However, when I think of Jude not being my partner, it feels wrong. We make a great team. We can read each other so well, it would be a shame to stop working with him. Plus, he’s become my best friend. I can’t even imagine losing that friendship. Then again, maybe I already have by sticking my fucking tongue down his throat. Whether he went along with it or not, that was wrong of me.
When the alarm goes off, I’m still awake. I drag myself out of bed and shower, trying not to think about facing Jude. But that’s impossible. My gut is churning as I towel off and dress in my uniform. Will he be mad at me after he’s had all night to think about what happened?
I go downstairs and the kitchen is empty. I have a brief moment of panic thinking maybe Jude moved out last night. But when I glance out the front window, his SUV is parked next to mine. I’m surprised by the flood of relief I feel that he hasn’t run away from me. He’s still here which means I have a chance to clean up my mess.
I make coffee, but decide to skip breakfast. I couldn’t eat if someone paid me. Maybe Jude and I can grab an early lunch, once we’ve talked this disaster out. If Jude is willing to listen, that is. I really hope he isn’t upset with me. I wouldn’t blame him if he was.
I’m drinking a cup of coffee, staring out the window over the sink, when I hear the scrape of Jude’s shoe behind me. I steel myself and turn to face him. Guilt instantly eats at me because there are dark shadows beneath his light blue eyes.
“Hey,” I say softly, setting my cup on the counter.
He meets my gaze, jaw tight. He seems to be bracing for impact. The anxiety radiating off of him makes me feel like the biggest asshole who ever lived. I wanted to be the one who protected him and watched out for him. Instead, I’m now the source of his stress.
“Jude, I don’t know what to say other than I’m really sorry.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “You don’t have to be sorry. It’s okay, Liam.”
I grimace. “Not really. I acted like a jackass, and I feel awful about it.” I lean against the counter, crossing my arms. “I drank way too much… and… I think you’re right, I was amped up from the run and I just got… confused.”
His face twitches, but he nods. “Exactly. It was too much wine and excitement from the run.”
“Yes.” I’m happy he’s on the same page. “I love Kara. I’m embarrassed by my disloyal behavior.”
“I understand.” He moves to the coffeemaker so his back is to me. “Don’t worry. I’ll never say a word about what happened to anyone. It really was no big deal.” His laugh is forced. “Hell, if I had a nickel for every time I kissed a guy when I was drunk, I’d be a rich man.”
I laugh too, but there’s a weird prickle of jealousy at the thought of him making out with other guys. I reject that possessive emotion even as it swirls through me. “So, we both agree it was a mistake?”
He faces me, stirring his coffee. “A hundred percent.”
“Great. That’s… that’s great.” My face feels stiff when I smile at him. I finish my coffee and rinse the cup, carefully setting it in the dishrack. “I’m going to head to the station. I have a few things I need to take care of that I pushed off yesterday.”
“See you there.” His tone is casual without a hint of resentment.
Thank God. We can put this behind us.
When I get to the station, the first thing I do is call Kara and arrange to take her out to dinner tonight. She’s thrilled. I really haven’t spent enough time with her lately. I need to change that. It’s only natural we might drift apart if I don’t put in enough effort. Maybe we should go ring shopping soon, to solidify my commitment to her. I push away the anxiety I feel at the idea of proposing to her.
It’s a little tense between Jude and me when he gets to the station. We’re both overly polite during roll call, careful not to stand too close, careful not to make eye contact that lasts longerthan a second. But once we’re in the SUV and the first call comes in, the job takes over the way it always does.
It helps that the first call is chaotic. It’s a fender bender in the resort parking lot. When we pull in, a guy in a lifted truck is standing next to a fire hydrant that’s spewing water. He’s red-faced and talking fast into his phone.
A woman sits in the passenger seat of his truck, arms crossed, staring straight ahead like she’s trying to astral project herself to another dimension. A second woman’s voice is blasting from the phone in his hand, loud enough that I can hear every word from twenty feet out.
“Is Trish with you?” a female voice screeches. “Well, is she,asshole? You said you were going skiing with the guys, Brian. I heard Trish’s voice in the background just now. Why is she there with you?”
The guy, Brian apparently, looks like he wants the asphalt to swallow him whole. As we approach, he jabs at his phone screen, fumbling to take it off speaker.
The woman in the truck climbs out, face red. “Is that your wife on the phone? You said you were getting a divorce,Brian,” she growls, slamming the truck door.
“I am, Babe. Get back in the truck. Just let me handle this.” Brian reaches for her arm and she sidesteps him.
“Don’t touch me. I can’t believe you lied to meagain.”
“Babe, don’t be like that. Susan knows you’re the only one for me,” Brian says hoarsely. “What we have is true love, babe.”
Jude and I exchange a look.
Liam clears his throat as he pulls out his notepad. “Sir, I’m Officer Martinez. Can you show me your license and registration please, and tell me what happened here?”
