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“Mean is literally my brand,” Lee said, and it was funny how even two weeks ago, they couldn’t have joked like that.
“And here I thought your brand was built around making goalkeepers cry.”
“Same thing, isn’t it?”
“Valid.” Alex pulled on his T-shirt and grabbed his keycard and phone off the bedside table, then moved to gather his pillow and the sheet. Should Lee get up to walk him to the door? Probably not—it might imply something they weren’t. He stayed on the bed.
“See you at breakfast, I guess?” He wasn’t sure why he’d made it a question. “Thank you for … you know. Being cool about things.”
“Not something that requires a thank you,” Alex said firmly, mouth twisting into a frown. He hesitated for a second, then smiled again. “See you in a bit.”
Lee smiled back. “Inevitably.”
After a furtive look up and down the corridor to make sure the coast was clear, Alex slipped out of the room and quietly closed the door. Once he was gone, Lee got up from the bed, feeling strangely awake, even a little jittery. Meditation and a shower, and he’d be fine.
Alex beat him to breakfast, already nursing a cup of coffee by the time Lee made it onto the terrace. When Alex caught sight of him, he waved and pointed at the only spot still available at the table he shared with Jeff and Marco. Since Oliver wasn’t there yet, probably still shacked up with Sanna, Lee made his way over and dropped into the free chair.
“Saved you a seat,” Alex declared with an air of grandeur that implied it was a feat deserving of a medal.
“Did you risk your life defending it?” Lee asked, leaning forward with fake fascination.
“I’d rather not go into detail, if it’s all the same,” Alex said. “Too traumatic.”
“Make sure to work through it with Richard.” Which reminded Lee that he needed to schedule his next session with the team’s psychologist. He appreciated the offer of professional support in unpacking the emotions that came with a high-pressure event like the World Cup, even if Lee sure as hell wasn’t going to let Richard dig too deeply. While Lee liked him, it was still the Football Association that paid Richard’s bills.
Jeff interrupted his conversation with his brother to make a cooing noise. “Lookat you two.” He flashed a cheesy smile. “It’s like watching two toddlers flirt on a playground.”
If it had been anyone other than Jeff, Lee would have wondered whether Alex had blabbed. It wasJeff, though, so Lee shot Alex a brief glance that was met with a tiny headshake and a smile. Thought so.
Before either Lee or Alex could comment, Marco jumped in with, “Well, you’d know, wouldn’t you? What with how you’ve never outgrown the toddler mindset.”
“Watch it, young man.” Jeff’s sternest voice wasn’t very stern at all. “One, respect your elders. And two, I lost my virginity when you were still in diapers.”
“If that’s your measure of maturity, I rest my case.”
“Yourestyourcase?” Jeff shook his fork at Marco. “What are you—fifty?”
“I’m a law student. We age prematurely.” Marco's eyebrow game was truly commendable. He was also a reasonably attractive bloke if a tad too waifish for Lee’s taste, and if last night’s appreciative once-over had been any indication, he wouldn’t be opposed to a hook-up. Not that Lee had any intention of messing around with Jeff’s little brother, but … Christ, it had been a while since he’d got laid, and spending a considerable portion of his waking hours around Alex wasn’t helping.
“I’m a law student,” Jeff parroted, his mocking tone at odds with the fondness in his eyes. “Look how smart and important I am!” Before Marco could get in a response, Jeff turned to Alex. “Hey, speaking of pricks! Namely mine.”
“Do I want to know?” Alex asked Lee with overstated apprehension colouring his voice.
“There is no good way to finish a statement that starts with Jeff’s prick,” Lee said.
“Amen, brothers,” Marco said.
“Very funny, Huey, Dewey, and Louie.” Jeff chewed his scrambled eggs with pointed boredom, swallowed, and addressed Alex again. “Back to the topic of pricks, though. Alex, I wanted to check—thought I might invite Isabella to one of our games.”
“Yeah?” Alex looked surprised. “Didn’t realise you stayed in touch.”
“Isabella?” Marco asked.
“Met her at a dinner party that Alex’s mum threw, we got talking.” Jeff nodded at Alex. “I know her family is a bit like yours, so anything I should know before I invite her?”
“Well.” Alex stopped to thank a server for delivering an omelette, and Lee took the opportunity to order a coffee. “Don’t think her folks are as bad as mine,” Alex continued once the server had moved away again. “They don’t hate football, so that’s something.”
“Oh, good.” Jeff placed a hand on his heart. “I didn’t want to risk being tarred and feathered for besmirching their daughter.”
