I nod, because words are failing me.
“As long as it doesn’t affect your on-field performance, I fully support you.Both of you.As does the club.If any players choose not to support you, they will be shipped out the door so fast their heads will spin.”
“Thank you, Coach,” I say in a small voice.
“What are your next steps?I’ll assume you want to debunk the whole assault photo?”
“That’s the plan, yes.I—well, Kyle and I—were planning on making a joint statement.”I find my voice and sit up in the chair.
“I think it’s great what you’re both doing.I see you’ve been pictured again together.I can assume this is your plan, to ease them in?”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“They don’t call me ‘the greatest’ for nothing.I see everything.Analyze everything.Prepare for everything.Let me know when you plan to do this, and I will get the club to release a statement backing you all the way.”
“Thank you,” I say again.A ball of energy warms my core.I did not have this on my bingo card.Sure, in a dream world, yes.But not in the harsh reality.
“Now, go out there, keep being you, and get us the win tonight.We’re counting on you.”
“Yes, Gaffer Elmstrom, sir!”
I’m so pumped with adrenaline; I could run through a brick wall or charge into an army all by myself.
I head back into the locker room and get myself ready, ignoring all the looks coming my way.
“You’re still with us then,” Rohan says from across the locker room.
“Sure am,” I say, still with that cheesy grin on my face.
“Not going to knock anyone out on the opposing team, are you?”asks Rockwell.Not even he can piss in my cornflakes right now.
“Nope.I will bag a hatty though.Might even assist you with a goal,” I say, winking at him.
The locker room banter flows, and as we head out into the tunnel, hearing the roar of the crowd, we switch our game faces on.
My name is announced, and the away fans boo me.It’s been like this ever since the news hit.I wasn’t expecting it in a European game, though.No matter, it gives me extra motivation to score against them.
It only takes me four minutes to grab my first goal in the competition.A header, from Rodrigo’s cross.My name is chanted by our fans in a positive way, and it brings a smile to my face.
I don’t let the negative thoughts creep in.The ones that ask the question:Will they still support you if they know you are gay and dating a rival player?If they rain boos down on me, I’d still be living out my dream.The money would still come into my account, and most importantly, I’d still have Kyle.I carry those thoughts with me.
We go in at half-time 2–0 up, thanks to my goals.The second one I chested the ball down outside the box and released a fierce right footed volley.
The second half is much the same.We control the possession, and it turns into a training game.I bag myself a hat trick and, true to my word to the syllable, I even assist Rockwell.We end up winning the game 4–0.Not bad for my first game in the competition.
As I’m heading back to the locker room, I’m grabbed by the media.My heart sinks, but I put on my best face.
“Aaron, a brilliant performance in your first ever game in this competition.How does it feel to grab a hat trick and an assist?”
“It’s fantastic, really the stuff of dreams and I’m very lucky to be able to make them a reality.It was a great team performance and we can now move onto the next game,” I say, smiling.
“And with the recent turmoil off the field, your form on it has been nothing short of brilliant.”
“I can only focus on the pitch.Off the pitch it’s up to the media to tell the truth.We all have truths to share.And it’s our duty to have openness.”My heart is thumping.
“You were recently pictured with Kyle Thurston, your England teammate and club rival.Are you patching things up with him?”
I take a deep breath, remembering we need the media on our side.“Kyle and I have been friends for a long time, much like he said the other day.Friends fight, but I understand we are in the public eye and we have a duty to act responsibly.”
