with love for this man.
“Hi, Noah,” Samantha piped up. “So good to see you again.”
Clearly revelling in being superior to Monica with her Noah experience, Samantha acted like she hadn’t been totally agog at their last meeting.
“And you. Still keeping him in line?”
“I’m charging this as overtime.”
“Dream on,” Carmine replied.
Noah’s phone began to ring.
“Excuse me.”
He slipped away. What was so important for him to dump them as soon as he’d arrived?
Luckily Udo, Jonas and Adam descended upon them. Now Monica really looked as if she were about to throw up.
Carmine did the introductions. Taking a sick pleasure in forcing Monica to speak to each one of them. He would pay for this in the future. Judging by the glint in Samantha’s eyes, she’d clocked onto what he was doing.
“Next time we’ll win for you,” Adam said. “We were pretty shit today.”
“Oh I wouldn’t say that,” Monica cut in. “I thought you played brilliantly.”
“Udo got the goal,” Carmine reminded her.
Monica scowled at him. “Being a good captain isn’t as obvious as that. This is only your first game, remember.”
Jonas clapped Carmine on the shoulder. “First game? Will we see you again?”
In the corner of his eye, Carmine saw Noah walking toward them.
He was so sexy in a pale blue shirt and darker blue trousers. Carmine would enjoy taking those off later.
“I could be persuaded.”
Once again, Noah stood close to him. He smiled.
“Everything okay?”
Noah shrugged. “It will be. Now, Adam, drinks are on you, I think. It’s the captain’s responsibility.”
“Fine,” Adam replied. “I suppose you’ll have a sparkling water?”
Noah took Carmine’s hand. “You know what, let’s go crazy. Put a shot of lime cordial into it.”
Carmine looked up at him then to Samantha and Monica, who were so clearly in the market for a bottle of fizz.
“I’ll have a diet coke,” he replied, ignoring the expressions of shock on his sister and friend’s faces.
“You can drink,” Noah replied. “I don’t mind.”
Carmine shook his head. He had every intention of kissing Noah for a large proportion of the night. He would not be doing that with stale booze breath. Besides, it was time to share his commitment.
“I’m good,” he said.
Adam carried on getting the order. Monica appeared to have regained her composure and was insisting on helping.
Carmine shook his head. “She thinks she’s in with a chance.”
“It’s a shame,” Noah said.
“Like watching those nature docs when the elephant is walking the wrong way to the watering hole.”
“Aren’t you going to save her?”
Carmine sighed. “Then I would be exposing Adam’s secret. That would never do.”
Noah glanced around, then stole a kiss.
“Thank you,” Carmine said.
“What for?”
“Treating me like I’m your partner.”
Noah frowned. “That’s because you are, silly.”