The change in his tone made Udo jump.
“You’re fucking joking,” Goran said.
All the colour had drained from him. Udo glanced at Adam, who looked worried.
“I’ll be there as soon as. Go in the ambulance and I’ll meet you at the hospital. I love you.”
He terminated the call.
“What’s the matter?” Udo asked.
“The baby’s coming,” Goran said. “A month early. Fuck.”
Would this day ever get any better?
“I need to go.”
“Wait,” Adam said. “If you go tearing out of those gates with all those reporters, they’ll be following you in no time.”
The last thing Goran needed was the press to shift to the hospital. It wouldn’t take them long to sniff out a potential story.
“I’ll drive you,” Udo said.
“What do you mean?” Goran asked.
“If I force a few tears out and we leave in my car, they’ll think you’re taking me home. I’ve buckled under the pressure.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Goran said. “It’ll be another headline.”
“Oh fuck that. I’m going to be on the front pages for a few days yet.”
Goran looked at Adam. “What do you reckon?”
The team captain seemed lost in thought for a second.
“I’ll come with you. In for a penny, in for a pound. Let me square it with the boss.”
He dashed off to Javier’s office. Every fibre of Udo’s being wanted to go with him. Just to get a glimpse of Steven.
“Thank you, Udo.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ve been dying for a good blub since I got out of my car.”
Goran hugged him. “Then let it all out. I know I am.”
So they did. Two Premier League footballers sobbed in each other’s arms.
The waiting room was comfortable if a little soulless. Of course Paloma wouldn’t be giving birth in a regular hospital. Her birth suite was completely private and had been booked for a three-month window to ensure availability.
Adam sprawled on one of the green velvet sofas. Udo curled up on the other.
“How long has it been now?” Adam asked.
“About ten minutes since you last asked me,” Udo replied.
It had been over an hour since Goran had disappeared into the room where his wife and child were in trouble. Neither Adam nor Udo had any intention of leaving.
“I know you said you didn’t want to talk,” Adam began.
