Steven had been so focused on the season that he’d barely given any thought to the summer break.
“I usually rent a place somewhere and take the family,” he explained. “We’ve done that since my playing days. I’m thinking the South of France this year.”
“A beautiful part of the world.”
Whoops and hollers sounded out in the small valley that the reservoir sat in. They both stared. Across the small bay, people were swimming and splashing one another.
“Are you brave enough?” Udo asked.
“For what?”
“A swim, of course.”
Steven frowned. “I haven’t got my swimmers.”
Udo laughed. “Don’t be so shy. Are you wearing underwear?”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“There’s no one near us. Besides, what are we doing wrong?”
Since the advent of camera phones, everyone was a paparazzo. Steven glanced around. They were clear for the most part. They would have to leave the path behind to get to the water’s edge, which protected them from other walkers. To be fair, they wouldn’t be doing anything the family across the way weren’t doing.
“Fine,” he said. “If we end up on social media, we’ll say it’s a new form of training.”
Udo jogged down to the shoreline. Steven followed him. The bank was unstable and he almost fell in. Udo grabbed him and steadied him.
“Maybe wait until you’ve taken your shorts off,” Udo said. “It’s quite a way to the car park. Soggy clothes are never comfortable.”
Steven grinned.
They stripped off down to their underwear. Steven counted his blessings that he had a decent pair of Calvin Kleins on. Of course, he had seen Udo in a state of undress many times after training and games. It seemed different now.
Udo’s body was incredible. He stood staring out to the water in a pair of bright pink Paul Smith boxer briefs. Steven had tried to retain his physique with regular trips to the gym. Yet with the absence of a full-on training regime, he had gone a little soft in places.
Steven found Udo’s golden skin so inviting. Such a contrast to Steven’s dark brown.
His chest was lightly dusted with the blond hair from his head. Steven longed to run his fingers along every inch of him.
He noticed Udo openly staring at him.
“I might not have your six-pack,” Steven said. “I can outswim you though.”
“Fighting talk.”
They both waded into the reservoir.
Shit. It’s freezing.
Every instinct told Steven to get out. But he wouldn’t lose face in front of Udo, who didn’t seem to be at all bothered.
When they were chest-deep, Udo plunged himself under the water and came up panting.
“That feels so good,” he said.
Steven shrugged and did the same. When he came to the surface, he gasped for air.
“It’s fucking cold.”
