Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
ADAM
A week later Adam drove up to Goran and Paloma’s house. Photographers and reporters crowded around the gates. For once, they were there for a happy occasion. Everyone had gathered to celebrate Petar’s christening.
It lifted Adam’s spirits to see some Brockton fans there in the kit. Not everyone had abandoned the team then. The day before they had beaten Nottingham Forest by two goals.
Goran and Paloma had managed to lock down the church in a nearby village so the media hadn’t got anywhere close.
Adam put his window down.
“Hey, Adam,” one reporter said. “Word is you’re the godfather. How does that make you feel?”
“Who told you that?” he replied, flashing what he hoped to be a winning smile.
Goran and Paloma had decided to try to protect Petar as much as possible from the intrusions of the British media. Easier said than done but Adam could respect it.
“A little bird. Any comment?”
“None whatsoever.”
The gates began to open.
“A good win yesterday,” another reporter shouted. “Do you think the team are starting to gel?”
Adam frowned. “Have you seen our record this season? We gelled from the beginning. Brockton are going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.”
“No wandering eyes in the locker room then?” the reporter fired back.
“What did you say?”
They were saying it to provoke a reaction. Even so, Adam wouldn’t ignore such bullshit.
“I’m only joking, Adam.”
“Shit sorry,” Adam replied. “I didn’t get it. Perhaps you’d like to explain the joke?”
All eyes were on the reporter, who had the decency to blush and remain silent.
“No?” Adam continued. “Not to worry. Hope you have a great day, boys. Hanging around outside. They’ve forecast rain. Did you know?”
The gates were open now and Adam drove into the safety of Goran’s home. It was set in acres of gardens and the noise of camera shutters soon faded away. Maybe he would bring Anna here too.
Alain and Ewen were ahead of him. He jumped out of his car.
“Hey, groovers,” Adam shouted.
“Please don’t ever say that again,” Ewen replied. “You’re not that bloody old.”
Adam playfully swatted him on the head before opening the back door of his car. The biggest teddy bear he’d been able to find online waited for him.
“Bloody hell, Skipper,” Alain said. “That’s the same size as Ingvar.”
“Did someone say my name?”
Ingvar, Brockton’s best defender, came around the side of the house with his stunning wife, Cynthia.
Adam hauled the cuddly toy out of the car and handed it his teammate. “Give a guy a hand.”
“Where’s all the action?” Ewen asked.
“There’s a ball pool in the lounge,” Cynthia replied, linking his arm. “And if you’re a really good boy, we can get your face painted.”
They walked into the vast mansion. In the white marble entrance hall, a man in livery waited.
“Welcome,” he said. “May I take your coats?”
“You can take this,” Ingvar replied.
The poor man staggered as Ingvar deposited the bear in his arms.
“I’ll put it with the other gifts.”
As they watched him totter off, Ingvar took his wife’s hand.
“I think I’ll go for a tiger face,” he said. “What about you, Skipper?”
Adam took his jacket off. “I’ve not decided yet. Maybe Shrek.”
The butler returned and took their coats from them. They wandered into the main room to be immediately greeted by Goran, who had lilac swirls and gems on his face.
“Since when do you have staff?” Adam asked, hugging his friend.
“Just for the day,” Goran replied.
“Nice face,” Ewen said.
“It’s mandatory,” Goran replied with a sickly-sweet smile.
“For you maybe,” Ewen said. “No one touches me. You can’t beat what nature did.”
The room was full. Javier and his wife, Nikki, were in the corner chatting to Steven and Udo. Noah and Tito were lounging on the sofas.
Where is he?
“Did you bring that bear?” Paloma asked.
“Guilty,” Adam replied.
“At least we have room for it.”
She snuggled into her husband, who wrapped a protective arm around her.
“Where’s the guest of honour?” Adam asked.
Paloma pointed. Colin and Meg were in the conservatory. Colin held Petar with Meg supervising. They were very sweet together.
“Don’t go giving him any ideas,” Ewen said. “I’m not sure we’d cope with Daddy Colin yet.”
“He loves him,” Goran added. “It might only be a matter of time.”
The butler for the day appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat.
“Mr and Mrs Navojec. Some more guests have arrived.”
“Duty calls,” Goran said.
They left Adam and the others alone.
“Come on,” Cynthia said. “Let’s turn my husband into a tiger.”
“You go on ahead,” Adam replied. “I might say hello to my godson.”
He made his way over to Colin and Meg. Before he made it, Jamie intercepted him. As the CEO of Brockton, no one wanted to get on the wrong side of him.
“Adam,” Jamie said. “Good result yesterday.”
“Thanks,” he replied. “We aim to please.”
Jamie frowned. “Ewen and Tito can improve. I’ve spoken to Javier about this. I want you to work on it.”
As easy as that?
On the whole, Brockton were a strong team. However, some players would always rub each other up the wrong way.
“I’ll try my best.”
“Good. Otherwise there might be some difficult decisions to make in the new year.”
Jamie had a habit of making veiled threats. He’d already made it clear that Javier and Steven would be out if Brockton didn’t win anything this season. Now it appeared that the two strikers were in the firing line.
“Do you ever struggle with such responsibility?”
As soon as he said it, he realised how catty it sounded.
“I’m sorry,” he added. “Ignore me.”
Jamie took a sip from his champagne and regarded Adam.
“That’s okay,” he said. “In all honesty, of course I do. When I took over from Dad, I wanted to be a calmer presence.”
Adam had played under Jamie’s father and he was anything but calm. He’d ruled with a rod of iron. He had also recently taken personal offence at the club becoming a haven for gay players. Another reason to make this work.
“I recognise how you stuck your neck on the line,” Adam said. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Say what you like to me,” Jamie replied. “I can’t protect these new guys though. We paid handsomely for them and believe me when I say a number of the board are waiting to see it all fuck up. I won’t let that happen.”
To Adam’s horror, he realised that Jamie had all but confirmed he had Ewen in his sights.
“Noted.”
“You have more influence than me,” Jamie continued. “Use it well.”
Before Adam could reply, Jonas and a beautiful woman came through the doors. Jonas had on a charcoal grey suit and crisp white shirt.
Fuck. He looks amazing.
“Adam?”
“Sorry. I promise I’ll do my best.”
Jamie clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man. I don’t like dissent in the ranks. It’s bad for business.”
He left Adam to it.
For a second, he and Jonas locked eyes. The way that man stared at him made Adam want to drag him to the nearest bedroom.
Jamie had moved on to chatting with Goran and Paloma. They nodded and ushered him into the centre of the room. Paloma tapped a talonlike nail on her champagne glass to signal silence.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Jamie began. “I won’t keep you long. I know the booze is flowing. Well for about fifty percent of you. Anyone who wears shorts for a living can forget about it.”
Most of the players scowled at Ingvar. Last season they’d attended an industry event in London. Jamie had let them have a drink, much to the annoyance of Javier. Ingvar had overindulged a little. It appeared Jamie had jumped swiftly on board with the alcohol ban.
“I know there are rumours that I will be wielding the axe next spring if we don’t get some silverware,” Jamie continued. “This is true. However, I am a firm believer that sticks only work with carrots. With that in mind, I’m promising you all a six-figure bonus each if we achieve this target.”
A ripple of excitement rushed through the room. They might all be on salaries that most people only dreamt of, but a sweetener like that couldn’t be ignored.
“Quite the news.”
Adam snapped to attention. Jonas had sidled up next to him.
“Isn’t it?” Adam replied.
Jonas turned his back to most people. “Imagine if we put that together. We’d have the holiday to end all holidays.”
“Is that a proposition?”
“Bet your arse it is.”
They shared a brief moment before Jonas moved off toward his female friend who’d been cornered by Alain and Jerzy. Adam couldn’t blame Jonas for going to her rescue. Those two were notorious.
As he continued the search for his godson, he caught Steven watching him closely. Adam nodded, paranoia coursing through his veins. Surely Udo hadn’t said anything.
“Hey, how about I have a hold?” Adam said to Meg.
“Sure thing, Skipper.”
She got to her feet and gently handed a sleeping Petar over to Adam. The little one snuggled into him once more. Almost as if he sensed this adult would be there for him. Come what may.
“Won’t be long until it’s your big day,” Ewen said. “If you’re not firing blanks, Colin.”
Meg straightened her dress and stared Ewen dead in the eyes. “Have a heart. Colin isn’t as lucky as you with your two dicks.”
“Two?” Ewen asked.
“Yeah that tiny one between your legs and that massive one on your head.”
“Will you ever learn not to mess with her?” Edi said, ruffling Ewen’s hair.
Ewen chuckled. “I like it.”
“I’m sure you do,” Meg replied. “Come on, Colin, let’s go and mingle.”
She took Colin’s hand and led him away from their group.
“Oh, Ewen,” she said over her shoulder. “Come and see me on Tuesday for some soft tissue work.”
She held up her thumb. They all knew what that meant. Meg wouldn’t let any muscle become too tense. No matter how much it hurt.
“You asked for that,” Adam said.
“Hey, everyone,” Goran shouted, clapping his hands. “How about a team photo with Petar?”
They all cheered. It took quite a lot of arranging. Adam handed Petar over to Goran who sat in the centre of the large couch. Adam next to him. Instinctively he searched for Jonas, who was at the back with Tito and Edi.
“Wait,” Edi said.
He scuttled around the group and took a place next to Ingvar and Colin. Adam frowned.
“What’s that about?” he whispered to Goran.
“Maybe he has a better side.”
The photographer they’d hired for the day took control and after a few minutes of posing had the photo.
“Paloma,” the photographer shouted. “Shall we do a cast one?”
They were shooed away by a group of soap stars eager to take their place in front of the lens.
Edi headed over to the buffet. Adam decided to pursue.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey, Skip,” Edi replied. “Great food.”
“Can we have a chat?”
He led Edi to the den room off the lounge. It was the one room dedicated to Goran’s career, with football shirts on the wall and trophies in a cabinet.
“What about?”
“You panicking when you realised you were next to Jonas and Tito in the photo.”
“What?” Edi replied.
Adam sighed. “Edi. Come on.”
Edi suddenly seemed very interested in the trophy cabinet.
“We’ve spoken about this,” Adam added.
“It’s not me,” Edi replied. “It’s my father. Every week he calls telling me to leave Brockton in January.”
Any annoyance Adam felt toward the young player evaporated. He had his struggles written all over his face.
“And what do you think?”
“I don’t want to go. I like Brockton. And I like the new players.”
Adam squeezed Edi’s shoulder. “You’re a man now, Edi, with so many different life experiences than your father. It’s time you made your own mind up.”
Edi nodded. “My father is a powerful man.”
“I bet he can’t kick a ball like you. Don’t underestimate your own strength.”
The young lad’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Skipper.”
“If you ever need a chat, I’m always here, Edi. But I do mean what I say. Your opinions are your own. Remember that.”
Edi winked. “I will.”
They rejoined the party. Edi scuttled off to resume his investigation of the buffet.
Adam spied Goran in the kitchen, refilling some glasses. It appeared he didn’t trust the catering staff to do it properly.
“Got a sec?” Adam asked.
“For the godfather? Sure thing.”
Goran tried to mimic Marlon Brando’s accent in The Godfather. He failed miserably.
“Never do that again,” Adam said with a smirk. “Listen, I don’t want to make a big deal of it. Thing is I’ve opened a savings account for Petar.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I know I don’t. I want to,” Adam interjected. “If I’m his godfather, I’ll take it seriously. That little fella will have whatever he needs when he’s older.”
Goran squeezed his arm. “Thanks, man. Paloma will be grateful too.”
“Hey, someone has to wipe my arse when I’m old.”
“You might have kids of your own one day.”
Adam burst out laughing. “I think not. No, I’m quite happy for you to do all the crap bits. I’ll be the cool uncle.”
“Cool? Pushing it a bit there, old man.”
Adam pulled a face.
“Who’s that with Jonas?” Goran asked.
“His friend, Heidi.”
“Sleeping alone again?”
Adam sighed. It might be worth coming out of the closet to be able to spend the night with Jonas freely.
Then he shuddered. Not quite.
“We more than make up for it.”