Chapter 8
EIGHT
JONAS
Jonas watched Adam and Udo hurry out of the briefing room. Gobsmacked wasn’t a strong enough word.
What the fuck did he mean by that?
Adam’s words had floored him.
“Hey,” Noah said. “Are you coming home?”
They had travelled together because it seemed ridiculous to leave separately. Tito had taken some convincing. His car stuck out like a sore thumb in Brockton. Something Jonas suspected had been the primary motivation for Tito buying it. He’d christened the vehicle the Lopes Cock Magnet.
“Yeah,” Jonas said.
He followed Noah and Tito outside.
“Did you see the way I banged it in the goal?” Tito asked. “What a bloody rush.”
Jonas got into the back. He could barely concentrate on the conversation. Adam’s words seemed to be on a loop in his head.
They weren’t too far from their apartments when Noah spun round.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“You’ve not said a word.”
Jonas forced himself to be alert.
“Honestly, it’s nothing. I guess I got myself worked up for the match.”
“Poor old man,” Tito said. “Don’t worry, we’re nearly home. We’ll get you in your pyjamas and slippers in no time.”
Jonas reached forward and flicked Tito’s ear.
“Hey, you’re assaulting Brockton’s best goal scorer.”
“We all played well today,” Jonas replied, giving Tito another flick.
“It’s a shame some of the fans didn’t see it like that,” Noah replied.
“The skipper gave it to them with both barrels,” Tito added. “I bet the media are having a field day. Want to stay up and watch Match of the Day with me?”
“Yeah,” Noah said. “Jonas?”
“Definitely. Can I put my pyjamas on first?”
They chuckled.
Jonas settled in his seat and zoned them out. He had a lot to unpack.
First Adam has an extreme reaction to the fans. Then he drops a major hint. Something else is going on here.
Jonas suspected there was only one explanation. Had Adam told him that for a reason? Jonas searched deep inside. If Adam had an ulterior motive, how did he feel about it?
They certainly had a connection. It would be a hell of a gamble if Adam had simply made a throwaway comment. Jonas and the two in the front were representing the future for openly gay players in the league. If he made an unwanted pass at another player, he might set it back ten years.
The small town had a buzz about it. Crowds of people congregated outside the pubs celebrating the team’s win. Mint and white Brockton scarves and shirts were everywhere.
In no time they were home. Tito switched the engine off.
“Ten minutes and meet at mine?” he asked.
“I’m in,” Noah replied.
“Nah, I’ve changed my mind,” Jonas said, getting out of the car. “I’m done in. I think I’ll chill.”
Really he wanted to obsess over what Adam had said to him. Perhaps he should ring Heidi. His best friend would know what to do.
With a sense of resolve, he followed his teammates into the apartment building.
“You sure about watching the highlights on TV?” Noah asked. “We can order in food. You have to eat.”
“I’m sure,” Jonas replied. “I’ve got stuff in.”
He hugged them both and set off for his door.
It could be dangerous spending the evening with Tito and Noah.
It wouldn’t take Tito long to realise he had something other than football on his mind.
Then he would relentlessly try to uncover the truth.
Jonas suspected he might crack under pressure eventually.
One thing he did know was that Adam would be devastated if Jonas made his own suspicions public.
Jonas would not do that to a man he was rapidly growing closer to. Even if he had to settle for friendship.
He walked into his apartment and threw his backpack down. His body was tired after the game but his mind whirred.
Sometimes after a win, he had moments of melancholy. He supposed it was the adrenalin comedown.
After flopping down on the couch, he stared out of the window.
Should I go for a run?
Jonas didn’t fancy bumping into any of the rabid fans whilst out on his own. Maybe let things improve before venturing out of the apartment.
Just as he contemplated which movie to watch, his phone rang. He grabbed it from the table and frowned.
“Skipper? Is everything all right?”
“Would you believe me if said I’m stranded in the middle of the countryside?”
An hour later, Jonas sat in the pub opposite Adam. The fire was roaring and the air smelt of the hearty food everyone around them was tucking into.
Jonas nursed a pint of lime and soda. Adam had a Coke.
Last of the big spenders. The barman had been visibly disappointed when recognising them both. Jonas had tipped handsomely to help him get over it.
“Can this day get any weirder?” Jonas asked.
To his astonishment, Adam couldn’t meet his gaze. The cocky captain of the locker room seemed to have deserted him.
“Yeah, not the usual post-match celebration,” Adam managed. “Sorry if you were in the middle of anything.”
“Only which Mission Impossible movie to watch,” Jonas replied. “How come Udo left you here?”
Now Adam raised his head. “Because he wanted you to rescue me.”
“Excuse me.”
They both froze. An older man stood by their table.
Shit.
“Hi,” Adam said. “How you doing?”
“I’m so sorry to disturb you. I wanted to say you boys played a bloody blinder this afternoon.”
Jonas’ shoulders dropped. He’d been braced for impact. Maybe this protest thing had got to him more than he realised.
The smile radiated from Adam as he got up and shook the man’s hand. Jonas followed suit.
“Thank you,” Jonas said. “I thought you were coming to have a go.”
The man squeezed Jonas’ arm. “Not everyone is the same, lad. Listen for the cheers not the boos.”
“Can I buy you a drink?” Adam asked.
“I’ll have a pint with you.”
Jonas smirked. “You know what?” he said. “Drinks for everyone. This is Brockton and I helped score a bloody goal.”
“That’s the spirit, lad,”
One drink became three. Of course, Adam and Jonas were stone-cold sober. Which was more than could be said for a few of the locals when they finally got away.
“That was fun,” Jonas said as they walked to his car.
“Howard wanted us to get out and about. I think we’ve charmed the Royal Oak.”
Jonas popped the doors and they climbed in.
“Am I taking you for your car?” Jonas asked.
Adam turned to him. “It’s late,” he said. “I’ll get it in the morning.”
His eyes shone in the half-light. Jonas swallowed. Nerves suddenly gripping him.
“Seems silly to get a cab.”
“Why don’t you drive me?”
Fuck
Jonas sighed. “I feel like you’re trying to say something. To be honest, you’re failing miserably.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
“If you’re asking me to stay the night with you—”
“I am.”
So many emotions ran through Jonas. He gripped the steering wheel.
“Are you knocking me back?” Adam asked. “Shit.”
“No. It’s just…”
“Do me a favour,” Adam cut in. “Drive this car. I have no intention of being made a dickhead in a pub car park.”
Jonas turned on the ignition.
“You’re not a dickhead.”
He drove out of the car park and onto the country road.
“Driving somewhere makes it so much easier to do this shit,” Adam said. “So I’ll blurt it out and we can agree never to talk about it again.”
Part of him wanted to put Adam out of his misery. But the dominant part needed to hear what Adam had in mind.
“Go on then,” he replied.
Adam took a breath. “Okay. I’m bisexual. Always have been, always will be.”
Well that’s quite the revelation.
“You’ve kept that quiet.”
“I’ve had the odd close call. Nothing too crazy. Gutless, eh?”
“Not at all. Bloody hell, you must have shit yourself with this gay invasion.”
Adam roared with laughter. This set Jonas off.
“I suppose in a way Udo, and now you three, have inspired me. I’m not saying I’m going public because I’m not.”
Nothing like being honest I suppose.
“I don’t blame you,” Jonas replied. “After what happened to Udo and Steven last year, any of us would be crazy to have a fling this season. Mind you, I think Tito’s befriending most of the men in Brockton and the surrounding area. I hear things.”
Adam shuddered. “That’s not me.”
“Oh yeah. I’m sure.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’re a playboy, Adam. We can’t even go for an Italian meal without running into one of your conquests.”
“Nine women and six men.”
“What is?”
“My body count. I bet yours is more.”
He was right about that. Jonas had no intention in returning that information. He’d enjoyed himself in his twenties.
“Maybe.”
They reached Adam’s gates. Jonas tensed.
“Well?” Adam asked.
Adam was promising Jonas precisely nothing. Maybe that was what attracted him.
Realistically only one part of his anatomy had taken over.
“Open the gates.”
Adam hopped out of the car and input the code into the controls. Jonas watched him.
Am I really going to do this?
When a clearly nervous Adam turned back to the car, Jonas’ mind was set. Yes he was absolutely going to do this.
They drove up to Adam’s house and got out. Neither appeared able to speak.
“Do you want a drink?” Adam asked once they were inside.
“Not really.”
Adam drew Jonas close. Their lips inches away from each other. For a split second they looked into each other’s eyes. Words were no longer needed.
When Adam kissed Jonas’, everything seemed to explode. At first it was tender but the contact ignited the lust Jonas had felt for Adam since they’d met on the training pitch.
Jonas pushed his tongue into Adam’s mouth. His hands gripped Adam’s muscular shoulders. Each second rising in intensity. Jonas’ cock was solid already.
“Come on,” Adam whispered.
He took Jonas’ hand and almost dragged him up the large wrought iron staircase.
They went through into a main bedroom. It was surprisingly neutral.
Jonas had expected a little more bling. A huge bed with stark white linen lay in the centre of the main wall, opposite a floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds.
Doors led off to what Jonas presumed was an en suite and probably a dressing room.
Adam flicked a switch on the wall and the blinds came down.
“Smooth,” Jonas said.