He squeezed Noah’s shoulder and left them to it. Carmine spun round.
“Fucking hell. Dad will never stop talking about this.”
“That’s what happens when you have a Brockton player in the family.”
Carmine beamed. “ThebestBrockton player in the family, you mean.”
Noah quickly kissed him on the forehead.
He knew at that moment that he was going to love this man forever. It was an absolute certainty in his mind.
“Do I look okay?” Carmine asked. He checked his hair in the mirror for the millionth time.
“You look hot.”
“I’m not going for hot,” Carmine said. “I’m going for warm and caring.”
Noah sniggered. “I don’t think he’ll notice how perfect your hair is.”
“It’s subliminal.”
“Sure.”
He pulled into the car park and ground to a halt.
“Ready?”
Carmine kissed him. “Ready.”
They got out of the car and walked toward the entrance. As usual Malcolm had been waiting for them and came out like a missile. Noah wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly.
“Hey, superstar,” Noah said. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too,” Malcolm replied. “Where’s your friend?”
They broke apart and Noah gestured to Carmine, who had been hanging back.
“Malcolm. I’d like you to meet Carmine.”
Noah thought his heart would burst as Malcolm solemnly shook hands with Carmine. He never dreamed that he would find a man he trusted enough for a moment like this.
“You don’t play football, do you?”
“Not really, I’ve only recently got into watching it. Since I met your brother.”
Malcolm frowned. “We always play when he comes. Jonny and Bella are ready.”
“Malcolm. How about this time we have a chat?” Noah asked.
“No,” Carmine replied. “I didn’t say Icouldn’tplay. I used to be forced to make up the numbers by Raoul and his mates. We won some competition.”
“Did you?” Malcolm and Noah said in unison.
Carmine shrugged. “I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time so they put me in goal and it turned out I was quite good at saving.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it?” Noah asked.
“What am I supposed to say? ‘Well done on the FA Cup semi-final. Did you know I’ve got a medal from the nineties somewhere?’”
