Didier shrugged. “I am French. We invented kissing.”
“So will you go out with me?” Erik asked hopefully.
Didier tipped his head to the side, thinking about it. Finally, he said, “Oui.”
“Yes!” Erik pumped a fist in the air.
Jamie shook his head. “Just hope he shaves before you go out.”
Erik turned to him. “I did okay, right?”
“Yes.” Jamie smiled at him. “What did you learn?”
“That I should ask her what I want to know about her.” He paused for a moment. “And that Didier plays hard to get.”
The Frenchman stood up. “Now can we do yoga?”
They did yoga in Didier’s lair downstairs. Didier had started practicing yoga a number of years before after an injury, and he swore by it. Like his football, he always took a yoga mat with him when he traveled and had his favorite yoga instructors online.
The one he picked for them was a perky blonde that looked like she was out ofBaywatch, in an outfit just as skimpy. Every time she bent over, Jamie winced, hoping she wouldn’t fall out of her clothes. The last thing he wanted to see was a random woman’s assets. He’d had enough of that in his life. He knew what it was like to be an object—of admiration as well as hate.
Ten minutes in, Erik said, “I think I love yoga.”
Jamie shook his head as he got into a downward dog. “This isn’t yoga. This is workout porn.”
“It is a good stretch,non?” Didier said innocently.
After yoga, Erik went to his room to begin reading. Didier went out, saying he was going to explore. Jamie took a shower.
His mobile pinged as he zipped up his trousers. He glanced down at the screen, lying on his bed, and made a face. Brad. As if on cue.
Brad Chandler
Torino is pushing for your answer.
The offer had been at the back of his mind. He knew he was insane not to take it, but something was stopping him.
Erik’s words about having other skills to offer the world replayed in his head. If he could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?
He’d spend time with Rachel. He’d help Erik. He’d push Didier to tell him what was going on with him. That was what he cared about: people, not football.
Before replying to Brad, he messaged his dad.
Jamie
What would you think if I turned down the offer from Torino?
Dad
I’d think you’d found something else that made you happier.
Jamie
You wouldn’t mind?
Dad
If I minded you living your own life, I would have failed as a dad.