Page 70 of Playing the Game
“Come on,” Cynthia said. “Let’s turn my husband into a tiger.”
“You go on ahead,” Adam replied. “I might say hello to my godson.”
He made his way over to Colin and Meg. Before he made it, Jamie intercepted him. As the CEO of Brockton, no one wanted to get on the wrong side of him.
“Adam,” Jamie said. “Good result yesterday.”
“Thanks,” he replied. “We aim to please.”
Jamie frowned. “Ewen and Tito can improve. I’ve spoken to Javier about this. I want you to work on it.”
As easy as that?
On the whole, Brockton were a strong team. However, some players would always rub each other up the wrong way.
“I’ll try my best.”
“Good. Otherwise there might be some difficult decisions to make in the new year.”
Jamie had a habit of making veiled threats. He’d already made it clear that Javier and Steven would be out if Brockton didn’t winanything this season. Now it appeared that the two strikers were in the firing line.
“Do you ever struggle with such responsibility?”
As soon as he said it, he realised how catty it sounded.
“I’m sorry,” he added. “Ignore me.”
Jamie took a sip from his champagne and regarded Adam.
“That’s okay,” he said. “In all honesty, of course I do. When I took over from Dad, I wanted to be a calmer presence.”
Adam had played under Jamie’s father and he was anything but calm. He’d ruled with a rod of iron. He had also recently taken personal offence at the club becoming a haven for gay players. Another reason to make this work.
“I recognise how you stuck your neck on the line,” Adam said. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Say what you like to me,” Jamie replied. “I can’t protect these new guys though. We paid handsomely for them and believe me when I say a number of the board are waiting to see it all fuck up. I won’t let that happen.”
To Adam’s horror, he realised that Jamie had all but confirmed he had Ewen in his sights.
“Noted.”
“You have more influence than me,” Jamie continued. “Use it well.”
Before Adam could reply, Jonas and a beautiful woman came through the doors. Jonas had on a charcoal grey suit and crisp white shirt.
Fuck. He looks amazing.
“Adam?”
“Sorry. I promise I’ll do my best.”
Jamie clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man. I don’t like dissent in the ranks. It’s bad for business.”
He left Adam to it.
For a second, he and Jonas locked eyes. The way that man stared at him made Adam want to drag him to the nearest bedroom.
Jamie had moved on to chatting with Goran and Paloma. They nodded and ushered him into the centre of the room. Paloma tapped a talonlike nail on her champagne glass to signal silence.
