“Be right back.” I don’t know what possessed me to do this, but I went over to Jude. I felt bad he kept himself away when these guys were his friends too. I decided maybe we needed a clean slate.
“Hey stranger.” He kept sketching not even bothering to look at me. I wasn’t going to let him push me away again. If he honestly didn’t have feelings for me, it was ok. Not that it wouldn’t hurt like hell, but I rather him be my friend than nothing at all.
“I don’t know what to say to make things better between us, but I’m sorry for what I did in the past. I never meant it.” He snapped his pencil in half by how hard he was gripping it. I feared what would come out of his mouth next.
Jude took a deep breath and said, “Ok all is forgiven, we’re good.” What? I had a feeling this had to be a joke. No way would he just forgive me and move on without some type of fight.
“Uh, I’m probably stupid for saying this but are you sure?” I wanted to physically slap myself in the forehead. I should just take the peace offering and go back to my table, but like I said I’m a sucker for punishment.
“Yep, I’m sure.” He didn’t sound so sure, but I didn’t get a chance to question it further because he was already gone.
I walked back to my table which everyone went back into their conversations trying to pretend they weren’t just staring at me and Jude. Leave it to Knox though to ask, “What’s going on with you and Jude?”
This was my opportunity to casually tell Knox we knew each other. “We actually know each other when we were kids and that past is a bit messy, but we cleared the air.” Stella stared at me and I gave her a look I would tell her everything later in private. Everyone, but Knox nodded and continued on what they were talking about.
“What do you mean you knew each other? Why didn’t you say anything when I introduced you two?” Damnit, I had a feeling Knox wasn’t going to let this go.
“It was a long time ago when we were friends and we didn’t recognize each other until sometime after. His last name is different now which threw me off.” I prayed he would take my explanation as what it was.
“Oh yeah, he told me how is name is now James instead of Tyler.” Rem to the rescue thank god, but now I was curious.
“How did you know he changed his name?”
“I had to help him fill out forms for school and he had to list his previous names. Apparently, he changed it to the lady who adopted him in high school.” Huh, I never knew he was adopted. I honestly just figured he ran away and crashed with some people he may have known from baseball camp.
“Ok that make sense. What time are you guys heading to the party?” I changed the subject quick before Knox can ask me anymore questions about Jude.
“We are going to be there in the morning to set up the decorations. Party starts at eight, so we will probably be there at six to make sure everything is set up.” Ezra said looking at Stella and only Stella. Boy got it bad if you asked me.
We all said good bye and headed off to our classes, but Stella caught up to me and asked, “What happened back there with Jude?”
“He’s been avoiding me which isn’t surprising, but I hate that he won’t even sit with the guys because I’m here. I figured I would just apologize for whatever I did in the past that made him so angry.”
“Did he accept your apology?”
“Yeah, no, I don’t know. I’m so confused about it. For all the shit he’s been doing to me over whatever he thinks I did in the past, I figured he would put it all out on the table. Instead he just said ok, but I don’t feel like its ok. You know?” Jude was a confusing man, but for some reason it intrigued me more. I wish I could just hate him for sleeping with me and ignoring me after, but I just can’t.
“The heart wants what the heart wants, but sometimes it takes meeting someone new to get over someone old.” She is right, but what about when you find your person. That person who you can’t live without. It’s crazy thinking Jude could be that person because of all the shit he is putting me through, but not one day since I last saw him did I ever stop thinking about him.
“Is Brad your someone new?”
“Don’t make this about me when we’re talking about you. What about Declan? You two seemed to hit it off, maybe you should see if it could be romantic.” I wish it could be that easy.
“We’re just friends. Besides, he found his someone.”
“Really?”
“Yeah a girl back home. His situation is a little bit more complicated, but I hope it works out for him.” I really do. A few weeks of knowing Declan he was more than what meets the eye. Some may look at him and think he is a total jock, but he was much more than just the hockey player most saw. If you got to know him you would know he had so much love for his Nana, loved all types of literature which inspired him to want to become an English teacher, and he tutored other students to help pay his brother’s tuition. It was sweet of Declan to do that since he was on a full scholarship for hockey and their family was financially drained from his father’s chemo. He had so much heart and I hope one day Abby sees it.
“Lucky girl. Speaking of him what are you
