I am completely filterless. It feels so good to say what I’m thinking.
“You’remy fantasy.” He tickles me until I squeal. “I’ll wear whatever you want as long as I get to see this outfit again. I want to see more of that tattoo.”
“That’s on my list for you too.” I smile at him, breathless from laughing and no longer holding back anything I want to say. “Were you at aGQphoto shoot for undercover rock stars?”
“Close. The broker’s license training starts Monday. I was at a welcome session trying not to go into cardiac arrest when Sam sent that picture of you. That would’ve been hard to explain, Punk.”
My happy little balloon begins to deflate.
He said that training would last several weeks. I just got him. I just gotus.Of course, something would immediately come between us.
“The classes are here? In Nashville?” I force a tight smile, trying not to sound crushed.
But I am.
“It’ll be okay. I promise.” He pats my hip. “Go change, and we’ll talk.”
Chapter 29
Falling In
We take turns changing in the small bathroom, and I lay our wet clothes over a kitchen chair to dry as Jude forages for food.
“We got bread, butter, and cheese, Punk. Check in the cabinet for pans.”
The kitchen light is out, so we move a lamp closer to the small efficiency stove. Jude makes us grilled cheese while surges of rain overhead create a background track for our version of a romantic candlelight dinner.
When we finish, he plays some slow bluesy music from his phone and wraps his arms around me from behind, swaying us as he speaks.
“I knew I’d never get this shirt back.” His breath puffs against my neck between words and kisses. “Do you know how hard it was to go home the nights you were wearing it?”
Subconsciously, I think I did.
“I had no intention of returning it,” I confess.
“One of your work shirts is in my room.”
“Oh, that’s where that went.” I giggle against him. “I’ll need the Martin guitar shirt and a few more if you’re going to leave me.”
His body slumps, deflating against me, and I regret my words instantly. I didn’t mean to make him feel bad.
“Please, don’t say it like that. The online class was maxed out, and a family friend invited me to his six-week intensive training that covers everything I need. It was the best way to get it all done at once. I know the timing sucks, but we’ll have weekends, and I’ll call and text every day.”
“I know you will. And I understand priorities.”
He turns me by my shoulders to look at him. “Youare my priority. Have I made that clear? If you need me, I’ll find a way to get home.”
“I’m still allowed to hate it, right?”
“You’re not used to being first in anyone’s life, but that’s over. This…” He motions his hand between us. “I didn’t know how any of this was going to go with us or work or …life.I just wantyou.”
I claim my spot against his chest and wrap my arms around him without hesitation.
“Wow, you without a plan,” I muse aloud. “I’m glad you didn’t wait.”
He swiftly lifts me to the countertop so we’re closer to eye level, and I pull him close, hooking my legs behind his back. I’ve never been clingy, but he may regret giving me koala privileges.
“The timing would never be perfect, but you were always the plan. The details were just a bit fuzzy.”
