tennis slash - Smart People (21) - complete
Title: Smart People (21) - Complete
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Andy Roddick
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: Roddick involves Rafa in his next plan for Richie, leading to Rafa shacking up in Andy’s room; Marin assists Novak in a project.
Author’s Note: I have a few deleted/extra scenes as well which I'll post in a few days but otherwise this is it. Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed the ride.
Chapter 21 - Home Sweet Home
Rafael opens the main door of the suite, definitely startled to have Roddick staring at his feet and otherwise acting nervous as he immediately asks, “Can you do me a favor?”
“That depends. Are you pranking someone?”
Roddick gives a wry grin then says sheepishly, “No. It’s nothing major. This is going to sound so stupid.” Rafael folds his arms across his chest, acting a bit intimidating just to raise Roddick’s anxiety level. Finally, Roddick admits, “See, Richie and I have this game called One Up. Basically, the person whose turn it is sets the terms for the evening. It’s my turn and this doesn’t require much from you. I want to spend the night in his room.”
Rafael waits for Roddick to continue. When the RA doesn’t seem to be grappling for any more words, Rafael raises an eyebrow and asks, “That’s it?”
“Likely I’ll fall asleep before he even gets home.”
“I suppose.” Rafael steps aside to let Roddick in the suite, then they head toward Rafael’s room. “I have to admit that when you used the word ‘favor’ and mentioned Richie, I thought this was going to turn into something freaky. But all you want is to sleep in his bed? I mean it’s weird but not the type of weird I was picturing.”
Roddick finally relaxes, allowing a chuckle to escape. “He totally would lead you to believe all there is involves strange sexual stuff.”
“But some of the stories are true.”
“Of course,” Roddick says rather proudly.
Rafael decides he’s going to utilize this rare moment alone with Roddick for information. “What about the scissors incident?”
“Sadly, yes. Let’s just say if he ever chose to be a doctor, he could wield them like a pro.” Roddick shivers, it a sign to Rafael that in fact Richard told that particular story accurately. “He’s probably made me sound like a deviant.”
“Probably. You are welcome to offer a rebuttal.”
“Want some dirt?”
“Yes, please.” Rafael bounces over to his bed, sits down and stares up at Roddick as if eagerly anticipating story time.
Roddick chuckles, then casually walks over to the other bed as he debates exactly what type of tale he should tell. He looks over at the collage on Richard’s desk and remembers the last time he was in this room. After much internal debate, he opts to go a different direction. “I have this friend Mardy, who I see about twice a month. Though Richie and I were keeping what we had a secret, eventually Mardy figured out there was a regular guy I was hooking up with and then got rather insistent about meeting him. Richie would make excuses to avoid the encounter until I made sure he could no longer talk his way out of it. So we’re in the cafeteria when Mardy blurts out that he knows why we’d been in hiding. He says that of course Richie should be embarrassed to admit wanting to hang around an idiot like me, regaling him with increasingly poor decisions I’d made in the past. Then says that I’m dating someone out of my league so I’d better do what I can to keep this one.”
Rafael scrunches up his nose, then interjects, “He’s out of your league? I was thinking Richie would that about you.”
Roddick glances back at the bulletin board, then admits, “I realize he feels that way now, but didn’t know it then. What I do know is that Richie doesn’t really say anything as Mardy is telling these stories. His silence is making me anxious so I finally ask for his opinion. He hesitates while figuring out an answer, then grabs my hand and looks into my eyes as he says that Mardy is right about me being the lucky one and he’s willing to prove it by any means necessary. Mardy gives this loud whistle, interpreting the comment as something sleazy because of the tone Richie used while saying that. But I notice something off about that version of the comment and Richie breaks away before I really get the full picture. It wasn’t until later that I realize that was our first public display of affection.”
“Wow!” Rafael shakes his head but he’s got a huge smile at that information. “Yeah, he would never tell that story. Well done. Okay, here’s my condition. Once I fall asleep on this bed, that’s your signal to move the party elsewhere if there’s anything more than sleep. I don’t mind leaving but do not wake me because you’re frisky.”
“It should be sleep but who the hell knows if Richie would be able to resist such temptation…”
“Forget it. I’ll just sleep elsewhere now and save myself the aggravation.”
* * * * *
Rafael knocks on the door to Novak and Andy’s room. Andy yells from inside, “Enter,” but Rafael has already barged in without even hearing him. “What has you over here?” though he’s focused on his laptop and doesn’t really care about the answer.
“Roddick is in my room.”
“Really? Are they planning…”
“Richie isn’t home and probably has no clue about any of this. Where’s Novak?”
“He and Ernie are doing some radio show thing related to that cleanup project this weekend, then going to a party.”
“The what?”
Andy gives a shrug. “I just know what I have to do tomorrow.”
“I’m sure he’s asked me, probably even agreed since I have nothing better to do.” Rafael sits down next to Andy on the bed to see what’s captured his attention. Andy is playing online poker while trash talking his brother in the chat room. “Who’s winning?”
“I’m up forty. Jamie had a bad beat. He was holding an ace-high flush on the turn and convinced his opponent to go all-in with kings and queens. Unfortunately, the guy hit a queen on the river for a full house. Luckily, he had only lost half his stack since he easily covered his opponent.”
Rafael gives a snort, always finding it amusing when Andy’s competitive streak doesn’t have him directly in the line of fire. “No matter how you make it sound, I’m not getting involved in gambling. That may be normal in your family but it would break my mother’s heart. Are you in a tournament?”
“No.”
“In that case,” Rafael moves behind Andy and snuggles up against him. “I’m taking advantage of Novak being gone.”
Andy does smile at that remark but still presses the button to make the bet. “I get that you’re frisky but this guy needs to be taken down. He’s ahead due to dumb luck.”
“You’re the one who’s dumb because you should be getting lucky. If Novak or Richie find out you turned me down, they’d rightfully slap you upside the head.” Andy ignores him, causing Rafael to shake his head in disbelief. “Maybe we can both get what we want. For each pot you win, one of us loses an article of clothing.”
That causes Andy to finally look at him. “Are you serious?” The beep sound from the computer prods Andy that it’s his turn. “Sorry. I’m in a hand right now. Got a pair of jacks so better raise. But, okay, I agree to that.” Rafael notices Andy putting in a bet and the other player folds. “Just in time, too.”
Rafael peels off his sweater then returns to his position. Andy laughs then says, “You don’t want me to see you?”
“You don’t need to see me. Better for you to feel me,” then wraps his arms around Andy and sneaks a hand under his shirt. Rafael hears a hitch in Andy’s breathing as he leans back into the touch.
“Such a brat,” Andy mutters.
“Yeah but you love me anyway,” then plants a kiss on Andy’s shoulder and stays in that position to watch the game unfold.
A few hands pass that Andy cannot get involved in but Jamie manages to win some of his money back, which resumes the trash talk. Andy rightfully points out to Jamie that he’s still behind and he’s not going to hang around much longer to enable this pettiness. Jamie snaps that clearly Andy is distracted from the goal.
Andy says aloud, “Well, he’s right but not the way he means.” He looks at the other window open on the screen and smiles. “Everyone folded to the big blind. Won the hand without doing a thing.”
Rafael lets go, allowing Andy to move. Andy looks from Rafael then down at his own attire and frowns slightly before sliding off his sweatpants, leaving him in a thin t-shirt and boxers whereas Rafael still has on a dress shirt, jeans, sneakers and otherwise still looks ready to join the others at the party. Andy turns quickly to the screen and types in to Jamie that he’s leaving, then closes the window with the poker table and checks his balance before shutting his laptop.
Rafael is amused by how quickly Andy did all of that, then says innocently, “Your priorities have changed?”
“You’d be correct,” then sets the laptop on his desk and surprises Rafael by pushing him backward. Rafael lies down, continuing to tempt with his hair falling out of place. Andy looks at the undone top two buttons of the shirt and the casualness of the pose, finally realizing that he is the lucky one. He tries to keep his cool as he calmly explains, “The thing is that you’re distracting, which would make it paradoxically tougher for me to win hands and therefore keeping away from the mission. So I’m speeding up the process of getting you out of your clothes.”
Even though Andy sounds convincing, he doesn’t actually make a move to act. When Rafael realizes this, he sits up and takes hold of one of Andy’s hands. Rafael asks solemnly, “Are you sure?” Although he already can read in Andy’s eyes that the answer is no, he needs to hear the words.
“I really want this. You have no idea. It’s never been this way… with someone who cares… and it’s been so long since it’s been any way with any body.” Andy shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. “I’m just thinking too much again.”
“Probably, but this is a big deal and there’s no need to rush. In the meantime, you were talking about me wearing fewer clothes. This can be done right now,” Rafael starts unbuttoning the dress shirt, then continues, “because there’s no way I’m sleeping in this. If you want me to move to Novak’s bed, I can…”
Rafael is interrupted by Andy’s mouth on his, a strong hand cupping his cheek while the kiss itself wants him to stay right where he is. This he can do.
* * * * *
Marin is sitting on a bench in the union, finishing a late dinner while studying, when he’s suddenly yanked out of calm by Novak, who says, “Gather your stuff. You have plans tonight.” No sooner does Marin have his textbook back in the backpack when Novak grabs his hand and hurries toward the stairs while balancing two large black binders and a duffel bag. Marin tries to ask, “What are you doing?” but isn’t sure if he can be heard.
They’re at a door covered in bumper stickers and posters before Novak finally explains. “I have a half hour slot at the radio station, ostensibly for promoting cleaning up the lake…”
Marin interjects, “You need thirty minutes to explain that?” He remembers Ernie describing the project in about three sentences. Okay, so Ernie’s version was a bit more sarcastic than necessary, but Marin got the gist and it sounded good enough that he did quite a bit of research about the environmental science curriculum. He did need a plan if he didn’t go pre-med and this sounded better, still in the sciences without dealing with hospital and patients.
“Well, no. It’s between songs. Ivo is a fellow political science major who has a show primarily playing European rap music and has agreed to do this interview for me but he also wants to keep it lively. Ernie was supposed to help but he’s doing a favor for his English professor so he’ll up his grade. He was supposed to play, essentially, my straight man.” Marin raises his hand, about to protest, when Novak waves him off. “I know but even if you freeze up, Ivo and I can make it work. You can torture me… channel that energy. Pretend I’m Ernie...”
Novak can be quite persuasive when he wants to be. As they set up in the booth, Marin reads over the original script. It actually sounds like fun and Marin can see how Ernie was convinced to help… well, beyond the whole hooking up afterwards part, which he’s sure Novak dangled like candy in front of Ernie. The project itself sounds even more fascinating.
Near the end of the script, there are crossed out passages and assorted notes in Novak’s handwriting, most scratched out as well. Marin asks, “What’s supposed to happen here?”
Novak had been reading over his fact cards but glances over at the page in question. “Oh yeah. As an incentive to get people to show up tomorrow, I was going to subject Ernie to something stupid which would generate more of a crowd. I was hoping something would pop in my head on the air.”
Marin declares, “Ernie put off that assignment to the last minute. He should pay for screwing up in his class and thereby deserting you.” A smile creeps on Marin’s face as an idea forms in his head. Andy found the loophole when it came to Marin’s bet with Dinara and now Marin could see a way to lose while winning.
“How do you propose we do that?” Novak leans in close, suspecting he’s going to enjoy this plan.
“Instead of me pretending you’re Ernie, you pretend I’m Ernie and convince him to do something humiliating. Something that I’d owe you five bucks for.”
That’s how Marin lost the bet regarding Novak convincing him to wear a dress without having to actually wear the dress. The five bucks would be worth it just to see Ernie at the lake dressed like that.
* * * * *
Richard enters his room and sees the lights off as if nobody is home. “The door was unlocked but…” He turns around then looks out into the main room, noting a faint light. “Hmm, Andy’s home. Maybe Rafa is actually hanging out in there for a change. Rafa wouldn’t leave the room unlocked if he’d left for that party with Ernie and Novak, or whatever they’re doing together.” He flips the switch and is stunned to find that it’s his own bed that’s occupied. “Hello?” He walks closer, seeing the blond hair sticking out, and sits down on the floor next to his bed. Richard stays there just to watch for a few minutes then says mostly to himself, “Andy Roddick. You’re such a romantic.”
Roddick opens his eyes and gives a lazy grin, his voice sleepy when he says, “Come join me under the blanket. It’s so lonely without you here.”
“You didn’t have to do this,” Richard says as he slips off his sneakers and does as told.
Roddick props himself up, half leaning on the wall as he pushes Richard down on his back then sweeps hair away from Richard’s forehead, seeing how worn-down he looks. Prior to Rafael leaving the room, he did comment on how he’ll probably get a good night’s sleep for once because he won’t have to deal with Richard working at odd hours throughout the night. “Yes, I did. You haven’t been sleeping well lately and it’s connected to a certain meeting you had today, even if you say otherwise. How’d it go?”
“Henman had Professor Moya sit in on the initial questioning. I suppose it could have been worse; he could have picked Rios instead. It was strange getting questions about things that happened when I was sixteen. Seems so long ago.”
“Was it rough?”
Richard gives a shrug though Roddick senses the long silence is enough of an answer. When Richard finally does speak, he’s struggling to hold back a smile as he explains, “Afterwards, I’m leaving the room and who should I see but Federer, who tries to give me his most intimidating look. It’s his only power since he’s still under orders not to speak to me. Henman and Moya exit the office and spot the face-off, then Federer’s face drops because it is at that very moment he realizes how screwed he really is. Wish I had a snapshot of that. You would’ve loved to have seen it.”
Roddick looks down at Richard and smiles brightly. “The look on your face as you tell me about it will have to suffice,” then Roddick leans down to kiss Richard’s cheek before returning his head to the pillow, resting his hand on Richard’s chest. “You do look tired, though. I really am here just for sleep.”
Richard says playfully, “You don’t have the willpower to just sleep when we’re sharing a bed but that’s okay.”
“I’ll have you know that I am capable of keeping my hands to myself.”
Richard looks down at the hand which immediately contradicts that statement, which cracks Roddick up. “There’s a first time for everything.”
“Sleep first. You can wake me in a few hours.”
Just when Roddick thinks he’ll actually do as told, there’s a sound that perks Richard up. He strains to make out the words, then shakes his head as he’s laughing, muttering, “He totally would.”
“Huh? What the hell is so…” Richard covers his mouth, allowing Roddick to hear. When the sound gets louder and Roddick realizes what’s going on, he has to agree it’s too funny to hear someone calling out his own name when he’s not directly involved.
Richard lets go of Roddick, then says, “There’s a ninety percent chance that Rafa is doing that because they heard me arrive and Andy is enacting long-overdue payback for the stall incident, because he so would. It’s that other ten percent, where I’m hoping it’s genuine and Andy’s finally getting some, that’s keeping me from knocking on that door. They’re such idiots for each other.”
end
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Andy Roddick
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: Roddick involves Rafa in his next plan for Richie, leading to Rafa shacking up in Andy’s room; Marin assists Novak in a project.
Author’s Note: I have a few deleted/extra scenes as well which I'll post in a few days but otherwise this is it. Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed the ride.
Chapter 21 - Home Sweet Home
Rafael opens the main door of the suite, definitely startled to have Roddick staring at his feet and otherwise acting nervous as he immediately asks, “Can you do me a favor?”
“That depends. Are you pranking someone?”
Roddick gives a wry grin then says sheepishly, “No. It’s nothing major. This is going to sound so stupid.” Rafael folds his arms across his chest, acting a bit intimidating just to raise Roddick’s anxiety level. Finally, Roddick admits, “See, Richie and I have this game called One Up. Basically, the person whose turn it is sets the terms for the evening. It’s my turn and this doesn’t require much from you. I want to spend the night in his room.”
Rafael waits for Roddick to continue. When the RA doesn’t seem to be grappling for any more words, Rafael raises an eyebrow and asks, “That’s it?”
“Likely I’ll fall asleep before he even gets home.”
“I suppose.” Rafael steps aside to let Roddick in the suite, then they head toward Rafael’s room. “I have to admit that when you used the word ‘favor’ and mentioned Richie, I thought this was going to turn into something freaky. But all you want is to sleep in his bed? I mean it’s weird but not the type of weird I was picturing.”
Roddick finally relaxes, allowing a chuckle to escape. “He totally would lead you to believe all there is involves strange sexual stuff.”
“But some of the stories are true.”
“Of course,” Roddick says rather proudly.
Rafael decides he’s going to utilize this rare moment alone with Roddick for information. “What about the scissors incident?”
“Sadly, yes. Let’s just say if he ever chose to be a doctor, he could wield them like a pro.” Roddick shivers, it a sign to Rafael that in fact Richard told that particular story accurately. “He’s probably made me sound like a deviant.”
“Probably. You are welcome to offer a rebuttal.”
“Want some dirt?”
“Yes, please.” Rafael bounces over to his bed, sits down and stares up at Roddick as if eagerly anticipating story time.
Roddick chuckles, then casually walks over to the other bed as he debates exactly what type of tale he should tell. He looks over at the collage on Richard’s desk and remembers the last time he was in this room. After much internal debate, he opts to go a different direction. “I have this friend Mardy, who I see about twice a month. Though Richie and I were keeping what we had a secret, eventually Mardy figured out there was a regular guy I was hooking up with and then got rather insistent about meeting him. Richie would make excuses to avoid the encounter until I made sure he could no longer talk his way out of it. So we’re in the cafeteria when Mardy blurts out that he knows why we’d been in hiding. He says that of course Richie should be embarrassed to admit wanting to hang around an idiot like me, regaling him with increasingly poor decisions I’d made in the past. Then says that I’m dating someone out of my league so I’d better do what I can to keep this one.”
Rafael scrunches up his nose, then interjects, “He’s out of your league? I was thinking Richie would that about you.”
Roddick glances back at the bulletin board, then admits, “I realize he feels that way now, but didn’t know it then. What I do know is that Richie doesn’t really say anything as Mardy is telling these stories. His silence is making me anxious so I finally ask for his opinion. He hesitates while figuring out an answer, then grabs my hand and looks into my eyes as he says that Mardy is right about me being the lucky one and he’s willing to prove it by any means necessary. Mardy gives this loud whistle, interpreting the comment as something sleazy because of the tone Richie used while saying that. But I notice something off about that version of the comment and Richie breaks away before I really get the full picture. It wasn’t until later that I realize that was our first public display of affection.”
“Wow!” Rafael shakes his head but he’s got a huge smile at that information. “Yeah, he would never tell that story. Well done. Okay, here’s my condition. Once I fall asleep on this bed, that’s your signal to move the party elsewhere if there’s anything more than sleep. I don’t mind leaving but do not wake me because you’re frisky.”
“It should be sleep but who the hell knows if Richie would be able to resist such temptation…”
“Forget it. I’ll just sleep elsewhere now and save myself the aggravation.”
* * * * *
Rafael knocks on the door to Novak and Andy’s room. Andy yells from inside, “Enter,” but Rafael has already barged in without even hearing him. “What has you over here?” though he’s focused on his laptop and doesn’t really care about the answer.
“Roddick is in my room.”
“Really? Are they planning…”
“Richie isn’t home and probably has no clue about any of this. Where’s Novak?”
“He and Ernie are doing some radio show thing related to that cleanup project this weekend, then going to a party.”
“The what?”
Andy gives a shrug. “I just know what I have to do tomorrow.”
“I’m sure he’s asked me, probably even agreed since I have nothing better to do.” Rafael sits down next to Andy on the bed to see what’s captured his attention. Andy is playing online poker while trash talking his brother in the chat room. “Who’s winning?”
“I’m up forty. Jamie had a bad beat. He was holding an ace-high flush on the turn and convinced his opponent to go all-in with kings and queens. Unfortunately, the guy hit a queen on the river for a full house. Luckily, he had only lost half his stack since he easily covered his opponent.”
Rafael gives a snort, always finding it amusing when Andy’s competitive streak doesn’t have him directly in the line of fire. “No matter how you make it sound, I’m not getting involved in gambling. That may be normal in your family but it would break my mother’s heart. Are you in a tournament?”
“No.”
“In that case,” Rafael moves behind Andy and snuggles up against him. “I’m taking advantage of Novak being gone.”
Andy does smile at that remark but still presses the button to make the bet. “I get that you’re frisky but this guy needs to be taken down. He’s ahead due to dumb luck.”
“You’re the one who’s dumb because you should be getting lucky. If Novak or Richie find out you turned me down, they’d rightfully slap you upside the head.” Andy ignores him, causing Rafael to shake his head in disbelief. “Maybe we can both get what we want. For each pot you win, one of us loses an article of clothing.”
That causes Andy to finally look at him. “Are you serious?” The beep sound from the computer prods Andy that it’s his turn. “Sorry. I’m in a hand right now. Got a pair of jacks so better raise. But, okay, I agree to that.” Rafael notices Andy putting in a bet and the other player folds. “Just in time, too.”
Rafael peels off his sweater then returns to his position. Andy laughs then says, “You don’t want me to see you?”
“You don’t need to see me. Better for you to feel me,” then wraps his arms around Andy and sneaks a hand under his shirt. Rafael hears a hitch in Andy’s breathing as he leans back into the touch.
“Such a brat,” Andy mutters.
“Yeah but you love me anyway,” then plants a kiss on Andy’s shoulder and stays in that position to watch the game unfold.
A few hands pass that Andy cannot get involved in but Jamie manages to win some of his money back, which resumes the trash talk. Andy rightfully points out to Jamie that he’s still behind and he’s not going to hang around much longer to enable this pettiness. Jamie snaps that clearly Andy is distracted from the goal.
Andy says aloud, “Well, he’s right but not the way he means.” He looks at the other window open on the screen and smiles. “Everyone folded to the big blind. Won the hand without doing a thing.”
Rafael lets go, allowing Andy to move. Andy looks from Rafael then down at his own attire and frowns slightly before sliding off his sweatpants, leaving him in a thin t-shirt and boxers whereas Rafael still has on a dress shirt, jeans, sneakers and otherwise still looks ready to join the others at the party. Andy turns quickly to the screen and types in to Jamie that he’s leaving, then closes the window with the poker table and checks his balance before shutting his laptop.
Rafael is amused by how quickly Andy did all of that, then says innocently, “Your priorities have changed?”
“You’d be correct,” then sets the laptop on his desk and surprises Rafael by pushing him backward. Rafael lies down, continuing to tempt with his hair falling out of place. Andy looks at the undone top two buttons of the shirt and the casualness of the pose, finally realizing that he is the lucky one. He tries to keep his cool as he calmly explains, “The thing is that you’re distracting, which would make it paradoxically tougher for me to win hands and therefore keeping away from the mission. So I’m speeding up the process of getting you out of your clothes.”
Even though Andy sounds convincing, he doesn’t actually make a move to act. When Rafael realizes this, he sits up and takes hold of one of Andy’s hands. Rafael asks solemnly, “Are you sure?” Although he already can read in Andy’s eyes that the answer is no, he needs to hear the words.
“I really want this. You have no idea. It’s never been this way… with someone who cares… and it’s been so long since it’s been any way with any body.” Andy shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. “I’m just thinking too much again.”
“Probably, but this is a big deal and there’s no need to rush. In the meantime, you were talking about me wearing fewer clothes. This can be done right now,” Rafael starts unbuttoning the dress shirt, then continues, “because there’s no way I’m sleeping in this. If you want me to move to Novak’s bed, I can…”
Rafael is interrupted by Andy’s mouth on his, a strong hand cupping his cheek while the kiss itself wants him to stay right where he is. This he can do.
* * * * *
Marin is sitting on a bench in the union, finishing a late dinner while studying, when he’s suddenly yanked out of calm by Novak, who says, “Gather your stuff. You have plans tonight.” No sooner does Marin have his textbook back in the backpack when Novak grabs his hand and hurries toward the stairs while balancing two large black binders and a duffel bag. Marin tries to ask, “What are you doing?” but isn’t sure if he can be heard.
They’re at a door covered in bumper stickers and posters before Novak finally explains. “I have a half hour slot at the radio station, ostensibly for promoting cleaning up the lake…”
Marin interjects, “You need thirty minutes to explain that?” He remembers Ernie describing the project in about three sentences. Okay, so Ernie’s version was a bit more sarcastic than necessary, but Marin got the gist and it sounded good enough that he did quite a bit of research about the environmental science curriculum. He did need a plan if he didn’t go pre-med and this sounded better, still in the sciences without dealing with hospital and patients.
“Well, no. It’s between songs. Ivo is a fellow political science major who has a show primarily playing European rap music and has agreed to do this interview for me but he also wants to keep it lively. Ernie was supposed to help but he’s doing a favor for his English professor so he’ll up his grade. He was supposed to play, essentially, my straight man.” Marin raises his hand, about to protest, when Novak waves him off. “I know but even if you freeze up, Ivo and I can make it work. You can torture me… channel that energy. Pretend I’m Ernie...”
Novak can be quite persuasive when he wants to be. As they set up in the booth, Marin reads over the original script. It actually sounds like fun and Marin can see how Ernie was convinced to help… well, beyond the whole hooking up afterwards part, which he’s sure Novak dangled like candy in front of Ernie. The project itself sounds even more fascinating.
Near the end of the script, there are crossed out passages and assorted notes in Novak’s handwriting, most scratched out as well. Marin asks, “What’s supposed to happen here?”
Novak had been reading over his fact cards but glances over at the page in question. “Oh yeah. As an incentive to get people to show up tomorrow, I was going to subject Ernie to something stupid which would generate more of a crowd. I was hoping something would pop in my head on the air.”
Marin declares, “Ernie put off that assignment to the last minute. He should pay for screwing up in his class and thereby deserting you.” A smile creeps on Marin’s face as an idea forms in his head. Andy found the loophole when it came to Marin’s bet with Dinara and now Marin could see a way to lose while winning.
“How do you propose we do that?” Novak leans in close, suspecting he’s going to enjoy this plan.
“Instead of me pretending you’re Ernie, you pretend I’m Ernie and convince him to do something humiliating. Something that I’d owe you five bucks for.”
That’s how Marin lost the bet regarding Novak convincing him to wear a dress without having to actually wear the dress. The five bucks would be worth it just to see Ernie at the lake dressed like that.
* * * * *
Richard enters his room and sees the lights off as if nobody is home. “The door was unlocked but…” He turns around then looks out into the main room, noting a faint light. “Hmm, Andy’s home. Maybe Rafa is actually hanging out in there for a change. Rafa wouldn’t leave the room unlocked if he’d left for that party with Ernie and Novak, or whatever they’re doing together.” He flips the switch and is stunned to find that it’s his own bed that’s occupied. “Hello?” He walks closer, seeing the blond hair sticking out, and sits down on the floor next to his bed. Richard stays there just to watch for a few minutes then says mostly to himself, “Andy Roddick. You’re such a romantic.”
Roddick opens his eyes and gives a lazy grin, his voice sleepy when he says, “Come join me under the blanket. It’s so lonely without you here.”
“You didn’t have to do this,” Richard says as he slips off his sneakers and does as told.
Roddick props himself up, half leaning on the wall as he pushes Richard down on his back then sweeps hair away from Richard’s forehead, seeing how worn-down he looks. Prior to Rafael leaving the room, he did comment on how he’ll probably get a good night’s sleep for once because he won’t have to deal with Richard working at odd hours throughout the night. “Yes, I did. You haven’t been sleeping well lately and it’s connected to a certain meeting you had today, even if you say otherwise. How’d it go?”
“Henman had Professor Moya sit in on the initial questioning. I suppose it could have been worse; he could have picked Rios instead. It was strange getting questions about things that happened when I was sixteen. Seems so long ago.”
“Was it rough?”
Richard gives a shrug though Roddick senses the long silence is enough of an answer. When Richard finally does speak, he’s struggling to hold back a smile as he explains, “Afterwards, I’m leaving the room and who should I see but Federer, who tries to give me his most intimidating look. It’s his only power since he’s still under orders not to speak to me. Henman and Moya exit the office and spot the face-off, then Federer’s face drops because it is at that very moment he realizes how screwed he really is. Wish I had a snapshot of that. You would’ve loved to have seen it.”
Roddick looks down at Richard and smiles brightly. “The look on your face as you tell me about it will have to suffice,” then Roddick leans down to kiss Richard’s cheek before returning his head to the pillow, resting his hand on Richard’s chest. “You do look tired, though. I really am here just for sleep.”
Richard says playfully, “You don’t have the willpower to just sleep when we’re sharing a bed but that’s okay.”
“I’ll have you know that I am capable of keeping my hands to myself.”
Richard looks down at the hand which immediately contradicts that statement, which cracks Roddick up. “There’s a first time for everything.”
“Sleep first. You can wake me in a few hours.”
Just when Roddick thinks he’ll actually do as told, there’s a sound that perks Richard up. He strains to make out the words, then shakes his head as he’s laughing, muttering, “He totally would.”
“Huh? What the hell is so…” Richard covers his mouth, allowing Roddick to hear. When the sound gets louder and Roddick realizes what’s going on, he has to agree it’s too funny to hear someone calling out his own name when he’s not directly involved.
Richard lets go of Roddick, then says, “There’s a ninety percent chance that Rafa is doing that because they heard me arrive and Andy is enacting long-overdue payback for the stall incident, because he so would. It’s that other ten percent, where I’m hoping it’s genuine and Andy’s finally getting some, that’s keeping me from knocking on that door. They’re such idiots for each other.”
end