Adam went over and kissed the top of Colin’s head before messing his hair up.
“Next round you can come,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be your thing. Sorry, Col.”
Colin blushed. He was a sweet kid. As the baby of the team, he seemed far too preoccupied with being accepted by everyone.
Udo remembered when he had begun his career at Stuttgart. He’d been the same. The only difference being he had a huge secret that he had to keep quiet. As a teenager and suddenly being surrounded by men at peak fitness wandering around naked, that had been a task in its own right.
When Shaun walked in, the room hushed as one. Udo pitied him but remembered Steven’s words. He couldn’t do anything about this situation. Instead, he sat down at his section and set about changing into his training kit.
“I want to say something,” Shaun said.
Udo glanced up. Everyone else stared at Shaun.
“Go on then,” Adam said.
“I’m sorry,” Shaun began. “I got caught up in my head. It’s not been the same for me this year and I let my frustrations out on Udo. I had no right to do that.”
He stared at Udo, who would quite happily have let the ground swallow him up. He appreciated the apology but would have preferred a more private affair. Still if Shaun needed public retribution, this was probably the right way to go about it.
“The bastard interviewer kept needling at me. It’s no excuse. I’ve had enough years in this game to know they’ll take the spiciest quote.”
Adam nodded. “You’re right, you should have known better.”
“Anyway, I’ll put a statement out on my socials saying I regret my stupid words,” Shaun said. “I truly am sorry, Udo. Honest.”
Udo shrugged. “Think nothing of it. We all get annoyed at things. I’m sorry that you thought I was getting preferential treatment.”
“I didn’t really.”
“At least that’s cleared things up,” Adam said. “Now how about we get ourselves into shape to win the last few games? Then next season, who knows what we’ll be doing.”
The rest of the lads cheered. Once again, things were on an even keel. Udo could relax and actually enjoy playing at Brockton.
As he put his shirt on, Udo’s phone bleeped. It was a text from Steven. Carefully, he opened it, making sure no one saw over his shoulder.
We’ve been invited to Javier’s for dinner tonight.
Udo’s heart raced. What now?
“Everything okay?” Adam asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Oh nothing,” Udo replied, putting his phone away. “Just my mum.”
He tried to pick up the conversation as he tucked his mobile away. What should be a normal couple thing had to be conducted like a spy operation.
But we’re a couple. No matter what.
A grin spread on his face. He really must make the effort to enjoy this.
Doom and gloom can wait for another day.
***
They had chosen the perfect afternoon for a round of golf. The spring sun shone down on the verdant grass. It was an idyllic setting with a soundtrack of bird song. Udo sighed and enjoyed the warmth on his face.
They were on the green. Adam’s ball had landed wide andEwen had already potted his closely followed by Goran. Udo took a breath and then tapped his ball. It sailed into the hole.
“You’re not too bad at this, “Ewen said.
