Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
NOAH
They were facing Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter final. A match nobody expected them to win. But they were one goal up. The minutes had dragged to full-time when the referee had announced they had to play five minutes’ extra time.
Noah kept glancing at the clock. How could the seconds go so slowly?
Arsenal had fielded an aggressive side. Defending against them had taken every bit of his energy and he was flagging.
Yet Brockton were more fired up than Noah had ever experienced. When they’d come out onto the pitch, countless fans had rainbow armbands on. Of course, the protestors were still there. Noah could swear their numbers had dwindled.
Seeing the message of acceptance wherever he looked gave him power he didn’t know he possessed.
Four minutes to go.
He and Ingvar were in the centre. Noah loved being alongside a player the size of Ingvar. Noah had taken to dodging around him to ward away side attacks. In the centre defence, they were a force to be reckoned with.
Brockton had possession of the ball. Noah glanced nervously at the crowd. Everyone appeared to be holding their breaths. Willing their team on.
Ewen took a shot at goal but it hit the crossbar. The crowd groaned.
Three minutes to go.
He glanced nervously at Ingvar. Brockton had never gotten to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. He glanced at their supporters. Everyone held their breath.
Noah sought a new position to the left of the goal. Plugging a gap Adam had left when he’d run to the other end of the pitch to worry the opposing defenders.
Arsenal’s goalie kicked the ball. It was high and powerful and heading straight for Noah.
Their prize striker, Miguel Sanchez, tracked it at a deadly pace.
Noah readied himself. He glanced at his hand where the ring Malcolm had given him for Christmas nestled on his finger.
He would be watching from home. Noah couldn’t even begin to think about having him in the stands for such an important game. He’d lose his composure.
Two minutes to go.
The ball hit the ground with a thud and Sanchez instantly tamed it. The away fans roared with approval. Sanchez locked eyes with Noah for a split second before diving for the gap between him and Ingvar.
“Not on my fucking watch,” Noah muttered.
With strength he didn’t know he had, he lurched toward the goal. He was intent on beating the striker there rather than leave Goran to face him alone.
Somehow Sanchez slipped and temporarily lost control of the ball. Again his supporters shouted his name. Sanchez soon regained his composure but too late. The wobble had given Noah all the time he needed to get in front of the goal.
One minute to go.
Sanchez appeared shocked that Noah had closed the gap so efficiently.
Using this moment of indecision, Noah darted forward and went for the ball.
He’d taken a huge gamble considering they were in the penalty area.
Yet he connected with the ball and sliced it out of the reach of the striker, who reactively fell to the ground.
Noah kicked the ball hard to the other end of the pitch.
The crowd were screaming. It would take a miracle for Arsenal to score now. Even so, Noah wouldn’t lose focus until that whistle blew.
Tito had intercepted the ball and played for time.
Ingvar sidled up to Noah. All they could do was watch and stay vigilant.
“That was outstanding, mate.”
Noah’s eyes were trained on the ref. Surely it was time now.
Time could be so cruel.
Then the whistle blew and the stadium went crazy. Ingvar grabbed Noah and pulled him into a bear hug.
When he broke free, Brockton Park had a carnival atmosphere. Everyone was waving flags, cheering and hugging each other.
Some of their fans were chanting “It’s a long way to London,” at the dejected away supporters. It certainly would be a shit coach journey home for them.
But Noah didn’t care. He wanted to capture this moment forever.
After all the aggression they’d faced at the start of the season, it was a revelation.
Of course there would always be supporters who resented openly gay players.
If they kept up this level, even they would have to admit the club was performing better than it had in years.
Adam waited for him as they walked off the pitch. He clapped Noah on the shoulder.
“Well done,” he said. “You played a fucking blinder.”
Noah grinned. “I had to pay you all back for your kindness. What better way than by doing my job?”
They waved at the fans until their arms ached. Noah threw his shirt into the crowd. A gaggle of women fought over it. He didn’t wait to see the outcome.
He prayed they could rush through the obligatory locker-room celebration. There was only one person he wanted to see.
Noah walked into the lounge to cheers. He nodded proudly and waved. All the while scanning the crowd.
There he was. Noah’s stomach flipped as he walked over. Carmine looked gorgeous in high-waisted black trousers and a striped shirt. They hugged.
Carmine stood back.
“You were amazing,” he said. “Even I saw that.”
“Did you manage to watch the whole game?”
Carmine nodded proudly. “And I shouted the right things at the right time.”
“Proud you.”
Noah allowed Carmine to lead him over to his little group. Noah had arranged a decent amount of tickets. That meant he could host Samantha, Monica, Raoul and Donna. Noah hadn’t officially met Raoul yet as Carmine’s boyfriend.
Raoul took control and shook Noah’s hand enthusiastically.
“Fucking brilliant, mate,” he said. “That tackle was insane.”
Tears stung Noah’s eyes but he wouldn’t ruin the moment.
“Thank you.”
After greeting everyone else, Noah accepted a fizzy water from Samantha and exhaled.
His contentment was broken by Javier joining them.
“Boss?”
“Don’t worry. I haven’t got any notes for you,” Javier said, flashing his dazzling smile. “I wanted to meet the man who’s having such a positive influence on you.”
He shook Carmine’s hand.
“Whether I’m here or not next season, I’m happy that Noah has someone to depend on.”
Carmine frowned. “You just got through to the semis. I’d say you’ve got this nailed.”
Noah burst out laughing. To hear Carmine talking like he was invested in the club was unbelievable.
“You’re right,” Javier said. “Another thing. I wondered if it would be okay to visit your father at some point. I’m very fond of him.”
Noah rested his hand on Carmine’s shoulder. This gesture would mean the world to the whole family.
“He would love that.”
“Wonderful. Noah has my number. Feel free to text to arrange.”
He squeezed Noah’s shoulder and left them to it. Carmine spun round.
“Fucking hell. Dad will never stop talking about this.”
“That’s what happens when you have a Brockton player in the family.”
Carmine beamed. “The best Brockton player in the family, you mean.”
Noah quickly kissed him on the forehead.
He knew at that moment that he was going to love this man forever. It was an absolute certainty in his mind.
“Do I look okay?” Carmine asked. He checked his hair in the mirror for the millionth time.
“You look hot.”
“I’m not going for hot,” Carmine said. “I’m going for warm and caring.”
Noah sniggered. “I don’t think he’ll notice how perfect your hair is.”
“It’s subliminal.”
“Sure.”
He pulled into the car park and ground to a halt.
“Ready?”
Carmine kissed him. “Ready.”
They got out of the car and walked toward the entrance. As usual Malcolm had been waiting for them and came out like a missile. Noah wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly.
“Hey, superstar,” Noah said. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too,” Malcolm replied. “Where’s your friend?”
They broke apart and Noah gestured to Carmine, who had been hanging back.
“Malcolm. I’d like you to meet Carmine.”
Noah thought his heart would burst as Malcolm solemnly shook hands with Carmine. He never dreamed that he would find a man he trusted enough for a moment like this.
“You don’t play football, do you?”
“Not really, I’ve only recently got into watching it. Since I met your brother.”
Malcolm frowned. “We always play when he comes. Jonny and Bella are ready.”
“Malcolm. How about this time we have a chat?” Noah asked.
“No,” Carmine replied. “I didn’t say I couldn’t play. I used to be forced to make up the numbers by Raoul and his mates. We won some competition.”
“Did you?” Malcolm and Noah said in unison.
Carmine shrugged. “I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time so they put me in goal and it turned out I was quite good at saving.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it?” Noah asked.
“What am I supposed to say? ‘Well done on the FA Cup semi-final. Did you know I’ve got a medal from the nineties somewhere?’”
Noah raised an eyebrow. “I can see I’ve a lot to find out about you.”
“You’ve only just tapped the surface.”
“Are we playing or not?” Malcolm asked.
“We’re playing,” Noah said. “Go and find the others. We’ll wait for you on the lawn.”
Malcolm tore off at top speed. Was there any other with him?
“He’s a dynamo,” Carmine said.
“Always has been.”
“It must run in the family.”
They walked around the building.
“It’s been me and him for as long as he can remember,” Noah said.
“How about, as soon as your silly season is over, we invite him to stay,” Carmine replied. “He can experience an Amato barbeque. That will show him what real family life is like.”
Noah took his hand.
“I do feel part of your family,” he said. “I don’t know why so quickly but I really do.”
“Because you are. I love you, Noah.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed Carmine. The only lips he wanted to touch for the rest of his life.
Suddenly a football came flying over their heads.
They broke apart and grinned at each other as Malcolm, Bella and Jonny came over.
“You should have been able to hit us at that distance,” Noah shouted.
“Who said I was trying to?” Malcolm replied.
Carmine howled with laughter. “He got you there.”
Malcolm announced that he would play with Carmine and Jonny. Noah was with Bella. He was not upset by that. Truth be told she was the best player although he would never dream of saying that out loud.
“High praise to be picked by him,” Noah said.
“I know it,” Carmine replied. “Don’t you dare try to score. I mean it.”
“What’s it worth?”
Carmine narrowed his eyes. “Me on a plate?”
“Deal.”
They grinned at each other. Savouring the moment before they were dragged off by their respective teammates. Yet it was the happiest game of football Noah had ever played.
Even if they lost.
Thank you for reading Playing it Safe.
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