“I never stop,” Udo replied. “I’m definitely going to use what happened with Alex.”
After he’d retired, Steven had had therapy. The adjustment period had been so difficult. Going from stadiums chanting his name to doctors telling him he’d never play again had been a matter of days.
His therapist had suggested he write everything down, which he’d done. Somewhere in his house was a box of journals where he’d let his emotions leak all over the page. Perhaps he’d dig them out and see if there was anything in there that could help Udo.
“I wish you luck with it.”
Udo frowned. “I kind of hoped you’d be along for the ride.”
He knew he was blushing. After everything that had happened to him in the last twelve months, putting himself back out there struck fear into his heart.
Yet when he saw Steven’s kind smile, he knew this time it was going to be okay.
“If you’re offering,” Steven replied.
“Oh I am.”
Steven kissed him.
“Then I accept.”
The next day was a bank holiday. Steven woke with a jolt. Udo’s arms around him were an instant comfort.
“Are you okay?” Udo mumbled.
“Yeah,” Steven replied. “Bad dream. Go back to sleep.”
Udo snuggled into him. Steven revelled in the closeness. He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would return.
It was no use. He was awake.
“What were you dreaming about?” Udo asked, his breath tickling Steven’s ear.
“I can’t remember,” Steven replied. “I’ll get up. It’s the middle of the night.”
Whether Javier was onto them or not, he would be furious if Udo didn’t get his rest. It was equally as important as decent training.
Steven went to move when Udo clutched him tighter.
“Not so fast,” Udo said. “What time is it?”
Steven reached for his phone.
“It’s four o’clock,” he replied. “I told you it was the middle of the night.”
Udo stretched. The room was partially dark. The light from the ensuite meant Steven could still make out Udo’s muscles rippling.
“I’m awake now,” Udo said. “Shall I make us a coffee?”
The sun would be rising soon. The weather forecast had said it was going to be another glorious day.
“I’ve got an idea,” Steven said.
An hour later, they were in the car on a deserted car park up on the moors. In the half-light, Steven made out huge wind turbines scattered across the scrubland.
Some people hated them. Steven had always found their slow spinning to be therapeutic. He sipped the coffee he’d brought in a vacuum flask.
“This is supposed to be romantic?” Udo asked.
