Jeremy's favorite soap opera
Title: Jeremy’s favorite soap opera
Pairing: Richard Gasquet/Andy Roddick
Other characters: Jeremy Chardy, Fabrice Santoro, Stanislas Wawrinka, Michael Llodra, Arnaud Clement
Rating: PG
Word count: 4,016
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and this is a fiction.
Summary: Interesting things happen at the year-end Lacoste meeting.
Author’s note: Many thanks to my awesome beta-reader crystaleyesd who somehow fits betaing into her busy schedule :)
“Oh, come on. Seriously…”
Jeremy cursed under his breath as he tapped his foot impatiently against the end of the crosswalk. It was late December, right after Christmas, and he had chosen the metro to get to his destination to avoid the traffic but it seemed like he was still going to be late.
“Come on.”
Staring at the red lights, he tried to calm down.
‘If I have this much trouble, the others can’t be doing any better, right?’
He shook his left wrist so that his loosely worn watch would come out of his thick jumper sleeve and gasped at how many minutes he had missed at this stupid intersection. Apparently, everyone was going somewhere and the policeman who was on the other side of the street seemed to favor those behind the wheel.
‘Urgh… But I don’t want to miss the beginning. I really don’t.’
When he was about to let out another long sigh, the lights turned green and Jeremy found himself running.
‘Good to be an athlete at times like this.’
Giggling at his fast speed, he ran and ran until he saw a huge crocodile proudly hanging on top of a tall building. Yes, he had been running - as if he was a kid running to the candy store - just to walk inside the main office of Lacoste.
“Hey. Don’t tell me I’m late!”
He was out of breath when he had reached the cozy conference room on the second floor but he had to ask Fabrice if he had made it in time.
“Hey, you’re not late. Richie’s gone to get Pepsi from the vending machine and Roddick’s not here yet. Must be stuck in traffic somewhere.”
The eldest player offered him a comforting smile and Jeremy was relieved… only until he realized that all the good seats had been taken. Fabrice looked excited to sit next to Richard - he could recognize the tennis prodigy’s winter cap which was on the table - and the seat right next to Richard was empty as planned, then there was Stan sitting right next to that empty seat. On the other side of the table, he saw the happy couple Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement enjoying a warm cup of coffee and Michael had been smart enough to bring some popcorn.
“How did all of you get here so quickly? Was there an express that I wasn’t aware of?”
He heard Stan chuckle at his defeated tone but he really wanted to know how to get the perfect seat for his favorite soap opera.
“Want some?”
Michael offered him some popcorn but he wasn’t in the mood. He wanted to sit next to Richard or Andy so that he could eavesdrop on every single word, listen to each sigh and groan that would leave their mouths. Of course, he did realize how pathetic it could appear to an outsider to look forward to some drama between your two fellow players but the fact that so many players showed up at this time of the year when the manager had told them that their presence wasn’t necessary proved that it was worth sitting here.
‘What the heck! Isn’t Stan’s wife heavily pregnant? It’s just wrong to be here! Wait a moment. What is he even doing in France? He came all the way for this?’
Jeremy grumbled as he grabbed an empty seat that clearly wasn’t the best one in the theatre; it was a little too far to overhear the actors’ words and if he wanted to pretend that he was actually paying attention to the Lacoste representative, he wouldn’t be able to take a glance at their expressions.
‘So let’s get the facts straight before it starts.’
The twenty-two year old put on a serious look and opened the memory bank in the back of his mind. According to his memory, the two players had caught the interest of the rest of the Lacoste players during a group photo shoot around this time last year. He was proud to think back at that particular event because it had been him that had noticed how Richard had tripped over a bunch of cables when Andy had removed his shirt to try another one.
‘I had such keen eyes. Bravo me.’
Jeremy crossed his legs and carried on thinking. He had told Fabrice about Richard’s tripping incident and the evil magician had sent Andy to the waiting room, claiming that it was empty - when Richard had just gone in to change - and that it would be extremely kind of the American if he could fetch his headache pills for him. After hearing a startled yelp coming from the waiting room, he and Fabrice had enjoyed the rest of the photo shoot, watching a constantly blushing Richard and listening to Andy who kept forgetting his lines and mumbled something about the awesome lights and the mirrors in the waiting room.
And when they had all flown to Australia for the first part of this season, he had seen that the two had become a happy crocodile couple. They couldn’t tear their eyes off each other’s shirtless form during their practices nor could they stop feeding each other at the players’ restaurant. Stan had even informed him that when he had called Richard’s hotel room, the American had picked up the phone. Ever since then, it had been a long and eventful year to follow the real-life actors. The two seemed to get through their respective ups and downs together and Jeremy had to admit that he had been touched when Andy had stayed in France for nearly a month when Richard had got a three month ban.
‘Yeah, if you’re a real man, you’ve got to know to stand by the person you love.’
Jeremy nodded and grabbed one of the water bottles that were on the middle of the table. Frankly, it had been nice to see two decent guys taking care of each other like that in this cruel world of sport. At some point, he had realized that more and more Lacoste players were following their love story and today was promising to be such a significant episode since they had heard all sorts of rumors about how the two had broken up after Andy had announced that he would leave for Babolat.
‘Tut, tut… He should’ve known better. Those crocodiles aren’t just the logo of his clothing brand anymore. It’s also a symbol of their love.’
He shook his head and took a sip from his bottle. The show was running late.
“Psst, the cuter actor is on his way.” Stan announced as he came back from the restroom.
“Ah, it’s about time.” Arnaud said and in a few seconds, Richard walked in with his wallet and two cans of Orangina.
“Sorry, Fab. They ran out of Pepsi. I asked around but they all had different stories about whether they had other vending machines that had Pepsi left so I tried like four different machines only to end up with these. I guess whoever fills those machines has gone on vacation.”
“It’s all right. I’m fine with Orangina. Thanks, Richie.”
Fabrice gave him a smile and everybody watched the twenty-three year old take a look at the display screen of his cell phone and frown.
‘Ah, he’s wondering why Andy is showing up late.’
As Richard raised his eyebrows at the sound of someone approaching the room, Jeremy thought to himself, ‘Aww, he’s subconsciously looking forward to see his face. Well, who can blame him? Andy’s totally hot.’
Thinking back to the practice courts in US Open where he had had the honor to use the adjacent court to the American’s, Jeremy closed his mouth tight. He didn’t want to drool and look stupid.
“Do you know how many players are supposed to come today?” Richard asked Fabrice.
“Well, I think everybody’s here except for Roddick.”
“Oh?” That was when Richard took a look around the room and realized that the only seat remaining was right next to his.
Jeremy saw him tense up and felt a little bit bad for him. It must feel weird to know that his ex-boyfriend would be sitting next to him for the next hour or so.
“Hi, guys.”
While everybody’s attention had been on Richard, the hotter actor had entered.
“Ah, finally.”
He heard Arnaud let out a sigh of relief and saw Michael grab more popcorn from the box.
“Hi, Andy.”
“Good afternoon, Andy.”
“Nice to see you, Andy.”
Everybody greeted the top Lacoste player except for actor number one and Jeremy could swear that his ears had picked up the sound of Richard swallowing hard when Andy had taken the last seat.
“Hey.”
The room became deadly quiet as Andy said hi to his ex-boyfriend. Even Michael had stopped munching the popcorn and they all pricked up their ears to listen to Richard say hi back. The only problem was that he didn’t say hi back even after a full minute.
“Richard, I said hi.”
Jeremy thought that the hotter actor looked furious and hurt at the same time. He hoped that the man in charge of this meeting would show up as late as possible so that he could focus on the show.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Richard turned his head towards the American but didn’t look him in the eyes.
Andy laughed in a disturbingly bitter tone. “I said hi. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Oh, hello. And it’s the off-season. Nobody has seen anybody in a while.”
Richard turned away from Andy as quickly as he could, hurt by the fact that he was so happy to see the American again. While he had been going through another war with the ITF in Switzerland, he had been looking forward to see him at least on TV but the world number seven had missed both Paris Masters and the World Tour Final with an injury.
“How’s your knee, Andy?”
Stan volunteered to break the ice. He knew that he had chosen the right topic as he noticed how Richard looked at him with curiosity in his eyes.
“Much better, thanks. It feels good now. I’ve started practicing last week. I might not play my best next month but it’ll come back. I’m not worried.”
“Good to hear that.” Fabrice smiled and Richard felt as if he was left out of the conversation.
“Me too.” He almost whispered but thankfully, the audience - including Andy, of course - didn’t miss the meaningful words.
“That means a lot coming from you. Thanks.” Andy expressed his gratefulness like a gentleman and Jeremy felt like clapping inside.
“Good afternoon. I’m very sorry for keeping you waiting, gentlemen. And, I must tell you how honored and grateful we are to see so many of you present today. We are truly one big, happy crocodile family, aren’t we?”
The representative had finally come in with a bunch of papers and boxes and Andy didn’t miss how he smiled affectionately towards Richard’s direction.
‘Oh no, you creepy old man. I swear I’ll break my racquets over your skull if you dare do that again.’
Andy surprised himself for feeling a thunder of jealousy roar through his system. He had always been the jealous type but this felt extreme even for him.
“How have you been doing, Richie?”
Andy curled up his fist as the representative particularly asked about Richard’s well-being. In his head, the American knew that it must have something to do with the recent battle with the ITF, but in his mind, he couldn’t care less about his intention. He just wanted to put his fist in the guy’s mouth.
“Want a bottle of water?” Stan asked, hoping that this would be a peaceful meeting.
“Uh, sure. Thanks.”
Andy gulped down some water while Richard politely answered that he had never been this ready to start a new season. Everybody nodded. It was very understandable for Richard to want to put everything that happened this year behind his mind and start over again.
“So before we start the meeting, I’d like to give each of you some of our very best holiday gifts. I mean, you’ve come all this way and I see we even have non-French players who are kindly sharing their time with us. I surely have the responsibility to make your trip worth it.”
For the first time this afternoon, players showed interest in something else than the two actors. Each player received a gift box and Jeremy happily opened the one that had his name on it; to be exact, it was written ‘Top French crocodile- Jeremy Chardy’. The first thing that he noticed was a calendar filled with pictures of their photos. They all looked pretty nice.
“Damn, I look so young and hot! Can you give me the number of this photographer?”
Michael’s words brought laughter to the table and Jeremy noticed how Richard was staring at a picture where he and Andy were standing close to each other with huge smiles on their faces.
‘Yes, Richie, he’s the one that suits you perfectly. You know inside your heart that you should forgive him. He regretted his decision for having tried to leave Lacoste after all.’
As if his thoughts could make an impact on the tortured player, Jeremy kept sending persuasive glances towards Richard… until he met with Andy’s eyes that looked scary as hell.
‘Uh, no. You got it all wrong, Andy. I’m just trying to help here! Believe me. As cute as Richie is, he’s not my type!’
He tried his best to convey his thoughts to the American with pleading eyes when Richard let out a small groan.
“Don’t you have any other T-shirts with bigger crocodiles?”
The twenty-three year old was looking down at the gift shirt with an annoyed look on his face.
“But smaller crocodiles look cuter on you.” Andy didn’t miss the chance to say something nice and everybody’s attention went back to the former couple.
“But I’m done looking cute. Apparently, it doesn’t help me to find my other half.”
Jeremy watched with heartache as Andy made a painful face. He was sure that even Romeo wouldn’t have looked that broken.
“Well, don’t worry, Richie. I’m sure we have shirts somewhere that have extra huge crocodiles on them. Perhaps you could stay for a while after the meeting so that I can personally get them for you.”
The representative offered and Arnaud bit the inside of his lip, knowing that the American might lose his temper at any moment.
“Here. Take mine. My crocodile looks big enough.”
Andy swapped the gift shirts with Richard and threw a murdering glance towards the representative who tried not to look too scared.
“Eh… We also put two mugs in those boxes so you can share warm tea or delicious hot chocolate with your loved one. Let me show you how it works. One mug has a cute crocodile bird with a big heart on it. The other one has a handsome crocodile with a big heart in his mouth. If you put the mugs together like this and make their hearts touch, you’ll get to hear up to five different Christmas carols.”
“Cool!”
“How lovely!”
Players seemed to appreciate the adorable gift and Jeremy carefully watched how both Richard and Andy looked at their mugs with an expression that could only be interpreted as ‘suffering from love’.
“Okay, gentlemen. Now let’s start the meeting already so you’ll be back home in no time. Please take a look at these papers.”
Jeremy didn’t have more time to peep at the lovebirds. He now had a handful of papers to read. The show would have to wait.
Apart from the glances that were casually thrown towards Andy and Richard, the meeting had started and ended in a normal fashion. Then, what were they all still doing here? Of course, to catch the very last part of today’s episode.
“You have plans for today?” Andy asked in what he hoped was a tiny voice that nobody else would hear.
“Whether I have plans or not is none of your business.” Richard answered, hoping for the same.
Jeremy walked towards Fabrice’s seat and pretended to be interested in his new jacket. He could see that Arnaud was doing just about the same thing near Stan.
“Richie, don’t be this way. You know we need to talk.”
“We do? Well, last time I checked you didn’t bother to talk. You just decided to leave without discussing with me.”
“Look, I said I’m sorry probably a hundred times already. And, I really meant every single word of it. Give me a second chance, will you?”
Andy was suddenly aware of the strange quietness around him and noticed how none of the players had left the room.
“Come with me.”
He snatched Richard’s wrist and before the French could even yelp, the two had vanished.
“Damn, they’re quick. We used to disappear so quickly when we were young too, didn’t we, Arnie?” Michael threw the empty popcorn box in the wastebasket and gathered his stuff.
“You’re leaving? But we have to hear the end.” Jeremy couldn’t believe that the French couple was about to leave.
“I’m sure you’ll let us know what happened. Don’t forget to call us before nine. You really don’t want to know what kind of sounds you’ll get to hear if you call after that.”
Jeremy shuddered at the warning and ran outside the room to join Fabrice, Stan and some other lower ranked players who had their ears on the door of the adjacent conference room. The only spot left on the door was at the bottom so Jeremy had to sit down as low as possible to get his ear in action.
“Can we have dinner later? Please?” It sounded like Andy was almost begging.
“I’m having dinner with friends.”
Richard lied. He didn’t think that he could eat with Andy when he would probably feel like crying. He wanted to forgive the American and find comfort and happiness in his arms again but something inside him prevented him from doing just that.
“What about a cup of coffee then? Come on. We need to talk.”
Andy wasn’t going to back off. He believed that they could get over this obstacle and even though he understood that Richard was only trying to protect himself from getting hurt again, he honestly didn’t think that he could manage another hour, another day without his lovely French by his side.
“I don’t drink coffee anymore. Bad for sleep. So if you want to talk, let’s do it here.”
“Just one glass of coke or whatever you want then. If you don’t want to see my face after that, I’ll stay out of your sight.”
Andy didn’t mean a single bit of it but was pleased to see the desired effect; Richard was staring at him with round eyes and an open mouth. Andy clenched his fists tight not to push the shocked player on the table and jump him. He might get to do that later if things went very well.
Richard slid down the wall and mumbled, “Please, Andy. This is too hard for me. Say whatever you want to say. I’ll listen.”
Andy’s heart stopped for a split second at the despair and fatigue apparent in the young player’s voice. The world hadn’t been kind to the twenty-three year old and he couldn’t have chosen a worse time to push him into further misery.
He sat down next to Richard and gently grabbed one of his hands. “It’s hard for me too. I came all the way from Texas today only to tell you this. I love you, Richie. I love you probably even more than before, now that I realize what it feels like when I’ve lost you.”
Jeremy put his hand on his chest, glad that they were getting to the romantic part. It was a ‘must’ in these kinds of soap operas to have some mushy love talk.
“I’m willing to do anything to get you back, baby. You should know that.”
Relieved that Richard had squirmed but hadn’t pulled his hand away, Andy placed a feathery kiss on the small hand that used to caress his soul.
“I promise you can have all my savings if I ever hurt you again.”
Andy was throwing in everything on the table now. He was determined not to go back home without what he came for.
“And, believe me. I might have more money than you think I have. It could be a wise investment. You should think about it.”
The seriousness in his voice elicited a small laugh from the French.
“I’m not after your money. I earn enough myself, thank you very much.”
The grip on Richard’s hand got tighter as Andy detected with joy how much softer the younger player’s voice had become.
“Tell you what. I’ll let you wear T-shirts with enormous crocodiles on them if that’s what you want. Just tell me what I need to do.”
Richard chuckled and eyed Andy with an evil smile.
The American felt a shiver run down his spine. “Okay… Now that look is scary. Don’t make me run around naked in a packed stadium or something.”
“Nah. I’d prefer you’d do that in my room.” The French laughed some more and added, “Tell me you won’t end up bald. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“What? Hey, speak for yourself. You’re wearing nearly the same cap as mine and I can see you’ve lost some hair yourself.”
Andy playfully ran his right hand through the short curls and Richard involuntarily let out a moan.
‘Oh my god! What did he do? What did he do??’
Jeremy was dying to see what was going on inside the room. He had just heard a moan that seemingly belonged to Richard and needed an exact picture right now.
“Kissing time~”
Stan almost sang the words and the huge soap opera fan pressed his ear even harder against the door.
“Stop it, Andy. I had it nicely styled this morning.”
Richard pulled away but got a faceful of Andy instead. “For me?”
“You wish.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I didn’t.”
“You liar. But I forgive you.”
“I don’t need your forgiveness.”
“Huh. You’re lasting longer each time we do this. Your English is getting better thanks to me.”
“I said, you wish.”
“I said, I love you.”
While Richard raised his eyebrows at the illogical response, Andy pulled him into a hungry kiss. He was sure that he could make things less painful, make things better for both of them. He was sure that they were meant to be together.
“They’re kissing.” Stan said.
“How do you know?” Jeremy wasn’t too certain.
“Well, they’re not talking anymore, are they?”
“I suppose so…”
As no more words came from the room, Jeremy got up from the floor. He had already heard more than he was entitled to. He wanted to give the newly met lovebirds the last bit of their privacy.
“I’m so happy for Richie.”
Fabrice said with a teary voice and Jeremy felt himself tear up a little as well. It was somehow refreshing and heartwarming to see how much power love could still have in this 21st century and it fit perfectly into his vision of a happy end of the year.
“I’ll go kiss my girlfriend too.”
Jeremy waved and muttered some goodbyes towards his fellow players and left the building with his gift box. His crocodile had a crocodile bird to kiss.