Page 2 of Playing the Game
Most of the team would probably have finished getting changed by now. He hoped none had been watching him on the monitors. He’d mispronounced opposing player Gaspar Sanchez’s name. He’d called him Casper. No doubt Ewen or Goran would be only too willing to take the piss.
Adam shuddered.
As he walked through the corridor, the man himself came out. He grinned at Adam.
“I hear I have a new name.”
“Gaspar, I am so sorry. I got mixed up.”
“Isn’t Casper a ghost?”
Adam shrugged. “I don’t know what the fuck I was going on about.”
The handsome Spanish footballer stood uncomfortably close to Adam. From the corner of his eye, Adam saw Udo in the doorway of the locker room.
“Everything all right?” Udo asked.
“Of course,” Gaspar said, still staring into Adam’s eyes. “Just showing your skipper here that I am very much alive. Do you need any further proof?”
“Your two goals were more than enough, thank you.”
Gaspar burst out laughing and stood back. “No hard feelings?”
He squeezed Adam on the shoulder. A little longer than was strictly necessary.
Is he coming on to me?
“Of course not,” Adam said. “We’ll get you next time.”
“Maybe I should join your team someday,” Gaspar replied with a very loaded stare.
Adam nodded. “You’d be very welcome.”
He gently pushed past Gaspar and entered the locker room.
“What was that all about?” Udo whispered.
“Fuck knows. Maybe you’ve made them think we’re all gay.”
Udo raised an eyebrow.
When Udo had been hunted by the media, Adam had let him stay at his place. During that time he’d confided to Udo about his own bisexuality. It had been a risk, but one that he was glad he’d taken. It meant the world to finally have someone in the game who knew the real Adam.
Unsurprisingly, the locker room was empty. Most of the lads had gotten changed. The no-alcohol rule Javier rigidly enforced during the season was still relaxed and they’d all planned a night on the town. Adam had no intention of going out and getting hammered.
Many eyes would be on Brockton FC that season for different reasons. He wanted to play to the best of his ability.
“Aren’t you joining the others?” Adam asked, pulling his shirt off.
“Nah,” Udo replied. “I was waiting for you. Fancy getting dinner? There’s a decent restaurant at the hotel.”
“Why not?” Adam replied. “Let the others terrorize poor Bilbao. But let’s get room service. I can’t face being stared at much more today.”
“Fair enough.”
Two hours later Adam sat in Udo’s room in a tracksuit and sliders. Adam had conceded to sharing a bottle of rioja with Udo. It went beautifully with the steaks and vegetables they were digging into.
“Did you avoid going out in case Gaspar came for you again?” Udo asked.
