We won the game. It was close – two-one, and they had a penalty in the last minute which somehow I got my fingertips to and stopped the goal. It was my seventh penalty save of the season, which was making the pundits talk about awards already. It was nice, but I didn’t need it. The only people who judged how good my form was were me, the manager, my goalkeeping coach and the England manager, because what I really wanted was to be at the world cup in November on the England squad, as the first choice keeper. There was every chance that I could make the next world cup, in four years’ time, as goalkeepers could carry on playing for longer than outfield players, but there was also the chance that someone younger, just coming up the ranks, could take that top spot too.
“Nate, you’re wanted for an interview.” Genny popped her head into the changing room, unfazed with the state of Jude’s naked body.
I was still in my kit, milking the praise from my teammates. I stood up, received a few more back pats, and headed out to where we were set up for questions from the press.
Jesse was already there for the presser; as captain, he rarely managed to get out of them, not that he complained. He’d mentioned to me once that he fancied a career as a pundit or presenter after he hung up his boots.
It was a reporter who didn’t usually cover Manchester Athletic, and I hadn’t actually been interviewed by him before. He was fairly new on the block, although I had heard that he was a bit too keen with his questions.
There were the usual preliminaries, introductions and the ‘how does it feel’ remarks that started every presser I’d ever done.
“Nate, that was your seventh penalty save of the season so far, and you’ve saved more than you’ve conceded, which is something to be proud of. What are you doing in training that’s giving you that edge?”
“Watching tape. Before each game I’m looking at who’s likely to take a penalty, and studying their habits, how they set the ball up.” I didn’t give too much detail in case some manager was listening too hard.
The reporter nodded. “You’re having a great time at the moment. I believe you’re expecting your third child soon, and the mother is one of the club’s physios, Amber Ward–”
“I’d rather keep the conversation on football – much more interesting than my personal life.” I saw Genny doing her throat cut gesture at the cameraman and reporter from the side.
“Sure–” he managed to segue it through to a question for Jesse, leaving me feeling like I wanted to tear a couple of his limbs off and feed them to whatever lived in the nearby canal.
I walked away from the presser with Jesse’s hand on my shoulder, a reminder to keep my mouth shut and not show that being outed so publicly had bothered me.
“It was going to come out at some point,” was all he said as we went back into the dressing room. “Just check Genny’s up to date with the statement you want her to pass out. It might be worth agreeing to an interview, even if it’s for the club website, just to give some noise for people to use.”
He was right; if I said nothing or just gave a very basic statement, questions would still be asked. When Chan had been ill, we kept it low key. A few of the players did a sponsored silence – Jude raised the most – in aid of a charity, but aside from that the media kept away. Death was different than a new baby though, and a new baby with a new partner – who I’d known when my late wife was still alive – was going to raise eyebrows and stir up gossip.
Personally, I didn’t give a shit, but I knew it would bother Amber.
Genny found me as I left the dressing room, freshly showered and smelling a lot better than I had at the presser.
“Amber texted me – she saw the interview.” She waved her phone. “She wasn’t complimentary about the journo. I’ve put a complaint in to his company too.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a weak smile. The interview had totally taken the pleasure out of the win. “Jesse suggested an interview for the club website.”
“He’s got more brains than his looks suggest.” She nodded. “Yep. I’d agree. Then you can set the questions and if any press contact us asking for details, we can direct them to the website. Speak to Amber. It would be better if you were both interviewed, and we got some photos of you together.” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you together?”
I eyed Genny, hoping to warn her off from asking any more questions.
She shook her head, her arm with her phone relaxed. “I’m not asking because I think I should know, I’m asking because I’m Amber’s friend and she isn’t saying anything.”
“You know about last night?” I couldn’t believe it was only last night.
Genny nodded. “Emergency visit but everything’s fine?”
“That one. She’s going to move into mine.” I felt like I was actually saying that she was mine, that this was my way of proving she’d chosen me.
It was then I realised how much I wanted that to happen.
I didn’t just want her there because it was practical. I wanted her there because she chosen me, too.
I just wasn’t sure what to do to get there.
Genny smiled. “And I guess you want her to stay there after the baby’s born?”
I nodded, just once.
“Want some advice? Pretend she’s not pregnant.”
