Chapter 10
TEN
JONAS
The following week Jonas was in the centre of Liverpool with Udo, Noah and Tito. He had only ever been there to play football. The four of them were in a building with incredible views of the impressive city.
“I’ve never had the chance to explore Liverpool,” he said as he stared out of floor-to-ceiling windows.
The River Mersey lay to their left and the iconic building with the Liver Birds on top was ahead.
“I miss it sometimes,” Tito replied.
Udo and Noah sat on a bright orange couch. Tito sprawled in a blue armchair.
“Brockton must be a shock to the system,” Noah commented. “After all this.”
Tito nodded. “I lived here for seven years. Most of my adult life.”
The city was buzzing even on a Tuesday morning.
No one had given them as much as a second glance.
Liverpool boasted two Premier League clubs so there weren’t many people impressed by the sight of four Brockton players wandering around.
Tito had been given the odd high five as they’d wandered along the waterfront.
It appeared he had left on good terms with most of the residents.
“I wonder what this guy will be like,” Noah said.
They all had one thing in common. They’d been dropped by their management companies after making the move to Brockton. Of course, none of their managers had been honest about why. They’d come up with different excuses. Jonas’ had told him they were streamlining operations. It wasn’t even original.
Today they were meeting with Dean Jack of Freedom Sports Management. A sports manager who’d been in touch with a view to representing them. Jonas missed having that input into his life and career.
The door opened and a good-looking man with bald head and a bushy beard came in. Jonas would guess that he was in his late forties. He warmed instantly to him.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” he said, sitting down.
Jonas had always found the scouse accent comforting. This man had it in bucketloads.
“Thank you for coming to see me.”
“It’s great to be back in Liverpool,” Tito said.
Jonas sat next to his colleague and neighbour. In reality he did resent having to drive for over an hour for a meeting. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.
He had declared that he would continue without a manager.
Then Udo had stepped in. They were both the wrong side of thirty and Udo explained how Jonas really should try to bank as much cash as possible while he was still playing.
Unless they excelled at management or a media role, footballers faced a long retirement.
Udo certainly had a point. Jonas had become accustomed to a certain way of life and he had no desire to lose that. He also would be content to withdraw from the public eye at the first opportunity. Especially if he and Adam ever were to go public.
Stop thinking like that. It’s way too soon.
“I will be totally upfront,” Dean said. “I’ve never represented soccer players before.”
Jonas knew this. He and Noah had spent the previous evening researching Dean’s career so far. He had a list of clients from rugby, athletics and, strangely, a couple of reality TV stars.
“How do we know you’ll be any good then?” Tito asked.
Udo caught Jonas’ eye. Sometimes Tito’s tendency to speak his mind amused him. Other times it made Jonas cringe.
“I suppose you don’t,” Dean replied, meeting Tito’s gaze. “If you give me the chance to prove myself to you, I’m confident I can get you some decent deals. You’re all big names at the moment.”
The media were always watching. Howard had hammered home that they were to live dull lives for the foreseeable. Jonas had no problem with that.
“I don’t want to be in the spotlight,” he said.
The idea that a wily reporter might pick up on the situation between him and Adam was too much to bear.
“Bit late for that,” Noah replied.
“You know what I mean,” Jonas continued. “I know we’re in the public eye. I’m against courting it. That’s a deal with the devil.”
Dean nodded. He opened his laptop and connected it to a huge plasma TV screen mounted on the wall.
“You don’t have to be in every magazine with the plans I have for you all.”
“I don’t mind,” Tito said. “I’ve made the jump now. Might as well have the good bits.”
Dean smirked. “A man after my own heart. Noah?”
Noah shrugged. “I’m not that fussed. I moved to Brockton to be open and honest about who I am. I like the idea that kids out there who are worried and confused about themselves will see a picture of me or any of us and it will make it that bit easier.”
A lump formed in Jonas’ throat. He had been so focused on keeping his secrets he’d forgotten about the huge responsibility that came with being a gay Premier League footballer. They were role models to a world of people. Whether they liked it or not.
“Last season I got tons of shit,” Udo said. “I also received so many messages from fans telling me to go for it. How me and Steven being open about our relationship had given them the courage to tell their family and friends they were gay. It gave me the strength to push on through.”
Dean nodded.
“It is unprecedented,” he said. “Four out gay footballers in the same team. Would Steven be interested in working with us? I reckon there’ll be some great his-and-his deals to be had.”
Udo blushed. “I don’t think so. Perhaps let’s focus on solo stuff for the time being.”
The screen burst to life. Predictably the Freedom Management logo had been superimposed on a rainbow flag.
I hope he’s got more original ideas than that.
“Sorry about that,” Dean said. “My assistant put these slides together. A bit too on the nose?”
Jonas nodded. “A bit. Their heart’s in the right place.”
“Are you gay?” Tito asked Dean.
Jonas caught Udo’s eye. A whisper of amusement ran over Udo’s face.
“Actually I am,” Dean replied. “Which probably puts me in the best position to represent you.”
Tito folded his arms. “Right then. Time to prove yourself.”
Later that day, Jonas sprawled on his sofa, playing a PlayStation game. Tito and Noah had been beating his ass on the latest racing game and he needed some practice. He hated not being as good as them at something.
He’d also invited Adam over. As far as Noah and Tito were concerned, it was a buddy thing. Goran had been to visit Noah a couple of times. So far Ewen hadn’t been seen anywhere near the place. Jonas doubted that Tito would’ve invited him.
He rarely had the chance to host Adam. In the end they had set up a shared love of video games as a great cover.
He threw down the controller and wandered over to the window. He enjoyed the view of the whole of the town he now called home. Adam’s house was surrounded by trees to give total privacy.
Of course, he understood the need for discretion. That didn’t stop it from frustrating him as well.
The daylight was retreating. Jonas glanced at his watch. Adam would be here at any moment.
He lit some candles and plumped up the cushions.
“Snacks.”
Jonas ran into the kitchen and put some trail mix and crisps in bowls. All approved by the Brockton FC nutrition department. God forbid they’d have a bar of chocolate or anything like that.
Just as he’d arranged things neatly on the coffee table, the intercom went. Jonas fully expected to see the gorgeous Adam on the display. His jaw dropped when he saw someone completely different.
“Anna?” he said into the microphone.
“Can I come in?”
“Fine.”
Jonas pressed the button.
What the hell was his sister doing here? His sister who lived in Stockholm.
A knot of anxiety lodged in him.
Is it Dad? Has something happened?
He flung the door open at her first knock.
“What’s going on?”
She burst into tears. Jonas led her down the hallway and into the lounge.
“Anna?”
“I’ve run away.”
Jonas couldn’t believe his ears.
“You’ve done what? Wait a minute. How the hell did you get here?”
Anna dried her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. “I got an aeroplane, of course.”
His head was spinning.
“Come and sit down.”
He guided her to the couch.
“Okay, rewind. What’s happened at home?”
“Mama is being hideous. She won’t let me do anything. Now she’s making me tell her everything I’m spending my money on. With receipts.”
Jonas raised an eyebrow. “Not plane tickets evidently.”
Anna shrugged. “I used Papa’s credit card. He’s never around.”
Their father worked as an international financier. His work took him to the four corners of the globe.
Anna’s mother, Tuva, was not Jonas’. And as far as evil stepmothers went, she was up there with the worst of them.
“I’d better call her,” he said.
A full-on family argument hadn’t been on his wish list for the day when he’d woken that morning.
“No!”
“Anna, she probably has the police involved by now.”
She slumped on the sofa.
Jonas grabbed his phone and connected the call.
“Jonas,” Tuva said. The mere sound of her voice made his skin crawl. “What is it? I’m in the middle of something.”
“What would that be?”
“None of your concern.”
Even under the circumstances, Jonas couldn’t resist teasing her. He rarely had the upper hand.
“I have something of yours here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you missing a sullen teenager?”
Silence.
“Dark hair. Pale skin. Murderous scowl.”
“Are you involved in this?”
“Not guilty. She arrived about three minutes ago. She’s still got her coat on.”
Tuva sighed. “Put her on the next plane. I’ll have the driver pick her up. Then she’s in real trouble.”
Jonas glanced at his sister. He remembered when Tuva had control over his life. It had been one of the biggest motivators for pursuing football. An early escape route.
“She’ll be home next week.”
Anna snapped to attention. Her face bursting with joy.
“I beg your pardon?” Tuva retorted.
“There is clearly something wrong if she’s getting a flight on her own,” Jonas said. “Perhaps some calmer times are what she needs.”
Now he’d got into his stride. He winked at Anna, who giggled on the couch.
“How dare you? I insist you return my daughter or I will call the authorities.”
Jonas enjoyed the indignation in his stepmother’s voice.
“That’s entirely up to you,” he replied. “By the way, did I tell you about the media scrutiny I’m under at the moment?”
“I fail to see how that has anything to do with this.”
“They hang around airports. Runaway half-sister of newly out gay soccer star. It has a ring to it. Don’t you think?”
Tuva and his father moved in the high society of Stockholm. He’d suffered a few irate phone calls from his father when he’d announced his move to Brockton. He was old enough to take it. Unlike poor Anna.
“Next weekend. She had better be on that plane.”
She terminated the call.
“Thanks, bro,” Anna said.
“I meant what I said,” Jonas replied. “There’s something that’s made you come here and your fee for staying is to tell me.”
Anna opened her mouth to speak when the buzzer went.
Fuck. Adam!
“Who’s that?” Anna asked.
“My captain,” Jonas replied. “They do this stupid buddy system at Brockton. He’s come for a bonding video games night.”
“Fun!”
What the fuck was going on?
Jonas pressed the button and went to the door.
In no time, he heard a gentle knock. Jonas opened it.
Adam pushed past him into the hall.
“You look good enough to eat,” Adam said.
Jonas let the door close and stalked over to him.
Adam grabbed him by the arm and drew him in for a hug. They kissed. Jonas luxuriated in those beautiful lips pressed against his own. Then he pulled away.
“I have a guest.”
Adam, taking his jacket off, froze. “Who?”
“My sister.”
“Your—”
“Sister. Fifteen. Pretty sassy.”
Poor Adam seemed shocked.
“I didn’t even know you had a sister.”
They hadn’t got to telling each other about their family history. Something Jonas had avoided like the plague.
“She came out of the blue,” Jonas explained. “So I guess we really are playing video games tonight.”
“Okay,” Adam said, clearly forcing a smile on his face.
“Sorry.” Jonas kissed Adam again. “Rain check on the wild sex?”
The evening had taken a turn. Yet the warm expression on Adam’s face was sexier than anything they could have gotten up to in the bedroom.
“I understand. Family comes before me.”
“Literally.”
Jonas led him into the lounge. Anna was fiddling with the games console. She stopped and took in their visitor. She’d kicked her shoes off and sat cross-legged on the sofa.
“Hi,” she said.
“Adam Williams, I’d like you to meet my sister, Anna.”
Poor Adam seemed like a fish out of water as he sat next to her.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said. “What are we playing?”
“Some racing game,” Anna replied. “Jonas is rubbish, apparently.”
Adam raised an eyebrow. “I hope he’s not going to make it too easy.”
“Relax,” Anna said, patting him on the leg. “I’m pretty good. I’ll give you a run for your money.”
“Is that right?”
Jonas watched them. Even though these weren’t the plans he’d made for the evening. There was something wholesome seeing Adam bond with Anna immediately. They were taking this affair to the next level.
“I suppose I’ll get some drinks in?”
“Can I meet Tito while I’m here?” Anna asked.
The television screen had Formula One cars on. Adam had the second controller.
“If you like,” Jonas replied.
“All the girls at school love him. I want to go home with autographs for them all.”
Adam caught Jonas’ eye and smirked.
“I think they might be disappointed with him.”
“Oh we know he’s gay,” Anna replied, very matter-of-factly. “We love him more because of it.”
Jonas filled with a flush of love for his sister. He came forward and stroked her long dark hair. He’d left her to fight Tuva all on her own.
“What else do you want to do while you’re here?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Is it different to Canonbury?”
“Just a little.”
“Why don’t we go into Manchester?” Adam suggested. “There’s lots to do there.”
Anna glanced up at him. “You’re a good buddy.”
Adam blushed. “I’m the captain. I take it very seriously.”
The game started and they were off. Jonas left them to it and went through to the kitchen. Hearing Adam use the word we had given him tingles.
What if they were a we? Was he okay with that?
Of course he bloody was.