“What do you need?” His tone is full of take charge, We aren’t here to fuck around, which I appreciate. Petty as it is, satisfaction and pride bloom in my chest when he ignores Kari Ann’s presence completely.
I point at the stack of cases holding my beauty supplies. “Can you load those up?” It will only take me a few minutes to pack everything else. Besides, as much as I love how he’s rendered my roommate speechless, I’m not scared to be alone with Kari Ann. I’d rather get out of here as soon as possible. By the way she’s fiercely tapping at her phone, I wouldn’t be surprised if the other roommates show up soon. Now, that I’d like to avoid. I flip open my bags on the bed and get to work.
Her eyes burn at my back from her spot opposite in the room. She watches silently, waiting for Jude to roll out my cart of makeup and the front door to slam shut. “So what, are you like, moving?”
I ignore her. With an open duffel in hand, I walk over to the dresser and transfer my undergarments into the bag.
“Not cool, skipping on a lease. Rent’s due in a week, and you need to pay it.”
“You’ll get your damn money.” The retort flies past my lips before I can bite it back.
“I’m serious, Rae. You still have six months left. Don’t think I won’t take you to small claims for that.”
She’s threatening me? After her friend stole from me. I grind my jaw down so I don’t say anything. Do not engage. Do not engage.
I shove the rest of my pants into the duffel and zip it shut. Moving to the closet, I don’t even bother folding my clothes, instead taking the hangers right with them. I heave them inside my suitcase and manage to close it.
“Look.” Her tone is defensive. “I don’t care about whatever bullshit went on with you and Crystal. You signed a contract with me and you need to honor it.”
Something inside me snaps, and even as I hear the front door open and shut I can’t rein in my utter irritation. “Rent is still due on the first, yeah?” I don’t wait for her to finish as I toss my shoes into a bag. “You’ll have your money.”
“What, I’m just supposed to trust you? Where are you even going?”
“None of your business,” Jude says. He glares at her once before turning his back. His gaze waits for mine, and in it I find concern. For me. My heart flutters at his kindness. I melt a little at his protectiveness. “These ready?” He gestures to the bags.
I nod. “Yeah.” I hike one of the duffels onto my shoulder and he takes the rest. My gaze scans my side of the room, empty now but for the bed. Everything I own fits into three large suitcases. I don’t know whether that’s something I should be proud of or if it’s plain sad. Regardless, it makes for quick packing. “Let’s go.”
I don’t say good-bye to Kari Ann. I don’t tell her where I’m staying, or how long I’ll be gone. Partly because I hope it pisses her off enough to realize what Crystal did was wrong, and partly because I don’t know myself.
22
Jude
“Jude! You have a puppy!” Rachel drops to her knees and discards her bags without care the second we step inside my condo. Walter trots right into her open arms. Lucky bastard. She scratches and pets the pint-sized Chihuahua, then scoops him up as she stands.
“Careful,” I grumble, hardly able to contain my jealously. “He’s an old man.” Fuck. What’s wrong with me? Is this what I’ve become? Resentful over my damn dog. The bastard nuzzles into her chest, right between her glorious breasts, his sneaking little licks causing her to giggle. I want to stick my face there as well. Only, if I’m ever given the opportunity, it won’t be to make her laugh.
Yep. I’m officially bitter.
“You had a puppy this entire time?” Rachel finally glances up from Walter. Her smile is open, unfiltered, and playful. “You could’ve had me in your apartment sooner.”
“Oh?” Her smile is contagious and I can’t help but flirt a little. “I’ll remember that. And it’s a luxury condominium. I own the entire floor.”
“That doesn’t impress me. Now this—” she crinkles her nose, bringing my dog up to lick her face. “This little guy is the most impressive thing about you.”
“Has a thing for ancient men. Got it.” I make a check through the air on an imaginary list.
She attempts a glare, but it’s spoiled by her smile. “He’s practically a puppy.”
“Walter is almost ten. Or maybe twelve.”
“You don’t remember how old your dog is?” She actually appears offended.
I don’t know why I care so much about what she thinks, but I find myself explaining anyway. “The pet rescue guessed, but really, he could be even older. Someone found him in a dumpster near Santa Monica, and he wasn’t chipped so we have no clue.” I drop my gaze to focus on Walter, because this is a piece of my life I don’t share with anyone. I should probably shut up before she suspects I’ve got a soft spot, but something in Rachel’s faint smile propels me to say it anyway. “I don’t know when you were born, right, buddy?” I reach out to scratch behind his ear, just the way he loves. I lift my gaze to Rachel’s. “So I celebrate his adoption day instead. Five years next month.”
Rachel stills. She doesn’t make a move to set Walter back on the floor, and like a coward I’m too nervous to hold her gaze. I drop mine as if stroking my dog’s fur takes all my concentration. I don’t know why I care so much about what this woman thinks of me. Why it even matters. I’m usually a Here I am, take it
