by H J Perry
“He said just wait here for him. The WAGs are glamorous, aren’t they?” Scott was nervous and knew he was saying anything that came into his head.
Liz pulled him into a tight hug. “You are glamorous Scott. Fabulous. Gorgeous. And on top of all that Jason loves you.”
Scott was surprised by Liz’s final statement. “He hasn’t said it.”
“He doesn’t need to. And you know it.”
Men in suits, footballers, began to trickle into the lounge. Liz and Scott wouldn’t have recognized any of them before their internet research that they had done since meeting Jason.
Scott whispered to Liz, “I’ve learned more about football in the last couple of months than I ever thought I’d want to know.”
“Does he bore you to death talking about it?”
“No. Like I don’t bore people with discussions about maths, such as the Einstein Problem.”
“We talk about it often.” Liz tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “And it’s fascinating. Far more interesting than sport.”
“You would say that. He never talks about his job, only answers questions when I ask him. Football is just his day job, just like other people don’t talk endlessly about their day jobs. He has so many other interests.”
“You should get him interested in multidimensional space problems. He must be coming soon. What is he doing, fixing his makeup, which reminds me, is mine okay?”
“You aren’t wearing any, are you?”
Jason appeared, walked into the area and shook a few hands with the closest people, the first people he met through the door.
Liz and Scott hovered in a corner. Scott wanted to rush up to his boyfriend and throw his arms around him, proudly, as some of the girlfriends had done. He merely smiled and watched as Jason strode purposefully toward them.
Jason hugged Liz and kissed her on the cheek and then turned to Scott. Their wide eyes communicated in a way that their body language could not. They shook hands and hugged in a friendly but not over-familiar manner. They were quickly overwhelmed by other men and women gathering around them.
“So this is your girlfriend, is it, Jason?”
“Introduce us.”
Everyone in the lounge suddenly wanted to know them. Hands outstretched to greet Liz, just about ignoring Scott. Scott and Jason exchanged a quick smile; they expected this and talked about it.
“This is Liz, and this is Scott, my friends.” Jason had to call out an announcement, such was the buzz of interest.
“We knew he was dating somebody. So pleased to finally meet you, Liz.”
“Pleased to meet you, Scott.” Sounded like an afterthought; Liz appeared flustered.
Jason had warned them this was probably how it’d go. As a group, they made assumptions, because the only people who ever came to watch were members of Jason’s family or old mates who were most often players on other teams.
Scott thought he should feel indignant or envious that Liz was stepping into a role that was rightfully his, recognized as the darling of the football star. But knowing the three of them shared a secret was fun and exciting. Knowing that he was going to bed with Jason later, and not one of those people knew it, even though they thought they knew Jason so well.
For all their closeness as a team, they’d be shocked if they knew how well Scott knew Jason.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
April 2012
Jason
Harry, Scott and Liz made up the party of four for dinner at Jason’s apartment on a day off work. Gathered around the table, tucking into plates of steamed vegetables and chicken.
“I can’t believe you guys eat so well. Every time I visit you, Jason, it’s just a different world here. It’s like going home to my mom, with good cooking, and yet, you’re a bunch of young guys.” Liz raised the fork to her mouth but then let it drop slightly. “I didn’t intend for that to sound so sexist.”
“You know we have to eat like this, don’t you? It’s part of our jobs as professional athletes.” Harry pushed a little meat on to his fork, alongside the steamed veggies.
“Scott’s told me about it. The club feed you, and tell you what to eat when you’re not at work. It’s stuff I’d never have thought about.”
“We have to control our diet, our sleep, and even our sex life is on a tightly monitored schedule.” Harry looked up at Liz sitting across the table.
“As far as we know you don’t have any,” said Jason. “But hey, that’s your business; I don’t want to know.”
Liz and Scott exchanged glances of telepathic communication.
“I’m pretty sure the club are not monitoring our sex life,” said Scott.
“Not monitored exactly, more controlled. No sex before a game, we are kept away from temptation in a hotel with curfew rules.” Harry ignored the comment on his single status.
“That’s not so bad when it’s one night away, but we’re away touring and training for weeks in July, and this year we’ve got the Euro too, in June. I’ll seriously miss you then, Scott.” Jason was as at ease with Liz and Harry around as he was when alone. The two friends had become his closest circle over the months since he started seeing Scott. For the first time, since leaving school, he had friends who knew he was gay.
“That’s the toughest time. When we’re allowed to go out, there’s severe pressure to pick up girls.” Harry didn’t look at the group as he spoke but focused on his food as if lost in his thoughts.
“You’re telling me. There’s always someone taking us to strip clubs and brothels. It’s a nightmare to get out of, especially when you’re young,” Jason said. “You wouldn’t believe the places I’ve seen, and the behavior of some of the guys is quite shameful. I’m past the peer group pressure stage, now. I can just stay at the hotel every night.”
Jason looked at Scott and then added, “Unless I booked you into a nearby hotel. Then I’d find an excuse to go out by myself each night.”
“Could you do that?” asked Liz.
“Of course, he could do that. So long as he complies with any curfew and they can be unpredictable. We even get sprung with unexpected events making it difficult to plan.” Harry settled his knife and fork together and sat back.
“As we’re talking about stories and scandals, I need to talk to all of you.” Liz swept her hand through her hair and expression became pained.
All three men looked at her in silence.
“A journalist has approached me wanting a story. He already has photos but wants a story to go with them. He’s offered me a ton of money.”
“How has he got photos? We’ve been pretty careful.”
Harry chipped in, “Whatever money a journalist is offering you, I’m sure Jason can give you twice as much to not sell the story.”
Liz looked a combination of horrified and offended. “I’m not here to blackmail my friends. I’m just saying the journalist thinks the story is worth some money.”
“So what’s in the photos?” asked Harry; he looked toward Scott and Jason, who were both struck dumb. “I thought you’ve been discreet.”
Liz brows furrowed. “I believe you’ve got the wrong end of the stick, Harry. The photos are of Jason and me. This guy has seen us out as a group and assumed that Jason and I are a couple.”
Jason grinned with relief, and Scott’s eyebrows raised in amazement.
“People do see and assume heterosexuality wherever they go, don’t they?” said Scott.
“Yes. I honestly don’t know how he came up with that, and I haven’t commented to confirm or disagree.”
“You’re such a big name player; there’s no dirt on you. Sounds like he just wants a fun story about you and your girlfriend. There’s a demand for stories like that about good-looking wealthy bachelors. I was in a few myself last year.”
“He’s offered hundreds of pounds at first, and when I completely ignored him, he offered thousands. I must admit that got my attention.”
Jason recalled Scott telling him
about Liz when they first started dating before he’d gotten to know her. Liz came from a low-income family and could ill afford another year at college. She was ambitious and wanted to reach the top levels in physics research. She needed funding to stay in University and complete her Ph.D. Liz needed the money but wouldn’t sell them out; she was a real friend.
“They’ve certainly put two and two together and come up with the wrong number,” said Harry.
“The journalist has done a bit of spying. I think he follows the team around hoping to catch players out. He goes to all the local places you guys hang out.”
“He knows that we go to the nightclub, and you stay with the footballers, and I dance with Scott. He has been spying on us and knew that after, when we leave, we three leave together. He knows all three of us come back here. I didn’t answer him or confirm anything.”
“So he really has been spying?” The extent to which players’ private lives were scrutinized was always disturbing for Jason.
“Yes. On the whole team, not just you. Hopefully, not putting it together. He assumed we’re together and that Scott just tags along because he’s my friend, not the other way around. He thinks that we are keeping it on the down-low because we don’t want people to know, and that’s why it’s such a good story for him.”
Jason took hold of Scott’s hand and said, “I know you need the money, Liz. I know you want to stay at University. I’m not stupid; it’s a great opportunity for you to make some money to fund your next years of study. I think you should sell him your story.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
April 2012
Scott
“The journalist wants a story, a feel-good romance story, with some quotes from you, Liz, to make it real and exclusive. Stuff about how we met, what we do together, what we like about each other, whether we’ve met up each other’s parents, and when we’re getting married.”
“Our eyes met across a crowded dance floor, that’s true isn’t it?” said Liz.
“Yes, that is very true. I was eyeing up the man you were dancing with, but yes, true enough.”
“And then a mutual friend introduced us. That’s how we met in person,” said Liz.
“Very true. Of course, that mutual friend was my new lover and your housemate.” Jason placed a hand on Scott’s arm.
“I think I’ll leave that detail out of any story we sell to the paper.” Liz giggled.
The guys could barely contain the hilarity of the situation and everybody started laughing.
“I’d never been interested in football so I didn’t start coming to the football matches, and I didn’t even know who you were when I met you.”
“That’s a nice detail,” said Scott. “In fact, the same could be said of Jason’s real boyfriend, who has since researched everything on the internet.”
“And then when you did come to a football match, that’s when everyone put two and two together and made seven,” said Harry.
“Is that enough of a story? Is it really worth the big money he’s offering?”
“It’s worth it to me, to get us out from under the spotlight.” Jason gently squeezed Scott’s arm where he held it.
More than these wealthy footballers sitting at the table, Scott knew that the money meant a lot to Liz, it would make a big difference to her life. Hell, the money would make a difference to his life too. He may have middle-class parents and a wealthy boyfriend, but he had only a part-time bar job and a student loan. When they went out Jason paid for everything. On their nights out, Jason hadn’t thought anything of spending hundreds of pounds or more, taking Scott to exclusive venues in London, complete with overnight hotel bookings. Eating at Jason’s house every night saved Scott a little on his food budget, but he felt guilty making no financial contribution to the relationship. He had no idea how much Jason earned; although the internet told him the average Premiership salary was in high six or seven figures. Jason Tant’s personal wealth was placed at something ridiculous. Too many zeros, for a guy in his early twenties who lived in a two-bedroom flat in Birmingham, even if it was a very pleasant two-bedroomed place with high ceilings.
“Liz, I think you should stick to the truth, as much as possible. As you said, who you are, how we know each other, what we do together, we meet up a couple of times a week, have dinner in this apartment, that you come back and stay the night once a week. You don’t need to mention that it’s in the spare bedroom.”
“Not much of a story,” said Liz. “Do you think it’s enough?”
“He will like it because it gets better.” Jason paused and Scott nodded.
“You should tell the journalist you are moving in with me in June. And then both of you should.”
“What?” Both Harry and Liz gasped at Jason’s suggestion.
“Seriously you two could both live with me,” said Jason. “I’ve been thinking about buying a house. When that happens, we’ll have more space, but I’m away a lot so I’d like you here to look after Scott when I’m not around.”
“Have you two talked about this already?” She looked at Scott, who shrugged. Everyone fell silent, and all eyes were on Jason.
“Should I leave?” asked Harry.
“Absolutely not,” Jason replied. “You live above me. People might ask questions; if not the press, then our teammates.”
“I’m not happy about lying to the team.”
“Not asking you to lie, you can just avoid saying the wrong thing.”
“Oh yes,” said Harry. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“In answer to your question, Liz, we’ve talked about living together. But just talked. We hadn’t agreed on anything,” said Scott. “But I’m all in favor of the plan.”
“But,” Liz hesitated. “You two have not been together too long; you don’t need me hanging around as a third wheel, getting in the way.”
“Liz, you won’t be a third wheel. I’ve got the space here but I’ll buy somewhere much bigger. You’ll have your own separate study room. I know it would help you out, but it would help me out too, Liz. Like I said, we travel a lot as footballers. Every night before a match, home or away, it’s a night in a hotel. Then there’s European matches and international games to travel to. The tour and training camp in July. I’d feel better if I wasn’t leaving Scott on his own so often.”
“So you’re not asking me to live with you just because of the newspaper journalist story?”
“No. I’ll look to buy a house in Edgbaston, near the University. And it’ll be good for the two of you to share, having each other for support and encouragement through the highs and lows of your post-grad studies. Just like we sportsmen train together. It’s much easier than always being alone.”
“But you’re asking me to be your beard?”
“I hadn’t thought of it, Liz. I honestly hadn’t but yes, I suppose. Would it hurt?”
“What if Liz wants to find her own boyfriend?” Harry asked.
“Or girlfriend?” said Scott.
“Boyfriend or girlfriend or any kind of special friend.” Harry stood corrected.
“I am a confirmed forever-single kind of girl and about to start my Master’s degree in physics. I don’t think I’ve got the time for any romantic entanglement, Jason, and I just don’t know what to say. Your offer helps out my financial problems, but are you sure?”
“Yes, Liz. It helps me out too. Someone to look out for Scott when I’m away. Someone in the place when I’m away. And if you’re agreeable, a fake girlfriend to throw off suspicion.”
“It’s as good as getting a science sponsorship or grant. Wow, I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
“So are we celebrating? My official girlfriend for public events?”
“Well, what does Scott think of that?”
“To be honest, I want to be Jason’s official and public boyfriend at all events. I’m not going to deny it and don’t really want to live in a closet. But as it is, this arrangement works out well for everyone and actually takes atte
ntion away from us. I’m okay with it. The good thing is, as your BFF, Liz, I’ve got a good excuse for spending time with your fake boyfriend.”
“As your neighbor, I guess I don’t have the right to ask this, but I’m going to, anyway.” They all looked at Harry, wondering what he was going to say. “Okay, I’m the only outsider who knows about this arrangement, but I gotta tell you it sounds weird. Is it a cover-up for some threesome?”
“Absolutely not,” said Jason. “In case I have never told you, Harry, although Liz is bi, I am entirely at the homosexual end of the spectrum.”
“As that’s settled, I just need to warn my parents and my agent. They know I’m gay so I don’t want them to read in the paper that my girlfriend is moving in with me."
"There aren’t going to be many celebs who get to make that statement."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
April 2012
Jason
Immediately after training had finished, Jason grabbed a shower, dressed and hit the road. He’d already arranged with his agent, Chris Stutter, to meet him later but hoped to spend time alone with his parents beforehand.
Chris was a great agent; he knew everyone in football, their secrets and their ambitions, and their home phone numbers. Without a doubt, Jason knew much of his early financial success was due to the well-crafted contracts that this agent had secured for him over the past five years. Including some incredibly lucrative movements, which involved clubs paying up a substantial amount of his contract to end it early.
Traffic was as heavy as he expected it to be on any afternoon. Roadworks and the odd accident, reducing four lanes down to two, added to delays already inevitable due to the sheer volume of traffic on the roads.
As always Jason was pleased to turn off the M25 and into some of the more leafy and scenic areas north of London. Not actually London at all, but he generally said he originated from London because when he traveled internationally, people knew the major cities, not small towns fifty miles away.
