Into The Team (6 page)

“Oh, and Todd!” Aiden shouted, making him stop and turn. “Remember who comes first in your life now.”

Todd acknowledged with a curt salute while trying to suppress a grin. He resumed his sprint back to the locker room with images of The Quayside stadium running through his head.

After his evening meal, he lay down in his room for half an hour. It gave him a chance to look over the documents he’d signed earlier.

As he read, thoughts of Cherie entered his mind, making it hard for him to focus on the legal words and phrases. It had been four days since he’d seen or spoken to her, and he wondered why he was putting off calling her and giving her the news.

The talk with the boss came back to him. What he’d said about girlfriends being for the cameras but not the players, troubled Todd. He supposed it was one way of maintaining a team with certainty by not having them develop other emotional attachments, and training
did
require complete focus and dedication, no room for distractions like love. He and Cherrie were pretty steady though - no major ups and downs in their relationship – and he’d never thought they were ‘in love’, and, as far as he knew, she hadn’t either. He shook his head and continued reading.

He was just going through the sex clause, when a knock on his door startled him.

“Come in!”

The door opened slowly, and in the darkened gap, two diamond blue eyes peeped through.

Todd recognized those eyes instantly; the same sparkling blue eyes he’d seen on hundreds of billboards and magazine covers. Those eyes belonged to the most talked about player on the team: Daryl Atkins – the Reds blue eyed blonde boy wonder.

Only one year older than Todd, he’d been on the first team since the age of eighteen, and he’d been center midfield for over a year now, knocking more balls into nets in the last six months than any other player. He also modeled underwear for Sport X, the most expensive designer label to come out of London in the past ten years.

As the door opened further, the soft, wavy, almost glowing blonde hair, and subtle but prominent cheekbones were revealed. The contours of his face caught the shadow from the room lamp as he stepped through; it almost felt like Todd was looking at one of those touched up glossy billboard adds right now. However, there was something Todd could see now that didn’t come across on TV or a photograph. Daryl had a nose that was slightly crooked, not so much that it made him look disfigured, but enough to show he’d taken a beating at some point in his life.

Todd stood up and gazed at the man in his room, and those blue eyes flashed a mild beam. Daryl was an inch shorter than Todd. At five feet ten, he was, in fact, the shortest player on the team.

“I thought I’d introduce myself,” Daryl said, in a quiet, uncertain tone.

Todd’s heart raced. This guy had all the girls in Blackmoor frowning in pain whenever he was interviewed at the end of a match. He was easily the best looker in the squad, his broad smile and dazzling eyes had even taken the limelight off the rigid, handsome face of Eduardo Manila, and had made most girls forget about the cool, hard look of Sean Thompson. And he was the only Reds player that Cherrie said she’d sleep with, which Todd always forgave her for.

Todd’s mouth was dry as he looked into his eyes. They were amazing, even for a man to look at. “I don’t believe it,” he whispered. “Daryl fucking Atkins…”

Daryl chuckled softly and turned his face slightly downwards, as if not sure how to respond. It gave the impression that the guy was a little timid, and it didn’t seem to go with his star persona.

“I heard you’d come on board,” Daryl said with an almost childish tone. “The other players have been talking about you. Wayne speaks highly of your performance so far.” He stepped forward and graced Todd with the natural, cedar-like smell of his cologne during a brief hug.

“Thanks.” Todd’s cheeks hurt from smiling, and a tenseness had developed in his eyes from frowning. Something was oddly familiar, and yet completely alien about the in-the-flesh Daryl. “I’ve been hard at training already,” he said, wondering if it was Daryl’s shyness that was alien.

“Yeah,” Daryl said with a mild smirk. “I wish I’d been there but I had a photo shoot down south. I just got back and couldn’t wait to see our new intake. You’re just as cute as they say.” He laughed while rubbing Todd’s hair in a way that a childhood buddy might.

Todd laughed along. Many people had called him cute, and he thought that it was ok being thought of as such, but he was getting older now; cute didn’t mean anything.

“I’ll have to watch out.” Daryl winked. “You’ll be taking all those modeling deals off me.”

Todd laughed again - as if he’d outdo Daryl Atkins in a photograph. He shrugged as if to say, ‘you never know’.

“Are you gonna be training tomorrow?” he asked.

“No.” Daryl frowned delicately, staring at the carpet again. “I’ve just bought a new place and the boss is giving me time to get it sorted, but I’ll be back in training on Monday, so…” He grinned again and looked at Todd with something that seemed to be hope in his eyes. “We can get to see what we’re like on the field together.”

Taking a deep breath, Todd gave his arm a friendly pat. He couldn’t believe the warm welcome everyone had given him, and here was Mr. Model Hotshot taking time out to visit him personally. Something had to be wrong here.

“I think you’ll be with us for years.” Daryl smiled as he turned to leave. “Everyone I’ve spoken to said so.”

Todd watched, speechless, as Daryl left his room; he turned back once to show his smile with a nod of goodbye.

Todd sat down. His heart lifted and his mind raced with positive thoughts. That brief introduction seemed a little too brief, but completely sincere. Although he couldn’t quite understand how shy Daryl appeared to be, it had given the player an endearing side that Todd wouldn’t have thought he had. He supposed Daryl may be like that with new people, or perhaps the other lads had gone a little over the top in their opinions of Todd, making him feel compelled to come to the house to say hello. But whatever, he’d made Todd feel like royalty with the way he’d timidly stepped into the room to shake his hand.

After several minutes of wondering what Cherrie would say if he told her he’d just met Daryl Atkins, he picked up his club provisioned mobile.

For a moment, he debated whether to call her and let her know what had happened since Sunday, and that he was training with the reserve team for one of the biggest clubs in the country. And that he’d just met the man she said she’d shag with no questions asked. But he decided not to, it would probably piss him off to hear her scream down the phone, not being able to see her eyes glow and her nose pinch.

He wanted to tell her in person, give her a complete surprise at the end of a cozy dinner, complete with champagne bucket and ice. Besides, the words of the boss echoed in his head.
All that stuff is secondary now; it’s the team I must focus on.

After throwing his mobile onto the bed, he went down to the pool to join the lads.

Friday came around and it seemed to Todd that the week had flown by. He’d met most of the first team. He’d even had a few training matches with them, and although they were a tough bunch to tackle, he liked to think he’d fitted in seamlessly with their style and stamina.

At the end of lunchtime, he was about to head to the locker room with the rest of the reserves when Wayne told him to head back out onto the field and continue training.

“No need for alarm,” he said. “I just think you could do with getting to know us a little better seeing as you’re in your first week here.”

Josh McKenzie, Craig Manning, and Leo Cox were kicking a ball around the field. Jason Collier trained alone at the side of the pitch, running with the ball at his feet.

Todd wondered if this extra training session with the big names meant something. Wayne’s words - about the boss wanting to get someone new on the first team this season - floated in his head.

After stretching, he kicked around with the three first team players, while Wayne took goal. The players seemed eager to be on the pitch with Todd again and for half an hour they had an energetic game.

Although still nervous with them, Todd maintained focus on the ball, for he knew that back there in the club building, the great man would be watching and quietly deciding how long it would be before he put Todd on the bench for a first team game.

He made sure he impressed those watching eyes and executed his most agile moves. Twice he got the ball past Leo, a mixed race guy with pale chocolate skin and powerful legs. Josh McKenzie was another tough one to tackle. He was the one who extinguished any away team attack during a match. With his fast feet and supple moves, he had a knack for spinning the ball anyway he wanted in a microsecond. But twice in the half hour or so they played, Todd gained control and slammed the ball past Wayne.

At the end of play, they stretched and took a slow sprint around the pitch. Todd noticed Jason Collier at the far side of the field doing sit ups. He’d been working out alone for much of the last hour and it seemed the older player was taking things easy.

Wayne called time and told the first team players to head inside, but he told Todd to do a couple of reps around the field before finishing up. Todd shrugged and started sprinting. Wayne was pushing him, seeing what he was worth. And with the boss sure to be watching from his office window, Todd focused on his breathing and pace, trying to look not even half as knackered as he felt.

After several slow reps, where he allowed his legs to wind down, he headed inside.

He reached the locker room feeling like he’d been given a secret golden key. With the rest of the reserve team gone, and being kept back to train with the first team players, he felt he’d sealed his place at the club. In every muscle of his body he felt he would soon be the one being cheered at from the terraces and he could almost taste the goals he felt destined to score for the Reds.

After pulling off his shirt, he wiped the sweat off his chest, feeling his heartbeat thumping beneath. He didn’t realize how alive he felt until he saw his wide, glistening eyes in the mirror. For a moment, he imagined himself on the TV screen, face lit up as he gave his rundown on how he played that day. He could imagine his mates from Blackmoor in the pub cheering him on as he sped about the field chasing the ball. If only his father was alive.

From down the short hallway he heard the shower jets and figured the others were still cleaning themselves off. He was just about to rid himself of his shorts and go and join them when he heard the studs of boots clacking on the tiles.

Jason Collier entered the locker room. A hulking man - six foot two, with broad shoulders and strong legs. A close crop of dark hair hid his receding hairline.

Seeing Todd, he lifted his scowling face a notch and stepped across to him with a ready hand.

“How you doing?” He smiled; his chiseled features softened. “How’s the training?”

Todd had become so used to meeting grade A football stars that he’d become casual about it. But Jason Collier was a player he’d known since he was in junior school, and he’d watched him progress at the Reds from sub to star striker during the last ten years.

“It’s great.” He grinned as he shook the man’s firm hand. “Still can’t believe it.”

Jason laughed, and his eyes, showing slight crow’s feet, twinkled.

“I know that feeling,” he said. “Even though I’d been at other clubs before coming here, it still felt nerve racking.” He squeezed Todd’s neck affectionately. “Don’t fret, you’ll do the club proud. It’s a special place. The club looks after you.”

“I know. That house is amazing; I have everything I need.”

“Aiden is the best.” Jason turned serious. “Not just the best at managing, but the best any player could want for a boss. He’s brought us all together and turned us into a force this country’s not seen since before you or even I were born.”

He pulled off his shirt and wiped the sweat off his chest.

For a man in his mid-thirties, his muscles looked chiseled onto his body. Todd watched as he wiped along each groove of his abs.

“Are you playing tomorrow?” Todd asked, wondering if his ankle was ready for another game.

“No, the boss is putting Wayne in my position,” Jason said. “And I think Gavin is going in defense. My ankle needs rest so I’ll be on the bench. Maybe I’ll get a few minutes in at the end.”

Todd slid his shorts off, and threw them in the pile that had heaped up on one of the benches.

“I’ll join you in the shower in a minute, we can talk some more,” Jason said as he sat down and carefully removed his boots.

“Sure.” Todd stripped out of his undies and made his way to the showers.

A short corridor led to the shower room on one side, while directly opposite was a large room with a thirty-two cubic meter bath. He figured he’d clean his body with a shower before dipping it into the hot bath. He hadn’t realized how tired he felt, and he was looking forward to relaxing his legs in a lounging soak.

Turning into the shower room, he saw Josh and Leo on one side, so Todd went to take his shower on the opposing wall. He’d made it two paces towards a showerhead, but stopped.

All the lads had been pretty tactile with him since he’d arrived, and he’d already seen there was no insecurity about touching each other in the sauna and steam room. But he’d not seen anything like what he saw when he turned his head again.

Stood under a jet of steaming water, Leo faced the wall. Josh stood behind him. And although Todd had seen players massaging each other before, he’d never seen this amount of attentiveness.

Josh slowly soaped Leo’s back, while smiling lovingly, as if enjoying the attention he was giving his teammate. Todd nodded a greeting when Josh looked at him and winked.

Thinking it was nothing, Todd turned on a shower jet and began soaping himself.

What had he just seen? As he lathered up his torso, he couldn’t help but take another look.

Josh’s hands worked way too slowly, and Leo was leaning forward, his palms rested against the tiles. Todd didn’t know whether to laugh or shrug it off, but it was unusual to see Josh McKenzie, a guy  known to be a lady magnet, rubbing Leo Cox, who Todd knew was seeing a leggy model from down south, in a situation that seemed too affectionate, to say the least.

Fuck that. It was totally sexual.
Wasn’t it?
Or was Josh just giving Leo a friendly rub like sometimes the guys do to show simple male affection? Whatever the case, they both looked like they were enjoying it.

He carried on with his own shower.

Maybe Josh and Leo had a thing for each other. Perhaps they were bi, or polysexual, or whatever. Who knew these days when celebrities were coming out of the closet on a weekly basis?

He knew shit went down in locker rooms, but he never figured it would at a professional club.

After rinsing, he turned to leave and noticed Josh rubbing Leo’s shoulders now, giving delicate pinches. As Todd reached the door, still watching the pair, Leo stepped back from the wall, and for a second Todd saw his cock as it wobbled to the side.

Turning into the corridor, Todd’s eyes fell onto Wayne and Craig relaxing in the bath.

“Hey Todd,” Wayne called. “How was the sprint?”

Todd’s head filled with what he’d just seen and it took a moment to realize what Wayne had asked.

“Yeah, it went alright.”

“Come on in.” Wayne gestured as Todd loitered in the hallway.

Still a little numb, he stepped into the bathroom.

“You look spaced out man.” Craig laughed. “Is old Wayne here making you work too hard?”

Todd smiled and lowered himself into the hot water, trying to rid his mind of what may be going on in the shower.

Was Leo’s cock semi hard?

His cheeks burned against the steam rising from the bath, hopefully shielding any redness. He glanced briefly at the doorway before turning back to them. “I’m just knackered,” he said.

Wayne and Craig glanced at each other and Todd was sure he saw a smirk on their faces.

Was this the lad’s way of playing some joke on the new boy?

He settled into the water; resting his head on the side as the heat stroked his leg muscles. It felt good to relax after the intense training that he forgot, for a moment, about Leo’s cock.

Silently, Todd focused on the warmth of the water as it caressed his hamstrings. But he found himself gradually thinking about Leo and Josh, going over possible explanations for what he’d just seen. Did Leo really have a semi? Was Josh rubbing soap across his back as slowly as he remembered? He wondered if he’d seen it properly. Perhaps Leo had a big cock and it stuck out naturally; he knew some guys did…but…the way Josh was paying attention to Leo had been too intimate. Josh’s eyes had been watching his hand movements in a way that Todd’s had when he’d given Cherrie a soft caress.

To dismiss his thoughts, he forced himself to think that whatever he’d seen didn’t matter. It could have been a simple case of one player doting on the other, showing friendliness, rather than anything sexual. But he couldn’t get that image of Leo’s semi hard-on from his mind.

The voice of Jason Collier echoed from across the hallway. From the sound of it he’d entered the showers, and his low mutterings indicated he was talking to them. Todd listened carefully, trying to hear any startled tone in his voice. There wasn’t. It sounded casual and free.

He noticed Wayne watching him.

“You sure you’re ok?” the captain asked.

Todd nodded, but the idea that Josh and Leo were an item came to mind again. Those two had been at the Reds since Aiden Marshall took over; perhaps all those years together had drawn them close. Maybe the rest of the team knew about it and accepted it.

“I’ve had a great week,” he said. “Training’s been hard but I think I’ve got used to it.”

“You did, lad.” Wayne nodded with serious eyes. “On Monday I noticed you losing stamina at times, but by Tuesday you were up to scratch with the rest of us.”

Todd felt glad for the distraction and sat upright. “I met Daryl the other night,” he said. “I thought he’d be a bit full of himself but he wasn’t. He came to the house to introduce himself.”

“No one here is full of themselves,” Wayne said. “The boss wouldn’t have it.”

“I bet he keeps everyone in place, eh?”

“He does.” Craig sat up. “I’m glad of it too. I never wanted all this to go to my head. This club is special, and it’s because we don’t do what we do for money, we do it because we love it.”

Todd sensed someone coming into the room and looked around to see Jason kneeling beside him. The man dropped his feet into the water and sat on the side.

“Ankle ok, Jay?” Wayne asked.

“Getting there.” Jason lifted it from the water and gave it a tender rub.

Wayne stood up and waded over, his cock floating in front of him.

“Let me,” he said and reached out for Jason’s foot.

Todd watched him give it a soft slow rub with both hands while resting the older player’s foot on his tight stomach.

“Does that feel ok?” Wayne asked as he gently massaged around the ankle.

Jason sat on the side, his eyes appreciative.

“I should be fine tomorrow,” he said. “The boss will probably put me on for the last ten minutes or so. Just enough time to exercise it.”

“See how it feels,” Wayne said with a soft smile. “If you’re not sure, I’ll have a word with him.”

Todd was intrigued with the care Wayne gave him. His hands worked like a professional masseur. Jason rested his hands back on the tiles, and his legs widened as he edged his butt forward. Todd found himself staring at the man’s cock, trying to see any trace of it hardening. It was difficult to tell because Jason had good length and girth. But it seemed to rest on his balls naturally, without the slightest of lift.

After giving his foot a good massage, Wayne rubbed the man’s shin.

“You’ll have to rest it tonight. No driving, no walking, and no shagging the wife.” He laughed.

Todd relaxed a little after hearing the banter. The reminder that Jason was married and had a kid made him feel a little more secure.