'Hit the Floor'~Bounce

Distraction

Jude's head was spinning. In the last hour he'd met with Lionel in her office and had spoken to Oscar on the phone. Now he was standing outside of the Devils Arena entrance; he leaned against the gleaming, front glass. He was trying to make it make sense and determine how he felt about the situation.

"I don't think I need to pass you anything," Zero said to his fellow baller, Fahey, as he gave another a five and a quick pat on the back. The men walked past Jude as they left, having just finished basketball practice.

"Spill it," Zero said as the other men kept walking and he stopped and sidled up next to Jude.

Jude could smell the powerful scent of a freshly showered Zero with a hint of a spicy cool, musk cologne.

"Oscar wants to see me. I know why, Lionel froze him out. He's lookin' for a way back in."

"You're still considering it," Zero stated, not asked.

"I'm curious what he has to say. Um..."

"You want me to drive you there?"

Jude peered at him. This was the first time, in a long time, that he hadn't felt that the other man was trying to manipulate or seduce him in some way. He saw a look of sincere concern in those blue eyes. Did he want that? "No, I'm good."

"Okay. But, if you do go, just be prepared."

"For what?"

"For anything. Caged animals are unpredictable. That's what Oscar is right now."

Zero spoke in the tone of someone who had been in the same position and had had to make a similar decision. It wasn't clear which side of the position or decision the blond had been on, Oscar's or his, to be honest.

"Whatever he's got in mind you need to be ready." Zero gave him one last look before he sauntered away.

Jude took a deep breath. He stood outside and contemplated what Gideon had said and his own feelings about Oscar for another 10 minutes. After making up his mind, he headed out, taking a detour to Studio City on the way.
~~~

Jude walked into the room; it was low lit and grey.

"Jude, glad you came."

There he was. The mighty Oscar Kinkade; hands and feet shackled, wearing an orange jumpsuit as he waddled over to a chair and sat down. The guard closed the door behind Oscar, but still observed through the glass.

Jude then sat.

"It's remarkable how things change. One minute I'm celebrating my team winning the title. Next, I'm behind bars. You were doing everything you could to get inside Devils Arena, and now you're an EVP. You've come a long way. For Lionel to give you that title, you must have really earned her trust."

"I knew this was going to be about Lionel. That's why I'm here, you need me."

"Jude, settle down..."

'Butter wouldn't fucking melt,' thought Jude. "I'm not gonna settle down. The last words you said to me were, I don't have a son! Do you think it's strange you haven't brought that up at all?"
"If you thought I only wanted to use you, why did you come?"

"To give you this," he said reaching into his breast pocket and pulling out a photo of an 11-year-old Jude. He'd been on the city Little League team of his Florida neighborhood. He stood, holding the photo to Oscar's face. "You do have a son! This is him. That's me. Until you're ready to acknowledge that, we have nothing to talk about." He then slid it across the table, turned to hit the exit, request buzzer and left the room.
~~~