“Don’t let anyone take your picture,” Javier said. “Howard will lose his shit.”
“What about the squad photo, boss?” Adam said, with a glint in his eye.
“Stay at the back. That’s an order.”
Goran and Ingvar sniggered.
“Don’t worry, lads,” Udo said. “Once we’re in the main room, it’ll be dark.”
This set everyone off. Even Javier.
“Can we really have a drink, boss?” Edi asked.
The look on Javier’s face told them everything they needed to know about his opinion on that.
“I feel like I should have your drinks for the shock,” Javier replied. “But go on. Take it steady. If you spill on those monstrosities, you’ll have to buy them.”
He turned to the others.
“Jesus Christ,” he said, with a smile. “Where do we get them from?”
Udo grinned at Steven who returned it.
Tonight could be a decent night.
For the dinner, the squad were split up. Each one hosting a table. Udo had seven tech experts on his. Once they’d had the obligatory soccer conversation, his guests began talking about the latest news in the telecoms world. Not something Udo could participate in. As a supposedly tech-savvy German, he absolutely let the side down. He could barely work his mobile, never mind chat about it.
Steven was across the room. He had women flocking to him for photo opportunities. A flash of jealousy erupted inside Udo. Not that he had any right to feel like that. Yet, he did.
“Excuse me, nature calls,” he said.
He got up and walked across the room. Adam had his table in uproar. Udo shuddered to think what about. Ewen was also holding court at his table. Judging by his hand gestures, he was relaying his latest goal to them. In minute detail. As for poor Colin’s table, it appeared to be a tumbleweed moment. Most of his guests were fiddling with their mobiles or chatting to one another.
Udo crossed the foyer and went into the bathroom.
The sound of someone being sick greeted him as soon as he entered. Frowning, Udo checked the cubicles until he found Ingvar kneeling over the sink. He threw up again, making Udo wince.
“Ingvar?”
“Ugh,” his teammate said. “Think I’ve overdone it.”
For fuck’s sake.
If Javier saw the state of him, he’d fine him a month’s wages. If he was lucky. There was no chance that Udo could support Ingvar on his own.
“Wait here,” he said.
Invgar groaned.
Udo ran out of the men’s toilets and straight into Shaun.
Oh, great.
“All right, hero?” Shaun said. “Hanging around the gents? People will talk.”
“Shut up and come with me.”
He led Shaun into the bathroom.
