PENALTY by Annika Sturm (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

to the press about Tom and Alex's relationship. If you still decide to proceed with this I myself will tell the press about your unbelievable practices. Now have I made myself clear?' There was a moment of silence. Alex could only hear his own heart race as he stared at Winter and then back at Markus.

'But sir, they shag each other behind their girlfriends' backs! I don't understand. Are you saying you are supporting this kind of behaviour?' Markus had stood up and looked at his manager in disbelief. 'I don't have to justify myself in front of you Markus, but no, I do not support this behaviour but as a matter of fact it is private and you should respect that.' 'You rather fire me than tell them that what they're doing is sick and perverted?' Markus was breathing hard with stress.

Tom stared at him with angry tears in his eyes. He got up and faced him. 'What you are doing is sick. How dare you get involved in our lives, in threatening Alex like this,' Alex gently touched his shoulder, 'I used to have so much respect for you.' 'Tommy,' Markus looked him in the eye, 'I only wanted to protect you both.' Tom laughed out loud. 'Protect us? From what?' 'Oh come on,' Markus said frustratedly, 'you are not really telling me you love each other. Do you really want to throw away everything you have worked for? You could be international stars. But not as gay footballers you won't be. Forget it.' Tom stared at him. 'We don't want your protection. You don't know anything about us! Just leave us alone.' He gave him an angry look. Alex held his hand as Tom voiced his anger.

Winter tried to regain control. 'Tom, please sit down,' Tom obeyed and cast his eyes down, 'Markus, I urge you again not to approach the press and potentially damage both of their careers,' he looked at him, 'I can assure you that you would be destroying your own reputation if you did. I'll make sure of that.' Winter sat down. 'Please sir,' Markus gulped, 'you got it all wrong. I was only trying to look out for them.' 'Are you sorry about how you treated Alex?' Winter looked him straight in the eye. 'How can I? I did the right thing.' Winter shook his head. 'Then my decision still stands.' Markus was shocked. 'You have no guts, that's your problem!' He shouted angrily. 'Markus,' Felix hissed at him, 'I would stop right now if I were you.' 'How could I have been so wrong about you?' Winter said calmly. Markus took a deep breath as he stood up. 'You will regret this decision,' he said finally, 'all of you.'

He didn't look at the boys as he was about to leave when Tom jumped up and stood in his way. 'Who told you?', he asked him, 'I've got to know. Who told you about Alex and me?' Markus grinned. 'Ask your good friend Kai why he came running to me.' He opened the door and stormed out of the room. Tom stared in shock. 'I don't believe you!' He shouted after him and was about to sprint off to chase him down but Alex and Felix managed to hold him back and sat him down on a chair. Tom was visibly shocked and clung onto Alex. Felix brushed over his hair. 'It's all getting a bit much for him sir. We can perhaps talk to Kai tomorrow. I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted to harm the boys if it was even him.' Winter nodded. 'Yes I agree,' he sighed with relief, 'at least we seem to have managed to stop him from running off to the press.' Alex smiled. 'Thank you sir, you have done so much for us tonight.' Winter smiled but looked at Tom with concern. 'Look after him Alex. Well done Felix. Excellent work,' Winter nodded at him. Felix smiled embarrassed and Alex winked at him, 'I will see you all at training first thing and I expect you to be rested and on time.' 'Of course sir.' The boys said. Alex and Felix helped Tom get up and the three of them left Winter's office, slowly walking towards their hotel rooms.

Tom was still leaning onto Alex as they reached his room, looking pale and exhausted. Alex sat down next to him on the bed and looked at him with concern. 'Tommy, are you okay?' He asked stroking his hair. 'I feel sick.' Alex nodded. 'Yes I know what you mean.' Felix grabbed an ice bucket from the mini bar and filled it with cold water. 'Come on, give me your paw tiger,' the boys laughed. He gently put Alex's hand into the bucket and he winced at the cold water, 'nice punch by the way.' Felix winked at him. Alex started giggling quietly. Tom and Felix smiled at him. They hadn't seen him laugh once in the last day. 'I think by the end of it, Winter would have quite liked to have a go himself.' 'That would have made a much better story for the press!, Felix said and they all chuckled together, 'and the other love bird, how are you?' Felix asked checking on Tom. 'Oh, I'm alright,' Tom looked at Alex with gentle eyes, 'everything will be alright now.' He whispered. Alex smiled at Tom shyly. 'I think I'll leave you two to it, it's getting late and what an eventful day it's been!' Felix yawned. Alex stretched his arm out whilst he kept his other hand in the bucket. Felix laughed and gave him a hug. 'Thank you for everything.' Felix smiled at him. 'I'm glad I could help,' he turned to Tom, 'get some rest Tommy,' he stroked his hair, 'we'll kick ass against Brazil tomorrow!' He grinned and waved them goodnight as he left the room.

Alex and Tom looked at each other silently for a long moment. Both felt drained and exhausted. Alex didn't know what to say or where to even start. Tom smiled at his friend. 'Do you think he will leave us alone now?' 'I don't know Tommy. But with Winter against him I don't think he would dare push it.' Tom nodded. 'Do you think it was Kai who told him?' Tom's face was full of disappointment. Alex gently put his arm around his shoulders and stroked his neck. 'I don't know. Even if it was I'm sure he had no idea of what this was going to turn into. Perhaps test the water with him tomorrow. He is your friend Tommy, he wouldn't have wanted to hurt you I'm sure.' 'Felix saved us then.' Tom said and smiled. 'Pretty much.' Alex nodded and shivered at the thought of sitting by the pitch in the cold the night before.

Tom slowly took his hand. 'Will you stay with me tonight?' He asked quietly. Alex gulped. 'If you still want me?' They looked into each other's eyes. 'Will you please just bloody kiss me, you idiot.' Tom whispered and smiled. Alex laughed nervously with relief. He slowly kissed his friend's lips and they shared a kiss that was as gentle and as tender as their first ever. And it felt just as special to Alex. 'I thought I would never be able to kiss you again,' he said and Tom stroked his cheeks, 'but I've got you back now,' Alex kissed him again, 'this feels so good.' He whispered and gently rubbed his nose against Tom's.

'So you don't fancy running off again tonight then?', Tom teased him and smiled, 'I hear football pitches at night are a very exciting place to hang out these days.' 'Well, I would but Winter told me to look after you, so I can't really.' Alex winked at him. Tom laughed and hugged his friend tightly. He kissed his cheek and held him. 'I really thought I had lost you Alex.' Tom gulped. Alex looked at him. 'I'm so sorry I had to do this to you,' he stroked his cheek whilst Tom closed his eyes at his touch, 'you're exhausted Tommy. Let's put you to bed.' He took his hand out of the ice bucket and tidied it away.

Tom had curled up on his bed already half asleep and Alex carefully undressed him. It took him a while with one hand injured and he quietly giggled for being so slow. He smiled as he finally tucked his friend in under the duvet. He buried his nose in his hair inhaling his scent and gazed at him, feeling lucky and happy to be able to be by his side again. Once he had slipped into bed with him, his friend curled up against his chest in his sleep and Alex stroked him gently. At last he was holding Tom in his arms again.

It was early morning when Alex could feel Tom tenderly kissing his back as he slowly woke up and turned towards him. 'Good morning.' Tom whispered smiling at him. 'What time is it?' Alex asked sleepily. 'Early. We're in no rush.' Alex laughed quietly. 'How come you are awake then?' 'I have already missed too much time with you.' Tom started kissing Alex's chest and within seconds Alex was fully awake. He sat up and hugged his friend. 'Tommy.' He gazed at him. 'How is your hand?' Tom asked him gently and checked it carefully. 'Sore actually.' Alex frowned looking at it. 'Good,' Tom sounded pleased, 'that means his face hurts even more.' They both laughed and rested their foreheads against each other taking deep breaths.

Tom let his fingers run over his friend's lips and Alex kissed them tenderly. Then Tom gently pushed his thumb into his friend's mouth. Alex closed his eyes and moaned quietly, sucking it carefully. Tom smiled as he was watching him with lustful eyes. He kissed him hungrily and Alex could feel his friend's excitement. He sat up and pushed him over, kissing his stomach and thighs with Tom breathing hard. Alex relished finally tasting every inch of Tom's skin and body again and couldn't get enough of listening to him moaning at his every touch and kiss. Tom's eyes were full of desire when he pulled Alex back up towards him and held him. 'I have missed you so much.' Alex whispered in his ear and kissed him again lovingly.

Tom gently stroked Alex’s hot cheeks whilst both were slowly catching their breath. Alex felt so relaxed with his friend stroking him, he nearly fell asleep again. 'Alex?' Tom asked quietly. 'Hmm?' Alex took his hand and kissed it. He had closed his eyes again still feeling exhausted. 'This is all pretty crazy, isn't it? I mean the whole Markus thing.' Alex laughed in agreement. 'Hmm.' 'I wonder what Winter is going to tell the team why he was sacked. And what fine you'll get for punching him.' 'Bastard.' Alex mumbled thinking of the fine as he was kissing his hand again. 'If he could see us right now his face would turn red with anger,' Tom giggled, 'I only wanted to protect you.' He imitated Markus' voice and both boys started laughing.

Alex gazed at Tom and smiled. He stroked his cheeks and lips. 'I wish we could spend the day alone together now and make up for the time we missed out.' 'But instead we have to beat Brazil.' Tom added and grinned cheekily. Alex paused. 'What are you going to say to Kai?' Tom's face turned sad. 'I don't know. What do you think I should do?' 'Beat him up?' Alex grinned and Tom chuckled. 'That's more your style. Perhaps I'll send you instead.' Alex turned serious. 'I don't know Tommy. You should talk to him. Why the hell did he tell Markus and didn't speak to you?', he hesitated, 'he is way too close to you all the time anyway.' Alex mumbled