Steven frowned. “But…”
“Think about it,” Javier interrupted. “It’s going to be awkward enough when you have to see Udo on match day. Let him train in peace.”
Javier had a point. Every interaction between them would be scrutinised by staff and players alike. When all was said and done, Udo still had to perform on the pitch.
“Fine,” Steven said. “I’ll read the papers instead. No doubt they’ll tell me everything I’m doing wrong in my life.”
“Trust in Howard,” Javier replied before draining his cup. “He’s got friends in high places. We’ll stay ahead of the game.”
Steven nodded grimly. He watched Javier leave for work. How he kissed Nikki as she came through the door from dropping the kids off at school. Him finding his car keys because they were where they usually are. The casual chat about dinner that night. That was life. Steven yearned for that with Udo.
As expected, the morning papers were full of Udo’s madhospital run with Adam and Goran. Thankfully they’d taken the bait that his teammates were consoling him.
Steven hated too much time on his hands. After a long shower, he came into the dining room to find Nikki staring at her laptop.
“Hey,” she said. “Can I get you anything?”
“I can do it,” Steven replied. “You look busy.”
He sat down opposite her and rubbed his eyes.
“Did you sleep?” she asked.
“Not much.”
“What are you going to do today? You need to keep busy.”
Wasn’t that the truth? With most of his possessions at home, Steven was stuck. He might have a workout in the Tosars’ gym. In his playing days, the treadmill had been the only place to escape the pressure of winning. Maybe it would work for this too.
“I should go home at some point.”
“Give it another couple of days,” she replied. “It’s not worth putting yourself through the stress of dealing with those wankers.”
Ingvar lived near to Steven and had confirmed that the press were still very much in attendance at his gates.
Steven had tried his best not to read the crap they were printing. What was the point? It would all be hearsay and judgement.
There was something he had to do that day. Something he had been putting off ever since he and Udo had been parted.
He took out his phone and connected the call.
“Mum?”
“Darling. Oh my goodness. Are you okay? Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
The truth was he hadn’t been able to face hearing her voice. Even now, the tears were threatening to overwhelm him.
“It’s been crazy here,” he said. “Can you do me a favour?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Call a family meeting.”
“What for?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
“Come over as soon as you can,” she said. “We can spend some time together. Just you and me.”
