“Yeah, she is.Her brother picked her up.I changed the locks on the apartment and told her not to call me again.I even blocked her number.She’s a hot mess.I don’t mean that in a cute way.I felt bad for her, so I caved.That’s something I have to work on.Fucking boundaries, man.”
“Seems like you could talk with your therapist about that,” I offered.
“I am.If you wanted to come to an appointment or two, that might be okay.I don’t want to pressure you,” he said hurriedly.
“I don’t need to come to your therapy appointments, Blake.”
He shrugged.“I wish Mom and Dad would go to therapy.”
I snorted before taking a swallow of my coffee.“That might help.”I took a bite of my scone.“Oh, wow, these are amazing.”
Blake eyed my scone skeptically.We enjoyed our coffee and chatted casually.All the while, customers came in and out, and I ignored the door.
And yet, the very second Jude came walking in, Iknewit.I could feel his presence like a live wire.
ChapterForty-Five
Kendall
When I glanced across the café, my gaze collided with Jude’s.It was all I could do not to run over to him.I was torn between whether to make my presence obvious or not.Blake went and made it obvious to the whole damn place, lifting his hand in the air and waving.“Jude!Asher!Lincoln!”
“Oh, my God, Blake!”I whisper-shouted.
“What?Youknowyou want to see him.I’m just giving you an assist.”
All three of them came walking over.Jude’s gaze met mine, and his smile was warm, but I could see the hesitance in his eyes.
“Hey,” I said, my belly fluttering and nerves jangling inside.
“Hey, Kendall,” Lincoln said.
“Hi there.”I smiled.
Asher grinned.“Hey, hey.”
“So you’re back,” Blake said to Lincoln.
“I am back.Back to stay this time.”
Blake tipped his head to the side.Even though Lincoln had never become an alcoholic like my brother, he and my brother had partied together for a stretch.“Good to see you, man.For what it’s worth, I’m sober.”
Lincoln’s brows hitched up, and he dipped his head.“Good on you.I’m glad to hear that.”
Asher and Lincoln chatted with Blake about this and that, while I finally caught Jude’s gaze again.“How was the trip?”
“It was good and cold.Blake still staying with you?”
Blake heard that and glanced over.“Hell, no.I was just saying to Kendall, I think my timing was bad that night.It’s on me.No more me crashing in her one-room apartment.Not cool.My ex needed a place to crash, so I let her stay at my place, but she was lying about being sober.I had to get the fuck out of there.Staying at my parents’ was a little too close for comfort.Totally my bad.Working on my boundaries and shit.”He stood from the table, gesturing to the chair.“Have a seat, man.”
With Lincoln and Asher still hovering, we now had an audience of three staring at us.Jude hesitated before Lincoln all but shoved him into the chair.“We’ll get your coffee.”
Jude sat down.Now, someone else was nervous across from me.This was a different nervous than my brother had been.
My nerves were a tangle, my stomach clenched, and my heart ached.“So, uh, that’s what happened.I’m sorry.My brother’s not the only one who needs to work on boundaries.I do too,” I said softly.
“It’s okay.I was hurt because I missed you that night.”Jude took a quick breath.“How’s Blake?”
I was afraid I might cry with so much emotion compressed inside.“He’s doing well.He got a new job.”
