PENALTY by Annika Sturm (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

wander outside as he was sipping his beer. The big windows in the lounge were overlooking the whole village of Seefeld and he could see snowy mountains in the distance. The view was spectacular and in principle everything was just perfect. Except for the fact that Tom hadn’t been able to join him that evening after all. His girlfriend Christine had organised a media event with her colleagues without telling Tom beforehand and his friend had had no choice but to postpone his arrival in Seefeld to the next day as he was expected to attend with her. Alex had considered calling off the trip but Tom had insisted on them meeting regardless.

When Alex checked his phone at the end of the movie, he saw a text message from his friend. 'Hope you have found everything okay. I wish I could be there with you now.' 'House isn't bad. Don't miss you.' Alex pressed send and giggled knowing the abuse he would get back: 'Cheeky bastard.' Alex read the message and laughed. He kept watching films to make the time pass quicker and didn't realise how late it had become. In the end he just fell asleep on the sofa. He only woke up again when it was already light outside and he felt quite cold with the fire having burnt down overnight. He stretched on the sofa and wiped his eyes. As he was about to get up, he saw him.

Tom sat opposite him in an armchair. He looked at Alex with the most gentle eyes. 'I'm sorry I'm so late,' he smiled. Alex gasped when their eyes met. All the doubts, all the frustration had gone in an instant. He threw himself towards Tom, who jumped up just in time to catch him, 'wow, easy!', Tom giggled and caught him in his arms, 'it's nice to see you too!' He whispered into Alex's ear. They held each other closely. 'Happy New Year!' Alex squeezed his friend so hard, Tom laughed. 'World Cup Year!' He giggled and beamed at him. They were searching for each other's hands and looked into each other's eyes. Sheepishly at first. Alex carefully rubbed his nose against Tom's and let his forehead rest against his'. Tom's lips were carefully touching Alex's mouth. Briefly and shyly at first. Tom looked at him to check his reaction and Alex couldn't help but giggle. 'Idiot.' He whispered. He closed his eyes and Tom felt reassured by his test. He put his arms around his friend's neck and finally kissed him, gently and carefully. Alex just wanted time to stand still. Tom tasted even better than he remembered. Nothing felt wrong about this. In fact it couldn't feel more right.

'Tommy,' Alex moaned quietly, 'I missed you.' He said whilst still hanging on to Tom's lips. 'You are not too cross because of last night then?' Tom asked as he pulled him closer. 'It depends how you make it up to me.' 'I see', Tom grinned and started kissing him again, 'this is even better than I remembered.' He said cheekily and rested his arms on Alex's shoulders. 'How long have you been watching me for anyway?' Alex asked pretending to be offended by the sneakiness. 'Only a couple of minutes,' Tom winked at him, 'I've brought breakfast,' he nodded towards a bag of fresh bread rolls, 'the sun is coming out already. It will be a glorious day,' he beamed at his friend, 'I told you I'd be there when you wake up.' He looked pleased with himself.

They shared another long intense kiss whilst Tom was slowly pushing his friend towards the sofa and Alex was forced to move backwards. He could feel reaching the edge of it when he stopped and looked at Tom. He saw the desire in his eyes but put one finger on his friend's lips and grinned. 'No,' he said teasingly, 'you can't just march in here, late, and get what you want.' Tom smiled sheepishly and kissed Alex's finger. 'I can't promise you that I can wait all day though.' Alex kissed him briefly and then pushed him away. 'The slopes won't wait. And I'm starving!' He walked into the kitchen and Tom followed him with a grin and a sigh.

'How is your ankle?' Tom asked as they started preparing breakfast. Alex pulled up his left trouser leg and revealed his bandaged foot. He pouted his lips and Tom pulled a face. 'Ouch, not good!' He put one arm around Alex's shoulder comforting him. 'How was last night's event?' Alex asked in return. 'Yeah, alright. Just a bit unexpected,' Tom put his arms around Alex from behind, 'let's not talk about that.' He inhaled Alex's scent and kissed him gently on the cheek. 'Why not?', Alex asked surprised, 'if you wanted to tell me something that was on your mind with Christine then I want to still hear about it. Like always, you know. I'm still your friend too.' He focussed back on preparing breakfast. Tom was leaning onto Alex's shoulder and smiled at him. 'I'd rather not talk at all.' He whispered and grinned cheekily. Alex gave him a slap. 'Idiot!' He laughed.

The boys enjoyed a hearty and long breakfast catching up on all the latest events in their careers, sharing thoughts and ideas. Alex talked about the concerns within his club, Tom encouraged him wholeheartedly as usual. They got dressed in their ski gear and got themselves excited about spending the day on the slopes together. They did a couple of easy runs first to ease themselves back into it. Tom was a brilliant snowboarder and had no problems at all. He was in stitches of laughter watching Alex fall over on his board time and again. But Alex was ambitious and competitive enough not to give in and he improved within several hours. Tom was pleased with his friend's progress. They loved the fact that no-one recognised them in their ski gear and they could just be themselves without being hunted down for autographs.

They stopped for lunch in an intimate little mountain restaurant. Tom knew the owners and the boys received a warm and genuine welcome. They looked surprised to see Tom come in with Alex but got even more excited to have two famous footballers in their restaurant. The boys shared a huge lunch and laughed talking about how their morning went. Alex loved every second they spent together. He was mindful not to gaze at Tom too much. 'Stop laughing,' Alex whispered, amused by himself, 'I might make a mistake.' Tom shook his head chuckling as he sipped his coffee they had ordered for dessert. His eyes said everything he couldn't say out loud and Alex smiled at him sheepishly.

After a few more long and challenging runs in the afternoon, the boys returned to the house. They took off their jackets and boots and Alex let himself slouch down on a chair. Tom took his hand and pulled him up again. He put his arms around him. 'I'm impressed with your performance. Not bad at all for the first day.' He kissed him lovingly and Alex happily gave in resting his arms around his friend's neck.

Tom took Alex's hand and led him to the pool. He quickly took his clothes off and winked at his friend, who just stared at him. 'Fancy joining me for a swim?', Tom asked and dived in. He resurfaced after a few strokes and giggled at Alex, who hadn't moved, 'come on!' Alex shook his head in disbelief, smiling. He took his clothes off and Tom was watching his every move. Alex dived in and swam towards Tom under water. He grabbed him and Tom giggled and took a deep breath as Alex pulled him under. He eventually managed to fight him off and swam away. Both dived back up gasping for air, chuckling. 'You are such an idiot!' Tom couldn't stop laughing. 'You so asked for that!' Alex protested. He swam towards him and grabbed him again, more gently this time. Tom was still chuckling as he put his arms around his friend's neck and they kissed each other whilst Alex was holding him close in the water.

'You feel good.' Alex whispered closing his eyes. Tom stroked his hair. As they kissed each other again, Alex couldn't stop his hands from wandering all over Tom's body. Tom kissed his neck and Alex let his head rest against the side of the pool. Tom had wrapped his legs around his friend's hips and Alex could see the pleasure and lust in his eyes. He watched excitedly as Tom was shivering and breathing hard, clinging on to Alex, begging for his arms to hold him. Alex instinctively hugged him protectively and kissed his cheek, 'you got what you wanted now.' He whispered and smiled. Tom was still breathing heavily and looked at him. He started pushing his body against Alex as he kissed him passionately. Alex gasped when he felt his friend's hand but Tom just smiled at him confidently and gently kissed him again. As Alex was breathing harder, looking for his friend’s arms, Tom held him and kissed his forehead and cheeks. He smiled again. 'Now we both did.'

The boys eventually got out of the pool and prepared the lounge for the evening. Tom started making some food in the kitchen while Alex attended to lighting the fire. He gazed out of the window admiring the view again. It was dark but he could still see the white snowy mountains in the distance. Once the fire was roaring, he got up and stood by the window, his hands in his pockets. He thought of his girlfriend and son and hoped they were okay. Alex struggled with the guilt, but he couldn't even bear the thought of not being with Tom. The fact they had become intimate completed their friendship and affection they had already felt for each other. It had made it perfect.

Alex was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Tom come into the lounge. He jumped as he felt his friend's arms around him. 'Hey, sorry,' Tom giggled, 'I didn't mean to scare you.' Alex's heart was racing. He shook his head and laughed. 'I was in my own world.' 'What's happening in your world?' Tom asked kissing his cheek as he held him from behind. Alex hesitated a moment. 'Tommy, how do you cope with this guilt?', he asked quietly, 'you know. The fact you are cheating on Christine. With me.' He turned around towards him. His friend's face was serious. 'Interesting question.' 'I'm just asking because I find it hard.' Alex cast his eyes down. Tom smiled at him. He gently touched his chin and pulled it up. 'I know. I do too,' Tom nodded, 'in a way I'm in love with you and her.' He said quietly. 'And what if you had to choose?' Alex challenged him. Tom grabbed Alex's head and kissed him. He looked into his friend’s eyes. 'We're footballers. We can't be openly in love with men. You know that as well as I do. So we have no choice,' Alex noticed the sadness in Tom’s eyes, 'but if the world was a different place and we could be who we wanted to be then I would be the proudest man to be by your side,' he gulped and stroked Alex's cheeks, 'and I would choose you.' Alex smiled sadly. He nodded, hugging his friend. 'Me too.' He said kissing his cheek and the boys held each other silently. 'Can we now please have some food before I faint?' Tom whispered into Alex's ear. 'Alright then!' Alex chuckled and took Tom's hand as he led him to the table where Tom had put some snacks out.

They chatted and ate, reminding themselves of the events of their day before they both went into the kitchen to cook dinner together.