Page 121 of Playing for Keeps
“Let’s get to the bloody room,” Steven whispered to Udo.
“Agreed. If you give me any more of those smouldering looks, my trackies aren’t going to hide my hard-on.”
Steven raised an eyebrow. “Smouldering looks, eh?”
“Go and get the key.”
“Yes, sir.”
Steven approached the desk. A young man with flawless skin, immaculately coiffed hair and a huge smile greeted him.
“Mr Cox,” he said. “Everything has been done for you. Your keycards are here. The bill is covered. All I can say is to have a wonderful stay and call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve also taken the liberty of having a bottle of champagne and some nibbles delivered.”
Steven glanced as Udo joined him.
“That’s very kind of you,” Udo said.
“Not at all,” the receptionist replied. “What you two have done for our community in football deserves free champagne forever. Sadly my comp budget doesn’t stretch that far.”
Steven felt a lump in his throat. He’d been so focused on the immediate shitshow he hadn’t given a second thought to the lasting impacts of his and Udo’s relationship.
Fear gripped him for a second. Had either of them signed up to be the poster boys of gay representation in football? It was a huge responsibility.
Yet the shining eyes of the receptionist told him that there were a lot of people behind them as well as against.
“We appreciate that more than you could know,” Steven said. His voice trembling.
They followed directions to the lift. Steven had every intention of jumping Udo as soon as the doors closed. It wasn’t very romantic, but his body ached for him.
Unfortunately, two middle-aged men were waiting ahead of them. This was their first taste of being back out in public.
They joined the men who did a classic double take when they saw who they were going to be sharing a lift with.
“Good play today, Holtmann,” one of the men said.
Udo nodded. “Thank you.”
The lift came and all four of them crammed in. Steven caught Udo’s eye in the mirror and smirked.
Steven pressed their number.
“Top floor, eh?” the other man said. “You boys celebrate in style.”
“Thanks. What brings you guys here?”
“Golf,” the first man said.
Of course, the hotel had a huge course. Steven had simply seen that as more protection from the prying eyes of the press.
The lift stopped and the men got out.
“Good night,” they called.
“Good night.”
