Page 65 of Playing for Keeps
Later that evening when the family had gone, the dishwasherwas working hard and the night had fallen, Udo and Steven curled up on the patio furniture. Flames from the firepit the only light. They danced high and low, casting an orange glow on them.
“Thank you for today,” Steven said.
He lay with his back on Udo, who gently stroked him. He let his fingertips travel along Steven’s collarbone, down to his nipple and up to his Adam’s apple.
“Why are you thanking me?”
“Because you were perfect,” Steven replied. “And my mother loves you.”
“Do you think?”
“Oh trust me. I know,” Steven replied. “She never stopped singing your praises when we were inside.”
A warm glow swept over Udo. He kissed the top of Steven’s head.
“I’m pleased,” he said. “She’s very easy to like. All of your family are.”
“Even Naomie?”
Udo lightly tapped him on the head. “Of course. You’re a bit hard on her. She only wanted some money to go out with.”
Steven took hold of Udo’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“Since I left home to play football twenty years ago, there has not been one time that I’ve seen my sister when she hasn’t asked me for money. Not one time. I think they were her first words.”
They had all seemed so close and perfect that afternoon. It appeared nothing was really what it seemed.
“I’m sorry.”
“At least I know you’re not after my money.”
Udo chuckled. “I might be.”
“I’ve seen your contract, remember.”
To be fair to Rob, he had taken on Udo immediately and negotiated a stellar contract at Brockton. All without even meeting him.
Poor Rob would pass out if he saw this nighttime vignette. It infuriated Udo when he recalled the conversation with Rob wherehe’d made clear Udo having a love life to be out of bounds. Whilst he could see Rob’s point of view, the injustice stung.
“Do you think your mum knows what’s going on?”
Steven remained silent for a second.
“I reckon so,” he said. “She’s the only one. Andrew was too busy melting at your every word. Nina simply enjoyed the break.”
“That’s true. I don’t trust Kyle. Your sister can do far better than him.”
“Yeah he is slimy, isn’t he? God knows what she sees in him.”
Kyle had barely spoken but his beady eyes had clocked everything going on.
“It must be hard. Being the sister of the great Steven Cox.”
Steven nipped his thigh. “Are you taking the piss?”
“Would I?”
Before Steven had a chance to respond, Udo’s phone rang.
