My heart—my hopeful heart that had been half in love with Jude since high school—would jump at any chance to spend time with him.But that was complicated because I was going to get my brother, and Jude had opinions about my brother.Valid opinions.
I paused just long enough that he tilted his head to the side.“Did Blake get arrested again?”
I leaned my head back, staring up at the beams crisscrossing above, and let out something between a groan and a sigh.“Yeah.Another DUI.”I leveled my eyes with Jude’s again.
“Didn’t he lose his license?”His tone was pointed.
“When has the law ever stopped Blake from making poor choices?”My tone was dry as ash.
“Kendall,” Jude admonished.
“Jude, he’s my brother.I love him.I know he’s a fuck-up.”
“Yeah, he is.He also hasn’t always been that great to you,” Jude pointed out.
I thrilled to the protective sound in his voice.“I know, and he’s apologized six ways to Sunday for that.”
Jude nodded.“So, how about I ride with you?”
I hesitated.“I’d love some company,” I admitted.
When Jude smiled, my belly swooped.“Let’s go,” he replied.
When I tried to insist that I drive, Jude shook his head.When I pressed, he said, “I have four-wheel drive.You don’t.”He wasn’t wrong on that, so I shrugged.
Travis was so excited to see Jude, he was practically vibrating with joy once we were in his truck.“Hey, my main man,” Jude teased when Travis rested his chin on Jude’s shoulder.
Once we were driving, quiet fell in the truck cab, and tension wound through me.My belly was fluttery, and I was nervous.This was what I didn’t want with Jude.I didn’t need to be nervous around him.He was my friend.He would always be my friend.
“Did he tell you what happened?”Jude’s question cut through the quiet.
“Just that he got a DUI last night and he couldn’t get a hold of Mom and Dad.”
“I see.”
“You don’t need to give him hell when we pick him up.”
Jude startled me when he reached over, catching my hand with his and giving it a squeeze.He had big hands.Strong hands.Working hands.And, Ilovedhim touching me.
“I just worry about you.”He squeezed one more time before releasing my hand.
It was all I could do not to reach back over and hold on tight.“I’ll be okay, I always am.I’ve come to peace with my messy brother.Family isn’t perfect, and he’s the only brother I have.Unlike you, I don’t have five to choose from,” I teased.
Jude’s chuckle rumbled over my nerves, which were drawn tight from his presence.
“True enough.Do you want coffee before or after?”
“Before.Because if we get it after, Blake’ll be broke, and I’ll feel like we need to buy him a coffee.That’ll make me resentful.”
“Proud of you, Kendall-girl,” Jude said, his tone light.
When I glanced over and he caught my eyes with a smile, my belly spun in a flip, and it felt like sparks scattered through me.I needed to get over this crush on him.
ChapterSix
Jude
Kendall was laughing, and her curls swung around her shoulders.“Those damn goats,” she said with a sigh when her laugh trailed off.
