“So, what were you doing out, going crazy on a Wednesday night?” he asked.
I froze, not knowing what to say, but opted for the truth.
“Webber, Jude and I went out,” I said, watching his expression.
Pursuing Jude felt wrong, but he was an adult, and he could make his own decisions.
“Shit, they are finally talking?” He raised his brow. “Fucking finally. How was that? Did you have to play referee?”
“No, they seemed fine,” I said, realizing that they did seem fine.
I expected awkwardness, but not once did they seem out of sorts.
“Good. Whatever happened must have been bad. We had never seen them fight like this,” Colt said.
“We had fun last night and they seemed ok,” I said, wondering if I should ask for more information.
Jude told me what had happened, but it always felt like he wasn’t telling me everything, like there was a big piece of the puzzle I was missing. But it wasn’t my puzzle to figure out, so I didn’t pry.
“That’s good. Jude’s always been in?—”
“Colt, have you guys finished up?” Theo came through the radio.
“Yeah, just about,” Colt responded.
“Great, finish up and come home. Nova’s made some milanesa tortas,” he said. “That means you too, Forest. You look awful.”
I laughed.
“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes,” Colt chuckled.
“Let’s hurry the hell up so I can eat,” I said, my mouth watering thinking about that sandwich I knew was going to hit the spot.
I needed to eat and then figure out how the hell I was going to get Jude, Webber and me in the same room again.
“Go pick up Jude and bring him to my house,” I said to Webber, as I put the steaks in the fridge to marinate.
“He’s been ignoring me,” Webber sighed. “Since we all kissed, it’s like he’s disappeared."
I huffed. The little shit had been dodging me too, but I was stubborn as hell. If he thought he was going to leave, he was wrong, he couldn’t shake me that easily.
“Fine, go to Mae’s and pick up a strawberry shortcake,” I said, washing my hands. “I’ll go get him.”
“Ok, good luck,” Webber chuckled.
“What?” I growled.
“Jude can be a little shit when he wants to,” Webber said. “Maybe we should both go get him.”
“Of course he’d be a little brat,” I muttered.
“You don’t know the half of it,” he said. “I let it slide most of the time because he’s dealt with a lot of shit, but sometimes Jude is his own worst enemy.”
“Has he always put himself last?” I asked, grabbing a new shirt since I had made a mess of this one.
“Most of the time,” he sighed. “Growing up with Theo, he always protected him. Their parents were dicks to Theo, never believing his diagnosis, but also so impatient with him. Sometimes Jude was the only person in Theo’s corner, and I don’t think he’s ever learned that he needs to think of himself too.”
“Why haven’t you helped him?” I asked, maybe a little too harshly.
