𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋: 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 ✔️

Chapter 24

"I saw 'em go I didn't want Todd to know I was here asking about him, it embarrasses him in front of his friends"

Zero shoved his hands into his front pockets 'Then why bother him' both friends thought telepathically. Although Zero wished his own father would've shown some interest in his games. He was sure Roy's smothering would end up driving his son away if he wasn't careful everyone knew that.

"Todd's a real talent you should be proud." the athlete informed his drink addicted foreman.

"I am real proud, my boy's just like you you know? In more ways than one. He hides it but I know he likes his best friend Tommy. He's going to be just like you with the way he plays ball too." Roy's grin came wide, too wide he salivated and wiped the slimy saliva with the back of his hand. "He's the only thing in my life that's right." The man straightened "And he needs your help." Roy said with a pleading tone that even reflected in his eyes

"And he's got help from both Nick and I."

Roy kicked at the dirt "Part-time help. Imagine how far he could go if you took the coaching job at the university?"

Zero caught Nick's look which said 'I feel sorry for you man.'

He tightened his jaw, for as much as Roy loved his kid, it wasn't Zero's job to see to it Todd's successes. He had his own life, his own set of problems too. Not to mention the lodge that would actually do more for the kids. Not just Todd but all the other academically or emotionally damaged kids.

"Listen, Roy, I love the kids and I'll always be there for them one way or another but my focus is on the lodge for now." He said trying like hell to ignore the disappointed look on the man's face.

The man stood there going on the never ending issues in his life that could all be fixed by Zero helping Todd excel. Right. The best friends were at a loss for words and kept glancing at their watches until Roy gave up and left. Muttering to himself and teetering on his feet like he always did.

Pity for Roy and both his wife and his kid sunk Zero's good heart as he watched his retreating figure disappear with distance.

"He's got nothing going for him," Nick said "So he drinks and cheats on his wife then puts all his dreams and hopes in Todd. Don't make it your heartache man."

"I hear you" he answered trying to ignore the small pain across his chest for the small difference yet similarities between his and Todd's family "Let's hit the road," he said.

Nick grinned looking across the field "Not until you deal with your sexy little affair."

Jude sauntered toward him with a subtle sway to his hips "I knew you coached during the school year but I didn't realize you do summers too?"

He shrugged, his tone full of flirtiness, "You didn't ask."

"I told you I could use everything about you to work the PR angle, yet you continue to withhold information" he sashayed closer "I'm not into those kinds of secrets," he said tiptoeing slightly so they were eye to eye.

Zero's groin tightened and pulsed with the primal urge to take Jude right then, right there on the field. In front of a retreating Nick and the married couple at the far corner of the field who seemed to be in their version of PG foreplay.

He snaked a hand around Jude's neck with the intention to pull him in for a kiss but Jude pulled his head back and said smiling "Why don't we go somewhere we can be alone?"

"Oh babe sadly I can't I have to go home and shower first" he reached down to lie a peck on Jude's forehead "You can join me?"

"Actually I have a better idea" he stepped back "It's all in here" he held a piece of paper playfully turning it from side to side.

"What?" he tried to grab it, But Jude was quick to snatch it away from his reach teasingly.

"Are you coming, Jude?"

Gideon glanced over in time to see his ex-high school boyfriend and his husband leaning over a Jeep waiting for Jude.

"Coming!"

Gideon raised his eyebrow with an amused smirk ,"You can't just be coming with other people that aren't me."

Jude laughed, "I wouldn't dream of it, but I gotta hit it with them."

Zero was amused and his smile showed it, "Where are you going with my ex and his husband?"

Jude smiled, glancing around the field to make sure they didn't have an audience. After he was satisfied that they didn't have one he pulled the waistband of Gideon's shorts. Brown eyes fixed on dilated blue eyes and dropped the note in there. "Read it later, hotshot."

He was all sex appeal but in his beautiful honey brown eyes, Gideon saw a glimpse of something else.

Something more that made his breath catch and heart nearly stop in overflowing emotion.

Something that made him feel safe to make a trip to a familiar shop in town.

A/N: Do we ship it? Zero 'Gideon' and Jude that is.

A/N: Roy sounds absolutely disgusting but idk I feel pity for the man. I don't know if this happens to anyone else but I get soft. When I find out that a person is working hard to give their child a future. When I find out that said parent is shifty, shady with their own life choices (ie: Drinks too much, eats too much, etc ) I get sad. But when I find out that despite that - the parent still tries. I get soft again - soft enough to donate literal coins mami/papi. So Yea, writing Roy is a trip. Am I the only one?