Summary: Companion piece to "Free Agent" S5E6 [Chapter 6] 'Lend Me Your Love.' Zero [Gideon] POV.
Gideon prepares to spend the weekend with Jude, for the first time, at the house he originally bought for the two of them.
Gideon lay in bed with nothing on but a sheen of sweat. He couldn't sleep. In a few hours he'd be on his private plane on his way to L.A for the weekend. To Jude. It was past midnight, and he'd just crawled into bed after a celebration at his teammate, Chris O'Keefe's. The Milwaukee Forward were on a streak. Fourteen games in a row. He was still buzzed from the excitement of the win, the high of the party and the need to see his man.
It was unseasonably warm for Wisconsin this time of year, so the black silk sheets swept the floor, while he had the balcony open, as opposed to the a/c pumping. He wasn't quite sure why. There was an intermittent breeze that swept over him, and it sent a slight ripple from his chest to his groin, which made him think about Jude even more. About fucking him. His abrasive, yet manicured hands made their way to his cock; it was quick and easy as he finished with a groan.
Afterward, before he drifted off, he texted the other man, "It's yours."
A moment later he received, "I want it."
~~~
The next morning, after a quick business meeting with his new endorsement deal, Fareas, where they discussed the details of the ad campaign for their most recent scent…some kinda' 'fresh mint' shit…honestly Gideon didn't really know if he wanted to smell like a stick of spearmint gum…he liked his familiar and expensive musk cologne. But, they were payin' him big bucks and he had to admit there was something to be said for having a creative outlet that wasn't on the court or in the bedroom.
He then met with Alex, his personal trainer, before his driver, Clark, picked him up to take him to the airstrip. Clark took his black Tom Ford duffle.
He then plopped into the backseat and looked at the last text from Jude, 'Whole milk and Rice Krispies acquired. I love you.'
He smiled. "I love you, too" he texted back.
"So, how's it goin', Zero? I saw the game. That championship is ours!"
"I think you just might be right!" he replied. No point in being modest.
He and the older man were friendly, if not friends. Gideon was still not someone who easily opened up or made friends. But, he admitted to himself that it was easier now that he was out. Again. Clark had been his driver ever since he'd moved to Milwaukee, and they had an easy-going relationship. Plus, he was fucking discreet. Whether when he'd first arrived in town and was finding his footing on the team or trying to get over Jude, while getting under a Matt, a Tess or a Taylour Carter…
He still loved women. He still thought other men were hot. But he was in love with Jude and that was all the man he needed. The only person he needed.
Christ. He was lucky that he'd been able to get him back. At least partly. But, Noah fucking Ali was still in the goddamn picture. This dude was not just some guy, he was the rebound. Sometimes those stuck. He had to manage it carefully because he knew that he'd fucked up and hurt Jude by becoming a coward after everything that he'd promised.
Gideon also knew that he couldn't pull the same shit that he'd tried in the past and try to extort a relationship from Jude. But, he wanted and needed that reporter gone. He didn't wanna continue to share.
He was nervous though. It had been a whole nine days since he'd seen Jude last, in his large Northpoint apartment house. Finally, he was going back to the house. A house that had never had any good memories. But, he really wanted to be there. He hadn't said it aloud, but he knew Jude could sense it. But, he'd learned to dial back the aggressive pursuit and let Jude, mostly, lead the way...~~~
"I think you should come!" panted Jude.
"I'm pretty sure I just did!" Gideon said with a laugh. He was still inside Jude, his chest pressed against Jude's back; both breathing hard and drenched in sweat.
"No. The house."
They were in Gideon's bathroom and up against the sink, their reflections cast from the large, black rectangular mirror over it. Jude looked at him, with those familiar wide, trusting eyes, tinged with desire.
"Seems kinda' silly to always meet at your hotel. Don't you think?"
"Yeah. I think," he said with a grin and another small laugh. He wasn't going to pretend that he wasn't happy about it. "But, what about…"
"Don't. Don't say his name…"
Gideon could see a flicker of guilt pass across those beautiful features and just as quickly it was gone. He smiled at that. It was only a matter of time before Noah was history. He suspected it would be messy. He'd be there to clean it up.~~~
"We're here," announced Clark, bringing the car to a stop.
'Almost,' thought Zero.