Page 11 of Playing the Game
“I’ve heard worse this year. And besides, you did ask him.”
“I had no idea he would come out with that. Bloody hell.”
“Fair enough.”
“I wonder what Jonas is like,” Adam said. “He’s always been reserved. Mind you, I don’t blame him.”
Udo crossed the ball to Adam. “He came on a night out with us at Chelsea once. He’s okay, you know. Bit closed, I suppose.”
“Not another gay with a hidden past.”
Udo pouted. “I think we all have those, don’t we, Adam?”
“Piss off,” he said. “We’ll have to make the effort. Let him know there’s no hard feelings.”
“Now’s your chance,” Udo replied.
He nodded toward the main building. There were Javier and Steven with the three new recruits.
“Okay, fellas,” Adam said. “Let’s go and make friends.”
They slow jogged over to the touchline. Adam scanned the faces before him. Tito Lopes grinned back at him.
Cocky sod.
Noah Farman looked nervous. Adam appreciated that. It meant he cared.
Then he stopped on Jonas Haber. He would be giving Udo a run for his money for most fanciable male at the end of year awards Jamie insisted on holding at the Christmas party.
He had it all. Tan, dark hair, deep eyes and a defiant stare.
So that’s the road you’re taking. Interesting.
Adam would show him from the off who was the boss around here.
He strode up to Jonas and took his hand.
“Adam Williams. Good to have you on board.”
He detected a glint in Jonas’ eye.
“Thank you, Adam. I’m very much looking forward to taking this team to where it belongs.”
They held each other’s stare for a smidge too long before Adam broke and moved onto Noah. He mumbled his way through that introduction.
Then came Tito.
“Mr Lopes,” Adam said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Now this is going to be interesting.”
Tito failed to hide his amusement. He’d got far too many balls past Adam over the last three years. Even so, he had a lot to learn. Unfortunately he didn’t appear to think he did.
“Morning, Skipper,” Tito said. “Reporting for duty.”
“That’s a good start,” Adam replied. “Ten Skipper points to Lopes.”
Jonas frowned. “What are Skipper points?”
“Ignore him,” Ewen said. “They’re pointless points that don’t amount to anything.”
