Noah sighed. He always ended up pouring his heart out when he came over. They didn’t seem to mind.
“Things with Carmine are great. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a lot to juggle. I read this book on rest and how it’s just as important as a good workout.”
“And?” Goran asked.
Paloma chuckled. “Come on, Goran. You remember when we first met. We didn’t get a lot of rest.”
Goran blushed.
“You must be the only person in the Brockton locker room whining that they’re getting too much sex,” Goran said. “Poor Ewen would love to be in your shoes.”
This made Noah cackle. Petar shuddered but stayed silent.
“Sorry, little one,” Noah said. “That was Daddy’s fault. I’m not complaining, obviously. I worry about the impact it’s having. This season is crucial.”
Paloma sat next to him and laid her hand on his arm.
“Noah,” she began. “Being focused is great. Honestly, it is. You can’t shoulder all the responsibility. You need to find a balance.”
“She’s right,” Goran added. “When we first met, I was like you. I wanted to be the best. I had dreams of playing for my country. Didn’t happen. Life is still pretty decent.”
He had a point. When he was young, his mother had told him to enjoy being a child. He’d always focused on when he was a year older or ten years older.
“Don’t let Javier hear you say that. He thinks we should always be striving.”
“Javier is paid to say that,” Goran replied. “He conveniently forgets he met his wife at his old club. You can’t tell me that he was thinking solely about football then.”
Noah hadn’t thought of it like that.
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“Some advice from an outsider,” Paloma said. “Don’t make the club your life. It gets very tedious. We’re expected to sacrifice a lot on the altar of football. It must be worthwhile.”
The words hit him like bullets. Whatever this was with Carmine, it was early days. But he didn’t want to scare him away.
I am asking too much of him.
“The view is amazing. Imagine waking up to that every morning.”
Ashley stood where his porch would soon be. Things were getting better with each visit. Noah couldn’t wait to host her and the kids here.
She turned. “You look happy.”
He held his hand out to help her over the rough ground.
“I am. It’s terrifying as well.”
“The best kind of happy.”
She grinned.
“Tell me all about it then. You must be getting on well?”
They got into the car. Ashley was staying with him for the night.
“He’s amazing,” Noah replied. “I love that he has nothing to do with football.”
Ashley threw her hands up. “Hallelujah. That will do you the world of good.”
