𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋: 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 ✔️

Chapter 23

"Here, you should have some with what we're about to see."  The barista who also happened to be Zero's high school love gestured to the field for Jude to see young men in shorts and sweaty shirts doing laps.

"I'm sure we're not here to fish for jailbait" he muttered, gesturing with a nod to the high school aged sportsmen and took a hefty sip of the fruity wine.

"No, we're here to watch the coaches" the barista clarified his gaze drifting at the corner side of the field were three men stood comparing notes. Zero wore a navy blue t-shirt and shorts.

Jude's heart leapt at the sight of him reminiscent of his high school days when he'd go to watch football games. Ha! As if. Him and Sophie once gave his Uncle a headache with the way they used to be so boy crazy.

He had to focus on maintaining composure and noticed there was also Nick and another man in a dark green t-shirt. "Your husband?" he asked.

"One and only isn't he so hot?" the barista laughed already on his second red cup.

"This is so high school" Jude laughed and the barista nodded then whistled loudly making the three heads to whip toward them then he waved.

Forced to acknowledge Zero and Nick and the other coaches Jude raised his hand and followed suit. Then he took a long sip of his wine and threw on his aviators since he was here guy watching he figured he might as well enjoy it.

Zero urged the kids to work out, he kept pace along with them and every so often he'd pause and glance up at the publicist.

Though Jude couldn't see him closely, he still sensed the athlete's stare and couldn't mistake the yearning in his expression. The desire was equally at work inside him how could it not?

Seeing Zero in his sexy soaked cut off shirt and shorts, hair mused from sweat and hard work did things to him. So many things that his breath hitched from the tingle on his skin to the beat in his heart.

Jude noticed that Zero seemed to keep up with the kids but he seemed to have a stronger bond with one of the kids...Todd possibly?

He worked the kid hard and rewarded him with encouraging words, reprimands for avoidable mistake and shoulder slapping for jobs well done. The athlete definitely felt a kinship to the kids. 'If he could feel this kind of affection for other people's kids', Jude found himself fantasizing on how much of a fantastic father Gideon would make.

The sound of Zero's whistle startled him and brought him out of his musings. The guys gathered around Gideon and Jude checked his watch surprised to see that a full hour had passed. Beside him, the barista stood and collected his things. "Where to?"

"Just off to tell my husband that I'm walking home to see if he takes the bait. We had a lover's spat this morning." The barista smiled mischievously.

"Sounds like a plan." Jude nodded amused.

"You?"

Jude didn't answer, too busy thinking to himself how he wanted to go home and check his emails needing to hear about the steps to his plan for getting his client out of the general public again.

The barista rolled his eyes "Don't tell me I just plied you with alcohol, let you watch your sexy as fuck boyfriend and yet all you can think about is work?" he nudged Jude in the ribs with his elbow "Surely you can think of better ways to spend the evening with him?"

Jude closed his eyes and let his imagination flow.

What would he want to do if nothing stood in the way? Go on a date with Zero? Under the stars and moon in a place where no one would bother them. Not his parents, not his uncle, not the pets and definitely not the schemers.

But they weren't even together like that!

Jude opened his eyes and dug into his pockets taking out a piece of paper from a piece of gum, scribbled on it then folded it in half "Do you think you and your husband can give me a ride to the lodge?"

The barista sighed "So you learned nothing this past hour huh. Still determined to work?"

Yes. Jude was definitely being judged

Jude folded the paper in half yet again "One thing about me I'm a quick study" he glanced at his new friend "Watch and learn."

He rose and adjusted his easy breezy fit of Tommy Hilfiger's summer apparel. Ran a hand through his tousled hair then popped the piece of gum into his mouth and walked toward the bleachers to his unsuspecting target.

Zero and Nick dismissed the guys from the huddle they were a select group of talented high school kids. With different backgrounds, different personalities and most definitely different motivation kinks. Him and his business partner and friends had been asked to coach for the summer. Before the season started again in the fall.

Like his best friend, Nick enjoyed chances to hone kids skills but he admittedly couldn't compare to Zero even on a day like this, when he'd been distracted by his long time love interest.

Zero knew he'd been distracted too but he was determined to have restraint and focus on the players...at least until after work. "Hey, Todd."

"Yes, coach" the kid ran over.

"Good practice today."

"Thanks" he glanced down and kicked his feet at the dirt.

"How's the summer going?"

"Not bad considering that I have to mown lawns and work with the tutor instead of hanging with the squad."

Zero laughed "I'm sure you're finding some time for your squad."

Todd looked up and grinned "Yea, it's not as much as before but yea. I manage to."

"Whenever you get frustrated just remember the goal. An education is fail-safe. Just look at me had I blown my knee out in the first season I'd be out of luck."

Todd glanced up at him trust and hero worship in the kid's gaze. Zero wasn't comfortable with either but hell if he kept the kid motivated who cared if he thought Zero was a saint?

"I hear ya coach."

On impulse, Gideon reached out and ruffled the kid's hair.

"Yo Todd, you comin'?" one of his friends called.

Zero inclined his head "Better get going now."

"Yes. Uh, Coach?"

Zero raised an eyebrow "What's up?"

"Thanks," Todd said then turned to run to his group of friends.

Zero turned to Nick "Man does that boy have talent."

Nick nodded "And he's a damn hard worker too the only drawback to the kid is his__"

"HEY NOW!" a loud voice interrupted them "I heard today was practice day and I thought I'd pass by and see how my boy's doing" Roy strode up to both men who just stared back at him.

"Talk of the devil and he appears" Nick laughed .

"The kid just left" Zero pointed to the parking lot.

Roy shuffled drunkenly from foot to foot advancing closer to both men.

a/n: Vote, comment, follow so you don't miss a thing.