PENALTY by Annika Sturm (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

herself and despite everyone feeling awkward, they all wanted to make this work. 'What's the latest on those four guys that attacked you? Why haven't the police found them yet?' Emma asked the boys. Tom took a deep breath. 'They had a few leads but nothing concrete as yet. All this still feels so surreal I sometimes wonder if it even happened.' He laughed. 'It certainly did,' Alex muttered, 'that wound on your stomach reminds me of it every day.' Tom smiled at him gently. 'I guess it was more real for you. You had to make sure I didn't kick the bucket right there and then,' he laughed again, 'I was pretty much unconscious for the best part of a day.' Alex wanted to take his hand but thought better of it in the end and started feeding Max instead. Emma took a deep breath. 'I just wish Christine hadn't published the story.' Alex looked at Tom, waiting for his reaction. 'Yes but you are different. You have courage and a heart,' Tom said quietly. This time Alex couldn't help himself. He took his hand and squeezed it briefly, 'it's alright.' Tom smiled at his friend and quickly moved it as he started eating. Emma was watching silently. She gulped and took another sip of wine. 'Well, hopefully your so-called fans wake up and stop giving you grief on the pitch. When's the first of these charity concerts? Are you both going?' Alex nodded. 'The first one is in April, it depends how Tommy is feeling by then.'

Alex beamed at his son as he was feeding him the last few spoons of his dinner. Max wiggled in the high chair and clapped his hands. 'No, it's all gone now baby. It's all in your tummy!' Alex picked him up and the child was chuckling. 'Will you be fit in time for the World Cup Tommy?' Emma looked at Tom seriously. He took a deep breath and crossed his arms in front of his chest. 'I don't know.' He shook his head. 'I hope you can play.' Emma said quietly. 'Thank you.' Tom smiled and started clearing the table but as soon as he stood up, he suddenly gasped and moaned quietly in pain, leaning onto the table for support.

'Tommy,' Alex was alert and immediately by his side. He carefully handed his son to Emma and made Tom put his arms around his neck to support him, 'enough for today. You need to rest now. Come on.' He whispered and kissed his cheek. Tom had started breathing harder as he was leaning onto his friend. 'I'm fine. I'll...,' he was holding his side in pain, 'I'll lie down on the sofa for a bit.' Alex looked at him anxiously and helped him slowly walk to the couch.

Max was sucking his thumb following the boys with his eyes. 'What's wrong with Uncle Tommy, mummy?' Emma stroked his hair and kissed him. 'He's just tired baby, that's all.' Alex helped Tom lie down and checked his wound. Then he wrapped him in a blanket and took his hand. 'Are you alright?' 'Of course I'm alright,' Tom giggled but his face had turned paler, 'you go and spend time with Em and Max.' Alex smiled at him. 'Okay.' He said and had to control himself not to kiss him even though he really wanted to. 'I'll check the football results and tell you how badly you need to win tomorrow.' Tom winked at him and switched the television on.

Alex joined Emma back at the dinner table. He still looked worried and rubbed his forehead in frustration. 'It all comes back in a flash,' he stared ahead vacantly, 'when he has attacks like this. I see him lie there in the snow. Bleeding.' He shivered. 'It must have been traumatising for you.' Emma said quietly. Alex smiled at her. 'How are you Em?' He asked her carefully. 'Up and down,' she said bravely, 'Markus has been quite supportive. Interestingly.' She chuckled nervously. 'Markus?' Alex stared at her. 'Yes, he's been calling and dropping by every so often. It's been bizarre.' Alex gulped. 'Right,' he cleared his voice, 'and?' Emma forced a laugh. 'And what?' She looked at him confused. 'Do you like him?' Alex said, angrily grinding his teeth. He didn't dare look at her. 'Do I like him?', she almost started crying again, 'are you serious?', she shouted at him in disbelief, 'do you have any idea what you just said?' 'Emma, I'm sorry.' Alex closed his eyes and shook his head. 'I love you Alex. Do you think it's easy to watch you with Tommy? It's killing me,' Alex automatically grabbed her hand, 'and you have the nerve to ask me if I like him?', she pulled her hand away, 'you know it's fucking lonely at home. Sometimes it's just nice to see a friendly face.' She stared at him in tears. 'Emma,' Alex whispered, 'please forgive me.' He grabbed her hand again. Emma tried to control her emotions. She sat Max on her lap and kissed his hair.

Alex took a deep breath. 'There is something you should know,' he closed his eyes and told Emma about Markus' threat to the boys, why Alex had punched him in Berlin, the fact Winter had sacked him on the spot. Emma stared at Alex as she listened silently, 'that day, when he showed up, when he told you about us,' he gulped down tears, 'he hinted at Tommy that he was after you. Just before he left,' Alex was still clutching her hand, 'I have no right to interfere with your life. You don't have to listen to me,' he looked into her eyes, 'but I thought you should know.' Emma forced a laugh as she was wiping the tears off her cheeks. She took a deep breath. 'What an arsehole.' She muttered. Alex looked at her in surprise and they both started laughing together exhaustedly. Alex stared at his hands. Emma kissed Max's hair and didn't say anything for a moment. Then she composed herself and looked at Alex.

'I know that you didn't mean to hurt me and after all we have a son together, who I know you love and adore. Nothing will ever change that,' she was trying not to cry again, 'I want to make this work. Max needs his dad,' Alex frowned at her, unsure what she meant, 'if you and Tommy are up for it, he can stay overnight. You could test out his new room. See if he likes it.' She smiled sadly. 'Are you serious?', Alex gasped and beamed at her, 'really?' 'Yes really,' she nodded, 'as long as you bring him back to me before the match tomorrow.' Alex jumped up and hugged them both across the table. 'Of course. Of course I will. You are wonderful Em. But then again I always knew that.' He kissed her hand again and again.

'Tommy,' he shouted towards the sofa, 'guess what? Max is staying overnight.' Tom turned his head towards them and smiled sleepily. 'That's great news.' Alex got up to check on him again. 'How are you feeling?' He sat down next to him and took his hand. 'I'm alright. Just a little tired,' Tom laughed, 'it's all this cooking, kills even the healthiest of people,' he squeezed his hand, 'are you okay? I heard you argue?' He looked at him anxiously. Alex smiled at him gently. 'I'm an idiot.' Tom laughed out loud. 'But we all know that!' Alex tickled him playfully.

Emma walked over with Max on her arm. The child was watching Tom observantly. 'Hello young man.' Tom winked at him and smiled. Max giggled and stretched his arms out towards him. Emma sat him down on the sofa and he crawled towards Tom, who carefully sat up. He grabbed Max and sat him on his knees facing him. 'Story!' Max shouted and clapped his hands together. Tom frowned at him confused. 'Oh it's his bed time,' Emma said, 'he's used to being read a goodnight story at this time.' Tom smiled at Max cheekily. 'Oh I see, I'm sure Uncle Tommy is not too tired for that.' He touched his nose and Max laughed. Emma took a book out of her son's bag and handed it to Tom. 'That's his favourite,' she smiled at him, 'you can't really go wrong with it.' Tom nodded gratefully. 'Let's let Max be the judge of that.' He tickled him and Max squealed with excitement.

'Goodnight baby, be good,' Emma kissed and hugged her son, 'daddy will bring you back home tomorrow, okay?' Max looked anxious all of a sudden and held onto his mum. 'Daddy and teddy will bring you to bed and look after you tonight, okay?' Alex kissed his hair and smiled at him. Max looked back at Tom and clapped his hands. 'Story!' He shouted again and wiggled on his lap.

Alex accompanied Emma downstairs and hugged and thanked her again. Once she had left, he tip-toed back upstairs and could hear Tom read out the story. He watched from a distance and thoroughly enjoyed the sight. Tom held Max closely on his lap and pointed at the pictures as he was going through the book. Max listened attentively, resting his head against Tom's chest. Alex quietly sat down next to Tom on the sofa and put his arm around him. He gazed at him and stroked his hair as he listened to the story. By the time the book was finished, Max had fallen asleep in Tom's arms. Tom laughed quietly and looked at Alex. 'I assume I shouldn't take this kind of result too personally?' He whispered. 'I've always said you're dead boring.' Alex giggled quietly and winked at him. The boys looked at each other and shared a long and gentle kiss. Alex rested his forehead against his friend's and was taking deep breaths. Right at this moment his life finally felt complete again.

Over the next couple of weeks Alex focussed on his work trying to save his club from entering the relegation zone. Despite him still having to put up with verbal abuse by some football supporters in every match, the team won a couple of games and earned some badly needed points. Whilst Alex was coming to terms with the difficult conditions in the stadium, he relished Tom's presence at home. The boys continued to enjoy each other's company and were both excited whenever they had Max staying over. All this had given Alex a boost in confidence and determination and he wished things could always stay this way.

Meanwhile the boys had flown in a coach from Tom’s club, who started working with Tom, and they agreed a training plan to aim to get him fit in time for the World Cup. Tom was feeling better every day and was increasingly confident, itching to go back to playing again. Alex felt relieved with his progress but at the same time he also knew this meant Tom would have to go back to Dortmund soon.

One evening Alex and Tom were relaxing on the sofa together playing Xbox games. Tom was winning as usual and Alex was becoming increasingly frustrated. 'I give up!' He shouted chuckling and threw the control onto Tom's lap. 'Hey, no, you can't surrender. That's boring!', Tom protested and laughed. Alex looked at his friend and grabbed him, pulling him closer, 'ouch, Alex. I'm still injured,' Tom complained chuckling. He gave in and kissed him, 'you're such a bad loser.' He moaned.

Alex smiled and stroked his hair. 'It's been too long,' he lustfully whispered in his ear, 'how is that old body of yours feeling?' He asked and grinned at his friend. Tom smiled cheekily. 'We could do a test.' He winked at him. 'I want you so much Tommy.' Tom kissed him lustfully and stroked his cheeks. Alex sat up and pushed him