PENALTY by Annika Sturm (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

They were the perfect match in every way.

The atmosphere in the changing room was celebratory and cheerful. Winter was pleased with his team's performance and he was full of praise for the boys. Felix was mentioned specifically for having done a good job as captain and the team clapped and whistled in agreement. Alex and Tom felt proud of him and couldn't have wished for a better leader.

The team gathered in the hotel bar and lounge area after they had given interviews. Tom got Alex a beer, which he accepted appreciatively. It was a good rest of the evening, full of fun conversations and laughter amongst the whole team. Everyone was in a good mood and started looking forward to going back home to their respective clubs. Except for Alex, who dreaded the goodbye in the morning already. Tom joined him and put one arm around his shoulder. 'Hey,' he said gently, 'time for bed, don't you think?' Alex laughed and nodded. They finished their drinks and quietly sneaked off.

The boys collapsed on the bed in Tom's room and hugged each other tightly. Alex felt tired again but didn't want to fall asleep given it was their last night together yet again. Tom kissed his forehead gently and stroked his arms. Whenever Alex was close to him like this, he was able to forget about everything else. He closed his eyes and enjoyed Tom's gentle fingers brushing up and down his arms.

'Alex?' Tom whispered. 'Hmm?' Alex smiled at him sleepily. 'I've been thinking.' Tom said and stroked his hair. Alex felt awake all of a sudden. 'Have you now,' he giggled, 'what about?' 'About us,' Tom smiled but took a deep breath, 'I don't think I can do this anymore you know.' Alex was alarmed by his words and his tone of voice. He sat up and faced him stroking his leg. 'Tommy, what are you saying?' He asked him anxiously. Tom looked at him seriously. 'We can't continue like this Alex. We can't keep doing this to our girlfriends, to us even,' he shook his head, 'you were right the other day when you said we needed to make a decision.' Alex felt sick again. 'Are you breaking up with me?', he asked hectically, 'is that what you’re saying? Is this it?’ His friend sat up and took his hands. 'No, no, of course not,' he hugged him and kissed his cheek. He took another deep breath, 'if this nightmare we went through has taught me one thing then it's that I want to be with you. And only with you. Do you understand that?', he looked at him and shook his head, 'I don't think until then I realised just how much you are a part of me now,' Alex exhaled with relief gazing at him. Tom laughed sadly as he continued, 'when I lay awake alone that night, I swore to myself that if we can ever be together again, I will change things, put it right.' 'Tommy.' Alex hugged him, squeezing him tightly. 'Do you remember when we were in Austria and you asked me who I'd choose if I had to,' Tom asked him, 'and when I said I'd choose you?', Alex cast his eyes down, 'I still would,' Tom smiled and pulled up his chin, 'perhaps it's time.'

'You also said that we had no choice anyway. Do you remember that?' Alex reminded him gently and shook his head. Tom hugged him. 'I love you Alex,' he whispered in his ear, 'when we first got together I thought we could just carry on with our lives as normal somehow but I was stupid. It doesn't work,' he gulped, 'it's not fair on Christine. If I had another girlfriend I'd break up and move on. Right?' 'Tommy, do you realise what you are saying here?' Tom nodded. 'All I'm saying is that I should end the relationship I'm currently in because I'm in love with someone else. It just so happens to be you. But no-one needs to know that.' He smiled and gently took Alex’s hand again.

Alex was stunned. He couldn't believe what Tom was suggesting. 'You would break up with Christine for me? And pretend to be single to the world. For me?' Tom laughed. 'Is that really such a shock to you?' Alex held Tom's hand and took a deep breath. 'Tommy,' he shook his head, 'I know what you mean, I..,' he gasped for air, 'I feel exactly the same. If I could, I would start again. With you. Christ I'd be the first one to put an end to this double life and all this guilt,' he felt emotional and struggled to get his words out, 'but I can't leave my family. I can't leave my son Tommy.' Tom kissed him gently. 'And I'm not expecting you to. Max is more important than anything else in the world. You need to do what's right for him,' Alex had started trembling, 'hey.' Tom hugged him, holding him tightly. 'I can't lose my son.' Alex said quietly. 'Don't be silly. Do you think I'd for a minute let that happen? He needs his daddy,' Tom stroked his hair and kissed his cheek. Alex was taking deep breaths, 'I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry,' he hugged him again, 'look, we don't have to decide anything today or tomorrow. All that matters is that we know that we love each other. The rest will fall into place.' Tom kissed him and Alex nodded. He pulled Alex towards him so he could rest his head against his chest. He stroked him and kept kissing his hair as his friend started feeling calmer again. 'We'll make it work.' Alex mumbled feeling exhausted now. 'That's right,' Tom laughed and kissed his forehead, 'we'll make it work.'

Alex woke up in the middle of the night feeling disoriented for a moment. He realised he was still in his clothes from the night before. He turned and saw Tom peacefully sleeping next to him. His heart jumped looking at him. He thought about their conversation again and despite his fear of losing his son he knew deep down that he wanted to be with Tom. If he was a woman they'd be going out publicly, there was no doubt about it. Despite Alex having a child. And the world would just accept it.

Alex carefully started stroking Tom's cheeks and lips. He suddenly felt overwhelmed with lust for him. He kissed him gently and Tom opened his eyes waking up to Alex’s soft kiss. 'Hey,' he mumbled sleepily and smiled at him. Alex kissed him more passionately and started unbuttoning his trousers, 'what do you think you're doing?' Tom laughed quietly. Alex’s touch became more demanding. 'Sleep with me.' He whispered into his ear as he let his hand slip into his friend's boxers stroking him gently. Tom grabbed his head with desire and kissed him, quietly moaning. He sat up and pushed Alex over. He undressed him as he was kissing his neck, stroking his shoulders and back. Alex closed his eyes and felt electrified with pleasure. They kissed and stroked each other full of lust and passion, completely giving into their desire for each other.

Tom was covered in sweat as Alex held and hugged him, kissing his cheek as he was getting his breath back. 'Tommy,' he kissed him, 'you feel so good. How can this be wrong?', he looked at his face and smiled at him, 'how can anyone think this is wrong?' 'I don't know.' Tom said and smiled back at him resting his head against his chest. 'I'll miss you so much.' Alex whispered. 'Shhh,' Tom looked up at him and placed one finger on his friend's lips, 'it's not morning yet. I refuse to think about it until we have to go.' Alex kissed his forehead and inhaled his scent. 'Okay.' He laughed quietly and the boys fell asleep again.
Chapter 5

Alex was woken up by gentle kisses and couldn't help but smile as he stretched in bed. 'Morning sleepy head.' Tom was showered and fully dressed already beaming at him. 'Why are you always awake before me?' Alex mumbled sleepily. Tom grinned at him. 'You mean unless it's 2 o'clock in the morning?' He kissed him again and Alex laughed. 'Are you all packed yet?', Alex looked around the room, 'wow,' he said sadly, 'you can't wait to leave, hmm?' To his surprise, Tom didn't look concerned at all. 'You're right. I can't wait,' he laughed, 'I don't think you've asked me once how I'll get back to Dortmund. I mean fair enough we've been distracted but seriously how do you think I'll get home?' Alex looked at him confused. 'Isn't one of your friends giving you a lift back?' Tom giggled. 'Yes that was the plan. But I have changed it,' he kissed Alex gently, 'I'm flying back from Hamburg, and not till tonight. I'm yours for the whole day. If you want me.' Alex’s face lit up. 'Really?', he hugged him and pulled him on top of him in bed, 'that's a great plan,' he smiled at his friend, 'what do you want to do?' Tom shrugged his shoulders. 'Nothing really. I just want to hang out with you.' Alex’s heart jumped. 'Right. I better get up and pack as well then!' He pushed his friend off him gently and jumped out of bed. Tom watched him getting dressed. 'You're hot.' He whispered giggling and Alex winked at him. 'You are not so bad yourself.' He kissed him before he went into his own room to pack as well.

Tom and Alex said goodbye to all their team mates and Winter thanking him again for his support and protection. 'You are both important to me and this team. Not only as players but as individuals. You can always talk to me, no matter what.' He patted both boys on the back.

'We're so lucky to have Winter,' Tom said grimly, shaking his head once they had hit the road, 'it would have been a different story without him.' Alex nodded in agreement. 'Yes, we'd be all over the press by now. Headline news.' He shivered and Tom gently took his hand. 'I wonder what he'll do.' Tom said with a hint of concern in his voice. 'Markus?' 'Hmm,' Tom nodded, 'I don't think he'll just let it go. I don't know,' he looked at him, 'you know that I would have stood by you regardless. Don't you?' He asked. Alex answered by squeezing his hand. They smiled at each other in silence.

The boys decided to spend the morning go-karting. They managed to book the whole place out for themselves and did various races against each other. Alex was desperate to beat Tom and almost took him out a couple of times. They laughed and joked with each other whenever they overtook one another. It was a close call but in the end Tom had won and boasted about the result. 'Oh well if you can't beat me at football, there is only go-karting left!' Alex giggled and tickled his friend as they made their way