'Boneshaker', Electric Treasure, S3E6
"You're glowing," said Lisa as Jude and she walked on the beach.
'I guess I have my answer,' he thought as he looked down at his mother. Her face was half shielded by a large, white brimmed hat.
He was in Miami, visiting Lisa. They were in Miami visiting Lisa. It had been a week since her text and months since he'd seen her.
"Honey, are you sure this is what you want?" She looked up at him, bright brown eyes questioning.
"Of course. I've always wanted this. Wanted him. You know that."
"Yeah, I know. You also always wanted the Devils. To be close to Oscar."
He took an exasperated breath. His mother hadn't ever really gone into detail about her marriage to Oscar. But, she'd always seemed to have a quiet anxiety.
"I like Zero, you know that. I know he loves you. But, you two together…let's just say, "The Drama!" she said theatrically. "You become 'that guy' at times…I'm not saying you haven't always planned…but, he or at least that place brings it to an eleven in you."
He couldn't argue. There was always a level of care and combat between them and whatever forces, internally or externally that were seemingly trying to take them down or come between them. Whether it had been Oscar or Gideon's fear. "Maybe that's just the Kinkade in me!" he replied dryly.
"Maybe…", she laughed. "I tell you when I met Oscar at that Miami club, all sweaty and ill-fitting white linen suit! I mean, he was just a different person…or maybe I wanted him to be…we had such a good time, he was a funny, New York guy, coming down here trying to make a name for himself…at times it was like a freakin' Miami Vice episode…"
He squinted against the hot sun as he looked at his mother. This might have been the first time in years that she'd actually talked about Oscar, positively or negatively. "He told me that you didn't want the big life that he was building?"
"No. I mean, I'm human. I grew up in this place. I wasn't some naïve little thing…I didn't mind the…atmosphere," she said twisting her full lips in a strangely similar way to how Gideon sometimes did. "I was and am hardly perfect. But, the things that he was willing to do, the lengths…I knew I didn't want that for myself or my kid."
Jude felt a slight wave of guilt. Gideon and Lionel were the only ones who knew the full extent of what he'd done for Oscar. Or the things since.
"That being said…," Lisa continued, seemingly shaking off the memories. "I haven't seen you this happy since, well the first time!" she admitted, looping her blue linen clad arm through his as they continued down the sand.
Later that evening, the three of them had dinner in Lisa's one bedroom condo. Afterward, visiting son or not, Lisa had a clothing store to run, so she gave both a quick kiss on the cheek and turned in for the night. She needed to get to Dark Beauty, first thing in the morning.~~~
They eventually headed to Stark, a club near their hotel. One of the many spots owned by Brandt Waxler. It was a crowded, loud and red-hot 12,600-square-foot nightclub, located in an old warehouse property that used to house an infamous strip club in downtown Miami.
Jude never had been, and never would be, one of the 'cool kids.' He was not the person invited to da' club. Gideon, on the other hand, most definitely was.
As they walked in, Jude marveled. It was a big, bright constantly gyrating machine with a lot of moving parts. It really was something to behold, stimulating the senses with high-flying theatrics, big-room EDM and topless dancers. It was Gideon's 'Out' party on steroids.
I've got my finger on the trigger
Waiting for the fire to spark…
Let me pull you into the dark
They headed to the bar, where Jude had his usual bourbon straight and Gideon a beer.
"Maybe we should borrow some of this!" Jude said as he gestured, "For the Playground!"
Gideon looked at him amused. "For all the scandals, Devils Nation and the League are pretty corporate. If you're tryna' get back in. I think even Kyle would agree no bare-breasted Devil Girls!"
Cos' everybody's got their secrets
Everybody's got something that makes them tick
So anytime you want
We'll get down to the bottom of it
Oh anytime, anytime
They rested up against the bar and let their eyes sweep. Jude spotted the likes of Kim Kardashian and Ricky Martin. This was the life of a celebrity. Gideon's life. The baller was a 30-million-dollar man, with endorsements and a string of exes and scandals in his past.
Jude had to remind himself to stop trying to manage every aspect of life.
Cos' this feeling's a tad too strong to fight…
Sometimes I slip from the light
If it's love, I don't want to be
"What are you thinkin'?" asked Gideon, taking a sip of his drink.
Caught up in a rush
I'm begging just to feel your touch…
Let's not overthink too much
Jude just shrugged.
Cos' everybody's got their demons
Everybody's got a dark side of the past
So give me all your problems…
"C'mere," he said and pulled Jude to him. It was as if they were kissing to the exact beats of the music, as blue and white lights swept across the club.
Cos' this feeling's a tad too strong to fight…
Sometimes I slip from the light
If it's love I don't want to be right
"Need some air?" asked Gideon, as they pulled back, but were still wrapped in each other "Let's go to the rooftop, maybe we can catch the sunrise."
If it's wrong, if it's wrong
I don't want to be right
If it's wrong, if it's wrong
I don't want to be waiting
For this moment to pass me by…
I don't want to be
The rooftop gave 360-degree views of downtown Miami. There were quite a few people relaxing with drinks as they huddled. Couples. Singles. Throuples. The music followed and became more of a white noise on the rooftop.
Move your body…
Build me up just to break me down
Move your body
Round and round
Build me up just to break me down
They found two ottomans and leaned into each other and continued their heated and enthusiastic play; rubs and licks to one another, as they clung.
Gideon pulled back and looked intently at Jude.
It was a bit unnerving. The mood had changed from body throbbing to something more serious.
Suddenly, he reached into his navy blazer and pulled out a small black box.
Jude's heart began to race in a way that it hadn't in a long time. "What's this?"
"It's a ring, stupid. I'm askin' you to marry me."
And as if on cue, the sun slowly begin to light up the sky. He opened and closed his mouth as he looked into those beautiful blue eyes. "Yeah. Yes, of course!" Jude then leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I've had it since Vegas…I told you I came back for you. But, you weren't ready for me."
He opened the box. It was the ring that he'd given Gideon. Tried to give Gideon. Not the same, but an exact replica. It was an intense and high-polished, men's wedding ring with a channel set of seven small diamonds. He looked at the other man. "You are the single, greatest thing that has ever happened to me," Jude said once more.
"You, too. Jude"~~~
They sat up in bed and leaned against the white pillows, their room service breakfast finished an hour ago, and sitting off to the side.
Jude still marveled at the ring. 'God, he had big hands,' he idly thought to himself, as the white gold fit perfectly on his right hand. "Confession. I still have your ring. In a drawer at home."
"Oh, yeah, I know," Gideon said as he absently rubbed his chest. "Lionel was quick to tell me that!"
Jude laughed in response. 'Go, Lionel.' "I think being engaged will make living apart the next few years a little easier. Although, I can't say I haven't enjoyed flying to Wisconsin for a quick fuck," Jude teased.
"We're not gonna' have to deal with that," assured Gideon.
"Why not?" he asked peering at the other man.
"Remember that info about Millie Mayron? Free agent scandal. You didn't use it. I didn't give it to Kendall. She may not have enough clout to keep the Devils in the League, but she has enough power to make sure that I'm not 'safe' or off limits from the Franchise Draft. When the Redwoods start building their roster… Adam Oberman listens to her. When the new season starts. I'll be back in L.A."
"What about your third ring. The team?"
"We're the best in the League right now. I will lead them to a Championship title. But, my loyalty is to you. To us. Basketball is a means to an end. I long ago proved I'm not a zero."~~~
"So, when's the wedding?" asked Lisa at lunch the next day, before they were to leave for L.A. and Milwaukee, in a couple of hours.
The two looked at each other. Neither had thought that far in advance.