I got all my systems back up and running, but I didn’t eliminate the security breach.
It’s been about six weeks since that night, and no one’s questioned it other than Annie’s occasional mention of “that one night,” to which I simply reply that I had a bad day, she had people at our house, and we fell asleep watchingIron Man.
I assume either Jace never found out, which is probably wishful thinking, or Jude handled it. The only reminders I have of that night are a baggy T-shirt I’ll never return and the picture I took of my wrist before I showered.
I never told him what led to my emotional meltdown, and he hasn’t asked, but he’s been more … attentive? I don’t know ifthat’s the right way to describe it, but he checks on me a little more intentionally than before. I should feel guilty about it, but I don’t.
At home, work, school, relationships—whenever there’s a problem, everyone expects me to solve it. Newsflash: I am not Vanilla Ice. Maybe someoneelsecould collaborate or listen for a change. Only one person has ever made me take my white-knuckled grip off the steering wheel and take a nap on the passenger side.
He’s been the same playful flirt since the beginning, never expecting anything more. Not even when we were both single.
I thought he might be a touchy-lovey kind of guy like Sam, but it’s different. He restores my energy when others drain it. If dispensing serotonin is a superpower, that’s Jude’s.
Everyone says he loves me, and I know he does, but after all this time it’s hard to believe it could suddenly be likethat.
Until I remember the hallway.
The music room.
The coffee shop.
The kitchen.
The ever-loving kitchen.
Getting out of town will be good for me. I need to get out of Jude’s hair.
Literally.
Chapter 18
Halfway Gone
Jude was right about missing each other. I’ve hardly seen him since I fell asleep on his lap, and wow, it sounds so much worse when I put it like that. It’s only been a few days, but other than texts or sharing funny videos back and forth, there hasn’t been time. We haven’t crossed paths in the parking lot, shared rides, sung together, or watched baseball, and it royally sucks.
He flips his light switch a couple of times around midnight every night before sending a silly good-night meme. That should be enough, but it’s not.
Oh my word, how has it only beenthree days?
Friday, as I’m packing up to leave for my mom’s house, I tell Jude and Jace to come steal our cold food from the fridge because Annie and I will be gone all weekend.
Mr. Stark:Yes ma’am. Got bread?
Me:Yep. Take the milk too.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:Sweet. Thanks. Be careful and tell us when you get there.
Mr. Stark:Yeah, what grandpa said.
Me:Y’all feed Sammy too.
Mr. Stark:We’ll even walk him and throw a tennis ball.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:He’s going to Nashville.
Me:Unsupervised?
Mr. Stark:He gigs with other people sometimes.
