“It’s yours. That reminds me, do you know a decent interior designer? Ben’s nagging at me to get one sorted.”
Carmine had a list of contacts. He was great at networking and had been reaching out to people who would complement his business. Word of mouth was the best and cheapest marketing tool around.
“I’ll find you someone. What time are you training?”
Noah shook his head. “We’re not today. Javier wants us to rest before the match tomorrow even if it’s only a league one. He’s even putting Jonas and Ewen on the bench. Everything is focused on the quarter final.”
“When’s that?”
“In a couple of weeks.”
“Nervous?”
“Nah. We’re going to do this.”
Carmine swirled his spoon around his bowl, making patterns with the juice that had escaped from the berries.
“There’s something I’d like to do today. If you’re free.”
“Name it. I’m all yours.”
“I’d like to introduce you to my family. Properly.”
Noah reached across and took his hand. “If you’re sure, then I’d be honoured.”
They finished breakfast and showered. Noah insisted on showering together, which in turn meant they got all dirty again. After the second shower and Noah’s further attempt at sex, Carmine put his foot down. They couldn’t spend the day stuck in a loop. They had things to do.
Finally the church clock in the centre of Brockton chimed eleven as they walked across town. Carmine stole a glance at Noah. He was striding ahead, his head up. He exuded strength even though he must be scared.
They were both aware that they were well-known figures in the town. Tongues would be wagging. Carmine was beginning to come round to the idea of going public. It would solve a lot of problems. Although having seen how Udo and Steven were onevery website, newspaper and talk show, he wasn’t quite ready for it. Let the Brockton gossips have the exclusive for a while.
Everyone who mattered to him, knew. He’d even told Raoul. His older brother had surprised him along with the rest of the family. Instead of the rejection that Carmine had braced himself for, Raoul had hugged him. Apparently he’d also known since they were kids. It appeared that Carmine hadn’t been hiding his true self as well as he’d thought. All that effort for nothing.
Of course Raoul had nearly lost his mind when he found out about Noah. The first thing he’d asked for was free tickets. Something Carmine was more than happy to oblige if possible. Anything for a quiet life.
The hospital lay on the other side of town. They soon made their way to the ward Stefano was on. Carmine felt that he’d trodden every inch of these corridors lately.
Maria sat by Stefano’s bedside when they walked in. A nurse came over to intercept them and sprang back when she saw Noah.
“I was going to say it’s only two visitors per bed,” she said, blushing. “I’m sure we can make an exception for ten minutes. It’s very good of you to visit. Mr Amato will be over the moon.”
She evidently had assumed Noah was performing a charitable function. Carmine suppressed a giggle.
“Thank you,” Noah said. “And I appreciate you being flexible on the rules.”
“Of course. Not a problem. So lovely to meet you.”
With that she dashed off to the nurses’ station. No doubt to alert all her colleagues they had a celebrity in their midst.
They approached the bed. Maria stood as Stefano struggled to arrange his pyjama jacket and smooth his hair.
“Noah Farman,” Stefano said. “What on earth are you doing here?”
Carmine took the seat next to his father with Noah standing awkwardly at the end of the bed.
“You said to me to make things right with the love I’d lost,” Carmine said. “Well, I did what you wanted.”
Stefano’s eyes widened. “You and him?”
