Twoset Football

Three: Brett and Eddy

"Holy fuck, Yang, you bastard, where have you been hiding that gem ??"

Brett spat out his coffee onto the pitch, narrowly missing his polished leather shoes as he copped a huge slap on his back from a rival agent. He quickly leaned forward so that the coffee that was now dribbling down his chin didn't drip onto his white shirt. Most of the other talent scout agents were dressed in a T-shirt with jeans or in a football uniform top with tracksuit pants. Brett too would often dress like them, but today, he wanted to look professional to mean business.

WTF, you dickhead.

Brett never liked the guy, he was sneaky, deceptive and had no class.

Brett wiped off the coffee from around his mouth with the back of his hand. He returned his facial expression to his signature resting dead-pan as he quietly replied.

"I have my sources."

"Hell yeah, you certainly do. Mate, like I could sell that kid to that new team in the Southcoast? I've got really good connections there."

Brett's dead-pan broke. He turned sharply and glared at his rival and he practically growled;

"You have got to be joking. Why the fuck would I let you sell him to one of the worst teams in State-league when this boy could go A-League with me ?"

All the other agents and coaches on the grandstand who have overheard their conversation went silent.

"...Shit, guys, I don't think Yang's gonna let this kid go up for grabs, he's keeping him for himself. I should've guessed when he showed up dressed all fancy, he means real business today. The whole lot of you might as well give up the bidding."

His rival competition (more like just an insignificant acquaintance from Brett's perspective) shrugged and walked off the grandstand.

Brett glanced towards Eddy who was packing up his belongings to get ready to go home. Eddy had held his ground well at his first practice session. Brett has already been approached by the team coach who said he would welcome Eddy to train with the team for the rest of the summer break. The men can be pretty harsh to the new youngsters but Eddy just kept his head down and focused on whatever drills he got to do with the team. At 178cm and his slender build, he was still on the smaller scale among the men and the first thing Eddy said to Brett after getting into Brett's car was that he wished he had another growth spurt.

"OMG I haven't felt this small in ages! Like I was one of the taller ones in Taiwan"

"Eddy, you were in a youth team in Taiwan, of course, you'd be huge over there. But honestly, you don't need another growth spurt. I've watched you today; you have great speed and excellent coordination. I have a personal liking for smaller, faster footballers anyway. So on that note, I'd say you don't think about bulking up anytime soon either. You can still do your core strengthening but don't build yourself up into a gorilla, it's just going to slow you down. Your agility and speed is your strength and it's thanks to your current build."

Eddy smiled.

"Okay Brett, I'll believe that if you say so, thank you."

The drive home was quick and smooth with very little traffic late in the evening.

Brett was in a great mood.

"Eddy, I was really impressed with you today. Did you know that 99% of recommendations from sisters and girlfriends about their talented brothers or boyfriends are a complete waste of my time?"

Eddy blushed.

"So I was in the 1% ? I managed to not waste your time?"

"Yes, you were definitely the 1%. And no, Eddy, you were fantastic. And I wasn't the only one who thought so, judging from how the other agents were reacting to you."

"Wow, I suppose I owe it big time to you."

"Y'know, to be honest, I think you would've been discovered eventually without me. But without any youth career in Australia, it would have taken you much longer to get noticed. So, were you approached by any agents?"

"Yes, I got all these business cards after training.. agents and team coaches, too! Wow, I think I've seen this guy's name in sports news..."

Brett drove in silence and let Eddy check out his newly acquired business cards collection until they arrived at Eddy's house. Brett parked his car on the side of the road and turned off the ignition.

Eddy unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Well, thank you so much for today, Brett."

Brett unbuckled his seatbelt too so that he can turn his body towards Eddy.

"You're welcome, Eddy. Just promise me that you won't sign any contracts until you get your agent or a lawyer to check them. I can even check them for you, as a favour for you and your sister."

"Okay, thank you, that's such a generous offer. ...Um, Brett, why are you so nice to me ?"

"...I guess I just can't bear to see your talent taken advantage of. Unfortunately, it happens a lot in the industry, just like in any field I suppose."

Eddy looked down at the business cards collection in his hands.

".. I see. So there might be some dodgy guys in here ?"

"Most of the guys there today are pretty legit, decent guys. But even then, they may put their own agenda way above your interests and needs - after all, their business is to make money out of you. So you have to make sure you get someone who will work with you for a win-win solution."

"Okay."

"Oh, and while we're on the subject, make sure you sign up with an agent and team who is willing to meet your parents."

Eddy's expression changed.

"W, what? But I'm over 18."

"You're still 19 Eddy and your family should be involved in the process. You told me a bit of your family history and I understand things might still be a bit awkward at home... but I still believe you should involve your family."

Eddy ran his hand through his hair and shook his head in frustration.

"I really don't get along with them... They're just tolerating me living here because I've got nowhere else to go at the moment.

Brett looked at Eddy who now looked like a frightened wild animal. So Brett kept his voice calm and soft so that he wouldn't upset Eddy any further.

"Eddy, they could become your biggest supporters and I think this is really important for your football career. So, any agent that says you can just sign up on your own as an adult, in my opinion, isn't trustworthy."

Eddy helds his breath. His voice cracked as he tried to get his words out.

"I dunno... that's gonna be so hard..."

"I am trying to understand Eddy, I'm not gonna pretend I know your whole story but you can tell me anything and we can work through it together if you want to. These things might take a bit of time. But what I know for sure is that if this upsets you like this now, you aren't going to be playing your best football."

Eddy looked up sharply at Brett. There were tears welling up in his eyes.

"... so you think I'm too messed up in the head to play well?"

Brett placed his hand on Eddy's shoulder.

"Hey... Eddy, it's okay, calm down. Having said all that, I would like to be your agent."

As Eddy blinked, teardrops fell from his eyes onto his T-shirt.

"..Really?"

"Yes Eddy, really. I'm actually the top talent scout agent in Queensland. You can check my website and see how many A-leaguers I represent. If you can trust me, I will always be on your side, by your side. And I can honestly say that I could be the guy that can take you to see the world."

Eddy quickly wiped his tears with his hand and smiled.

"Okay Brett, I'm gonna hold you to that. Please take me to see the world with you. Please come in and say hello to my parents."