Chapter 37
Count Me In
Anything before ten is too early to wake up after a closing shift, but my phone’s insistent buzzing wins out over my dream. It was a good one too.
Today, Jude makes it more than worthwhile. He recorded my song. The one he said was all mine.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:
Wake up for me, baby.
Sorry to hit you with such a long message first thing in the morning, but I had to type out what I wanted to say. Since I can’t kiss you now, you get a song. It came out a little more country than I wanted, so I’m still working on it.
The last two weeks have been hard but worth it. Thank you for listening, and being my koala, and making me feel like I’m allowed to rest. The way you trust me makes me feel like I can do anything. (It might be the emotional strangulation.)
I can’t wait to share more serotonin and every new adventure with you. I also want another shot at whipped cream in a dark kitchen, but we’ll discuss that later.
I love you, Punk.
I lie in bed a little longer, replaying Jude’s song and reading his message. Every time I start to call him, I’m overcome with gratitude. I take a few minutes to thank God for getting me out of the mess I was in.
Thank youisn’t enough, but I’ve got nothing else.
It still feels too good to be true—like I’ll wake up and be late for school with Alex laughing at me for having my brother’s spare pacifier in my backpack.
I finally message back, unsure if he’s in class by now.
Me:Turns out loving you is just as easy as trusting you.
Before I can say more my phone buzzes in my hand with a video call, and I answer before I remember I haven’t looked in a mirror yet.
“Good morning, Gorgeous.”
“Ugh. You’re a hot rock-star CEO, and I’m a swamp toad,” I moan, hiding half my face behind a pillow.
He smiles back at me. “Are you awake? I need to talk to you about something.”
The words hit my stomach like lead, and my face hides nothing.
“Nothing’s wrong, Lu. I just met with Ray, and he thinks we can knock this course out faster.”
“Okay. What does that mean?”
“He knew my dad, and he knows a lot about our properties. He noticed I was struggling and wants to help.”
“Struggling? Because of driving home? Because ofme?”
“No. Yes. Lu, I wouldn’t change a thing; I just need a better strategy. I have to plan exactly how I’m going to tackle a problem, but you’re not a problem. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I didn’t know how to divide my attention without giving you less than you deserve. Coming home to you was exactly what I needed to put things in perspective.”
“Do you need me to give you some space?” I ask with my heart in my throat.
“Don’t you dare. I need you. We’re a team. But right now, I think I should stay here and take care of business. A few weeks and this will be over, but you and me? We’re forever.”
My mouth falls open, and he chuckles. “Too soon?”
“No, forever sounds good.” I rub my eyes and push myself into an upright position.
“Waking up to you was all the motivation I needed. Getting the license is one step closer to waking up to you every day, but I don’t want you to think you’re not my priority.”
