In his mind’s eye, Noah had already figured out where he was aiming. All he had to do was follow through. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. At times like this he thought about his parents watching over him. Today this was mixed with rage at the shitty comment from Smith.
I’ll show that ignorant piece of shit.
The whistle blew. Noah swallowed hard and took his run. His foot connected with the ball and he crossed it perfectly to Ewen, who only had one defender marking him.
Always a deadly threat, Ewen took the ball at breathtaking speed. Even the goalie hadn’t time to ready himself before Ewen fired. The away fans screamed as one.
Now Brockton had four goals under their belt, Everton didn’t have a hope of catching them.
True enough, ten minutes later Noah walked off the pitch the victor. Dylan ran past him.
“Queer,” he muttered.
“Loser,” Noah replied.
Even though he’d had the last word, it hurt. He hadn’t paid close attention to the Brockton fans. Truthfully he didn’t want to see the protest signs which had blighted the season since Noah, Tito and Jonas joined the team. A sizeable contingent of the supporters hadn’t taken too kindly to openly gay players invading their beloved club and never failed to turn up at a game with placards declaring this.
Howard tried to convince them that the group had shrunk. Even so, it was devastating to see that from their own fans.
“Noah,” Jonas said, running up to him. “Check that out.”
He pointed to the away stand. To his joy someone held up a sign which hadOur Man is Farmanwritten on it.
Then he noticed that a group of around ten supporters had rainbow armbands on.
He beamed.
Of course, the likes of Dylan Smith would take a while to catch on. Even the banner waving Brockton fans might struggle. Yet could it be that a new group of fans were forming who didn’t give a shit who kicked the ball as long as it went in the net?
With a spring in his step, he followed the lads into the locker room.
This elation lasted precisely thirty seconds when he saw Tito standing in front of him with a face like thunder.
“What’s your problem?” Noah asked.
“Why didn’t you pass that free kick to me?”
Oh for fuck’s sake.
“You had two defenders on you. Ewen had one. It’s that simple.”
“They were nowhere near me. Just because you’re having man trouble, don’t make it my problem. It’s unprofessional.”
Noah reared away. “Don’t you fucking dare call me that when you’re the one with a stupid rivalry that’s impacted us all season.”
Adam and Ewen came over.
“What’s going on?” Adam demanded.
“Nothing,” Noah replied.
“Doesn’t look like it. Tito?”
Tito seemed ready to explode. It clearly hadn’t helped that Ewen had come over with Adam.
“Have you told the lads to only pass to Armitage here?” Tito asked.
He was going a step too far. It was one thing to accuse Noah. To extend that to their captain was a seriously bad move.
