“Bossy much?” I made a feeble attempt to joke, but he didn’t laugh.
“Yes. Because being a dad is a privilege. His time could run out at any minute, and all the crap he put your family through is the only memory you’ll have left. Such a waste.” He took a breath as if to calm down but amped right back up. “I get it now—why you’re so afraid to say the wrong thing or let anyone down. Itwas like he was testing you and looking for holes in anything you said. That ends now. If he wants to see you, he’ll have to get used to seeing me.”
“Good,” I responded quietly, captivated by his fire. “I love you.”
He sighed deep and heavy. “I love you too. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I love your passion, Jude.”
“I hate the sound of my own voice right now.”
“I don’t. It’s my favorite sound in the world.”
Annie didn’t have any in-person classes yet, so she went home to help her mom for the rest of the week, and I worked the evening shift at Pop’s. I heard some mumbling about Nathan being there earlier in the day, but I wasn’t worried. He hadn’t tried to contact me again, so … out of sight, out of mind.
I was worried about Jude, though. I turned his words over in my mind a few hundred times, searching for any sign he was upset with me, but he only seemed upsetforme.
He didn’t like the way my dad talked to me.
He didn’t like being away from me.
He loves me.
Even exhausted and a little run-down, there’s never a reason to doubt him. Still, I checked on him twice. Both times I got short and sweet replies.
“I’m fine, baby. I’ll talk to you when you get home. I love you.”
When I got home after work, Jace was waiting for me, parked next to Jude’s SUV. Color drained from my face when Jace got out of his truck and came toward me.
“What happened?” I was terrified, but the stupid douche waffle just smirked.
“Nothing, Cupcake.” He laughed, ruffling my hair while I fumed at his apparent lack of concern. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s cute though. Danny knew he’d fall asleep, so he wanted me to watch for you when I got home.”
“Something’s wrong,” I confessed, with tears threatening.
His face softened. “I think it’s been two years this month since he lost his dad—three since he got sick.”
“Oh.” How could I not know that?
“He’s okay. Probably sleeping it off on your couch.”
Jace walked me to the door, but it opened before I put my key in the lock.
Jude met us with red eyes, wearing a wrinkled T-shirt and sweats like he’d been asleep. He smacked Jace’s shoulder before pulling me to him.
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Get some sleep, dude. You look awful. Call if you need anything.”
Once the door was shut and locked, Jude tossed my wallet and keys on the kitchen bar, took my face in his hands, and kissed me.
“I’m sorry, Punk.”
“Why?” I pulled back to look at him.
“Because I was a jerk on the phone.”
“No, you weren’t.” I pinched his side to get a smile and mostly succeeded. “You passionately defended me, except I was the only one there.”
