“I’d love it,” he continued.
“Then step this way.”
Udo followed Nikki into the house, leaving Steven with Javier. Considering they spent a ridiculous number of hours together at work, suddenly Steven felt uncomfortable sitting on his boss’s terrace.
“You both seem happy,” Javier said.
“We are or at least I definitely am.”
Javier took a sip from his glass.
“You’ve chosen a potentially difficult path,” Javier said. “I’m sorry for sounding like your relationship is purely physical.”
“That’s okay,” Steven replied. “I’m fully aware of the pressures we would face.”
Javier stared hard at him. “Are you really?”
“I am. I’ve seen it enough times.”
“Then you have my support,” Javier declared. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Thank you, Javier,” Steven replied. “It means the world.”
Javier glanced over his shoulder.
“Now,” he said, leaning forward. “I’ve got a plan to show the club and the fans that Udo Holtmann is going to take us to places they never dreamed possible. Don’t tell him anything just yet.”
Steven recoiled. “I don’t like keeping secrets.”
“As assistant coach in the team your boyfriend plays in, that’s tough shit. Now do you want to hear it or not?”
In the car on the way home, Udo stroked Steven’s leg.
“Do you think that went well?”
Steven nodded. “Definitely. Javier is definitely in our corner.”
“That’s good,” Udo said.
Steven stole a glance at him. He looked happy.
“I can’t wait until the end of the season,” Steven said. “Then we can get some breathing space.”
Udo took in the verdant green of the countryside as they sped along the small lane. The football season was like living in a bubble. Other things went on but they weren’t to impact the team under any circumstances. Steven worked hard to ensure their prized players lived as charmed lives as possible.
“I want a goal against Liverpool on Saturday,” Udo said.
Steven frowned. “Javier has a plan and don’t ask me to tell you, because I can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I said.”
Before Udo replied, Steven’s phone began to ring. The car system told him Naomie was calling. He put it on the speaker system and indicated to Udo to be quiet.
“Hi, Naomie. Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m good,” she replied. “How are you?”
