As a celebrity of sorts, Gideon was used to the spotlight, used to the stares, glares and whispers behind his back and some even blatantly said to his face. So when he walked into his parents' house and conversation stopped he'd had his first inkling they'd be trouble tonight.

And he didn't think the gorgeous brunet guy on his arm had caused this stunned silence. Who would have thought a black suit could appear so sexy, seductive and just...his arm was tugged which broke him from his daydream "You ok?"

"Uhm yea," he said as he swiped sweat off his brow and focused on the company in the room.

Their entry complete, the guests of his parents and board of trustees went back to conversation amongst themselves again. And just his luck his mother began to make a direct line toward them.

"We're going to mingle" he assured Jude as he made for a turn in the opposite direction from Esther.

Unfortunately, she was a woman on a mission "Oh Gideon." She waved giving him no option but wait for her to accost them.

With a fake smile plastered on her face and a hushed tone once she reached them, "You knew the party was today how could you allow such a personal interview to come out today of all days?"

"Hello, Mrs. Bennett" Jude extended his hand out but Esther didn't take it instead she motioned with a regal tilt of her head "To the study now. Please."

They entered the study and Esther closed the door politely but her squared shoulders and heavy breathing spoke of another story completely. She appraised Gideon with her gaze raking the length of his European suit "Just what is all over you?" she asked brushing at the lapels with her hands.

Gideon glanced down "Hair" he muttered, with a deep, hard voice.

"Cat hair" Jude added with a cheery smile. His stray cat had decided Zero's room was best.

"Well, you could've made sure you were lint-free before you came here we have important guests." His mother reminded him. As if he didn't know, as if he cared.

Despite not being thrilled about the animals in his home he had to admit he didn't mind riling his mother a bit more and he shot Jude an amused glance, his coconspirator grinned sweetly. At the same time, Zero realized his black suit was lint-free "How'd you manage to keep clean?"

"Scotch tape. But you were in such a rush to leave I didn't get the chance to show you the trick." Jude replied.

Zero's rush hadn't been to get to the party but rather to get there and leave early so he could get back to his home and focus on Jude's -in biblical terms- Jude's temple. Even though Jude hadn't yet been willing to go all the way yet sexually speaking.

Esther cleared her throat "I'm still here."

When they both looked to her she appraised both of them with her glance and folded her hands together. Over her beige linen Vince Mulato suit jacket. "You both lied to me, Jude Reynolds isn't an old friend of yours" she uncrossed them switching on the TV "He's your publicist."

On the screen was a reporter standing in the hallways of his old high school where he remembered his old and grey teacher always stood watching out for delinquents. The American flag waving in the background a reporter continued to speak into the mic "Gideon Bennet famously known to the world as Zero is our shining star but he struggled mightily here" with the flare for the dramatic all reporters seem to possess the reporter gestured with her hand to the halls and finished "You heard the faculties' recollection for yourselves, school records don't lie. The retired athlete wants to open his lodge so he can help kids with similar problems..."

Esther flipped off the TV and stood to stare at them both.

Zero's stomach churned at having disappointed her again. Coming up short of her estimation until he reminded himself that he wasn't Zero the failing kid with all zeros on his tests anymore.

He was an accomplished adult without many scandals. Yet now with this news, he imagined media outlets having a field day with memes stereotyping athletes as meatheads, dumb jocks etc. he imagined this revelation discouraging young players and their parents alike.

For personal reasons, he'd never once talked about this in any of his interviews and now...he looked at the source.

Jude!

How had he even found out?

Jude stood beside him tapping his nervous fingers on his pockets.

He turned back to his mother "I don't see the problem?" before she could answer the door opened and Gideon's father walked inside. "The guests are beginning to wonder if anything is amiss?" he asked his wife ignoring both his son and date.

"Hello, dad."

His father inclined his head "I hope you're prepared to address the issue you stirred today." He wasn't suggesting, no, his father was expecting this of his son. This wasn't new to Gideon his father had been disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated again by his own flesh and blood.

Gideon hid his agony "I'd like you to meet Jude Reynolds he's my publicist. Jude. Phillip, my dad."

"Professor Phillip Bennett, twenty twenty one's Nobel Prize Winner in literature." His father said as he extended his hand to whom he could tell was his son's date. The man had always known what his son liked his companions to be. And if it were another time he would've talked to the young boy but they were more pressing issues at the time.

"A pleasure, Professor." Flashing his charming white pearls the publicist took his client's dad's hand "I'd be happy to answer any questions about the news piece, though frankly, I thought they did a spectacular job at portraying Gideon as both a star and a philanthropist. I've already received word of other networks wanting to sustain reservations from his lodge already."

"Other networks?" Phillip asked, his jaw sagging "That's...that's...you don't say." Obviously unhappy he turned as pale as the beige shirt he was wearing and for the first time in recent memory Zero saw his dad speechless and he had Jude to thank for that.

Esther crossed the room going by her husband's side and ran a comforting hand down his spine. They turned to leave but Phillip glanced back over his shoulder "Gideon steer off that horrifying interview and talk of your lodge. I'm certain board members will overlook your academic background in favour of your other skills."

Gideon didn't miss the irony, these other skills in question were never looked at in positive light by his parents growing up. In fact, they ridiculed him for those set of skills and now they wanted him to use that card so it could mantain their social standing.

"I'm not taking the job."

His parents gave him a look as they strode out the door heads together, plotting which person deserved their attention next perhaps not having had heard him.

He shook his head and groaned.

Beside him, Jude wondered out loud "How can they not see you? Your talent? your drive? your altruism?..." the publicist could have gone on and on but he stopped when he glanced at the athlete who was sweetly grinning at him.

They'd driven home in silence that night then parted ways at Jude's bedroom door.

Zero didn't know what to do with himself so he drew a breath and knocked on his guest's door. His hands were shaking, after the knock and at the sound of shuffling feet on the other side of the closed-door Zero wasn't as confident now that his pride was on the line.

The door swung open and he stood facing a beautiful face.

Zero was kind of physically exposed but even more so he felt emotionally stripped as well in front of Jude.

But he hadn't come this far, this late to turn back now.