Chapter 2
TWO
JONAS
The white buildings of Brockton FC’s Newby Park training ground lay in front of Jonas Haber. He sat in his Mercedes GLB SUV and took a moment. Some of the other cars surrounding him were much flashier. He’d bought this machine so he didn’t stand out.
It was his first day reporting for duty and the nerves were real. Not that he would show them. He’d learnt how to fake it.
Jonas had been a member of Canonbury FC for four years. As arch-rivals with Brockton, they didn’t often trade players. However, in a shock move he’d been swapped with Brockton stalwart Shaun Riggs at the end of the last season.
He hoped that wouldn’t be held against him too badly.
Jonas checked his reflection in the mirror. He’d spent longer that morning styling his dark hair. The tan from his holiday in the Caribbean had only faded slightly.
Not bad.
Swallowing hard, he popped the door open and got out. Having spent his time in England mainly on the south coast, the bite of the northern late-August air hit him.
Don’t they have summer round here?
A month ago, Jonas had travelled up in secret for his medical and to speak to the Brockton manager, Javier.
They’d got on immediately. Of course, Jonas had met Javier many times at industry events, but this had been the first time he’d properly talked with him.
The enigmatic Spaniard had convinced Jonas that this would be the right move.
Time would tell.
He stopped at the door with the club’s crest above it.
Right then, Brockton. Let’s see what you’ve got for me.
Steven Cox stood in the reception area. His publicised romance with midfielder Udo Holtmann earlier in the year had been the catalyst for everything.
“Jonas,” he said, holding his hand out.
“Steven,” Jonas replied, taking it. “Good to see you again.”
“You’ll be sick of the sight of me by the end of the season. Come with me. Javier is waiting in his office.”
They walked through the building that served as the nerve centre of the club. On Jonas’ previous visit, things had been quiet. Like a school in the summer holidays. Today it was a hive of activity. Physios, office workers and operations staff were all flitting around.
“Are the others here yet?” Jonas asked as they walked up the stairs.
“No. You’re the first.”
That reassured him. Jonas liked to be the first to everything.
“And the rest of the team?”
“They’re getting changed for training. Which you’ll be doing soon. First, Javier and I want to have a chat with you three newcomers.”
Jonas nodded.
It made sense that the most high-profile transfers of the summer would need a pep talk from the manager. Once on the first floor, Steven led him into a small office.
Javier sat behind the desk. He was an attractive Spaniard with a greying beard and wide grin.
“Jonas,” he said.
Javier got up and walked around the desk. He shook Jonas’ hand enthusiastically.
“It’s good to be here.”
“Come,” Javier said, gesturing to two couches in the corner.
They all sat. This was really happening.
Steven’s phone pinged. He glanced at it.
“Ah, Noah is here. Excuse me.”
That left Jonas alone with his new manager.
“It’s great to finally be here.”
“You said that already,” Javier replied. “Relax, okay? I had to face the team alone on my first day. You’ve got two others to keep you company.”
Noah Farman had a fierce reputation as a defender. And anyone with a remote interest in soccer had heard of Tito Lopes, a rising star striker.
It also occurred to Jonas that he would be the oldest by a good four years.
Not good. No one fancies Old Grandad Gay.
“You’re right,” he said to Javier. “Thanks. Let’s face it, my old team aren’t very popular in this place.”
Javier shrugged. “That may be true but you’ve never given us any shit. There’s no reason to think you’ll be blamed. If anyone does say anything, tell me immediately. None of that player code bollocks.”
Jonas nodded. “Got it.”
They both knew he would do nothing of the sort. He still appreciated Javier had bothered to say something.
The door opened and in came Steven with Noah. He was a good-looking player at the peak of his career. Jonas had been shocked to see his name on the transfer list. He’d always found him to be a quiet lad who focused on his sport.
So little Noah is gay, is he?
“Hi, Noah,” Jonas said.
Noah sat next to Jonas.
“Well this isn’t terrifying at all.”
Jonas laughed. “Don’t sweat it. We’re in it together.”
Noah fist-bumped him. Jonas felt slightly ridiculous but let the moment slide.
“Tito not arrived yet?” Noah asked.
Javier shook his head.
“I hope timekeeping isn’t an issue,” he said. “Luckily the apartments we’ve got for you are about five minutes from here. So there will be no excuses.”
Jonas had rented an Airbnb property in the centre of town. It was nice enough. But he hated living out of a suitcase.
“When can we move in?” he asked.
“As soon as you like,” Javier replied.
Jonas glanced at Noah, his new neighbour. His dark brown eyes gave him the appearance of a deer in the headlights.
“Here he is,” Steven said, staring out of the window.
They all went over. A gold BMW i8 cruised into a parking spot.
“Flash bastard,” Jonas said.
“Let’s hope he realises he’s taken a pay cut to play for us,” Javier added.
“I’d better go down,” Steven said.
Javier took a breath. “I had planned on waiting until Tito joined us to talk to you, but something tells me I’d be wasting my time with that one.”
Jonas and Noah shared a look. Tito Lopes had always been known for his confidence. It could get a little wearing.
“Anyway,” Javier said. “I don’t know your reasons for coming here and I don’t want to. If you want that to change, my door is always open.”
“Thanks, Boss,” Noah said.
“There will be media interest,” Javier continued. “There’s no point in lying about it. We’ve been a news story since last season.”
The scrutiny the club had faced resulted in being the final straw for Jonas. He’d had to watch his teammates joking about the fact that Brockton’s Udo Holtmann had been publicly outed.
“I’m ready for it,” Jonas replied. “Although I may disappoint them. My mission is to win something this season. Pure and simple.”
Javier nodded.
“Why don’t we meet Steven and Tito in reception?”
He led them back the way they had come. Jonas took the time to calm himself. This was his professional home now. He wanted them to know he meant business. No matter what route he’d taken to Brockton.
You’ve been the new boy before. Show them you’re not fazed.
They ran into Steven and Tito about to climb the stairs.
“Mr Lopes,” Javier said. “We decided to come to you.”
“Good morning, all. I’m honoured.”
He shook hands confidently with everyone. Probably one of the most famous people to come out of the Cape Verde islands, Tito Lopes had a reputation that preceded him.
Tall with dark skin and a glint in his eye, Tito oozed confidence. He obviously knew his position at the club. It had been a major coup for Brockton to sign a player of his calibre.
“Sorry I’m a tiny bit late,” Tito said.
“Try to make that the only time,” Javier said.
Tito nodded.
“Jonas here was telling us how his main focus is to win some silverware this season,” Javier continued.
Tito squeezed Jonas’ shoulder. “What a coincidence. That’s mine too.”
“Wouldn’t you have had more chance at Liverpool?” Noah asked.
Tito shrugged. “Maybe I like a challenge.”
Jonas had played against Tito on numerous occasions. He was a force to be reckoned with. What would it be like to play with him?
“How about a tour of the facility?” Javier asked. “Then we’ll put you through your paces.”
“I can’t wait to meet the others,” Tito replied.
Javier and Steven led them around the vast building. The gym was impressive, way better than Canonbury’s. A fact that Jonas shared with them, which appeared to perk things up.
They had a canteen, physio rooms, offices upstairs and windows everywhere overlooking the pitch. Wherever they went, everyone snapped to attention. Their arrival had been eagerly anticipated, apparently.
Tito hummed to himself as they wandered down the corridor that was lined with photographs of past players for the team. Jonas noticed that Tito’s eyes were darting this way and that, taking everything in.
Noah was content to fall into step behind them. He was making no attempt to hide how overwhelmed he was clearly feeling. It made Jonas instantly trust him.
Two men emerged from one of the meeting rooms. The first was short with gelled hair and tan skin. He was dripping in gold jewellery and appeared as if a smile would crack his face.
His companion was marginally taller with a shock of grey hair. He made for an arresting sight in a mint green suit.
“Gents, I’d like you to meet our CEO, Jamie Walter, and our Head of Communications, Howard Clooney.”
Jamie stared hard. He didn’t appear to be the kind of guy you fucked around with. Howard seemed far friendlier. He made a point of greeting each one of them.
“I’ll be having a meeting with you all once you’ve settled in,” he said in a Texan drawl. “We’ll get cracking on the press stuff right away. That means I want to know about any skeletons hanging around in those closets. Let’s not be surprised again.”
He glared at Steven, who seemed more amused than upset.
“You did an amazing job,” he said. “And we all survived.”
“Once. Twice might kill me. Dead.”
They all chuckled. Everyone except Jamie.
“Media and sponsorships are all very well,” he said. “What matters most are results. If you’ve come here for an easy ride or to fuck about, you’ve made a mistake. I want your absolute best. Do you understand me?”
Jonas, Noah and Tito nodded.
“No worries about that, Mr Walter,” Tito said. “We’re gonna fly this year.”
Jamie appraised him, his face barely moving.
“I hope you’re right, otherwise there’ll be some more major changes at the end of the season.”
Jonas frowned. It was an unusual move to threaten them on their first day. Perhaps he wanted it to come across as motivational.
They strode away.
“He seems nice,” Tito said.
“Don’t worry about it,” Steven replied. “He panicked that he’d lost control of the club last year.”
That was putting it mildly. They’d been in every newspaper for weeks.
“Have things died down?” he asked.
Steven shrugged. “What’s new one minute is standard the next. Most of the lads don’t give a shit. There were a few who had a problem with Javier’s unusual recruitment campaign.”
“And now they’re gone,” Javier said, clapping his hands together. “So how about we get you boys changed and in possession of a ball? After all, that’s why we’re here.”
A flash of anticipation swept through Jonas. The time to prove himself had arrived.
He was ready.