tennis slash - Smart People (extras)
I had intended to post shortly after the last chapter but something funny happened. I was watching that video I posted previously of Gael and Richie, then I reread the extra scenes. One of them I was never happy with. It took place when Richie was 17 which, since he'd be under Federer's control, turned him into too different a character given the history in my head. It wasn't until the video that I realized the idea would work better as a standalone and recast with Gael, then rewrote to fit his character. Beyond that, I don't want to give anything away about that.
This means that I actually finished and submitted my netcord fic! I did request to do a second story for that but it has no connection to anything else I'm writing. It's Delpo fic, something that's definitely been missing at tennisslash in the last year. Onward...
Title: Smart People - Extras
Author: Kris S.
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. There are the extras from Smart People. Basically, there’s some backstory to anecdotes told in the main story, as well as an alternate scene for the last chapter.
(1) The Origin of The Best Screensaver Ever
Players: Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic, Gael Monfils
(2) Novak's First Soccer Sunday or: When Rafa Met Andy
Players: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Janko Tipsarevic, Andy Murray
(3) Untitled
Players: Juan Carlos Ferrero, Feliciano Lopez
(4) The Story Roddick Nearly Told Rafa
Players: Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (pairing: Andy Roddick/Richard Gasquet)
So there are people who are either barely mentioned or were plain cut from the story. Gael clearly couldn’t appear in the story since he was Richie’s travelling companion during his travelling around Europe. But he is the closest to a relationship Richie had before Roddick, Janko used him as a screensaver and others in the suite watch video of him on gloomy days. Plus there’s finally a good reason for Mario to appear in the story (since this all happened before anyone else started college).
(1) The Origin of The Best Screensaver Ever
Players: Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic, Gael Monfils
“Hey Richie.” Janko sees immediately there’s something different about the young man - and it’s not about the tan from this trip around Europe. It’s at times like these he’s glad to have decided that the only way he’d talk to Richie is by videocam, even if that was originally decided due to seeing some different scenery. “What’s got you smiling?”
“It… Gael, shut it. I will!” Richard snaps at a person behind the camera. “You’re the showboat! Just…fine. Can’t you let me tell him my way, not yours?” Richard lets out a loud sigh, even while smiling, then says, “Gael found out that you were my first kiss. He wants me to say you were a good teacher.”
Janko laughs, then says loudly, “I thank you, Gael.” There’s laughter in the background. Richard covers his face with his hand, clearly embarrassed by whatever Gael is doing. “Though why do I think it was more than a kiss.”
He hears what must be Gael’s voice call out, “You’d better believe it was more than that.”
“Gael!” Janko thinks he hears Richard’s voice crack and knows that his face couldn’t be redder. “Stop doing that!”
“What is he doing?”
“One sec.” Richard stands up and positions the laptop camera to show Gael dancing around.
While Janko has heard about this Gael, the fact their introduction involves a backflip and hiphop dancing to music clearly in his head is awesome. Janko cannot stop laughing as he splutters out, “Morning afters can be a bitch, Rich.”
Mario walks in at that point, his eyes going from Janko’s laughter to the unfamiliar man dancing, then shakes his head. “I told you going on youtube is nothing but trouble.” He looks closer and realizes this is no video. “What the hell are you watching? Who is this?”
“Richie’s travelling companion. This must be saved for posterity.”
One thing a college story needs is a jackass roommate. I had a player in mind (Daniel Koellerer - better known as Crazy Dani) and even wrote dialogue with him but didn’t know where to he belonged. I actually deleted all of it because it was, frankly, hateful - it might even have been in-character but he is a real person and I felt there was a line. Instead, I had him be Andy’s roommate before moving in the suite. It could’ve as easily been the one Richie tried to take a swing at if you'd like that image but I decided Andy bitching about him is more fun to write than teen!Richie losing his head.
(2) Novak’s First Soccer Sunday or: When Rafa Met Andy
Players: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Janko Tipsarevic, Andy Murray
When Novak mentioned to the others about playing on the soccer team in high school, he figured he’d be off the hook because nobody else had actually been on a sports team long enough to letter in it. Rafael had played with relatives, which Novak didn’t take much stock in, and Mario was warming the bench on the basketball team (he didn’t care because he was on the team just enough to make him appear well-rounded for colleges). The others did other activities during high school so didn’t go beyond spectators.
Then he discovered that Janko was a big soccer fan and that he, Mario and Gilles were involved in a game every Sunday. When Janko encouraged Novak, Rafael and Richard to join the others in this tradition, Novak’s mouth was ahead of his brain when he said yes. At least he’d be spared from Richard seeing this, knowing enough to have an excuse ready, but Rafael agreed easily as well.
The feeling of dread was made worse when he saw Rafael handling the ball. Novak says, “I thought you said you only played at family gatherings.”
“I do. My uncle was a professional.” Rafael sees Novak’s reluctance on the matter, then asks, “Did you really play?”
“Yes,” Novak maintains, then looks toward Janko, who is gathering the troops. “I knew Janko had knee surgery so I figured this would be enough to impress him. I did letter in soccer, played on varsity, but definitely a weak link on a team that barely won one game. I was better as the towel manager. Why didn’t you play in high school?”
“When I started ninth grade, I was twelve. Too small then. Guys in school would make fun of me so I went into other activities. I did try out my junior year but they had a championship team the year before and few slots available. Plus, coach thought I was too weak. Had better things to do with my time, anyway.”
Janko comes over to them, sheet in hand as he explains, “First week is always tough to get teams together. Viktor managed to get three newcomers though only one has played on a team before. I think I have to explain the rules to the other two. One of them asked me about using his hands! Even the high school player seems rather gawky so I suspect he’s lying to impress Viktor. He’ll be discovered,” then walks back to the other players.
Novak glances toward Rafael, then admits, “He’s going to think of me that way. You’re better than me yet never even played in an organized game.”
Rafael looks toward the bench. He had noticed the gawky-looking boy alone earlier, handling the ball from foot to foot, and nothing had changed. The boy may be all limbs and paler than the piece of paper Janko is using but he’s got skill. “I think Janko’s wrong about that kid. He’s been doing that the past ten minutes. Actually really impressive. Come on, Nole.” He jerks on Novak’s arm then they head over to the bench.
“You appear to be ready,” Rafael declares, causing the boy to glance his way then kicks the ball straight up so it lands perfectly in his hands.
“Really?” he says doubtfully, then glances over at the group gathering around Janko and Viktor. “I suppose. That guy seemed annoyed at the selection.”
“How did you find out about the game?”
“Viktor lives down the hall from me. Hi, I’m Andy.”
“I’m Rafa and this is Novak. Janko lives in the same suite as us.”
At Andy’s questioning look, Novak adds, “Janko is the annoyed guy.”
“Ah. I see. You three are all Serbian. The brotherhood sticks together.”
Novak mutters, “Believe me, he’s going to wonder about brotherhood when he sees me play. Probably will renounce my membership.”
Rafael shakes his head. “Janko is not going to care about your ability. This is a suite-bonding experience.”
“Technically, not until Richie agrees to join us. There’s only five of six at this point. He had the right idea by claiming to have a paper due tomorrow.”
Andy asks Rafael, “Is he always this dramatic?”
Rafael replies, “I’ve been his roommate for three weeks. So far, I’d say the answer is yes.” Novak scrunches his nose at the comment to which Rafael gives his best innocent smile. “He makes everything so difficult.”
“No, he’s okay,” Andy says reluctantly. Novak’s pleased expression has Andy add on, “Well, maybe. Only met you a minute ago. Too soon for me to give that diagnosis.” Rafael laughs at Novak sighing loudly, then Andy continues, “My roommate is another story. I think Daniel’s goal in life is to irritate as many people as possible. People in my hallway, including Viktor, have basically expressed their sympathies to me as if I’d drawn the short straw instead of the random draw it is. I even found out there’s bets going around regarding if I can outlast the last three roommates he had.”
“He cannot be as bad as you make it sound.”
“His last roommate tried to strangle him in public… and everyone was rooting him on to succeed! Daniel thinks calling me Doctor Who is the epitome of comedy, which really makes no sense in that it’s not even his name but I digress. He’s a crazy idiot and I don’t know how he hasn’t flunked out yet.”
“If you can hold out until the end of the semester, one of the guys in our suite, Gilles, is intending to move off-campus with his girlfriend so we should have a slot. Apparently Richie owes Janko a favor so he has no say in whoever replaces Gilles.”
If I know Sly, she’s probably wondered why I mentioned but did nothing with Juanca. But I actually had written something unrequited OTP - but opted to delete in favor of Feli bugging Rafa about Andy and Marat. This is the scene that led to that.
(3) Players: Feliciano Lopez, Juan Carlos Ferrero
Juan Carlos swears he doesn’t care about what Marat does. There is a lot that encompasses, he is well aware, but there is one thing that crosses the line.
He hates that damn accent kink. He despises the glint in the Russian’s eye when he sees, well hears, Sean Connery. He hates that he had to prepare for that look when Marat talked his way into sitting in on Professor Henman’s lecture because he couldn’t find anyone Scottish on-campus.
But he really hates that it’s lurked in the back of his mind about that not quite being true. One of Richard’s suitemates fit the profile. His anxiety was made worse upon discovering that Feliciano’s then-boytoy Rafael was best friends with the guy as well.
Although both Feliciano and Richard tried to convince him that this guy was beneath even Marat’s wide range, Juan Carlos knew this kink’s power too well. He’d gotten lucky with Marat in the past as a side effect of watching these movies and he hated himself for giving in to that.
When Feliciano ended his arrangement with Rafael early this semester, Juan Carlos figured he was finally in the clear. So he’s blindsided when Feliciano says one morning, “I cannot believe I’m saying this but you are totally fucked.”
Juan Carlos is busy writing in his planner and has no idea how dramatically serious Feliciano looks. “Huh?”
“Marat found the Scottish kid. You were right to be worried. Have the videos on my phone.”
“What?!” Juan Carlos’ pen drops out of his fingers, rolls off the table and lands on the floor. “No. Absolutely fucking not!” Feliciano sits down, his eyes never leaving Juan Carlos, who feels like he’s losing his mind in under five seconds. “I do not believe you.”
“They’re making out and Marat is like a vampire looking for a feeding. I’m sorry to tell you.”
“I thought Andy was supposed to be creepy. Richie, hell even you, said so.”
“Yeah well he’s not so creepy-looking now, I must say. The first video has Andy doing karaoke, then later talking with Marat. Clear clue that Marat is tone-deaf when it comes to Scots but anyway. The second is them at this party and the aforementioned kissing. For all the jokes I’ve heard about his inexperience, I wouldn’t have thought Andy could hold his own against Marat. But the video doesn’t lie.”
“I need a drink… or six.” Juan Carlos drops his head onto the table. “This is horrible.”
“There is no way Richie didn’t know about this. We must corner him after class.”
“You said you have the videos on your phone?”
Feliciano chuckles, “You’re a glutton for punishment.”
The last chapter has Roddick telling Rafa the story about the Sunday breakfast with Mardy and Richie. You may know that I’d written some of that scene and that’s how I worked it in. What you don’t know is that it wasn’t the story I’d intended Roddick to tell. It was more in line with No Rhythm and One Up but the problem was how to end Roddick’s story to fit with the sweetness of the rest of the chapter.
(4) The story Roddick almost told Rafa about Richie in the last chapter
Players: Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (lacosteslash)
“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. There had to be a good story that he was certain Richard wouldn’t reveal. After all, Richard told the damn scissors story and he should pay for that. “Okay then. There’s this guy on a rival football team named Jo, who I met during the break between last fall and spring semester. Awesome guy I thought it’d be fun to throw into our games. So, in my turn in the game of One Up, I invite Jo to my room, buy some alcohol and see what happens.”
“You were proposing a threesome?” Rafael says incredulously.
“I don’t know if I’d have gone through with it but I really wanted to see Richie’s reaction. I’d made out with another guy in front of him - by his request, I might add - before this. Short of any public display of affection, he’d been okay with any suggestion of mine. I buy Chinese food, as a means to break the ice, but the conversation is very awkward, especially when Jo starts talking about sports and relaying a training regimen which would trump yours. Eventually Jo notices Richie’s lack of contribution to the conversation and abruptly says something in French then surprises him with a kiss. My eyes meet Richie’s. He might have given in initially but he gets this look of panic and shakes his head before he begins to push Jo away. Jo snaps that Richie should consider himself lucky he’d even considered but apparently I was good at persuading. I get angry with Jo and throw him out but not before Jo asks if there’s a chance with me.”
Rafael scrunches up his nose, then interjects, “I thought you two were seeing other people as well.”
“We were and, prior to this night, I might have agreed to Jo’s proposal but there was something about Richie’s reaction that told me otherwise. When the door closes, Richie starts apologizing profusely. I tell him I didn’t really care about him backing out of the One Up so stop being sorry. He says that he could see in my eyes that I did care about the kiss and the idea of me watching him doing this freaked him out. I realize there must be something I’m missing so I ask what Jo said in French. Apparently, it was ‘you’re lucky he’s here because I would continue ignoring you otherwise’.”
This means that I actually finished and submitted my netcord fic! I did request to do a second story for that but it has no connection to anything else I'm writing. It's Delpo fic, something that's definitely been missing at tennisslash in the last year. Onward...
Title: Smart People - Extras
Author: Kris S.
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. There are the extras from Smart People. Basically, there’s some backstory to anecdotes told in the main story, as well as an alternate scene for the last chapter.
(1) The Origin of The Best Screensaver Ever
Players: Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic, Gael Monfils
(2) Novak's First Soccer Sunday or: When Rafa Met Andy
Players: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Janko Tipsarevic, Andy Murray
(3) Untitled
Players: Juan Carlos Ferrero, Feliciano Lopez
(4) The Story Roddick Nearly Told Rafa
Players: Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (pairing: Andy Roddick/Richard Gasquet)
So there are people who are either barely mentioned or were plain cut from the story. Gael clearly couldn’t appear in the story since he was Richie’s travelling companion during his travelling around Europe. But he is the closest to a relationship Richie had before Roddick, Janko used him as a screensaver and others in the suite watch video of him on gloomy days. Plus there’s finally a good reason for Mario to appear in the story (since this all happened before anyone else started college).
(1) The Origin of The Best Screensaver Ever
Players: Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic, Gael Monfils
“Hey Richie.” Janko sees immediately there’s something different about the young man - and it’s not about the tan from this trip around Europe. It’s at times like these he’s glad to have decided that the only way he’d talk to Richie is by videocam, even if that was originally decided due to seeing some different scenery. “What’s got you smiling?”
“It… Gael, shut it. I will!” Richard snaps at a person behind the camera. “You’re the showboat! Just…fine. Can’t you let me tell him my way, not yours?” Richard lets out a loud sigh, even while smiling, then says, “Gael found out that you were my first kiss. He wants me to say you were a good teacher.”
Janko laughs, then says loudly, “I thank you, Gael.” There’s laughter in the background. Richard covers his face with his hand, clearly embarrassed by whatever Gael is doing. “Though why do I think it was more than a kiss.”
He hears what must be Gael’s voice call out, “You’d better believe it was more than that.”
“Gael!” Janko thinks he hears Richard’s voice crack and knows that his face couldn’t be redder. “Stop doing that!”
“What is he doing?”
“One sec.” Richard stands up and positions the laptop camera to show Gael dancing around.
While Janko has heard about this Gael, the fact their introduction involves a backflip and hiphop dancing to music clearly in his head is awesome. Janko cannot stop laughing as he splutters out, “Morning afters can be a bitch, Rich.”
Mario walks in at that point, his eyes going from Janko’s laughter to the unfamiliar man dancing, then shakes his head. “I told you going on youtube is nothing but trouble.” He looks closer and realizes this is no video. “What the hell are you watching? Who is this?”
“Richie’s travelling companion. This must be saved for posterity.”
One thing a college story needs is a jackass roommate. I had a player in mind (Daniel Koellerer - better known as Crazy Dani) and even wrote dialogue with him but didn’t know where to he belonged. I actually deleted all of it because it was, frankly, hateful - it might even have been in-character but he is a real person and I felt there was a line. Instead, I had him be Andy’s roommate before moving in the suite. It could’ve as easily been the one Richie tried to take a swing at if you'd like that image but I decided Andy bitching about him is more fun to write than teen!Richie losing his head.
(2) Novak’s First Soccer Sunday or: When Rafa Met Andy
Players: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Janko Tipsarevic, Andy Murray
When Novak mentioned to the others about playing on the soccer team in high school, he figured he’d be off the hook because nobody else had actually been on a sports team long enough to letter in it. Rafael had played with relatives, which Novak didn’t take much stock in, and Mario was warming the bench on the basketball team (he didn’t care because he was on the team just enough to make him appear well-rounded for colleges). The others did other activities during high school so didn’t go beyond spectators.
Then he discovered that Janko was a big soccer fan and that he, Mario and Gilles were involved in a game every Sunday. When Janko encouraged Novak, Rafael and Richard to join the others in this tradition, Novak’s mouth was ahead of his brain when he said yes. At least he’d be spared from Richard seeing this, knowing enough to have an excuse ready, but Rafael agreed easily as well.
The feeling of dread was made worse when he saw Rafael handling the ball. Novak says, “I thought you said you only played at family gatherings.”
“I do. My uncle was a professional.” Rafael sees Novak’s reluctance on the matter, then asks, “Did you really play?”
“Yes,” Novak maintains, then looks toward Janko, who is gathering the troops. “I knew Janko had knee surgery so I figured this would be enough to impress him. I did letter in soccer, played on varsity, but definitely a weak link on a team that barely won one game. I was better as the towel manager. Why didn’t you play in high school?”
“When I started ninth grade, I was twelve. Too small then. Guys in school would make fun of me so I went into other activities. I did try out my junior year but they had a championship team the year before and few slots available. Plus, coach thought I was too weak. Had better things to do with my time, anyway.”
Janko comes over to them, sheet in hand as he explains, “First week is always tough to get teams together. Viktor managed to get three newcomers though only one has played on a team before. I think I have to explain the rules to the other two. One of them asked me about using his hands! Even the high school player seems rather gawky so I suspect he’s lying to impress Viktor. He’ll be discovered,” then walks back to the other players.
Novak glances toward Rafael, then admits, “He’s going to think of me that way. You’re better than me yet never even played in an organized game.”
Rafael looks toward the bench. He had noticed the gawky-looking boy alone earlier, handling the ball from foot to foot, and nothing had changed. The boy may be all limbs and paler than the piece of paper Janko is using but he’s got skill. “I think Janko’s wrong about that kid. He’s been doing that the past ten minutes. Actually really impressive. Come on, Nole.” He jerks on Novak’s arm then they head over to the bench.
“You appear to be ready,” Rafael declares, causing the boy to glance his way then kicks the ball straight up so it lands perfectly in his hands.
“Really?” he says doubtfully, then glances over at the group gathering around Janko and Viktor. “I suppose. That guy seemed annoyed at the selection.”
“How did you find out about the game?”
“Viktor lives down the hall from me. Hi, I’m Andy.”
“I’m Rafa and this is Novak. Janko lives in the same suite as us.”
At Andy’s questioning look, Novak adds, “Janko is the annoyed guy.”
“Ah. I see. You three are all Serbian. The brotherhood sticks together.”
Novak mutters, “Believe me, he’s going to wonder about brotherhood when he sees me play. Probably will renounce my membership.”
Rafael shakes his head. “Janko is not going to care about your ability. This is a suite-bonding experience.”
“Technically, not until Richie agrees to join us. There’s only five of six at this point. He had the right idea by claiming to have a paper due tomorrow.”
Andy asks Rafael, “Is he always this dramatic?”
Rafael replies, “I’ve been his roommate for three weeks. So far, I’d say the answer is yes.” Novak scrunches his nose at the comment to which Rafael gives his best innocent smile. “He makes everything so difficult.”
“No, he’s okay,” Andy says reluctantly. Novak’s pleased expression has Andy add on, “Well, maybe. Only met you a minute ago. Too soon for me to give that diagnosis.” Rafael laughs at Novak sighing loudly, then Andy continues, “My roommate is another story. I think Daniel’s goal in life is to irritate as many people as possible. People in my hallway, including Viktor, have basically expressed their sympathies to me as if I’d drawn the short straw instead of the random draw it is. I even found out there’s bets going around regarding if I can outlast the last three roommates he had.”
“He cannot be as bad as you make it sound.”
“His last roommate tried to strangle him in public… and everyone was rooting him on to succeed! Daniel thinks calling me Doctor Who is the epitome of comedy, which really makes no sense in that it’s not even his name but I digress. He’s a crazy idiot and I don’t know how he hasn’t flunked out yet.”
“If you can hold out until the end of the semester, one of the guys in our suite, Gilles, is intending to move off-campus with his girlfriend so we should have a slot. Apparently Richie owes Janko a favor so he has no say in whoever replaces Gilles.”
If I know Sly, she’s probably wondered why I mentioned but did nothing with Juanca. But I actually had written something unrequited OTP - but opted to delete in favor of Feli bugging Rafa about Andy and Marat. This is the scene that led to that.
(3) Players: Feliciano Lopez, Juan Carlos Ferrero
Juan Carlos swears he doesn’t care about what Marat does. There is a lot that encompasses, he is well aware, but there is one thing that crosses the line.
He hates that damn accent kink. He despises the glint in the Russian’s eye when he sees, well hears, Sean Connery. He hates that he had to prepare for that look when Marat talked his way into sitting in on Professor Henman’s lecture because he couldn’t find anyone Scottish on-campus.
But he really hates that it’s lurked in the back of his mind about that not quite being true. One of Richard’s suitemates fit the profile. His anxiety was made worse upon discovering that Feliciano’s then-boytoy Rafael was best friends with the guy as well.
Although both Feliciano and Richard tried to convince him that this guy was beneath even Marat’s wide range, Juan Carlos knew this kink’s power too well. He’d gotten lucky with Marat in the past as a side effect of watching these movies and he hated himself for giving in to that.
When Feliciano ended his arrangement with Rafael early this semester, Juan Carlos figured he was finally in the clear. So he’s blindsided when Feliciano says one morning, “I cannot believe I’m saying this but you are totally fucked.”
Juan Carlos is busy writing in his planner and has no idea how dramatically serious Feliciano looks. “Huh?”
“Marat found the Scottish kid. You were right to be worried. Have the videos on my phone.”
“What?!” Juan Carlos’ pen drops out of his fingers, rolls off the table and lands on the floor. “No. Absolutely fucking not!” Feliciano sits down, his eyes never leaving Juan Carlos, who feels like he’s losing his mind in under five seconds. “I do not believe you.”
“They’re making out and Marat is like a vampire looking for a feeding. I’m sorry to tell you.”
“I thought Andy was supposed to be creepy. Richie, hell even you, said so.”
“Yeah well he’s not so creepy-looking now, I must say. The first video has Andy doing karaoke, then later talking with Marat. Clear clue that Marat is tone-deaf when it comes to Scots but anyway. The second is them at this party and the aforementioned kissing. For all the jokes I’ve heard about his inexperience, I wouldn’t have thought Andy could hold his own against Marat. But the video doesn’t lie.”
“I need a drink… or six.” Juan Carlos drops his head onto the table. “This is horrible.”
“There is no way Richie didn’t know about this. We must corner him after class.”
“You said you have the videos on your phone?”
Feliciano chuckles, “You’re a glutton for punishment.”
The last chapter has Roddick telling Rafa the story about the Sunday breakfast with Mardy and Richie. You may know that I’d written some of that scene and that’s how I worked it in. What you don’t know is that it wasn’t the story I’d intended Roddick to tell. It was more in line with No Rhythm and One Up but the problem was how to end Roddick’s story to fit with the sweetness of the rest of the chapter.
(4) The story Roddick almost told Rafa about Richie in the last chapter
Players: Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (lacosteslash)
“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. There had to be a good story that he was certain Richard wouldn’t reveal. After all, Richard told the damn scissors story and he should pay for that. “Okay then. There’s this guy on a rival football team named Jo, who I met during the break between last fall and spring semester. Awesome guy I thought it’d be fun to throw into our games. So, in my turn in the game of One Up, I invite Jo to my room, buy some alcohol and see what happens.”
“You were proposing a threesome?” Rafael says incredulously.
“I don’t know if I’d have gone through with it but I really wanted to see Richie’s reaction. I’d made out with another guy in front of him - by his request, I might add - before this. Short of any public display of affection, he’d been okay with any suggestion of mine. I buy Chinese food, as a means to break the ice, but the conversation is very awkward, especially when Jo starts talking about sports and relaying a training regimen which would trump yours. Eventually Jo notices Richie’s lack of contribution to the conversation and abruptly says something in French then surprises him with a kiss. My eyes meet Richie’s. He might have given in initially but he gets this look of panic and shakes his head before he begins to push Jo away. Jo snaps that Richie should consider himself lucky he’d even considered but apparently I was good at persuading. I get angry with Jo and throw him out but not before Jo asks if there’s a chance with me.”
Rafael scrunches up his nose, then interjects, “I thought you two were seeing other people as well.”
“We were and, prior to this night, I might have agreed to Jo’s proposal but there was something about Richie’s reaction that told me otherwise. When the door closes, Richie starts apologizing profusely. I tell him I didn’t really care about him backing out of the One Up so stop being sorry. He says that he could see in my eyes that I did care about the kiss and the idea of me watching him doing this freaked him out. I realize there must be something I’m missing so I ask what Jo said in French. Apparently, it was ‘you’re lucky he’s here because I would continue ignoring you otherwise’.”