Page 8 of The Fete of Summer


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“Thank goodness you’re back,” said Polly. “Babysit the child for me while I go for a pee. Maybe he can give you some advice on your naked football calendar.”

“Your what?” asked Jaymes, brightening playfully as a slyly grinning Polly excused herself.

Nathan scowled at Polly’s departing back. “Our chairperson on the summer fête committee wants to up the ante this year. Wants some of the better-looking players from our local team to do a naked photoshoot for a calendar. All the proceeds will go to charity. My job is to get the players on board.”

After downing a good gulp of his drink, Jaymes lowered the glass from his mouth and appeared to consider this, nodding thoughtfully.

“Are you on the team?”

“I’m the captain.”

“You’ll be getting your kit off, then.”

“Not necessarily.” Nathan hadn’t thought that far ahead. He’d assumed he wouldn’t. Actually, he hadn’t even considered the notion, but he was definitely not keen on the idea. He might keep himself fit but wasn’t obsessive about his looks.

“Wait just one minute.” Jaymes positioned his glass down on a coaster before giving Nathan his full attention. “You’re the committee member who volunteered to get your team out of their kit, yes? And you’re also the team captain. Right so far?”

“I—yes.”

“Then you have to be photographed. How can you not? A captain needs to lead by example. Otherwise, everyone will think you’re a hypocrite.”

The mere thought of stripping down for the camera made Nathan nauseous, but Jaymes’ reasoning made perfect sense. Of course the team would expect him to participate.

“It’s a moot point, anyway. None of the guys are going to agree to getting naked in front of a camera.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I play football with them. Because I know them.”

“Hang on. I bet you all strip down in the changing rooms without a second thought. You might be surprised,” said Jaymes calmly, knocking back another slug of Guinness. “Maybe the guys will be a little hesitant at first, but I bet their other halves will back them all the way. Would your partner have a problem with people seeing you in the buff?”

“I don’t have a partner. But if I did, I’m sure he’d have issues. Wouldn’t you?”

“I’d strip naked at the drop of a bar of soap for a good cause. This boy has nothing to be ashamed about.”

Nathan appraised Jaymes’ body again as the man placed his empty glass back on the table.

“Yeah, well. Maybe you’re in better shape than most.”

“Are you hitting on me?” asked Jaymes, a grin curling one side of his mouth.

“What? No!” said Nathan, feeling his face reddening as he scanned the bar. “Where the hell is Polly?”

He craned his neck to see if she was on her way back. Even though the Friday night pub was packed, she usually stood out in her shocking pink woolly poncho and was nowhere to be seen. Something about Jaymes made him slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious. Maybe his candour and raw masculinity, maybe his proximity. Jaymes was the kind of person you either loved or hated. Right now, the jury was out.

“This has to be my last,” said Nathan, tossing back the rest of his lager.

“What? It’s barely eight on a Friday night.”

“I have an early start tomorrow.”

“Doing what? Don’t you teachers get weekends off anymore?”

“I’m not a teacher. I’m a baker. I run the bakery on the high street.”

“Seriously?” said Jaymes, chuckling in a way that irritated Nathan.

“Yes, I’m a baker by profession. Fresher and Son. Family Baker. Why are you smirking?”