But Adam and Carmine were heading over their way. Poor Carmine seemed a little overwhelmed.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked.
“I’ll never remember all these names.”
Adam laughed. “Just ask your dad or your brother.”
Instantly Carmine froze. Noah took his hand.
“Carmine hasn’t told his parents just yet,” he explained. “Perhaps we could keep this one quiet.”
“Sure,” Jonas said. “We’ll tell the lads. Don’t worry, Carmine. We’ve all got secrets.”
The small group fell silent.
Jonas and Adam were very much together. Yet it remained totally confidential. Only a select few were in the know. Noah would like to let Carmine in but it wasn’t his secret to tell.
“How was your visit home?” Adam asked eventually.
Noah slung his arm around Carmine’s shoulder. He noticed the stares. It wasn’t a conscious act. It felt right. Especially when Carmine snaked his arm around Noah’s waist. They were a perfect fit.
“Yeah. Good, thanks.”
“Noah’s going to save his brother’s football league,” Tito announced.
All eyes were on him. He hated that. Carmine squeezed him. A gentle sign of reassurance that was so welcome.
“I’m going to try and help them,” Noah said. His face burning.
“Good for you,” Jonas said. “We…I should do more.”
“It might cost millions to keep a league going long-term,” Adam said. “You up for that?”
“I never said I’m going to solve all their problems. If I can get Dean to score some decent deals, then I’ll give them the cash.”
Dean was Noah, Jonas and Tito’s agent. He was doing a decent job at securing them contracts now they’d found their niche in the footballing world. Being out and proud football players had opened up a new world of companies wanting to sponsor them. Sadly each of them had lost some contracts too.
“You might commit yourself to something that snowballs,” Adam warned.
“Then I’ll make it clear I’m not solely responsible for their finances. Is that okay with everyone?”
Noah hated that he sounded petulant but this public inquest into his financial decisions pissed him off. Especially in front of Carmine. No one questioned Adam when he bought Olive a hugepresent or Ewen when he turned up with yet another new car. God forbid Noah should want to do some actual good with his money.
“Sorry, Noah,” Jonas said. “It’s none of our business. You’re right to want to help.”
“That’s okay,” Noah replied even though he didn’t really mean it. “Is it okay if I show Carmine the pool area. He’s an architect. I bet he’s dying to have a nose.”
Adam shrugged. “Go where you like. All I ask is you don’t make a mess. Olive likes a morning swim before a hard day playing in her baby gym.”
Carmine chuckled. “Sounds like she has you wrapped around her finger.”
“You’d better believe it.”
Noah led Carmine into the next room.
“Are you okay?” Carmine asked, taking his hand.
“Yeah. Sorry I acted like that.”
