Jude/Zero[Gideon] centric spin on 'Blow Out'~S2 E6
"This week is extremely important to me. I want you involved," intoned Oscar, as Jude and he walked into the Devils Playground.
"With Family Day? Of course." A slight smile formed on Jude's face. Finally…
"No, not that," he said, and gestured toward Raquel, who stood at the bar, pen in hand, working. "You'll work with Raquel on the Roast."
Jude looked at her, disappointed, which he quickly covered up.
"What do you need?" she asked, with cool professionalism.
"The governor's confirmed to attend. We need to run background checks on all Playground staff. Put together a list so Jude can run point."
"I'll get it to you today. What were you thinking for decor?"
"I've got that covered," Oscar said with an assured air.
"I was told to come see a man about a horse." Kyle Hart entered the club all southern and sass on display.
This was met with a look of approval from Oscar, followed by a look of dismissal to Jude and Raquel.
Jude quickly followed Raquel to the manager's office. When Oscar said to jump, it was always how a slightly awkward acknowledgment of their talk during the last time they were together at the Devils Playground, Jude left Raquel's office with an emailed list on his phone, of the employees of the club.
On his way out of the arena, he saw Zero strutting in his direction, who as usual had a self-satisfied and smug expression playing on his lips.
"We gotta' stop meeting like this."
"You're funny. What are you up to?" Jude asked casually.
He was dressed in his black, Devils practice uniform, and there was just a bit of residual sweat on his biceps. It glistened across his tattoo.
Fuck.
"I just finished witnessing a thing of beauty. Derek, the Roman Emperor, had a whiny, bitch tantrum."
"Really, why?" He moved in closer. He told himself it was to make sure that they weren't overheard, as usual the arena was full of people busily going about their workday.
"It's the trinity. Doesn't wanna' look like an asshole at this year's Roast, as far as he's concerned German Vega's gettin' revenge for Ahsha by having him get less play on the court, and finally his BFF Terrence, is no longer his boy! I'll admit, Jude. I wasn't always sure we could pull this coup off!" he said in a low murmur.
Jude couldn't help but smile. Zero was right. Yes, there was the issue of Olivia's blackmail of Derek and him, but she was dead, and Chase was in prison for it. It pretty much was a closed subject.
While he would rather work on 'Family Day' as opposed to the Roast, it still was a L.A. Devils' event that Oscar entrusted him with. He was operational in the arena and Zero was happy. Not bad for a kid who grew up in public housing in Miami.
"That's great to hear. Oscar's got me on the Roast, so I've got to head out, but I'll catch you later."
Zero flashed him one of his dazzling smiles, gave his arm a pat and light squeeze and proceeded to continue his strut through the halls of Devils Arena.
Jude watched him walk away until he turned a corner and was out of to Jude coming through numerous times in the last few months, Oscar had extended to Jude an invitation to sit in his owner's box. One time only, of course. It was Family Night and with Pete, Sloane and Ahsha being featured, PR dictated that the owner's son give off the aura of family values, such as they were, at least for the press.
He had to admit it was pretty sweet, he watched the play by play on HD monitors, there was expensive, chilled champagne and shrimp, salmon and lobster.
Oscar still wanted the Hollywood aura of Lionel, who acquiesced as things were seemingly going well with Pete. He listened to and watched the play by play from inside the Kinkade Kingdom as some called it. She was nothing if not a sarcastic woman of her word. She was front and center, bored stiff, but her Oscar nomination had not been unwarranted, she gave game face.
Jude, on the other hand, was truly invested in the game and its outcome. It was the Los Angeles Devils vs the Miami Fever. As a junior agent, Oscar's son, point person for Derek…and Zero.
The crowd was pumped and excited. In no small part due to it being Family Night and a stellar performance by the Devil Girls.
The announcers Jerry Domingo and Stephen Reynolds gave a play by play, that just added to the excitement. He could see; however, how resentful Derek was being excluded from so much of the ball. He wouldn't want to be German or Zero in the locker room at the end of the night.
"Two minutes left in the first quarter."
"Zero enters the front court. Passes it to Fahey. There's Derek."
"Not a lot of action tonight, Derek wide open."
"Pass goes by him, right back to Zero!"
"Zero shoots! Smooth! Another two. Devils 27, Miami 16.""Three minutes left before halftime. Jerry, I gotta tell you, looks like the Devils are running some new plays."
"Miami doesn't seem too happy with it."
"I'll tell you what! Neither does Derek."
"A lot of action tonight, a lot of movement."
"Zero, he's on the move. Slices through the lane, scores again!"
"Devils now at 55, 27 for Miami. "
~~~
"Here we are midway through the third quarter."
"Come on. A lot of pressure here."
"I did not expect things would go like they are and I gotta tell you, as surprised as I am the fans seem even more surprised."
"Derek's open. Zero back to Fahey."
" Pass, pass! Zero's got it, takes it to the hoop! "
"Zero taking full advantage, making it look easy."
"L.A. 68, Miami 60. What a game, what a game!"
~~~
"What an outstanding individual effort. Zero has been on fire tonight. Got that right."
"Zero getting two more points, bringing his team-high total to 22."
"And there's the final buzzer. The Devils win, 103 to 93."
~~~
It had been an amazing game between his hometown team and his TEAM. Zero had brought it, and he had brought Zero.
~~~
The day of the Roast, Jude came through the gleaming doors of the arena and caught sight of
Raquel. "Hey," he called out to her.
She clutched a leather binder, as she turned to face him.
"I saw the list of employees and noticed one name was missing. Yours."
Jude noted the look of uncomfortableness that crossed her features. "I guess I was so focused
on everyone else…"
"It's fine. I'll have you added."
They both began to walk away, but she once again turned to Jude.
"Actually, it wasn't entirely a mistake. So embarrassing, I just, I have a ton of parking tickets
and I could risk the embarrassment but if I get pulled from the party over it, the Roast would fall apart. Oscar wouldn't like that very much." She emphasized that last sentence.
"I don't want to give him the headache." He didn't want to admit it, but he did not want to displease Oscar either. He wanted the Roast to go off perfectly, and Oscar to be pleased. Besides, it was Raquel Saldana, Patron Saint of Good Girls of Devils Nation. What could she possibly have to hide? "I think we can leave your name off."
"Thank you," she said flashing him a grateful smile.
Later that night, at the Roast, both were outside the Devils Playground, smiling, greeting and welcoming everyone. They made a nice team, Jude thought idly as he briefly looked across at Raquel as she greeted Sloane.
As the Roast progressed, Jude alternated between being seated next to Oscar and doing a circuit just to keep a watchful eye, along with Raquel and Kyle, on the proceedings.
The place looked like a Roman orgy had had a baby with a pimp's penthouse. He had to admit Kyle had a flair for this sort of thing.
"It's going great," said Raquel who walked and stood next to him as he leaned against the bar. "Thanks for covering me with that ticket thing."
"No problem."
"You're really nothing like your dad," she said easily.
"What do you know about Oscar?" He said suddenly suspicious. There were rumors. Of course, there were. He was a rich, successful multi-millionaire, who at times could be ruthless. Most of it was just haters and jealousy. Well, at least some of it. Who was he kidding, he knew most of it was true. But, still, Oscar was his father. Jude was a Kinkade. He wasn't going to let anyone talk shit about his father.
"Oh, nothing. I was just...I really don't know why I said that." She laughed nervously.
"Okay." He then walked away, finding his place next to Oscar.
Just as the comedienne, Sommore continued…" I mean, y'all seen him out there
applauding for Terrence and Zero. I see you back there laughing."
Jude saw Zero walk into the Roast, a look of amusement crossed his handsome face as he took in Kyle's over the top décor, he then greeted those around him, and for some reason, that Jude couldn't fathom he positioned himself almost center front of the room and laughed a little louder than maybe he should have.
All night Derek had been seething, more than most when it came to being roasted.
"After last night, the Devils are thinking about renaming the Roman Emperor the Billion-Dollar BJ. I mean, he never handled any balls. He just got paid a lot to suck."
"You wanna' laugh, go ahead." Derek ran up to Zero, angry, threatening. "Laugh now."
Shit, thought Jude. The last thing he needed was for Zero and Derek, the two ballers he was assigned to babysit, going at it in public.
"Matt 5:22. Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Zero's condescension was on full display.
"Shut your mouth," Derek said with barely disguised disgust. Obviously, Derek was someone who had never bought all of Zero's 'hallelujahs.'
Jude felt himself going into panic mode. What the hell was Zero doing? It was all about passive manipulation, not aggressive confrontation if their plan were to work.
Like a stern father, Terrence jumped in between them. "That's enough!"
"I've had enough of you backing everyone else, but me!" Derek retorted.
"I'm backing people helping me win."
"He's not here to help. He's here to help himself!"
"You've been staring at that chair all night. Whatever your deal is with your mother, you need to grow up! And stop taking it out on everybody else."
This pushed a red button in Derek, and he shoved the other man. Terrence shoved harder, sending Derek falling.
Jude immediately got up and came closer. Everyone in the club looked on in horror, shock and/or fascination.
"Derek!" exclaimed Ahsha.
"Look, I'm leaving. Are you coming or staying?" Ahsha silently followed Derek out of the Devils Playground.
Jude caught Zero's attention and gave him a WTF?.
Zero simply responded with a shrug and slight smirk.
'Damnit.'